ReportWire

Tag: APP Public Safety

  • Neighborhood reacts to 4-year-old killed after bullets hit his home

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A 4-year-old boy died early Wednesday morning after a suspect fired shots into his residence.

    What You Need To Know

    • A 4-year-old died after shots were fired into his home

    • Police said it’s unknown the reason the suspect shot at the victim’s house because the victim and his family didn’t pose a threat to the suspects

    • Neighbors said the victim and his siblings lived with their grandmother after their mother passed away from cancer earlier this year

    • CMPD said shooting into homes incidents have increased and launched a pilot program to combat this trend


    The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department is investigating the homicide on Cigar Court, which is located in the Steele Creek neighborhood of the city. 

    Officers initially responded to a stolen vehicle call and when they arrived to the scene, they learned shots were fired into a nearby townhome for an unknown reason.

    The rounds hit a 4-year-old boy and killed him. 

    “That’s the most frustrating part of this. There is no indication that anyone in the residence discharged any weapons or presented any threat to these suspects whatsoever at this time. For some reason rounds were fired into this residence unprovoked,” CMPD Maj. Ryan Kendall said.

    Brandon Flowers, who lives nearby, had a home security camera that captured the aftermath.

    “It’s just heartbreaking. It’s a scary thing,” Flowers said. 

    Tabitha and Amy, two neighbors who knew the family, only shared their first names for safety concerns. 

    Tabitha described the boy as sweet.

    “He had so much life ahead of him. It’s just really tragic what happened,” Tabitha said.

    They both shared the victim and his siblings lived with their grandmother after their mom passed away from cancer earlier this year.

    “That family has already been navigating grief for the past few months, and this just adds, it’s going to compound that grief,” Tabitha said. 

    The shooting into the home shook this community.

    “It’s also heartbreaking when a child is lying in their bed, in their home, in their safety, and then it hits and then it hits a 4-year-old,” Amy said. 

    Amy told her daughter to take cover when she heard the gunshots.

    “You could tell the gunshots were close. You didn’t know where they were, where they were coming from and you just you don’t want your family, anybody in intermediate shot of a window or anything,” Amy said.

    Police said shootings targeting homes have been on the rise in the Charlotte area. Last year, they said there were 856 of them, leaving 174 people with gunshot wounds.

    In February, CMPD introduced SWITCH, a pilot program to combat this crime.

    Amy hopes this trend subsides.

    “Your home is supposed to be your sanctuary, your safe place,” Amy said. 

    Flowers now questions his safety.

    “You wake up on a morning like this and somebody’s just shooting. It does kind of make you wonder, you know. Am i in the right place? is this the right city still?” Flowers said.

    Flowers and Amy both said elected officials should do more to stop the violence. 

    CMPD said shootings into homes not only lead to personal harm but create a sense of fear and trauma for anyone living where these crimes have taken place. 

    Mid-year crime statistics show violent crime is down in Charlotte, while vehicle thefts increased this year. There’s also an initiative tasked with recovering stolen vehicles. 

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    Estephany Escobar

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  • Durham Highway Fire Department encourages people to volunteer

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    RALEIGH, N.C. — Volunteer firefighters make up 65% of the U.S. Fire Service, according to the National Volunteer Fire Council.

    In North Carolina, a number of communities rely on volunteers to respond to all types of emergencies. 

    What You Need To Know

    • National Volunteer Fire Council: Volunteer firefighters make up 65% of the U.S. Fire Service

    • Majority of fire departments in the United States are volunteer departments

    • NVFC launched the national junior firefighter program in 2007


    A majority of fire departments in the United States are volunteer departments.

    From structure and wildland fires to vehicle crashes, medical emergencies and natural disasters, these men and women show up and get to work.

    Durham Highway Fire Department volunteer Craig Dunkley said after he’s done saving lives with the fire department, he heads to his job as a full-time marketing expert.

    “If I have to stay late from a shift, and because of a fire or some situation like that, and I start work late, I’ll just work later in the evening to sort of cover the hours,” Dunkley said.

    Many volunteers work 12 to 16 hours a month depending on the department’s needs. They receive small stipends and benefits, such as a state pension plan.

    Luckily for Dunkley, he doesn’t volunteer for the money. He said he does the job for the community, camaraderie and commitment.

    “My kids always thought it was pretty cool. My wife took a little bit of convincing, because I’d had a busy job beforehand. And then when I started adding this on, she was like, ‘when are you going to be home?’ But we all worked it out,” Dunkley said.

    The National Volunteer Fire Council said a community’s population determines whether it gets a volunteer fire department.

    The agency said large communities with over 100,000 people are protected by departments that consist of primarily paid staff.

    Assistant Chief Mac Schultz said with the growing population in the Triangle, many volunteer departments need more people.

    Dunkley, who began volunteering six years ago, encourages volunteering. 

    “You have to make time not only for being here at the station to run calls and do your duty, but also for training, because we all train to a pretty high standard. There’s a lot of hours that go into that. And also, you have to make time to maintain your own physical fitness,” Dunkley said.

    Durham Highway Fire Department is actively seeking volunteer firefighters.

    All training and certifications will be provided free of charge. Prior training is not needed.

