NFL owners unanimously approved the sale of the Washington Commanders from Dan Snyder to a group led by Josh Harris and including Magic Johnson for a record $6.05 billion I All 32 team owners voted for the sale, which is the highest price paid for a professional sports team
Last Updated: 20/07/23 10:33pm
NFL owners unanimously approve the sale of the Washington Commanders from Dan Snyder to a group led by Josh Harris and including Magic Johnson for a record $6.05 bn
NFL owners have unanimously approved the $6.05 billion sale of the Washington Commanders franchise to a group to a group led by Josh Harris and including Magic Johnson.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed though reports in April said the agreement was for an NFL-record price of $6.05bn.
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The group led by Harris, who is a managing general partner at Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE), includes Maryland businessman Mitchell Rales and Magic Johnson, who won five NBA titles during a Hall of Fame career with the Los Angeles Lakers.
“Congratulations to Josh Harris and his impressive group of partners,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement.
“Josh will be a great addition to the NFL. He has a remarkable record in business, sports, and in his communities. The diverse group that Josh has put together is outstanding for its business acumen and strong Washington ties and we welcome them to the NFL as well.”
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones beamed as he walked off an escalator and headed toward the meeting room, granting a brief interview with reporters about the impending sale of his team’s division rival.
“It’s a hallmark day,” Jones said. “I’m excited about the prospects of going into Washington and giving them some capital punishment.”
Separately, the NFL also released the findings of the independent investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct and financial improprieties made by former employees of the Commanders.
Due to the findings, outgoing owner Dan Snyder will pay $60m to the league “in resolution of the findings and all outstanding matters.”
The family of an Alabama man who died after a police officer tased him is demanding to view body camera footage of the incident and claims the man was mistakenly apprehended, according to the family’s attorney.
Mobile Police officers responded Sunday to a residential burglary in progress at a mobile home park around 9:45 p.m., authorities said.
Arriving officers found two men “at the scene,” and while trying to identify one of them, that man tried to flee, police said in a July 4 news release.
The man, who police identified as 36-year-old Jawan Dallas, “physically resisted” when officers tried to apprehend him, police claim.
An officer deployed his Taser to “gain compliance,” the release stated, but police said the initial stun “failed to have any effect.”
Dallas then allegedly “attempted to grab” the Taser from the officer, the statement claims, and once the officer regained control, the officer again deployed the Taser against Dallas.
Police said, “Following standard protocol, medical personnel were called to the scene to evaluate” Dallas, who then experienced a medical emergency. Dallas was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
“We are currently awaiting several reports as a part of this investigation to assist with determining the exact cause of death,” the release from Mobile police said.
The officers involved have been placed on administrative leave and the investigation remains active, Mobile Police Cpl. Katrina H. Frazier told CNN.
National civil rights lawyer Harry Daniels, who is representing Dallas’ family, said at a news conference Thursday that Dallas was an “innocent bystander,” and that multiple eyewitnesses had reported to his firm that Dallas was “nowhere near an alleged burglary.”
According to Daniels, Dallas was about 200 yards down the street from the incident when police arrived.
“He had no reason to speak to them because (…) he wasn’t a suspect of any crime. There was no probable cause he was involved in any crime,” Daniels said.
Daniels said the family submitted a request to view body camera video of the incident with Mobile’s mayor, chief of staff, city clerk and city attorney on Thursday morning.
“My son shouldn’t have left here this way. If he was sick, or something, I can understand it, but for him to be tased to death, beat or whatever – is not right,” Dallas’ mother, Christine Dallas, said.
“It’s unimaginable, it hurts, and I want something done about it,” she said.
Dallas, Texas — Just 12 hours after President John F. Kennedy was assassinated on Nov. 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas, reporters from all over the world crammed into Dallas police headquarters to try and interview the suspect, Lee Harvey Oswald.
“I got jostled,” said reporter Bill Mercer, who was with CBS affiliate KRLD at the time. “I’m small, so I got pushed behind the door one time, I’m pummeled.”
Mercer had just received a tip from an officer that Oswald had formally been charged with murdering the president, something that Oswald didn’t even know, until Mercer broke the news to him on camera.
“You have been charged, sir,” Mercer told Oswald on camera. “You have been charged.”
“And he looked at me, ‘What?’” the now 97-year-old Mercer recounted to CBS News this week. “And I said, ‘You have been charged with the murder of the president.’”
Oswald was shot and killed by Jack Ruby in the basement of Dallas police headquarters on Nov. 24, 1963, two days after Kennedy’s assassination.
Nearly 60 years later, Camera No. 3 from that interview finally belongs to the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza in Dallas, which chronicles the Kennedy assassination.
In January, Mercer was reunited with this piece of history in a visit to the museum.
“This is particularly special because we have the footage, we have the artifact, and we have the man who was reporting that news,” Nicola Longford, Sixth Floor Museum CEO, said.
Longford explained that, decades later, physical artifacts are still popping up from that moment in time.
“We need to have physical items that animate people’s imaginations and try to step back into a historic moment,” Longford said.
Camera No. 3, which is almost too heavy to lift, will go on display to the public later this year to mark 60 years since Kennedy’s death. For Mercer, it’s a piece of history that he will never forget.
“Well, it’s great because, what if we hadn’t had the camera?” reflects Mercer. “It would just be a nothing piece of audio, maybe.”
The Pittsburgh Steelers were awarded marketing rights to Ireland and Northern Ireland this week as part of the NFL’s International Home Marketing Areas initiative; the Steelers have a long-term relationship with Ireland courtesy of the Rooney family.
