Tag: SCHOOL SHOOTING

Chaos Unravels As Anti-Gun Activists Swarm Inside Tennessee Capitol

by Breck Worsham, posted in crime, law, news, politics

NASHVILLE (Daily Caller)–Hundreds of protesters swarmed the Tennessee State Capitol on Thursday demanding gun control in the wake of Monday’s deadly school shooting.

Protesters showed up outside the capitol Thursday morning as lawmakers began their session, according to WKRN. Protesters were calling for stronger gun control following Monday’s shooting in which 28-year-old transgender Audrey Hale killed three nine-year-olds and three adults at a Christian elementary school.

One organizer told WKRN they hope “that we can make change.”

“It’s a tough state, I get it,” organizer Maryam Abolfazli said, according to WKRN.

Protesters overwhelmed the Capitol, filling the hallways and eventually making their way to the legislative session chambers. 

Video shows a massive group of protesters screaming and trying to break past a group of troopers. One male protester storms through and is immediately taken into custody by authorities before being released as the crowd chants “give him back!”

Another video shows protesters in the legislative chambers chanting “no action, no peace” and “enough is enough.”

Authorities managed to clear the Capitol and resumed their session, according to reports.

Advertisement

CONFIRMED: No Order Given to Storm School During Uvalde Mass Shooting

by Breck Worsham, posted in crime, law, news, politics

UVALDE, TX — A Texas state legislator said Tuesday that no one gave the order for cops to storm a local elementary school classroom while a gunman remained barricaded inside for more than an hour.

State Sen. Roland Gutierrez told CNN’s “At This Hour” that no order was ever given to rush gunman Salvador Ramos at Robb Elementary School where 21 people were killed — before a group of agents decided on their own to go in and take out the killer.

“Is it your understanding that no command decision was ever made to breach the classroom?” host Kate Bolduan asked.

“That is my understanding,” Gutierrez answered. “What I have been told from law enforcement is that [the US Border Patrol] finally took it upon themselves and said, ‘We’re going in.’

“There’s a lot going on and I understand, and they’re still unpacking a lot of these things,” Gutierrez added, according to a rebroadcast of the interview by Mediaite. “These families deserve all the answers.”

Police said 19 fourth-graders and two teachers were shot dead after the 18-year-old stormed the school and opened fire with an AR-15-style assault rifle.

Ramos remained barricaded inside two adjoining classrooms for more than an hour before the border agents stormed in and shot him dead.

But Gutierrez said the inquiry has to go beyond the actions of Uvalde School District Police Chief Pete Arredondo, who waited all that time without giving an order to attack Ramos.

“To blame one cop on the scene with the six other cops that work for him isn’t good enough,” he said. “I don’t know Mr. Arredondo. Certainly, there was an error there.

“But I think at every point along the way you have superior forces coming in that should’ve said, ‘Let’s go in now,’ just like the CBP cop at one point said, ‘I’m done with this. I’m going in,’” Gutierrez said.

“And so, at what point do people not use some common sense here, listen to 911 calls that are coming in, understand that kids are still alive inside and know that they have to go in there, do their jobs under the active shooter protocol,” he said. “Just ’cause one person makes a mistake doesn’t mean that others have to compound on that.”

The senator’s comments come as the first two funerals for the young victims of the mass shooting are being held in Uvalde.

Grieving families are also holding wakes for two other youngsters and one of the two teachers who were killed at the school.

The New York Post’s Jorge Fitz-Gibbon contributed to the contents of this report.

Gutierrez told CNN that Border Patrol agents took it upon themselves to enter the school and confront the shooter.
Photo Courtesy: Facebook / Joe Paul Ortega

HORROR IN THE HEARTLAND: Student in custody after opening fire at Indiana middle school

by Breck Worsham, posted in crime, news, politics

Noblesville, In — A male student was taken into custody Friday morning after police say he opened fire inside an Indiana middle school, leaving a student and one teacher critically injured.