    In addition, the NVFC launched the national junior firefighter program in 2007, and it’s still active.

    The goal is to get more youth interested in the fire service.

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    Jatrissa Wooten

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  • Costco recalls Prosecco because bottles could shatter without warning

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    Costco is recalling bottles of store brand Prosecco because they could shatter without warning.

    In a notice on the company’s website Tuesday, Costco said the recall affects Kirkland Signature Prosecco Valdobbiadene purchased between April 25 and August 26. The affected bottles were sold in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

    Costco said unopened bottles can shatter even when they’re not being handled or in use. The company said customers should wrap any unopened bottles in paper towels and place them in a plastic bag before disposing of them to avoid any risk from shattered glass.

    Costco didn’t respond Tuesday when The Associated Press asked if there were any reported injuries due to the issue. The company also didn’t say how many affected bottles were sold or how the company discovered the problem.

    The Associated Press also left a message seeking comment with Ethica Wines, the Miami-based company that imported the affected wines from Italy.

    Costco is sending letters to impacted customers. The company said customers will be given a full refund if they bring those letters to their nearest store.

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    Spectrum News Staff, Associated Press

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  • Ormond-By-The-Sea couple recounts tragic shooting at Circle K

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    ORMOND-BY-THE-SEA, Fla. — Multiple communities are still reeling after off-duty Edgewater Police Officer David Jewell was shot and killed at a Circle K in Ormond-By-The-Sea.

    The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office confirms that 24-year-old suspect Eduardo Machado is in custody and admitted to the shooting, but the motive is still being investigated.

    What You Need To Know

    • Edgewater Police Officer David Jewell was shot and killed inside of a Circle K in Ormond-By-The-Sea Monday while off-duty

    • A couple that lives near the Circle K says they went there daily and were shocked to learn that Eduardo Machado was the suspected shooter

    • David and Teressa Pender say they heard multiple gunshots the night Jewell was shot

    • The Edgewater Police Department confirms that a vigil for Officer Jewell will be announced in the coming days and a memorial ride has been planned for Friday Sept. 19 at 7:30pm at Goodfellas Beer and Wine in Edgewater


    David and Teressa Pender say they go to that Ormond-By-The-Sea Circle K on Ocean Shore Boulevard and Wisteria Drive everyday and know everybody on staff, including Machado, and are still shocked that this even happened.

    David Pender says he bought a pack of cigarettes from one of the store clerks less than ten minutes before David Jewell was tragically shot 24 times.

    “I had just pulled out to get to the house and as soon as I got out of my truck, I heard pop, pop, pop, pop! And then I heard pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop,” exclaimed David Pender.

    His wife Teressa said she thought he just heard construction noise nearby until the store was surrounded by law enforcement within five minutes and a search ensued.

    The two said they couldn’t believe the news when they learned the suspect was Eduardo Machado, as he was someone that they grew to adore when they visited the store.

    “We’ve known him for two and a half years. He’s the quietest, doesn’t really talk, great guy and you know everybody in the condos, people were friends with him,” Teressa Pender said. “Everybody knew him. You would just never have expected this. Especially when we hear how devastating it was.”

    The Penders also gave their condolences to the Jewell family and even brought flowers to the scene.

    Meanwhile, in Edgewater, a memorial with Jewell’s vehicle and picture has been started in front of the police station with local businesses like the family-owned Frosty King, who paid tribute with a sign for Jewell.

    “United we stand tall and divided we fall. So, we just want to let everyone know on that big sign and let the community and everybody know that we feel really sorry about what happened and we only get through this by being there for each other,” Frosty King employee Victoria Ice said.

    Flowers surround an Edgewater Police cruiser on Sept. 16, 2025, after an off-duty officer was shot and killed this week. (Spectrum News/Nick Allen)

    It’s an incident that has changed many lives and for the Penders, even changed how they go about their days.

    “Oh, brother I’m going to have a hard time walking through those doors. I’m not going to lie to you because I know the managers and the staff, and it just becomes a little community of the same people,” David Pender said. “You know, and then when something like that happens, it just kind of rips your heart a part.”

    The Edgewater Police Department confirms that a vigil for Officer Jewell will be announced in the coming days.

    Edgewater businesses, however, have partnered up and shared on Facebook that a Memorial Ride is expected to happen Friday Sept. 19 at 7:30 at Goodfellas Beer and Wine in Edgewater.

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    Brandon Spencer

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  • Man arrested in fatal shooting of off-duty Edgewater officer

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    ORMOND-BY-THE-SEA, Fla. — An investigation is underway in Volusia County after a man was arrested for reportedly shooting and killing off-duty Edgewater Police Officer David Jewell in the head multiple times at a convenience store.

    It all happened just after 4 p.m. at a Circle K in Ormond-By-The-Sea.

    Officials with the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office say Jewell and the suspected gunman, identified as Eduardo Machado, reportedly knew each other.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Colorado school shooting suspect posted about mass shootings and neo-Nazi views

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    DENVER — A teenager suspected in a shooting attack at a suburban Denver high school that left two students in critical condition appeared fascinated with previous mass shootings including Columbine and expressed neo-Nazi views online, according to experts.