Last Updated: 25/05/23 10:23pm
The Pittsburgh Steelers made a welcome return to Croke Park. Pictured is Steelers director of business development & strategy Daniel Rooney
The Pittsburgh Steelers have long-term plans to play a regular season NFL game in Ireland, the team said Thursday during a visit to celebrate its long-standing ties with the Emerald Isle.
The Steelers touched down in Dublin days after the NFL awarded the team marketing rights for Ireland and Northern Ireland, all part of the league’s push to expand its audience internationally.
“Our aspirations long term are to play a game in Ireland,” said Daniel Rooney, the team’s director of business development and strategy. “As we move through the process, we’ll be evaluating all options.”
Ireland has never hosted a regular season NFL game, but the Steelers beat the Chicago Bears 30-17 in a preseason matchup at Croke Park in 1997.
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Croke Park, home of the Gaelic Athletic Association, holds 82,300 and would almost certainly be the site of any future Steelers game.
GAA president Larry McCarthy joined Rooney at a news conference at Croke Park and said the organisation is “delighted to be associated with [the Rooneys] and such a famous name and brand in the Steelers.”
Brett Gosper, NFL head of UK and Europe, was also on hand and called the Steelers and Ireland a “perfect fit.”
“There are so many connections, obviously the family’s heritage [and] the Steelers organising that first and only game – so far – in Ireland,” he said.
The late Daniel M. Rooney was U.S. ambassador to Ireland from 2009-12.
The Jacksonville Jaguars, who play in London every year, were also awarded marketing rights to Ireland.
The programme was designed to help individual teams build their brands abroad through commercial activity and fan engagement similar to what they do in their home markets. Rights are granted by the league for at least a five-year term.
San Francisco Bay Area to host Super Bowl for third time after being confirmed as venue for 2026; Levi’s Stadium to stage Super Bowl LX; game also played in Bay Area in 1985 and 2016
Last Updated: 22/05/23 11:30pm
Super Bowl 50 was held at Levi’s Stadium in 2016, with the event to return to the venue in 2026
Super Bowl LX will head to the San Francisco Bay Area with Levi’s Stadium confirmed as the host venue in 2026.
The stadium, home of the San Franciso 49ers, last held the showpiece match in 2016 when Denver Broncos beat Carolina Panthers 24-10 in Super Bowl 50.
The Bay Area will stage its third Super Bowl, with the game also taking place at Stanford Stadium in 1985.
On that occasion, the 49ers beat the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl XIX.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement on Monday: “The Bay Area was an incredible host for Super Bowl 50, and we are thrilled to bring the Super Bowl back.
“We look forward to working with the 49ers and the Bay Area Host Committee to create an impactful Super Bowl LX in 2026 that showcases all the great things the region has to offer.”
49ers president Al Guido said: “We are honored to host the Super Bowl at Levi’s Stadium once again, and to be stewards of one of the biggest sporting events in the world.
“Since hosting Super Bowl 50 in 2016, Levi’s Stadium has cemented its reputation as a world-class venue. I’m confident Super Bowl LX will be a terrific event that benefits the entire community.”
Super Bowl LVIII will be held at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on February 11 2024, with the Ceasars Superdome in New Orleans to stage Super Bowl LIX on February 9 2025.
ALLEN, Texas (AP) — A gunman stepped out of a silver sedan and started shooting people at a Dallas-area outlet mall Saturday, killing eight and wounding seven others — three critically — before being killed by a police officer who happened to be nearby, authorities said.
Authorities did not immediately provide details about the victims at Allen Premium Outlets, a sprawling outdoor shopping center, but witnesses reported seeing children among them. Some said they also saw what appeared to be a police officer and a mall security guard unconscious on the ground.
A 16-year-old pretzel stand employee, Maxwell Gum, described a virtual stampede of shoppers. He and others sheltered in a storage room.
“We started running. Kids were getting trampled,” Gum said. “My co-worker picked up a 4-year-old girl and gave her to her parents.”
Dashcam video that circulated online showed the gunman getting out of a car and shooting at people on the sidewalk. More than three dozen shots could be heard as the vehicle recording the video drove off.
Allen Fire Chief Jonathan Boyd said seven people including the shooter died at the scene. Nine victims were taken to area hospitals, but two of them died.
Three of the wounded were in critical condition in the evening, Boyd said, and four were stable.
An Allen Police officer was in the area on an unrelated call when he heard shots at 3:36 p.m., the police department wrote on Facebook.
“The officer engaged the suspect and neutralized the threat. He then called for emergency personnel,” it added.
Mass killings are happening with staggering frequency in the United States this year: an average of about one a week, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University.
The White House said President Biden had been briefed on the shooting and the administration had offered support to local officials. Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who has signed laws easing firearms restrictions following past mass shootings, called it an “unspeakable tragedy.”
Fontayne Payton, 35, was at H&M when he heard the sound of gunshots through his headphones.
“It was so loud, it sounded like it was right outside,” Payton said.
People in the store scattered before employees ushered the group into the fitting rooms and then a lockable back room, he said. When they were given the all-clear to leave, Payton saw the store had broken windows and a trail of blood to the door. Discarded sandals and bloodied clothes lay nearby.
Once outside, Payton saw bodies.
“I pray it wasn’t kids, but it looked like kids,” he said. The bodies were covered in white towels, slumped over bags on the ground.
“It broke me when I walked out to see that,” he said.
Further away, he saw the body of a heavyset man wearing all black. He assumed it was the shooter, Payton said, because unlike the other bodies it had not been covered up.