Officials say the incident occurred at Noblesville West Middle School at approximately 9:06 a.m.

Both victims were transported to a nearby hospital and their families notified. IU Health Methodist Hospital confirmed that they are treating the adult shooting victim and Riley Hospital for Children confirmed that they are treating the child for gunshot wounds.

Eighth-grader Chris Navarro told WSAZ that he was inside an auditorium when he heard the sound of approximately 16 gunshots about a minute before the bell rang for the change in classes.

“The speaker came on and said we were on lockdown and people rushed in and we went to the back of the room. I went into this little room in the back with three other people,” Navarro said.

Noblesville Police Department Chief Kevin Jowitt told reporters Friday that a male student was detained after a teacher on campus was able to knock the gun from the shooter’s hands. He was unharmed and taken into custody without further incident.

A number of agencies, including the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, have been brought in to assist in the shooting investigation.

Former governor of Indiana Vice President Mike Pence took to Twitter shortly after news broke of the shooting to offer words of encouragement and support to the Noblesville community.

“Karen and I are praying for the victims of the terrible shooting in Indiana. To everyone in the Noblesville community – you are on our hearts and in our prayers. Thanks for the swift response by Hoosier law enforcement and first responders,” Pence wrote.

The shooter’s age and identity have not yet been released. It remains unclear what motivated the student to open fire.

noblesville-school-shooting-04-usat-jc-180525_hpMain_4x3_992

TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL SHOOTER IDENTIFIED: Here’s what we know

by Breck Worsham, posted in crime, law, news

Santa Fe, Tx — The suspect police say opened fire inside a Texas high school on Friday has been identified as 17 year old Dimitrios Pagourtzis.

Authorities say Pagourtzis is responsible for the deaths of at least 10 victims – nine students and one teacher.

According to information obtained about Pagourtzis thus far, here’s what we know :

– He was wearing “trenchcoat and big boots,” according to a student who said he saw the shooter. Police have not confirmed what he was wearing.

– He is in the 11th grade at Santa Fe High School.

– He threw pipe bombs into some classrooms, witnesses say. Devices were also found in and around the school.

– The weapon Pagourtzis used was a shotgun, according to eyewitnesses.

– Law enforcement says a pressure cooker with an explosive device was found at the scene.

– A Facebook page under the same name as Pagourtzis, has been taken down.

– A witness said students and coaches at the school would bully Pagourtzis and “call him names.”

Pagourtzis has been taken into police custody and a second suspect, who has not yet been identified, has been detained for questioning. Both suspects were students at the school.

A parent who arrived at the school shortly after news of the shooting broke told reporters that the entire Santa Fe community is in shock.

“If it can happen in Santa Fe, Texas, it can happen anywhere,” the parent said. “I mean, it’s just unbelievable.”

txshooter

HORROR IN TEXAS: 8 dead as gunman opens fire at Texas highschool; Suspect now in custody

by Breck Worsham, posted in crime, news

Santa Fe, Tx (Fox News) — At least eight people have been killed in a Texas high school shooting Friday, FOX 26 reported. The suspected shooter was taken into custody and the active shooter situation was said to be over.

Police officers responded to Santa Fe High School around 8 a.m. CDT after reports that a shooter opened fire inside. The gunman appears to be a student, KTRK reports, citing a law enforcement official. Further details of the incident were not immediately available.

“Details will be released as we receive updated information. Law enforcement will continue to secure the building and initiate all emergency management protocols to release and move students to another location,” the school district said in a statement.

Galveston County Sheriff’s Maj. Douglas Hudson said units responded to reports of shots fired. Witnesses say a gunman opened fire inside an art class during first period. A student in the class told KTRK she witnessed at least one girl being shot.

“We thought it was a fire drill at first but really, the teacher said, ‘Start running,'” the student told the news station.

Two seniors at the school told KHOU 11 their friend pulled the fire alarm after spotting the shooter and urged other students to run. They also said they saw an injured female student.