    What You Need To Know

    • Experts say a teenager suspected in a shooting attack at a suburban Denver high school that left two students in critical condition appeared fascinated with previous mass shootings including Columbine and expressed neo-Nazi views online
    • The Anti-Defamation League says Desmond Holly had been active on an online forum where users watch videos of killings and violence, mixed in with content on white supremacism and antisemitism
    • It says Holly’s TikTok accounts contained white supremacist symbols and the name of his most recent account included a reference to a popular white supremacist slogan
    • TikTok says accounts associated with Holly have been banned

    Since December, Desmond Holly, 16, had been active on an online forum where users watch videos of killings and violence, mixed in with content on white supremacism and antisemitism, the Anti-Defamation League’s Center on Extremism said in a report.

    Holly shot himself following Wednesday’s shooting at Evergreen High School in Jefferson County. He died of his injuries. It is still unclear how he selected his victims. The county was also the scene of the 1999 Columbine High School massacre that killed 14 people.

    Holly’s TikTok accounts contained white supremacist symbols, the ADL said, and the name of his most recent account included a reference to a popular white supremacist slogan. The account was unavailable Friday. TikTok said accounts associated with Holly had been banned.

    Holly’s family could not be reached. The Associated Press left a message at a telephone number associated with the house that police searched after the shooting.

    A spokesperson for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Mark Techmeyer, declined to comment on the ADL’s findings or discuss its investigation into the shooting. The office previously said Holly was radicalized by an unspecified “extremist network” but released no details.

    Two recent suspects in school shootings were active on the so-called “gore forum” that Holly used called Watch People Die, according to the ADL. Holly appears to have opened his account in the month in between shootings in Madison, Wisconsin, and Nashville, Tennessee, the ADL said.

    A few days before Wednesday’s shooting, Holly posted a TikTok video posing in a similar way to how the Wisconsin shooter posed before killing two people during in December. He included a photo of the Wisconsin shooter in a post in which Holly wore black T-shirt with “WRATH” written on the front.

    He also posted videos showing how he made the shirt that was like the one worn by a gunman in the Columbine shooting, the ADL said.

    “There is a through-line between those attacks,” said Oren Segal, the ADL’s senior vice president of counter-extremism and intelligence. ”They’re telling us there is a through line because they are referencing each other.”

    Watch People Die administrators said in an email that Holly lied about his age in order to access the site and was a not a very active user of it, with only seven comments. The email said the site is “adamantly pro-Israel” but does not silence opposing viewpoints. It referred to Holly and the shooters in Wisconsin and Tennessee as “unhinged losers.”

    Holly was also active on TikTok’s “True Crime Community,” where it says users have a fascination with mass murderers and serial killers, the ADL said.

    Some TikTok posts shared by the ADL show one user encouraging Holly to be a “hero,” a term it says white supremacists use to refer to successfully ideologically motivated attackers.

    The person also told Holly to get a patch with a Nazi-era symbol that was worn by the men who carried out the 2019 attack on a mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand, and the 2022 attack on a supermarket in Buffalo, New York.

    Holly posted a photo of two patches that he had but said the Velcro on the back had fallen off.

    “I’m gonna use stronger glue when I fix it,” he said.

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    Associated Press

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  • Patel faces congressional hearings after missteps in Kirk probe

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    WASHINGTON — Hours after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, FBI Director Kash Patel declared online that “the subject” in the killing was in custody. The shooter was not. The two men who had been detained were quickly released, and Utah officials acknowledged that the gunman remained at large.

    The false assurance was more than a slip. It spotlighted the high-stakes uncertainty surrounding Patel’s leadership of the bureau when its credibility — and his own — are under extraordinary pressure.

    Patel now approaches congressional oversight hearings this coming week facing not just questions about that investigation but broader doubts about whether he can stabilize a federal law enforcement agency fragmented by political fights and internal upheaval.

    What You Need To Know

    • FBI Director Kash Patel is bracing for scrutiny over his leadership of the Charlie Kirk investigation and other areas when he appears before Congress this coming week

    • He raised eyebrows hours after Kirk’s killing when he posted on X that “the subject” in the killing was in custody when he in fact remained on the loose

    • That confusion was an early misstep in an investigation that has become the most consequential test of Patel’s young career as director

    • The hearings are expected to give a glimpse into the sustained tumult at the nation’s premier federal law enforcement agency


    Democrats are poised to press Patel on a purge of senior executives that has prompted a lawsuit, his pursuit of President Donald Trump’s grievances long after the Russia investigation ended, and a realignment of resources that has prioritized the fight against illegal immigration and street crime even though the agency has for decades been defined by its work on complicated threats like counterintelligence and public corruption.

    That’s in addition to questions about the handling of files from the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking case, the addition of a co-deputy director to serve alongside Dan Bongino, and the use of polygraphs on some agents in recent months to identify sources of leaks. Republicans, meanwhile, are likely to rally to his defense or redirect the spotlight toward the bureau’s critics.

    The hearings will offer Patel his most consequential stage yet, and perhaps the clearest test of whether he can convince the country that the FBI, under his watch, can avoid compounding its mistakes in a time of political violence and deepening distrust.