Tarakram Nunna, 25, and Ramakrishna Mullapudi, 26, said they saw what appeared to be three people motionless on the ground, including one who appeared to be a police officer and one who appeared to be a mall security guard.
Another shopper, Sharkie Mouli, 24, said he hid in a Banana Republic store during the shooting. As he left, he saw what appeared to be an unconscious police officer lying next to another unconscious person outside the outlet store.
“I have seen his gun lying right next to him and a guy who is like passing out right next to him,” Mouli said.
Stan and Mary Ann Greene were browsing in the Columbia sportswear store when the shooting started.
“We had just gotten in, just a couple minutes earlier, and we just heard a lot of loud popping,” Mary Ann Greene told The Associated Press.
Employees rolled down the security gate and brought everyone to the rear of the store until police arrived and escorted them out, the Greenes said.
Eber Romero was at the Under Armour store when a cashier mentioned that there was a shooting.
As he left the store, Romero said, the mall appeared empty, and all the shops had their security gates down. That is when he started seeing broken glass and people who had been shot on the floor.
Video shared on social media showed people running through a parking lot amid the sound of gunshots.
More than 30 police cruisers with lights flashing were blocking an entrance to the mall, with multiple ambulances on the scene.
A live aerial broadcast from a news station showed armored trucks and other law enforcement vehicles outside the mall.
Ambulances from several neighboring cities responded.
The Dallas office of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also responded.
Allen, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) north of downtown Dallas, has roughly 105,000 residents.
___
Associated Press writers Gene Johnson in Seattle and Adam Kealoha Causey in Dallas contributed to this report.
Authorities said late Saturday that eight people were killed after a gunman opened fire at a shopping mall near Dallas. Police later killed the suspect, but investigators have not yet released a possible motive. Omar Villafranca reports.
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JJ Watt: “I believe in what [chairman] Alan (Pace) is doing at Burnley and what Vincent (Kompany) is building. It’s just a matter of coming in at the right time. We really enjoyed our time in Burnley and we’re looking forward to coming back”
Last Updated: 01/05/23 6:55pm
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Former NFL star JJ Watt and wife and soccer player Kealia Watt spoke of what they hope to achieve at Burnley after announcing their investment into the club
Former NFL star JJ Watt and wife and soccer player Kealia Watt spoke of what they hope to achieve at Burnley after announcing their investment into the club
Former NFL star JJ Watt and his wife Kealia Watt, a former USA international, have announced their investment in Burnley Football Club.
JJ is a three-time defensive player of the year winner. The 34-year-old retired from the game at the end of the 2022 season after 12 seasons with the Houston Texans (2011-20 and Arizona Cardinals (2021-22).
Kealia enjoyed a successful club career with Houston Dash and Chicago Red Stars, representing the US national team on three occasions in 2016. She retains the record for scoring the fastest goal of any debutant for the women’s national team, netting 48 seconds into her international debut.
Three-time NFL defensive player of the year JJ Watt retired from the sport at the end of the 2022 season
The couple have always had an interest in English football, with JJ having been a fan of Chelsea and Kealia of Arsenal, she told Sky Sports News, but their loyalties lie firmly with Burnley now after announcing their investment into the club.
“We went to Burnley, visited the town and we just fell in love,” Kealia said. “It’s such an incredible place.
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Burnley’s celebrations begin after their victory against Blackburn to seal the Championship title!
Burnley’s celebrations begin after their victory against Blackburn to seal the Championship title!
“What Vincent (Kompany) has done with this team is unbelievable. We cannot wait to watch this [next] season.
“We’re so excited. It’s going to be so cool – we’ll be there on opening day. We’re counting down the days, we cannot wait.”
JJ added: “It’s all about the opportunity to have an impact in the club.
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Burnley manager Vincent Kompany says there is no better way to win after beating their biggest rivals Blackburn to secure the Championship title
Burnley manager Vincent Kompany says there is no better way to win after beating their biggest rivals Blackburn to secure the Championship title
“Chelsea is obviously an unbelievable club and they’ve built something incredible there, but I believe in what [chairman] Alan (Pace) is doing at Burnley and what Vincent is building.
“It’s just a matter of coming in at the right time. We really enjoyed our time in Burnley and we’re looking forward to coming back.”
The Watts spent time at the club and within the local community earlier in the season, when they attended the Clarets’ 3-0 victory over Wigan at Turf Moor. They are also due to be in attendance for Burnley’s final home fixture of the season against Cardiff City on Monday, May 8.
The pair also spoke of how following Wrexham’s story since the club’s takeover by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney proved to be an inspiration.
Wrexham co-owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds celebrate with the National League trophy after their promotion to the fourth tier
Kealia said: “We watched the documentary a few months ago and it was so cool to see what they’ve done.
“That’s kind of what we’re modelling this after. They’re just incredible and Wrexham are such a fun team – we’ve followed that and that’s exactly what we’re trying to do here.”
JJ added: “I’ve spoken to Rob about his experience and I’ve tried to gain some insight into what he’s done, and I’ve spoke to Ryan too to try to get his ideas on what has worked and what hasn’t.
“Obviously they’re in a different league and a different situation, with what Wrexham are doing, but they’ve done an incredible job.
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Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney has made an ambitious bid to get Gareth Bale out of retirement and sign for his team
Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney has made an ambitious bid to get Gareth Bale out of retirement and sign for his team
“Our goal is to come in and get involved with the community. With the [Burnley] supporters, we want to earn their trust, we understand that we can’t come in and expect them to trust us right away.
