List of All Articles with Tag 'us crime news'

On Friday, a shop owner was shot by a man who complained about a Pride flag hanging outside of a store, on Hook Creek Road in California’s Cedar Glen. When officials arrived at the scene, they identified the victim as Laura Ann Carleton. Tributes are now pouring in for a "beloved" mother of nine and business owner who was known to be a supporter and advocate of the LGBT+ community. The death of Carleton has led to outrage across the country, with family and friends sharing their grief on social media. Actor George Takei, posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, and said: “This is the result of the hate they spew. An innocent woman, a gentle and loving soul, has lost her life. My heart aches for her family in the wake of this horrific murder. Those responsible go beyond the murderer. Every anti-LGBTQ politician, bigoted pundit, and right-wing hate monger has Laura Carleton’s blood on their hands.” Follow our live coverage of the story here Here is everything we know about Laura Ann Carleton: Who was Laura Ann Carleton? Carleton, 66, also known as “Lauri” was the owner of Mag Pi clothing in California. She started her career in fashion during her teenage years and worked in the family business at Fred Segal Feet in Los Angeles, while attending the Art Centre School of Design, according to the Mag Pi store website. Carleton then began running the “top fashion” show floor in the US at Joseph Magnin Century City. She then joined Kenneth Cole (a US fashion house) and remained there for over 15 years, where she worked with factories and design teams in Italy and Spain. The fashion hopeful travelled with her husband across the US, Europe and South America, which fuelled her love for design, fashion, food, fine art and architecture among other things. Her clothing store, Mag Pi, is “all about tackling everyday life with grace and ease and continuing to dream.” What do we know about Laura’s death? On Friday, 18 August at 5pm officers from the Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Station responded to a report of a person who had been shot at the Mag Pi clothing store. When police arrived, they saw that Carleton was suffering from a gunshot wound. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials from the San Bernardino County sheriff’s office said there was an initial altercation that took place at Carleton’s clothing store over an LGBT+ pride flag that the owner has displayed outside of her store. An unnamed male suspect made “several disparaging remarks about a rainbow flag that stood outside the store before shooting Carleton.” The suspect then fled the scene and was later located near Torrey Road and Rause Rancho Road, armed with a handgun. Police said in a statement when officials attempted to “contact the suspect a lethal force encounter occurred, and the suspect was pronounced deceased.” The investigation into Carleton’s death is ongoing and police said no further details are being released. Residents are advised to step forward with any information regarding the incident and are urged to contact the Homicide Detail. ‘This intolerance has to end’ Carleton’s daughter, Ari, posted a heartfelt tribute on her Instagram, remembering her mother as a “fearless, cool and compassionate” human being and describing her death as a “hate crime.” The caption said: “As most of you know our beautiful mommy was taken from us in a senseless act of violence on Friday August 18th. She was murdered over a pride flag that she proudly hung on her storefront. Make no mistake, this was a hate crime. Her flags had been torn down before and she always responded by putting up a bigger one. Our family is broken. We have a long road ahead of us as we navigate this new reality without our loving matriarch.” The post continued: “We find peace in knowing she passed quickly in a place she cherished, doing what she loved while fiercely defending something she believed in. She was fearless, cool and compassionate – always putting others first. We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support that our family has received from loved ones and strangers alike, it has provided hope and light in our darkest days. We will continue to advocate for love, equality and acceptance in everything that we do. Love will always triumph hate.” Hollywood director Paul Feig, whose works include Bridesmaids and The Heat, posted a tribute on Sunday, saying that Carleton, who he called his “wonderful friend,” had been killed by a young man. The post, captioned with a photo of Carleton and him said: “We are all devastated for her husband Bort and her family and the LGBTQ+ community, for whom Lauri was such a true ally. “This intolerance has to end. Anyone using hateful language against the LGBTQ+ community has to realize their words matter, that their words can inspire violence against innocent loving people. Let’s all keep moving forward with tolerance and love. Let’s not let Lauri’s tragic death be in vain,” he added. The Lake Arrowhead LGBTQ+ described Carleton as a "friend and supporter” and said that although she did not identify as LGBTQ+, she spent her time “helping and advocating for everyone in the community.” Sex and the City actress Kristin Davis also posted a tribute and said Carleton was a “strong ally” within the community. Davis’s caption said: “I had the pleasure of meeting Lauri and shopping in her charming store over the summer. I cannot comprehend what has happened and I can only imagine what her family and close friends are going through. “We cannot rest in our work towards love and understanding and equality for every person. It is abundantly clear that divisive senseless hate is the only motive for this hate crime. Lauri was a strong ally, when her Pride flags were stolen she quickly replaced them. To think that she was murdered for her support of our LQBTQ+ family tears my heart into pieces. “I want Lauri to be known as the HERO she was and is. I want her family to know we are thinking of them and for everyone to know that we must continue to stand up for what is right! #lovewins.” Read More ‘This intolerance has to end’: Celebrities react to ‘horrific’ shooting of California store owner over Pride flag California store owner, 66, shot dead after argument about Pride flag outside her shop