“Now I am worried about everyone else,” one student commented. “ I don’t even want to go to graduation now.”

Authorities have not yet confirmed these accounts.

President Trump tweeted Friday regarding the shooting stating, “School shooting in Texas. Early reports not looking good. God bless all!”

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz also tweeted regarding the shooting.

“Heidi and I are keeping all the students and faculty at Santa Fe High School in our prayers this morning, along with all first responders on the scene. Please be safe and heed warnings from local officials,” he said.

Aerial footage from the scene showed students standing in a grassy field while officers inspected their backpacks. At least three life-flight helicopters landed at the school.

The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) said it was also on the scene. Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez tweeted early Friday that he arrived at the school to assist officers with the Galveston County Sheriff Office.

Santa Fe is a city of about 13,000 residents, located 30 miles southeast of Houston.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

santafetxshooting

BREAKING: School shooting reported at California high school

by Breck Worsham, posted in crime, news

Palmdale, Ca — Deputies have responded to a Palmdale high school following a report of shots fired.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirmed deputies are at Highland High School. They have not yet confirmed reports of an active shooter.

Details regarding possible injuries were not immediately available, but firefighter-paramedics have responded to the school in the community north of Los Angeles.

…STORY DEVELOPING

UPDATE: Per the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department: One suspect has been detained in relation to the reported shooting. Still no reports of deaths or injuries. Reporting updates as they come available.

BreakingNewsRed

POLICE: Suspect in custody after shooting student at Florida school

by Breck Worsham, posted in crime, news

OCALA, FL (Fox News) — A suspect was in custody following a shooting at a Florida high school Friday that injured one student, police said.

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office said the incident occurred at Forest High School in Ocala, Fla. Authorities said the suspected shooter, a 19-year-old male, was not a current student at the school. The suspect went inside the school and shot a 17-year-old male student in what was believed to be an intentional act. It was not immediately clear if the two knew each other.

The student was allegedly shot in the ankle, taken to a local hospital for treatment and is expected to fully recover. The identities of the suspect and the victim were not immediately released.

FULL STORY: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/04/20/florida-high-school-shooting-leaves-one-person-injured-suspect-in-custody.html

OCALA

THE PLOT THICKENS: FBI now admits to 2 prior reports on alleged Parkland shooter

by Breck Worsham, posted in crime, news, politics

PARKLAND, FL — In a closed-door briefing Tuesday with members of the House Judiciary and Oversight committee, FBI Deputy Director David Bowdich admitted that investigators had received two prior warnings regarding alleged Parkland high school shooter Nikolas Cruz.

Cruz, who officials say killed 17 people and wounded dozens more during a mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on February 14, reportedly posted multiple threats to commit a school shooting online.

In a summary released Wednesday, Bowdich cited two separate tips the FBI received, notifying them of Cruz’s comments, one in September 2017 and another in January 2018. Both tips, Bowdich admitted, were mishandled, including one in which a FBI call taker “did not ask any standard investigative probing questions.”

The first tipster to notify the FBI, Ben Bennight, says he saw a comment posted to his YouTube channel “BenTheBondsman” from a poster identifying himself as “nikolas cruz” which read:”I’m going to be a professional school shooter”. Bennight, a , a bail bondsman at AFAB Bail Bonds in D’Iberville, Mississippi, took a screenshot of the comment and emailed it to the FBI on Sept. 24, 2017.

Special Agent Rob Lasky, special agent in charge of Miami Division, confirmed Bennight’s report, but says investigators at the time were unable to track Cruz’s identity.

“In 2017, the FBI received information about a comment made on a YouTube channel,” Lasky said in a statement on February 15. “No other information was included with that comment which would indicate a time, location or the true identity of the person who made the comment. The FBI conducted database reviews, checks, but was unable to further identify the person who actually made the comment.”