“And then we want to help tell their story to America and beyond. We want people to know about the Clarets.”
Alan Pace, Burnley chairman, said of the Watts’ investment in a statement: “We’re absolutely delighted to welcome JJ and Kealia into the Clarets family.
“This is a conversation that has been happening for some time and over the course of this season we’ve been hugely impressed by their passion and interest in both the club and the Burnley community. I am very much looking forward to working with them.”
One student died and another was injured Monday in a shooting outside a high school in Arlington, Texas, police said.
Arlington police say they responded to Lamar High School just before 7 a.m. after reports of a shooting just outside the school building. Officers found a male student with an apparent gunshot wound; he was taken to a hospital but later died of his injuries, Arlington police said.
A female student was grazed by gunfire, police said.
The school day begins at 7:35 a.m., police spokesperson Tim Ciesco said, so not all students had arrived by the time the shooting happened.
The suspected shooter was taken into custody, police said.
“Because the suspect is a juvenile, the department is unable to release his name. He has been charged with one count of Capital Murder and is currently being held at the Tarrant County Juvenile Detention Center. Additional charges are pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation,” police said in a news release Monday afternoon.
“The suspect never entered the school building and ran from the campus immediately after firing the shots. The motive for the shooting remains unclear,” added the release.
Lamar High School went on lockdown after the shooting and students and staff were dismissed for the day, school district spokesperson Anita Foster said.
Arlington is a city between Dallas and Fort Worth with a population of just under 400,000.
A powerful storm descended on Texas on Thursday, knocking out power to several thousand customers and prompting tornado warnings in several areas.
The National Weather Service forecasted that “strong and severe” thunderstorms would hit both the north and central part of the state, extending from Lamar County, located northeast of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, all the way south to the Bell County area north of Austin.
The storm forced the Federal Aviation Administration to issue two ground stops at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport Thursday evening, according to CBS Texas, but those have since been lifted. According to FlightAware, 136 flights out of DFW were canceled Thursday, and another 372 were delayed.
Video captured lightning over downtown Dallas as tornado sirens sounded across the city. Tornado warnings were issued for several counties east of the metroplex, according to CBS Texas.
Cell phone video captured vehicles contending with a mix of rain and snow on a highway near the northwest Texas city of Amarillo.
In Austin, the Moody Amphitheatre was evacuated due to lightning. Several musicians had been slated to perform Thursday night, including rapper Yil Yachty, as part of the South by Southwest festival. However, all the evening’s shows were canceled.
It was not immediately clear if there were any injuries or significant damage from the storm.
About 25,000 customers were without power in Texas as of Thursday evening, according to utility tracker PowerOutage.us.
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A 13-year-old girl from Dallas, Texas, who went missing, was found last week locked in a shed in Lexington, North Carolina. A 34-year-old man, who authorities say the girl met on an online social media platform, has been arrested.
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A person was killed in Dallas early Tuesday morning when a vehicle crashed into three people riding horses that appear to have been stolen, police said. Two of the horses also died from the crash.
One of the horse riders died at the scene, Dallas police said in a statement. The other two were in stable condition at local hospitals, police said.
All three riders appear to be juveniles, police said, noting that their findings were preliminary and an investigation was ongoing.
One of the horses died at the scene of the crash, police said. Another horse was euthanized by a veterinarian at the scene, and the third horse was injured but expected to survive, police said.
The driver remained at the scene after the crash and wasn’t expected to be charged, police said.
Traffic was shut down in both directions of a section of Interstate 45 after the crash, CBS Texas reports.
A Texas man has been convicted of capital murder in the fatal shooting of three teenagers by the man’s then-14-year-old son. A 15-year-old newly hired cook was injured in the shooting and has recovered.
Richard Acosta Jr., 34, was convicted Friday by a jury in Dallas of capital murder for the 2021 shooting deaths of Xavier Gonzalez, 14; Ivan Noyala, 16; and Rafael Garcia, 17, the day after Christmas.
In the trial, prosecutors alleged that Acosta drove his son to and from a Garland gas station convenience store, where the 14-year-old fatally shot three teens and wounded a fourth, according to CBS DFW.
Acosta surrendered to police a day after the shooting.
Acosta testified that he did not know his son, Abel Elias Acosta, had a gun or had shot anyone, only that the teenager got into his vehicle and told his father to drive away because someone was shooting.
Abel Acosta disappeared shortly after the shooting and authorities say he remains at large and is considered armed and dangerous.
Prosecutors argued that Richard Acosta sought to dispose of evidence and tried to move his family from Garland.
“We are only halfway to justice,” according to a statement on social media by the Garland Police Department that said authorities would persist in their search. “We will not stop until Abel Acosta is captured.”
Richard Acosta testified that he does not know where his son is.
Abel Acosta has been on the run since the Dec. 26, 2021, shooting in Garland.
Acosta, who faces life without parole because prosecutors did not seek the death penalty, was convicted under a Texas law that allows accomplices to be charged even if they did not commit the actual crime.
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The man who faces charges stemming from a string of suspicious activities at the Dallas Zoo allegedly admitted to stealing two tamarin monkeys and trying to steal the clouded snow leopard last month, according to arrest warrant affidavits.
Davion Irvin also told police that he wants to return to the zoo and take more animals if he gets out of jail, the affidavits claim.
Irvin, 24, is currently charged with six counts of animal cruelty and two counts of burglary to a building after Dallas police arrested him last week. He is being held at the Dallas County Jail on $25,000 bond, according to inmate search records. CNN has been unable to determine if Irvin has retained an attorney at this time.