Tributes are pouring in for a "beloved" California business owner who was shot dead by a man who complained about a Pride flag hanging at her store. The unnamed individual killed Laura Ann Carleton, 66, at her business Mag Pi clothing store after making “several disparaging remarks about a rainbow flag that stood outside the store," the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Office said. Deputies responded to the incident around 5pm on Friday following reports of shots being fired. The mother of nine children was pronounced dead at the scene, the sheriff’s office said in a statement. The shooter fled the scene on foot but was later located by authorities near Torrey Road and Rause Rancho Road. The suspect, who has not been identified, was killed during “a lethal force encounter” with police. Hollywood director Paul Feig, whose works include Bridesmaids and The Heat, posted a tribute saying that Carleton, who he called his “wonderful friend,” had been killed by a young man. The Lake Arrowhead LGBTQ+ described her as a "remarkable figure", whose "unwavering support" for the community and "dedication to creating a safe and inclusive space within her shop touched the lives of many".

The ex-wife of slain Microsoft executive Jared Bridegan is fighting extradition to Florida, where she stands accused of orchestrating a plot to murder Bridegan. Mr Bridegan, 33, was shot dead after dropping off his two children at his ex-wife Shanna Gardner-Fernandez’s home near Jacksonville, Florida. A third child — Mr Bridegan’s with his second wife — was in the car at the time of the shooting and was uninjured. Mario Fernandez, Ms Gardner-Fernandez’s second husband, was arrested in March and was charged with orchestrating the murder by hiring Henry Tenon, a tenant residing in one of his properties, to kill Mr Bridegan. Mr Tenon has admitted to shooting the executive. On Thursday, police announced that Ms Gardner-Fernandez had been indicted on a first-degree murder charge and is accused of conspiring to have her husband killed. Ms Gardner-Fernandez is currently in the custody of the Benton County Corrections Department in Washington. During a court appearance on Friday, Ms Gardner-Fernandez refused to waive extradition to Florida, where she faces charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and child endangerment, Fox News reports. She is being held without bond and is expected to reappear in court on 14 September. Read More Ex-wife charged with murder of Microsoft executive Jared Bridegan Microsoft exec Jared Bridegan was shot dead in a chilling ambush. Did his ex wife arrange it?

An 18-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the brutal murder of a Texas girl last week. Juan Carlos Garcia-Rodriguez is expected to be charged with capital murder in the death of 11-year-old Maria González, the Pasadena County Police Department announced on Saturday. Mr Garcia-Rodriguez was taken into custody by the Shreveport Police Department in Louisiana and will be extradited to Texas in the following days. He is accused of sexually assaulting Maria and strangling her to death before placing her body in a laundry basket under her bed. Maria’s father Carmelo González, who had received text messages from her daughter saying someone was knocking on the door, found the body when he returned home from work on 12 August. Pasadena Police Chief Josh Bruegger said during a press conference on Friday that detectives had talked to and taken DNA samples from Mr Garcia-Rodriguez on the day that Maria was found. He clarified that Mr Garcia-Rodriguez lived in the González’s apartment complex. Maria’s family issued a statement to KHOU 11 thanking detectives for their commitment to finding justice for the family. “We want to say thank you to the Pasadena Police Department and to Louisiana police and any officials that participated in bringing this cold-blooded murderer into custody. “This arrest has brought the family and community some peace. We are extremely thankful that he cannot cause this type of pain to anybody again.” The statement continued: “I ask for those who are in charge to give us justice. May he be burdened with the full weight of the law, for what he has done to my daughter.” Police said that Maria was in communication with her father on the morning of her murder. Mr González told her not to open the door amd asked a family member who lives near the complex to check on Maria, but he wasn’t able to find her. “I left her alone in the apartment and she was sending voice notes saying that someone was on the door. I told her not to open the door and that I was leaving work,” an emotional Mr Gonzalez told Univision in Spanish. Mr González eventually found Maria’s remains wrapped inside two plastic bags and stuffed inside a basket. The medical examiner determined that Maria was sexually assaulted and that her cause of death was asphyxiation due to strangulation and blunt force head and neck trauma. Maria had immigrated to the US with her father four years ago and they had moved into their apartment just three months ago. Pasadena police said that Mr Garcia-Rodriguez also immigrated from Guatemala and surrendered to border officers in El Paso, NewsNation. reported. Read More Texas girl sexually assaulted and strangled to death after texting father ‘someone was knocking on the door’ An 11-year-old warned about a mysterious stranger before her rape and murder. Now her father needs justice Relative of Idaho killings victim wears T-shirt with pro-firing squad message at suspect’s hearing