    “Because of the skepticism that some members of the Senate have had and still have, it’s extremely important that he perform very well at these oversight hearings” on Tuesday and Wednesday, said Gregory Brower, a former FBI executive who served as its top congressional affairs official.

    The FBI declined to comment about Patel’s coming testimony to the committee.

    He claimed the subject was ‘in custody’

    Kirk’s killing was always going to be a closely scrutinized investigation, not only because it was the latest burst of political violence inside the United States but also because of Kirk’s friendships with Trump, Patel and other administration figures and allies.

    While agents from Salt Lake City investigated, Patel’s account on the social media platform X posted that “the subject for the horrific shooting today that took the life of Charlie Kirk is now in custody.” Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said at a near-contemporaneous news conference that “Whoever did this, we will find you,” suggesting authorities were still searching. Patel soon after posted that the person in custody had been released.

    “That does not deliver the message that you want the public to hear,” said Chris O’Leary, a retired FBI counterterrorism executive. “It had the opposite effect. People start to wonder what is going on. This looks like the Keystone Cops and it continues to get worse.”

    The next day, a scheduled afternoon news conference was canceled for “rapid developments” as Patel and Bongino flew to Utah. It was held instead in the evening. Patel appeared but did not speak.

    As the search stretched on, Patel angrily vented to FBI personnel Thursday about what he perceived as a failure to keep him informed, including that he was not quickly shown a photograph of the suspected shooter. That’s according to two people familiar with the matter who were not authorized to discuss it by name and spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press. The New York Times earlier reported details of the call.

    Asked about the scrutiny of his performance, the FBI issued a statement saying that it had worked with local law enforcement to bring the suspected shooter, Tyler Robinson, to justice and “will continue to be transparent with the American people.”

    Patel’s overall response did not go unnoticed in conservative circles. One prominent strategist, Christopher Rufo, posted on X that it was “time for Republicans to assess whether Kash Patel is the right man to run the FBI.”

    Patel, at a news conference Friday and again on social media Saturday, touted his oversight of the investigation, highlighting his decision to publicize photographs of Robinson as a key break in the investigation. Robinson’s father recognized him from the photos, setting off a chain of events that resulted in the son turning himself in.

    Patel received support Saturday from Trump. He reposted on X a post from a Fox News Channel journalist who said she had spoken with Trump and that the president had said that Patel and the FBI “have done a great job.”

    Then there’s the personnel purge

    On the same day Kirk was killed, Patel faced a separate problem: a lawsuit from three FBI senior executives fired in an August purge that wiped away decades of institutional experience and that they characterized as a Trump administration retribution campaign.

    Among them was Brian Driscoll, who as acting FBI director in the early days of the Trump administration resisted Justice Department demands for names of agents who investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol. Driscoll alleged in the lawsuit that he was let go after he challenged the leadership’s desire to terminate an FBI pilot who had been wrongly identified on social media as having been part of the FBI search for classified at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate.

    The lawsuit quotes Patel as having told Driscoll his job depended on firing people the White House wanted gone. The FBI has declined to comment on the lawsuit.

    The other plaintiffs are Spencer Evans, a former top agent in Las Vegas whose termination letter cited a “lack of reasonableness and overzealousness” in implementing COVID-19 policies while serving as a human resources official — a claim his lawyers call false — and Steve Jensen, who helped oversee FBI investigations into the Jan. 6. Capitol riot.

    The upheaval continues a trend that began even before Patel took over, when more than a half-dozen of the bureau’s most senior executives were forced out under a Justice Department rationale that they could not be “trusted” to implement Trump’s agenda.

    There’s since been significant turnover in leadership at the FBI’s 55 field offices. Some left because of promotions and planned retirements, but others because of ultimatums to accept new assignments or resign. The head of the Salt Lake City office, an experienced counterterrorism investigator, was pushed out of her position weeks before Kirk was killed at a Utah college, said people familiar with the move.

    In July, an agent based in Norfolk, Virginia, Michael Feinberg, authored a first-person account saying he was told to brace for a demotion and a polygraph exam because of his friendship with Peter Strzok, a lead FBI agent in the investigation into ties between Russia and Trump’s 2016 campaign fired over derogatory text messages sent about Trump. Feinberg resigned instead.

    FBI’s priorities shift under Patel

    Patel arrived at the FBI having been a sharp critic of its leadership, including for investigations into Trump that he says politicized the institution. Under Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi, the FBI and Justice Department have become entangled in their own politically fraught inquiries, such as one into New York Attorney General Letitia James.

    He’s moved quickly to remake the bureau, with the FBI and Justice Department working to investigate one of the Republican president’s chief grievances — the years-old Trump-Russia investigation. Trump has routinely called that probe, which did not establish a criminal conspiracy between Russia and Trump’s campaign, a “hoax” and “witch hunt.”

    The Justice Department appeared to confirm in an unusual statement that it was investigating former FBI Director James Comey and former CIA Director John Brennan, pivotal players in the Russia saga listed by Patel in a book he authored as “members of the Executive Branch Deep State,” but did not say for what. Bondi has directed that evidence be presented to a grand jury, and agents and prosecutors have begun requesting information and interviews from former officials related to the investigation, according to multiple people familiar with the outreach.