His arrest warrant documents reveal new details about a peculiar case that has gripped the nation’s attention in recent weeks and triggered some concern among zoo staffers.
Although the monkeys were eventually found at an unoccupied home in the Dallas area, their disappearance followed a series of suspicious incidents at the zoo involving a leopard, langur monkeys and a vulture’s death, leading to a hike in security, including more cameras, patrols and overnight staff.
On January 13 during the early morning hours, Irvin allegedly entered the Dallas Zoo when it was closed to the public and intentionally cut the fenced enclosure for the clouded snow leopard, according to the affidavits. Irvin then allegedly entered the habitat to take the leopard, which is valued at $3,500 to $20,000, the documents say.
Irvin allegedly told investigators he petted the leopard, but the 25-pound animal jumped up into the top of its closure, and he wasn’t able to catch the animal. He left the exhibit with the cut still in place, and the leopard escaped, setting off an hours-long pursuit later that morning when zoo officials realized the animal was gone.
After a frantic search and police involvement, the leopard was found on zoo property that afternoon on January 13.
Roughly two weeks later, an unknown suspect cut the exterior fencing to the tamarin monkey exhibit and entered the exhibit through an unlocked door before cutting the cages and taking two monkeys, according to the affidavits. This offense, committed on January 30, was not captured on camera.
In the days leading up to the theft of the monkeys, a person matching Irvin’s description asked zoo personnel specific and “obscure” questions about how to care for the tamarin monkeys and other animals, the affidavits say.
The suspect was also seen entering nonpublic areas around the monkey exhibit that day, according to investigators, and he was captured on trail cameras eating a bag of chips near the exhibit, according to investigators.
Another animal habitat near the leopard and monkey habitats was also found to be cut, according to the affidavits. Unreported thefts from early January were also brought to the attention of detectives – such as theft of feeder fish, water chemicals, and training supplies from a staff-only area at the otter exhibit.
Before Irvin was identified and named as a suspect in the case, police had released surveillance footage and a photo of the suspect on January 31.
On that same day, police received a tip from a man whose father is a pastor of a church that owns a vacant house in Lancaster. The tipster said Irvin frequently visited the house, and the pastor provided consent for police to search the premises.
Upon searching, police found the two tamarin monkeys inside the home but no people. Multiple cats and pigeons were also in the home, according to the affidavits, as well as items that went missing from the otter exhibit.
Detectives said the home’s interior was “in extreme poor condition” with dead animals, suspected cat feces, and mold and mildew.
Lancaster is about 15 miles south of Dallas.
While Irvin was not inside the home, police found a pair of Nike shoes that matched the shoes Irvin was wearing in the images captured by zoo cameras, according to the affidavits.
On February 2, Irvin was spotted at the Dallas World Aquarium and asked employees about the monkeys at their location, according to the affidavits. Aquarium employees recognized Irvin from the photo released to the public, and authorities were contacted. Police followed Irvin onto a commuter train and arrested him.
A petition created for Travis and Jason Kelce’s mum Donna to do the ceremonial coin toss before Super Bowl LVII on Sunday has already gained over 170,000 signatures and is still rising; Donna: “I would [do it], if the two of you say I would not be a distraction”
Last Updated: 07/02/23 6:19pm
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Donna Kelce stops by to give her sons Travis and Jason some cookies during their interview on Opening Night of Super Bowl LVII.
Donna Kelce stops by to give her sons Travis and Jason some cookies during their interview on Opening Night of Super Bowl LVII.
Travis and Jason Kelce will become the first brothers to play against each other in Super Bowl history when the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles face off in Arizona on Sunday – and their mum has become a minor celebrity as a result.
On ‘Opening Night’ of Super Bowl week, Donna Kelce delivered cookies for her boys on stage while they spoke to the media, decked out in a half Chiefs, half Eagles jersey.
There has also been a petition created for Donna to do the ceremonial coin toss before Sunday’s game, which has already gained over 170,000 signatures and is still rising.
“‘Here’s the thing,’ Donna began saying. When asked about the possibility on her son’s New Heights podcast, she said: “There are so many legends and people that have their blood, sweat and tears on that field… I don’t think that’s the right place for me to be.
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“Would I be a distraction out there for you guys? That’s what I would worry about.
“I would [do it] if the two of you say I would not be a distraction… and you’ll be focussing on the game plans.”
Travis then responded, saying, “You’re in,” before jokingly adding: “I’ll tell [NFL commissioner] Roger [Goodell].”
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The Super Bowl LVII countdown is on in Arizona ahead of Sunday’s game between Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles.
The Super Bowl LVII countdown is on in Arizona ahead of Sunday’s game between Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles.
The two brothers have each won a Super Bowl previously, with Jason’s Eagles triumphant five years ago, beating the New England Patriots 41-33 in Super Bowl LII, while Travis and the Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers 31-20 in Super Bowl LIV – their first of three Super Bowl visits in four years.
‘I would sure love to get this one over his head’
When asked about the matchup at Opening Night, Jason said: “We’re always rooting for each other.
“I always want him to do well, but I would sure love to get this one over his head and have at least something over top of Trav.”
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Travis and Jason Kelce, who will face each other in Super Bowl LVII, discussed on MNF when they had their last ‘fist fight’ when growing up.
Travis and Jason Kelce, who will face each other in Super Bowl LVII, discussed on MNF when they had their last ‘fist fight’ when growing up.