Defence attorneys for Idaho murders suspect Bryan Kohberger have argued that they don’t have all the DNA evidence from prosecutors at a pivotal motions hearing that could delay the highly anticipated trial. Mr Kohberger gave an awkward smile to the court as he returned to the Latah County Courthouse on Friday where six motions from the defence and the prosecution were being argued, including the process of how he was identified as a suspect and his alibi for the night of the murders. The hearing comes just six weeks before Mr Kohberger is set to stand trial for the 13 November 2022 slayings of University of Idaho students Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin at their home in Moscow. The proceedings began on Friday with Mr Kohberger’s defence team’s motion to compel prosecutors to share additional DNA evidence – specifically the lab results of three unidentified male DNA samples reportedly found at the crime scene. Prosecutors argued that they have provided everything and that they “can’t provide something that doesn’t exist”. “There has to be some level of trust in discovery,” Judge John Judge said. “You are all sworn attorneys.” He ordered the prosecution to reach back out to the lab to ensure there are no other results that the defence does not have. Mr Kohberger, 28, was a graduate student in criminal justice at Washington State University when he was arrested on 30 December at his parents’ home in Pennsylvania. He was then brought back to Idaho where a grand jury indicted him for the murders in May. A DNA sample from trash collected at Mr Kohberger’s family home was used to link him to a knife sheath found at the scene of the murders. Investigators said, “At least 99.9998% of the male population would be expected to be excluded from the possibility of being the suspect’s biological father.” But his defence team, who claim Mr Kohberger was “out driving” at the time of the killings, has argued against the use of forensic genealogy used to identify him and has asked for all the records from the forensic genealogy work. They are also seeking a stay in the trial proceedings arguing that the grand jury should have reached its conclusion “beyond a reasonable doubt” rather than based on probable cause. Prosecutors strongly oppose these motions. Judge John C Judge could grant, deny, or partially approve any parts of these motions. But depending on how he rules, there could be a delay in the 2 October trial date. Read More Bryan Kohberger’s defence seeks to undercut DNA evidence against him in Idaho murders case Bryan Kohberger finally reveals vague alibi for night of Idaho murders Bryan Kohberger asks judge to throw out Idaho murders indictment as prosecutors demand alibi

Footage of the arrest of Mario Fernandez, the man accused of orchestrating the murder of Microsoft executive Jared Bridegan, has been released by the Orange County Sheriff's Office. Mr Fernandez, a landlord, is accused of hiring one of his tenants, Henry Tenon, to ambush and kill Mr Bridegan near Jacksonville, Florida in February 2022. Mr Tenon reportedly admitted to police that he pulled the trigger the night Mr Bridegan was killed. The release of the arrest footage comes in the wake of a third arrest in the murder case. Mr Bridegan's ex-wife, Shanna Gardner-Fernandez — who is married to Mr Fernandez — was also arrested and charged with first degree murder. Mr Bridegan and Ms Gardner-Fernandez were embroiled in a contentious divorce proceeding prior to his death. In the recently released bodycamera footage obtained by News4Jax, Mr Fernandez can be seen sitting in handcuffs in the back of a pickup truck speaking with police investigators. He is then placed in the back of a patrol car. Mr Fernandez was arrested in March. In the footage, he can be heard reminiscing about using beepers and remembering phone numbers, laughing about being short, and asking about how deputies deal with tall people who are placed in the back of cramped patrol cars. He is facing first degree murder, conspiracy, and child abuse charges. He faces a potential death penalty if convicted. On the night of the shooting, Mr Bridegan was returning from his ex-wife's house near Jacksonville after dropping off two of his children. On his way home, he found a tire in the road blocking his path. When Mr Bridegan stepped out of his vehicle, he was shot — allegedly by Mr Tenon — and killed. Bullets hit the interior of Mr Bridegan's car, narrowly missing his toddler from another marriage. After the shooting Mr Bridegan's ex-wife said she was "devastated" by the murder and insisted she had nothing to do with his violent death. A grand jury indicted her on Thursday, after which he was taken into custody in Washington state. She moved out of Florida after Mr Bridegan was murdered. Ms Gardner-Fernandez's family issued a statement in the wake of her arrest. “Words cannot accurately express the depth of our sadness. Family is our top priority. We love our daughter and are focused on supporting her and our entire family as we help our grandchildren navigate this difficult and very confusing time," her parents, Shelli and Sterling Gardner, said. "For their sake and all involved, we caution against further speculation and request privacy as the legal process runs its course. In the meantime, we are thankful for the continued support, thoughtfulness and prayers being so generously shared by friends and loved ones.” Read More Jared Bridegan’s widow ‘not surprised’ by ex-wife’s arrest over Microsoft executive’s murder plot Microsoft exec Jared Bridegan was shot dead in a chilling ambush. Did his ex wife arrange it? Husband of Microsoft executive’s ex-wife could face death penalty for roadside murder