    Critics of the fresh Russia inquiry consider it a transparent attempt to turn the page from the fierce backlash the FBI and Justice Department endured from elements of Trump’s base following their July announcement that they would not be releasing any additional documents from the Epstein investigation.

    Patel has meanwhile elevated the fight against street crime, drug trafficking and illegal immigration to the top of the FBI’s agenda, in alignment with Trump’s agenda.

    The FBI has been key to the federal government’s takeover of the Washington police department, participating with partner agencies in arrests for crimes, like drunken driving, not historically thought of as central FBI priorities.

    The bureau makes no apologies for aggressive policing in American cities the Trump administration contends have been consumed by crime. Patel and Bongino have been promoting the number of arrests involving federal law enforcement in an initiative they dub Operation Summer Heat. Patel says the thousands of cumulative arrests, many of them immigration-related, are “what happens when you let good cops be good cops.”

    But some are concerned the street crime focus could draw attention from the sophisticated public corruption and national security threats for which the bureau has long been primarily, if not solely, responsible for investigating. In one example, a federal corruption squad in Washington was disbanded this past spring.

    “One of the big problems that I see is that the investigative programs that have been hurt the most this year are the ones that really only the FBI does, or the FBI does better than anybody else,” said Matt DeSarno, who retired in 2022 as head of the Dallas field office.

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    Associated Press

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  • Youngest fire chief in Pinellas Park history plans to improve his community

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    PINELLAS PARK, Fla. — A new fire chief is taking over in Pinellas Park. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Andrew Hughes is the new fire chief for Pinellas Park

    • He has served as the EMS chief in Pinellas Park since 2019

    • Hughes has plans to improve the community for the better


    Andrew Hughes has been part of the department for 13 years and has been serving as the EMS chief since 2019.

    Named to his new position just a few weeks ago, he’s still taking it all in.

    Hughes is 36 years old and is the youngest fire chief in the station’s history.

    Most who reach this position are typically much older, but he plans to use his youth as an advantage.

    “I just continue to work hard, continue to set up the EMS division of the fire department and just show that, you know, I want to walk through this department with each member to kind of get them there and build them up in their career so they can be successful,” he said.

    With his new role, Hughes plans to change the department for the better.

    This includes relocating a couple of the fire stations down the line and adding a training tower.

    “The first story and the second story it’ll have burn rooms,” he said. “So we can actually do live-fire training, live burns. Then the rest of the structure is, you know, other things for doing like high points, technical rescues.”

    The personnel, the public, and Pinellas Park.

    These are the three Ps Hughes always keeps in mind.

    He said if those three things are taken care of in that order, everything will run smoothly.

    “We want to be good neighbors,” he said. “And that’s my vision is that at the end of the day, we have 18 different departments in this county and I just want Pinellas Park to constantly shine and be number one in the minds of the public.”

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    Matt Lackritz

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  • Funeral details announced for Citrus County Deputy Andres “Andy” Lahera

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    CITRUS COUNTY, Fla. — A funeral for Citrus County Deputy Andres “Andy” Lahera will be held next Sunday. The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office is inviting the public to attend.

    It will take place at Seven Rivers Church in Lecanto at 2:30 p.m. A graveside service will follow the memorial.

    Lahera was directing traffic at a high school graduation two years ago when he was hit by a car. It left him with serious brain and spinal injuries.

    His case spurred lawmakers to pass the Andy Lahera Act, providing full premium coverage to all law enforcement officers injured in the line of duty.

    He spent months in the hospital and went through rehab before he died Thursday.

    The 19-year-old driver who hit Lahera was not charged. 

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Ohio Homeland Security launching AI-powered suspicious activity reporting system

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    COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio Homeland Security is launching a new, AI-powered suspicious activity reporting system, they announced in a press release Friday, “to gather actionable information on potential threats of violence.”

    What You Need To Know

    • Ohio Homeland Security is announcing a new  suspicious activity reporting system

    • It is powered by AI, programmed to get more information out of people making reports

    • Users can still remain anonymous
    • The app is not a substitute for calling 911 in an emergency

    Those making reports will be able to provide information via text, video, audio and photo and will be able to stay anonymous.

    The “first-in-nation” app, called Safeguard Ohio, uses AI in a similar way to a chatbot, where it asks the individual making the report for more information that could assist law enforcement.

    “Events that threaten the safety of Ohioans can be hard to predict, but they can be prevented with help from timely, detailed tips from the public,” said Governor DeWine. “This new app simplifies the process to get information to law enforcement quickly and conveniently.”

    You can see an example of how the system works here:

     

    (Ohio Department of Public Safety)

    When making a tip, a person can select from one of the following categories:

    • Suspicious activity-terrorism
    • Drug-related activity
    • Human trafficking
    • Gun-related activity
    • School threats
    • Crimes against children
    • Financial crime
    • Other criminal activity

    Once they select a category, the user begins their conversation with the AI.

    “The AI infused prompts are essential components of this new system,” OHS Executive Director Mark Porter said in the release. “We will get the high-quality intelligence we need to act on a tip through this new system. The AI is trained to keep asking questions until the person reporting says they have no more information about the incident.”