Travis, meanwhile, said of what it was like growing up and competing against his older brother: “What he did do is he gave me a cool perspective on how to beat somebody that’s better than you.
“I kind of got to learn the mind games at a different level as a younger kid, so he’s helped me get to where I’m at without a doubt.
“But he got the majority of the wins for sure.”
Watch Super Bowl LVII – Kansas City Chiefs vs Philadelphia Eagles – live on Sky Sports NFL and Main Event from 10pm on Sunday, February 12, with Ryan Fitzpatrick, Christian Wilkins and Efe Obada among the guests joining Neil Reynolds and Hannah Wilkes for 90 minutes of build-up to the big game.
DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic has his co-star, and the Dallas Mavericks are set for their season essentially to start over after trading for Kyrie Irving.
The blockbuster deal with Brooklyn sending the mercurial Irving to the Mavericks became official Monday, two days before what figures to be his Dallas debut at the Los Angeles Clippers.
Dallas also gets Markieff Morris in a trade that sent Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, a 2029 first-round pick and two second-round choices to the Nets.
It’s unknown if Doncic will be available against the Clippers. He wasn’t with the Mavs at the start of a five-game trip out West after bruising his right heel in the final home game before the trip. He was ruled out of the second game on the trip at Utah on Monday night.
Whenever the All-Stars do get on the court together, Doncic and Irving instantly become one of the NBA’s top duos in a tightly packed Western Conference. Mavs coach Jason Kidd said that made the opportunity too good to pass up, despite the distractions Irving has caused off the court.
“To have the ability to have two starters that are going to start in the All-Star Game, for the Mavs, is probably a first,” Kidd said. “We have to be excited about this opportunity. It’s easy to look at all the talk of the negative, but let’s look at the positive of what he’s done on and off the court. That’s the way we approach it.”
The Nets hardly even said goodbye, perhaps fed up from all the drama Irving caused in just 3½ seasons.
Brooklyn’s news release on the trade barely mentioned Irving, whereas the announcement last year that they had dealt James Harden to Philadelphia included a quote from general manager Sean Marks thanking the star guard for his contributions and wishing him well in the future.
Irving’s departure was a far cry from the fanfare that followed his arrival along with Kevin Durant in 2019, when the player who was a Nets fan in New Jersey came home in hopes of leading the franchise to its first title.
But they never got close, and when Irving asked to be traded, just like he once did in Cleveland, the Nets quickly accommodated him.
Irving is set to become a free agent after the season. But negotiations will involve Dallas general manager Nico Harrison, who was a Nike executive before taking over the Mavericks in 2021.
Irving had a relationship with Nike for the entirety of his NBA career until earlier this season, when the sneaker giant dropped him and canceled the planned release of his next signature shoe just before it dropped. It was part of the massive fallout from Irving posting a link to an antisemitic film on his Twitter account.
That was one of many drama-filled sagas that marked Irving’s time with the Nets. He wouldn’t get vaccinated against COVID-19 and, because of New York City workplace rules, had to miss most of Brooklyn’s home games last season. He also took two leaves of absence during the 2020-21 season.
He has expressed no shortage of controversial opinions during his career — including repeated questioning whether the Earth was round before eventually apologizing to science teachers.
Doncic is in a dead heat for the scoring lead with fellow MVP candidate Joel Embiid of Philadelphia, and is the only one of the seven current 30-point scorers also averaging at least eight rebounds and eight assists per game. Irving is averaging 27.1 points, 5.3 assists and 5.1 rebounds.
The West has several title-contending teams beyond defending champion Golden State, which eliminated the Mavs in the conference finals last season.
Jalen Brunson was crucial to Dallas’ playoff run alongside Doncic last season, but decided he wanted his own starting role as a point guard and left for the New York Knicks in free agency.
While the Mavericks traded for a solid No. 2 scorer in Christian Wood in the offseason, they haven’t been able to win without Doncic this season.
Dallas was 0-7 without Doncic going into the game against the Jazz, when Wood was expected to return after missing eight games with a fractured left thumb.
A year ago, the Mavericks were right around .500 when their surge started just as the calendar turned to 2022. The arrival of 2023 hasn’t had the same effect — the high point so far is six games over .500 — but the Mavs hope the arrival of Irving will.
Dallas beat Utah twice in the first three games of a first-round series last season when Doncic was out with a calf injury, and Brunson was the biggest reason. Now Doncic has higher-profile help.
“Just being able to give Luka an opportunity to come down the court without having to dribble or run every play,” Kidd said. “We look back when we had (Brunson) and being able to have a playmaker like that. When you look at Ky, nothing against (Brunson), but Ky is at a different level.”
This photo provided by the Dallas Zoo shows emperor tamarin monkeys Bella and Finn at the zoo on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. The disappearance Monday, Jan. 30, 2023, of the two monkeys and the discovery that their enclosure had been cut were the latest in a string of odd events at the zoo over the last few weeks, which has included other cut fences, the escape of a small leopard and the suspicious death of an endangered vulture. The two small monkeys, who were found in an abandoned house Tuesday, Jan. 31, after being taken from the Dallas Zoo, lost a bit of weight during their ordeal but show no signs of injury, the zoo said Wednesday. (Dallas Zoo via AP)
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This photo provided by the Dallas Zoo shows emperor tamarin monkeys Bella and Finn at the zoo on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. The disappearance Monday, Jan. 30, 2023, of the two monkeys and the discovery that their enclosure had been cut were the latest in a string of odd events at the zoo over the last few weeks, which has included other cut fences, the escape of a small leopard and the suspicious death of an endangered vulture. The two small monkeys, who were found in an abandoned house Tuesday, Jan. 31, after being taken from the Dallas Zoo, lost a bit of weight during their ordeal but show no signs of injury, the zoo said Wednesday. (Dallas Zoo via AP)
DALLAS (AP) — The two small monkeys who were found in a vacant house a day after being taken from the Dallas Zoo lost a bit of weight during their ordeal but show no signs of injury, the zoo said Wednesday.