On Jan. 5, 2018, a second tip, this time anonymous, called the FBI’s Public Access Line, located in Clarksburg, W.Va., to warn officials about Cruz. According to the FBI, the caller cited concerns about “Cruz’s gun ownership, desire to kill people, erratic behavior, and disturbing social media posts, as well as the potential of him conducting a school shooting.”

According to Bowdich, officials failed to follow up on the call using proper protocol.

“Under established protocols, the information provided by the caller should have been assessed as a potential threat to life,” said Bowdich. “The information was not provided to the Miami Field Office, and no further investigation was conducted at that time.”

The FBI is reviewing its handling of the case and has been directed to report its findings to Congress for follow up.

Florida Town Of Parkland In Mourning, After Shooting At Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Kills 17

 

 

 

 

 

STANDING WITH THE NRA: Georgia pulls tax breaks from Delta after airline cuts ties with pro- Second Amendment group

by Breck Worsham, posted in news, politics

 

ATLANTA, GA — Georgia lawmakers on Thursday announced plans to repeal tax breaks given to Delta Airlines after the travel giant cut their ties with the NRA.

By a 135-24 vote, the State Senate approved a bill to revoke renewal of a jet fuel tax exemption worth $50 million to the airline.

“Businesses have every legal right to make their own decisions, but the Republican majority in our state legislature also has every right to govern guided by our principles,” Lieutenant Gov. Casey Cagle, who had publicly threatened to pull the airline tax break earlier this week  if the airline went forward with their plans to sever ties to the gun rights group, said in a statement.

Further, Cagle warned that he would block any legislation that could prove financially profitable for the airline in the future.

“I will kill any tax legislation that benefits @Delta unless the company changes its position and fully reinstates its relationship with the @NRA,” Cagle, leader of the Georgia State Senate, tweeted on Monday . “Corporations cannot attack conservatives and expect us not to fight back.”

Last week Delta Airlines announced its intention to cut ties with the gun rights group in
the wake of a school shooting in Parkland, Florida, which left 17 victims dead. The airline said that as part of its severing of ties with the NRA it would no longer offer “discounted rates” for NRA members through their group travel program.

“Delta’s decision reflects the airline’s neutral status in the current national debate over gun control amid recent school shootings,” a statement posted to Delta’s website read. “Out of respect for our customers and employees on both sides, Delta has taken action to refrain from entering this debate and focus on its business. Delta continues to support the 2nd Amendment.”

“Delta supports all of its customers but will not support organizations on any side of any highly charged political issue that divides our nation,” the company added, tweeting Delta would be “requesting that the NRA remove our information from their website”.

 

deltanra

 

‘HE JUST SNAPPED’: Teacher taken into custody after allegedly opening fire in Georgia school

by Breck Worsham, posted in crime, news, politics

DALTON, GA — A teacher was taken into custody Wednesday after police say he opened fire inside a north Georgia school.

Dalton, Georgia police said a teacher, identified as Randal Davidson, was arrested without incident after initially barricading himself inside a classroom at Dalton High School, a public school located about 90 miles northwest of Atlanta.

Police were called to the school after a witness said Davidson fired at least one shot then locked himself inside the classroom.

According to a report published by local affiliate WSB-TV (https://tinyurl.com/yba4eq3j), the school was immediately placed on lockdown.

One student was injured while attempting to flee the school, the Dalton Police Department tweeted, but no other students or faculty members were reported injured in the incident.

No one knows what triggered Wednesday’s incident, but witnesses say they are shocked by the events.

“I don’t know what happened. He just snapped, that’s all I can think,” said one woman who did not want her name revealed. “It’s so scary. You just never think something like this could happen here.”

Parents were instructed to pick up their children at the nearby Northwest Georgia Trade Center.

Police have identified the weapon used in the incident as a handgun.

The shooting follows an incident on February 14 in Parkland, Florida where 17 students were killed in a mass shooting. The alleged shooter in that incident was also taken into custody.

The Parkland school shooting triggered a raging debate between gun rights proponents and gun control advocates over the need for stricter gun laws.

schoolshooting