    Information submitted through the app is sent to the always-staffed Statewide Terrorism Analysis and Crime Center, where it is reviewed, and the proper authorities are notified.

    “One of the best attributes of this new system is the ability to upload video and photos,” said Andy Wilson, director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, in the release. “More and more people these days – especially our younger generation – don’t like to talk on the phone. This new reporting method will result in more detailed information being shared with the authorities. That’s exactly what we want. Better information leads to better investigations.”

    However, the release states that the app should not replace calling 911 in an emergency. If the AI recognizes a situation that merits the action, it will tell the user to call 911.

    Safeguard Ohio is not a substitute for calling 9-1-1 and should not be used during an emergency, however the app’s AI can identify situations requiring an urgent response and will prompt individuals to call 9-1-1.

    Once you make a report, you will receive a QR code, which you can use to add more information after submission.

    The app was developed by OHS and Vigiliti.

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    Cody Thompson

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  • Dayton Police Department recognizes National Police Woman Day

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    DAYTON, Ohio — Sept. 12 is recognized as National Police Woman Day, and the Dayton Police Department (DPD) is recognizing the contributions of its female officers and highlighting their commitment to recruit more, evening the discrepancy within the profession.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Dayton Police Department is recognizing National Police Woman Day

    • Women are underrepresented in the profession

    • The department seeks to have police recruit classes be 30% women by 2030, part of a national initiative

    The department stated in a press release that they employ 57 women officers, which amounts to around 16% of their officers. This is higher than the 12% national average.

    “National Police Woman Day honors the service, leadership, and resilience of women in law enforcement,” the release reads. “Observed annually on Sept. 12, it is a day to celebrate trailblazers, highlight ongoing progress, and inspire the next generation of officers. The event raises awareness of women’s underrepresentation in policing and celebrates their leadership, service, and community impact.”


    DPD’s goal is to have police recruit classes be 30% women by 2030, part of a national initiative.

    “Studies show that police departments with greater female representation build stronger community trust, excel at de-escalation, and enhance overall public safety,” the release reads.

    The department will be visiting career fairs at various universities, including:

    • Miami University
    • Wright State University
    • The University of Cincinnati
    • Northern Kentucky University
    • Central State University
    • Sinclair Community College

    DPD applications are tentatively set to open in January of next year for the Dayton Police Academy fall class. You can learn more here.

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    Cody Thompson

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  • Pasco County Sheriff’s Office says boater missing since Wednesday

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    PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — Authorities in Pasco County say a boater has been missing since Wednesday morning.

    Deputies have been searching for Brandon Taylor, 43.

    He launched from the Anclote boat ramp in the Baillies Bluff Road area of Holiday early Wednesday.

    In a news release, the Sheriff’s Office said: “Taylor was last seen on the same day, around 5:20 a.m., approximately 40-45 miles offshore, separated from the vessel. The location of the boat is also unknown.”

    Taylor is 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs about 180 pounds. He was last seen wearing a black shirt and tan pants.

    Anyone with information can call 727-847-8102, option 7, or share tips online.


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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Missing Jacksonville girl, 17, found safe in Clearwater

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    CLEARWATER, Fla. — A missing teen girl from north Florida has been found safe.

    Analicia McKenna Duran, 17, of Jacksonville was found safe on Friday morning after being missing in the downtown Clearwater area on Thursday, Clearwater Police said.

    The teen had been last seen late Thursday near Coachman Park and The BayCare Sound, authorities stated.

    Duran was located Friday morning at the corner of Highland Avenue and Grove Street. 

    Authorities have not released any further information. 

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Weightman Middle receives funding for a school sidewalk thanks to one 8th-grader

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    WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. — A $1.75 million check will be presented Friday to Pasco County for a funding bill passed during the 2025 Florida Legislative Session.

    The funding will be used to build a 5-foot wide sidewalk between Curley Road/SR54 and Wells Road, where three local schools are located.

    State Senator Danny Burgess pushed for the funding bill after learning of an effort by a Pasco County eighth-grader to have the sidewalk built.

    Weightman Middle School’s Joshua Patrick said he attended local meetings, met with local leaders and even launched social media pages to push for the sidewalk, after noticing dozens of kids walking and biking to school, at risk from the busy traffic on Curley Road.

    “I noticed kids walking through drainage ditches, through mud, dodging cars on the side of the road, and that’s just unacceptable,” said Patrick. “You need to be able to get to school safely and that’s not a safe thing.  You are walking to class covered in mud and water, or you, a kid could have got hit by a car, and never want that to happen.”

    Construction of the sidewalk is already underway, and it will be completed in the coming months.

    A check to help with funding of the sidewalk will be presented outside of Weightman Middle School on Friday.

    Patrick has been invited to attend the presentation.


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    Jason Lanning

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  • Woman charged in fire that killed four children in Chadbourn

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    A woman is facing charges related to the death of four children in a house fire in Chadbourn early this month.