The disappearance Monday of the two emperor tamarin monkeys — named Bella and Finn — and the discovery that their enclosure had been cut were the latest in a string of unusual events at the zoo over the last few weeks, which has included other cut fences, the escape of a small leopard and the suspicious death of an endangered vulture.
Dallas police said they found the monkeys — who have long whiskers that look like a mustache — late Tuesday afternoon in the closet of a home south of the zoo after getting a tip from the public. No arrests have been made.
The zoo said Wednesday on Twitter that both Bella and Finn “started eating and drinking almost immediately” after they were examined, and the two were “so happy to snuggle in their nest sack” on Tuesday night.
“We will continue to monitor them closely, but for now, we’re so glad they are safe and back with us,” the zoo said in a Wednesday statement.
Police had released a photo and video of a man they said they wanted to talk to about the monkeys, and were still seeking him Wednesday.
They are also trying to determine if the string of incidents over the last few weeks at the zoo are related or not.
On Jan. 13, arriving workers found that a clouded leopard named Nova was missing from her cage, and police said that a cutting tool had been intentionally used to make an opening in her enclosure. The zoo closed as a search for her got underway, and she was found later that day near her habitat.
Zoo workers had also found a similar gash in an enclosure for langur monkeys, though none got out or appeared harmed, police said.
On Jan. 21, workers arriving at the zoo found an endangered lappet-faced vulture named Pin dead. Gregg Hudson, the zoo’s president and CEO, called the death “very suspicious” and said the vulture had “a wound,” but declined to give further details.
The zoo said in its Wednesday statement that the incidents over the last few weeks have led officials there to “take a a hard look” at security measures, saying that while what they’ve had in place has worked in the past “it has become obvious that we need to make significant changes.”
The zoo said it has already implemented additional security measures that have included adding more cameras, additional fencing and more patrols, and will make other changes as well.
The zoo said that since Bella and Finn were taken away from the zoo, they’ll need to undergo a quarantine period before they can return to their habitat there.
Meanwhile, in Louisiana, officials said they have launched an investigation after 12 squirrel monkeys were discovered missing Sunday from a zoo in the state’s southwest. Their habitat at Zoosiana in Broussard, about 60 miles (96 kilometers) west of Baton Rouge, had been “compromised” and some damage was done to get in, city Police Chief Vance Olivier said Tuesday.
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A look at the journey the Kansas City Chiefs have taken to reach Super Bowl LVII
A look at the journey the Kansas City Chiefs have taken to reach Super Bowl LVII
The Kansas City Chiefs are back in another Super Bowl – their third in the last four years – but how did they get there?
With the retirement of record seven-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady still fresh in the memory, the man who looks to be the greatest challenger to his throne as the ‘GOAT’, Patrick Mahomes, gets the chance to add a second ring to his collection at Super Bowl LVII against the Philadelphia Eagles in Arizona on Sunday.
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That said, not only are the Eagles a fearsome opponent standing in their way, but there are injury concerns over the Kansas City star QB heading into the big game.
Here, we take a look back on the Chiefs’ road to Super Bowl LVII…
What went right?
The Chiefs once again proved themselves to be the elite of the NFL, particularly on offense, owning the No 1 unit in points per game (29.2), yards per game (413.6) and passing yards per game (297.8).
Kansas City’s 14-3 regular-season record not only wrapped up a seventh-straight AFC West divisional title, but it also secured them the No 1 seed in the conference for the third time in their dominant present-day stretch.
Kansas City Chiefs 2022 season (14-3)
Week
Opposition
Result
1
@ Cardinals
W 44-21
2
vs Chargers
W 27-24
3
@ Colts
L 17-20
4
@ Buccaneers
W 44-31
5
vs Radiers
W 30-29
6
vs Bills
L 20-24
7
@ 49ers
W 44-23
8
BYE
9
vs Titans
W 20-17 (OT)
10
vs Jaguars
W 27-17
11
@ Chargers
W 30-27
12
vs Rams
W 26-10
13
@ Bengals
L 24-27
14
@ Broncos
W 34-28
15
@ Texans
W 30-24 (OT)
16
vs Seahawks
W 24-10
17
vs Broncos
W 27-24
18
@ Raiders
W 31-13
Highlights from the year include a 44-21 thumping of the Cardinals, in Arizona, on the opening day of the season to signal their intent, while they edged out Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers 27-24 in a thriller a week later.
Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were comfortably put away 41-31 in Week Four, as were the San Francisco 49ers 44-23 in Week Seven – both huge road victories against major NFC contenders.
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Highlights of the Kansas City Chiefs against the San Francisco 49ers from Week Seven of the NFL season
Highlights of the Kansas City Chiefs against the San Francisco 49ers from Week Seven of the NFL season
The victory over the 49ers would kickstart a run of 10 wins across 11 games to close out the season, with only a defeat to the Cincinnati Bengals sandwiched in between.
But the Chiefs would ultimately have the last laugh, with star quarterback Mahomes gaining revenge for that defeat, and for his three total losses in three career games to Joe Burrow and the Bengals, with their 23-20 victory in the AFC Championship game over the same opponents to book their Super Bowl spot.