Two Nigerian hackers accused of targeting American children in an elaborate sexual extortion plot that led to 17-year-old Jordan DeMay’s death have pleaded not guilty to several charges, U.S. Attorney Mark Totten announced. Samuel Ogoshi, 22, and Samson Ogoshi, 20, of Lagos, Nigeria, were extradited to the US this week and were arraigned the next day on four counts, including charges that carry a maximum penalty of life in prison. The Ogoshi brothers were formally advised of the charges against them and entered not guilty pleas on 17 August. The charges stem from DeMay’s in March 2022, after being gripped by fear that his nude photos would be shared with the world. The exchange that led to the tragedy was initiated by three men far across the Atlantic posing as a woman on Instagram. The trio, who American prosecutors have since identified as Nigerian brothers Samuel and Samson Ogoshi, and Ezekiel Ejehem Robert, allegedly convinced the minor to send the explicit photos and then blackmailed him for $1,000. US Attorney Mark Totten said: ‘Today’s hearing is another step forward in the judicial process following the successful extradition of the Ogoshi brothers from Nigeria to the United States last Sunday.’ ‘My office is fully prepared to present the facts of the case during a fair trial.’ Read More A teen dead and two Nigerians extradited for sextortion. How a horror night on Instagram killed Jordan DeMay Two Nigerian brothers charged in sextortion that led to American teen’s suicide plead not guilty

Rachel Morin’s boyfriend has spoken out after Maryland Police revealed footage of the man believed to have murdered the mother-of-five. The Harford County Sheriff’s Office announced on Thursday that DNA found at the scene of Morin’s murder had been matched to the DNA left at a home were an unknown man broke into a home in Los Angeles and violently attacked a young girl back in March. The suspect, a Hispanic male aged 20-30, was caught on a home security camera leaving the LA home. “We believe this was a person that Rachel didn’t know, potentially a random act of violence,” Harford County Sheriff’s Office’s Colonel William Davis said on Thursday. Police are now asking for the public’s help in identifying him. “Unfortunately that suspect has not been positively identified, but he did leave behind his DNA,” Colonel William Davis said at a press conference. Morin’s boyfriend Richard Tobin took to social media following the briefing to say: “I hope they found this scum of the earth, justice for Rachel.” The break in the investigation comes nearly two weeks after Morin, 37, was last seen heading to the Ma & Pa Trail in Bel Air at around 6pm on 5 August. Her body was found near the trail the next day. Read More Maryland police have DNA matching Rachel Morin murder suspect and video images but no identity Rachel Morin’s mother breaks silence on daughter’s killing Maryland sheriff calls out ‘heinous coward’ who killed mother-of-five Rachel Morin Rachel Morin’s boyfriend speaks out after police name man wanted over sex assault as suspect in murder

Rachel Morin's boyfriend spoke up after the Maryland police found DNA evidence of a man they believe killed the mother-of-five. The Harford County Sheriff’s Office announced on Thursday that the DNA found at the scene of Morin's death matched with DNA found at the scene of a March home invasion in Los Angeles where a young girl was attacked. “Unfortunately that suspect has not been identified, but he did leave behind his DNA,” Colonel Davis said. “Based on the DNA evidence, we consider the individual in the video we obtained from the Los Angeles Police Department to be the person that murdered Rachel Morin.” Police released a video of the individual, a shirtless man thought to be Hispanic and in his 20s, leaving the Los Angeles crime scene on a home security camera. Following the announcement, Morin's 27-year-old boyfriend, Richard Tobin wrote on Facebook: "I hope they found this s*** of the earth, justice for Rachel. Rip. love you rach." In a follow-up post he urged people to “please help identify this s*** bag”. According to The Baltimore Banner, Mr Tobin had given investigators a DNA sample and handed over his cell phone. While he was never officially named as a suspect in Morin's death or accused of any wrongdoing. people on social media pointed fingers at him due to his arrest records. Mr Tobin has two arrests for second-degree assault, and separate arrests for violating restraining orders, malicious destruction of property and drug possession dating back to 2014, court records show. Mr Tobin has also faced charges of being a fugitive from justice, resisting arrest and disorderly intoxication, according to Maryland judiciary case search records. He previously lashed out saying, he would "never do anything to her". "Yes I have a past but I also have 15 months clean and have changed as a person. Please," he wrote on social media. Morin was last seen around 6pm on 5 August when she allegedly went out for a run on the Ma and Pa Trail in Bel Air. The 37-year-old failed to return home that night and her boyfriend reported her missing. Just days before her murder, Morin and Mr Tobin had gone official on Facebook with their new relationship. Read More Rachel Morin update: Maryland police show video of potential suspect in Bel Air mother’s killing Rachel Morin – latest: Bel Air mother-of-five’s killer remains at large as Maryland police step up patrols Rachel Morin’s mother breaks silence on daughter’s killing