    What You Need To Know

    • Reagan Powers, 28, is facing multiple charges related to a deadly house fire in Chadbourn
    • Warrants say Powers left the home and other children in the care of an 11-year-old child
    • Four children died in the fire, while two children were able to escape the fire unharmed
    • Chadbourn is a town located about one hour west of Wilmington


    Reagan Powers, 28, has been charged with four felony counts each of involuntary manslaughter and child abuse, according to court documents.

    Warrants say Powers committed “grossly negligent omission” by leaving both her residence and the children in the care of an 11 year old. “The defendant’s act and omission resulted in serious bodily injury, death, to the child,” the warrants said.

    While the 11 year old and another child were able to escape the fire unharmed, four other children perished.

    Related: ‘Unimaginable loss’: Father gives statement after four girls killed in fire

    The ages of the children killed were 2, 4, 6 and 7, according to a post on the N.C. SBI Facebook page.

    Investigators have not been able to determine the exact cause of the fire, but say there is no evidence that it was intentionally started.

    Chadbourn is located about one hour west of Wilmington.

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    Justin Pryor

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  • Citrus County Sheriff’s Office announces death of Deputy Andres ‘Andy’ Lahera

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    CITRUS COUNTY, Fla. — The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday that Deputy Andres “Andy” Lahera, who was injured in May 2023 while directing traffic, has died.

    “Deputy Lahera’s life was defined by his steadfast dedication to the safety and well-being of Citrus County, and his absence leaves a profound void in the hearts of all who knew him,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

    Lahera served 14 years with the department and was a school resource officer from 2018 to 2023.

    On May 23, 2023, he was directing traffic outside the Lecanto High School graduation when he was hit by a car.

    “For over two years, Andy fought valiantly with the same strength and resolve that defined his career,” the news release said. “His passing marks the end of a chapter filled with bravery, sacrifice, and love.”

    Lahera is survived by his wife, Michele, and their two sons, Vincent and Nicholas.

    “Andy fought courageously, and this is a tremendous loss for his family, our agency, and this community,” said Sheriff David Vincent.

    “We will honor Andy’s legacy by standing beside his family, just as he always stood beside ours.”

    Details about a memorial service will be announced later, the office said.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Advocates cite housing, mental health gaps after stabbing

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The brutal stabbing of 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska on Charlotte’s light rail in August is sparking deeper conversations about the challenges people face when navigating homelessness, mental illness and criminal backgrounds.

    For Deborah Phillips, the case feels far too familiar.

    What You Need To Know

    • Iryna Zarutska’s killing is sparking conversation surrounding homelessness, mental illness and criminal backgrounds

    • Decarlos Brown’s family confirmed he was schizophrenic and homeless at the time of the attack

    • Carmichael says Zarutska’s killing highlights how the prison system often fails both individuals in crisis and the community around them

    • Zarutska was killed Aug. 22 while riding Charlotte’s light rail


    “This hits home for me,” she said.

    Phillips, the executive director of Block Love Charlotte, lost her nephew last year when he stepped in front of a train while struggling with mental health issues and homelessness.

    “We’re coming up on the one-year anniversary of my nephew who stepped in front of a train last year here in Charlotte dealing with mental health issues, and homeless. He had been to me for resources,” Phillips said.

    His death motivated her to continue serving people in crisis, though she admits resources can only go so far.

    “Not necessarily the lack of resources. You can’t make somebody do what they don’t want to do. And that’s what we have to look at, because his family even stated, you know, multiple times that they tried to get him assistance,” she said.

    Mike Carmichael, co-founder of Leah’s Hopes and Dreams, shares the same concern.

    “They have to go. It’s not something that I’m going to push to do. They have to choose to do it,” Carmichael said.

    Court and jail records show Decarlos Brown Jr., the man accused in Zarutska’s death, had at least 14 arrests over the years. His family confirmed he was schizophrenic and homeless at the time of the attack.

    The shelter Roof Above said permanent beds are limited and assigned either through a lottery or first-come basis. A criminal history can present additional hurdles.

    Access to psychiatric care is also scarce. The closest state psychiatric hospital is more than an hour away in Morganton. Its 300 beds are already full, with a waitlist stretching four to six months.

    The 2024 Point-in-Time Count, which tracks people experiencing homelessness in Mecklenburg County, found:

    • 82% reported a medical or behavioral condition
    • 55% said homelessness factored into their arrest
    • 75% identified as African American
    • 92% were male

    Carmichael says Zarutska’s killing highlights how the prison system often fails both individuals in crisis and the community around them.

    “Because there’s a huge gap between the prison system and coming back home. So that’s why we are trying to make sure that we talk to each individual, explain to them when they get out, hey, these are the things you need to go. You need to go see your therapist or your psychiatrist. You need to take your meds,” he said.

    He believes more should be done while people are in custody.

    “Hey, look, I see this record. I’m going to place this person here and make sure they’re being taken care of. We cannot sit here and say, hey, you know, want to keep letting you out, keep letting you out, know you committed a crime this time. You do your time. And while you’re in there, we need to make sure that we’re taking care of that person,” Carmichael said.

    Brown’s family declined an interview. His mother cited safety concerns, while his sister said she noticed a serious change in his behavior after he served six years in jail.

     

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    Jordan Kudisch

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  • Teens face charges in killing of Wake Forest High School coach’s wife

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    Two teenagers are facing charges after a deadly shooting involving the wife of a Wake Forest High School football coach.

    What You Need To Know

    •  The wife of a Wake Forest High School football coach was killed in a shooting on Aug. 29

    •  Investigators do not believe Ericka Lucas was the intended target of the shooting

    •  A 16-year-old was arrested on Aug. 30 and 18-year-old Dexter Mills was arrested on Sept. 9 in connection to the shooting

    • They have each been charged with murder, officials said


    Dexter Mills, 18, and a 16-year-old juvenile have been arrested in connection to the deadly shooting of Ericka Lucas last month, the Wake Forest Police Department said.

    Each of them have been charged with murder, officials said.

    Investigators say they do not believe Lucas was the intended target when the shots were fired along East Nelson Avenue.

    The shooting happened around 6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 29.

    Lucas, the wife of Wake Forest High School Football Coach Reggie Lucas, was found with a gunshot wound and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, officials said.

    The injuries she suffered led to her death.

    “The WFPD extends its heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Ericka Lucas. Our thoughts and prayers are with her loved ones during this difficult time,” the department said in a release.

    At the time of the shooting, police said they believed this was an isolated incident and there was no danger to the public.

    This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the Police Tip Line at 919-435-9610.

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    Daniel Gray, Justin Pryor

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  • Gulfport man saves driver from burning semi-truck

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    GULFPORT, Fla. — A Gulfport man is being praised as a hero after he saved a driver from a burning semi-truck.

    What You Need To Know

    • A Gulfport man was exiting I-275 near SR 690 in Pinellas County when he spotted a truck on fire along the exit ramp

    • According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the driver failed to negotiate a curve and the vehicle overturned, erupting in flames

    • Chase Thalheimer said he immediately jumped out of his vehicle to rescue the driver from the burning truck

    • The driver was transported to a Bay area hospital with serious injuries. His wife said she is thankful he is alive


    “I’m just a good man,” said Chase Thalheimer. “At the right place, at the right time.”

    Thalheimer was driving Tuesday morning when he saw a truck overturn on its side, along the exit ramp of Interstate 275 and SR 690.

    Thalheimer said he immediately stopped.

    “Maybe it was God’s calling,” he said. “I can’t explain it. I just felt like I had to run and help him.”

    As others drove by, Thalheimer said he could hear screams inside the truck. So he searched for a way to rescue the driver.

    Thalheimer said he went to the passenger side. The driver was trying to open the door.

    According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the driver failed to negotiate a curve and the vehicle overturned, erupting in flames. (Florida Highway Patrol)

    “And I’m like, ‘Just grab me,’” Thalheimer said. “And he put his arms around me, around my neck and I just put my arms under his armpits and I pulled as hard as I could. At that time the door went down on him and I just pulled him out. And then he fell on top of me.”

    The wife of the truck driver said her husband has a long healing journey ahead, but she is grateful he’s alive. 

    Wednesday afternoon, she sent a text to Thalheimer:

    “Thank you. I am just beyond grateful he is alive. It is nothing short of a miracle. I am so happy that he is able to talk and looks strong considering everything. He has a healing journey to go through, but I know with God it’ll be a rapid recovery. I appreciate you more than you know. You saved my husband’s life.”

    On Wednesday, Thalheimer said he was a little sore, but he would do it all over again. He said he wishes the driver a speedy recovery. He just wishes he could have gotten to the scene sooner.

    By the way, this is not the first time Thalheimer said he made a rescue. Years ago, he said he rushed into a burning house to save someone’s pet. 

    Thalheimer said he hopes his actions are a message to others.

    “All we have is the time at hand,” Thalheimer said. “Live in the now, make a difference.”

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    Dalia Dangerfield

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  • Missing 7-year-old found dead in Randolph County, sheriff says

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    A 7-year-old boy was found dead in a pond Tuesday, according to the Randolph County sheriff.

    The boy, who had cognitive impairments, was reported missing on Sunday.

    What You Need To Know

    • Liam King was reported missing on Sunday, Sept. 7

    • Officials say King had cognitive impairments was non-verbal 

    • His body was found in a pond near where he disappeared, the Randolph County sheriff said




    Liam King (Randolph County Sheriff’s Office)

    “This morning, at approximately 10:11 a.m., the body of 7-year-old Liam King was discovered in a pond near the area where he was initially reported missing,” Sheriff Gregory Seabolt said in a statement just after noon Tuesday. 

    “We are absolutely devastated. I wish more than anything that we had a different outcome—for Liam’s family, for our community, and for the hundreds of first responders and volunteers who poured their hearts into finding him alive,” the sheriff said. 

    King was reported missing on Sunday, Sept. 7, according to the sheriff’s office, in the area of Forest Hills Drive in Asheboro.

    Seabolt said many people volunteered to help with the search.

    He said they used all the resources they could, including helicopters, airplanes and thermal imagery. 

    “We are grateful for the outpouring of support, prayers, and willingness to help,” deputies said. 

    Related: Authorities searching for missing Asheboro 7-year-old

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    Daniel Gray, Justin Pryor, Ashley Van Havere

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