An Ohio teenager was convicted for a deliberate 100mph “hell on wheels” crash that killed her boyfriend and friend. Mackenzie Shirilla, 19, was found guilty on multiple counts of murder for the incident that killed Dominic Russo, 20, and Davion Flanagan, 19, last year. Shirilla, who was 17 at the time of the crash, faces an automatic life sentence and will have to spend 15 years behind bars before she can apply for parole. She will be formally sentenced next week, reported Cleveland.com. “She had a mission, and she executed it with precision. The decision was death,” said Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Judge Nancy Margaret Russo, who held the trial without a jury. “Her actions were controlled, methodical, deliberate, intentional and purposeful. This was not reckless driving. This was murder.” The court was told that the crash took place at around 5.30am on 31 July 2022 at a building in a business park. Investigators say that Shirilla drove her 2018 Toyota Camry down a three-quarter mile road until it hit a speed of 100mph. Data from the car’s computer and surveillance video showed that the steering wheel jerked to the right and then left before the vehicle left the road and crashed into the business. The wreck was found by a passerby around 45 minutes later. When police arrived they found Russo and Flanagan dead, and Shrilla trapped in the driver’s seat with a fuzzy Prada slipper stuck to the accelerator. The judge told the court that the final seconds of the incident proved that Shirilla acted with purpose. “She morphs from responsible driver to literal hell on wheels,” she said. Prosecutors showed a video taken weeks before the crash which showed Shrilla arguing with Russo and in which she threatened to key his car. Following the crash, doctors stated that Shiilla expressed “grief, guilt and shame” about the crash, with prosecutors saying that she had demonstrated “consciousness of guilt”. Her lawyers argued that feeling bad after a fatal crash did not make the driver a murderer and said that prosecutors had not proved she had not just lost control while driving recklessly. Read More Jared Bridegan update: Ex-wife of slain Microsoft exec charged with first degree murder US Army soldier accused of killing his wife in Alaska faces court hearing Ex-wife charged with murder of Microsoft executive Jared Bridegan

The Harford County Sheriff’s Office believes it has a DNA match to the person who killed Maryland woman Rachel Morin earlier this month. DNA found at the crime scene matches genetic material found at a home were an unknown man violently attacked a young girl in Los Angeles in March of this year, then was filmed leaving on a security camera, police said during a press conference on Thursday. “Unfortunately that suspect has not been positively identified, but he did leave behind his DNA,” Colonel William Davis said. The break in the investigation comes nearly two weeks after Morin, a mother of five, was last seen heading to the Ma & Pa Trail in Bel Air at around 6pm on 5 August. Her boyfriend Richard Tobin reported her missing that night after she failed to return home. Read More Maryland police have DNA matching Rachel Morin murder suspect and video images but no identity Rachel Morin’s mother breaks silence on daughter’s killing Maryland sheriff calls out ‘heinous coward’ who killed mother-of-five Rachel Morin

The Harford County Sheriff’s Office announced on Thursday they have used DNA evidence to identify a potential suspect in the murder of Maryland woman Rachel Morin earlier this month. Colonel William Davis said DNA found at the scene of Morin’s death was analysed by state police, turning up a match with DNA found at the scene of a March home invasion in Los Angeles where a young girl was attacked. “Unfortunately that suspect has not been positively identified, but he did leave behind his DNA,” Colonel Davis said. “Based on the DNA evidence, we consider the individual in the video we received from the Los Angeles Police Department to be the person that murdered Rachel Morin on August 5.” The individual, a shirtless man thought to be in his 20s, was recorded leaving the LA crime scene on a home security camera. The deputy added that despite the match, police still “don’t have a clue where he could be.” “In March he was in California, and here in August he was in Maryland,” the officer said. This is a breaking news story and will be updated with new information.