Kansas City Chiefs 2022 regular season rankings
Offense
Defense
1st
Total
11th
1st
Passing
18th
10th
Rushing
8th
1st
Scoring
16th
1st
DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average)
17th
1st
EPA/play (Expected points added)
15th
What went wrong?
As usual, not a great deal. Although there was the odd hiccup along the way, none more bizarre and unaccounted for than the 20-17 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Week Three – a team which would ultimately end the season a dreadful 4-12-1.
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Highlights of the Kansas City Chiefs against the Indianapolis Colts in Week Three of the NFL season
Highlights of the Kansas City Chiefs against the Indianapolis Colts in Week Three of the NFL season
Also, a 24-20 loss at home to the Buffalo Bills in Week Six that dropped the Chiefs to 4-2 on the year would hint towards a possible changing of the guard in the AFC, with Buffalo earning a second-straight regular-season win at Arrowhead (and after having pushed Kansas City all the way in an incredible overtime finish to their divisional round match-up in the playoffs the previous year).
But, while the Bills and the Bengals – who would themselves defeat the Chiefs in Week 13 – threatened to steal Kansas City’s throne, neither were able to deliver the decisive blow, with Buffalo bested by Cincinnati in the divisional round this time, before they themselves were undone in the AFC title game by Mahomes and co.
And a banged up Mahomes and Chiefs offense, at that. One of the biggest concerns going into Super Bowl LVII this Sunday is certainly the health of Kansas City’s star quarterback, who picked up a high ankle sprain in their divisional round win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
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Watch the moment Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes picked up an ankle injury in the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars
Watch the moment Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes picked up an ankle injury in the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars
He has not looked the same since, limping his way through the subsequent one-and-a-half outings, only serving to make his sensational match-winning performances in those wins over the Jags and the Bengals all the more impressive.
Wideout Mecole Hardman has already been ruled out of the Super Bowl due to injury, while JuJu Smith-Schuster and Kadarius Toney were also banged up against the Bengals, weakening Mahomes’ receiving corps, with progress to be monitored this week.
Star names
Starting with the most obvious selection of them all, Mahomes, of course. The 27-year-old is favourite to win a second league MVP title this season in just his fifth year as a starter in the NFL.
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A look at some of the best plays from Mahomes this season, in his bid to grab his second league MVP award
A look at some of the best plays from Mahomes this season, in his bid to grab his second league MVP award
Mahomes set a new record for the most offensive yards (5,614) in NFL history this season – breaking down as 5,250 passing yards, 358 rush yards and six receiving. He also led the league in passing TDs during the regular season, with 41, six greater than Josh Allen (Bills) and Burrow (Bengals) tied for second on 35. And Mahomes did it all despite the team trading away his best receiver too, with Tyreek Hill moving to the Miami Dolphins in the offseason.
Mahomes has at least retained the comfort blanket Travis Kelce on offense, with the superstar tight end notching his seventh-straight 1,000-yard season, finishing 2022 with 1,338 yards along with a career-high 12 TDs.
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A look at the best plays this season from the most impressive tight end in the NFL, Travis Kelce
A look at the best plays this season from the most impressive tight end in the NFL, Travis Kelce
Also, following on from last week’s AFC Championship game, only one quarterback and receiver duo have connected for more postseason touchdowns than Mahomes and Kelce’s 13 (Brady and Rob Gronkowski with 15).
Also, look out for seventh-round rookie Isaiah Pacheco, who has added a real spark to this Kansas City offense since his introduction midway through the season, averaging over five yards per carry, while defensive tackle Chris Jones is the standout from an underrated defense, having equalled his career high of 15.5 sacks this season.
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Highlights of the Jacksonville Jaguars against the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs
Highlights of the Jacksonville Jaguars against the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs
Kansas City are 5-0 in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs with Mahomes at quarterback. Though, having said that, this particular victory against the Jaguars to open their playoff run almost came without their star QB at the helm.
Mahomes missed most of the second quarter due to the injury he sustained to his right ankle, but ultimately returned to finish 22 of 30 passing for 195 yards and two touchdowns, while back-up quarterback Chad Henne also threw a scoring pass in his absence.
Kelce’s 14 receptions (for 98 yards), meanwhile, tied for the third most in NFL postseason history, with Marquez Valdes-Scantling also adding a touchdown catch for Kansas City.
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Highlights of the Cincinnati Bengals against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game
Highlights of the Cincinnati Bengals against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game
The Chiefs had never before hosted a single Conference Championship game in franchise history, but are now coming into the Super Bowl off the back of hosting a fifth in a row, with Mahomes and co this time getting the better of the Bengals in a repeat of last year’s AFC title game which they lost.
Despite being hampered by his injured ankle, Mahomes threw for 326 yards and two touchdowns in the contest and the Chiefs’ star QB also helped set up the game-winning field goal on a crucial five-yard scramble for a first down with 12 seconds left.
As he crossed the sideline, Mahomes was shoved when already out of bounds by Cincinnati defender Joseph Ossai, resulting in a 15-yard penalty to further aid Harrison Butker’s game-winning kick to break a 20-20 tie after another epic battle with the Bengals.
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The Kansas City Chiefs are presented with the AFC Championship as Kelce sounds off on their opponents, the Cincinnati Bengals
The Kansas City Chiefs are presented with the AFC Championship as Kelce sounds off on their opponents, the Cincinnati Bengals
Super Bowl pedigree
Despite their dominance over the past five seasons – appearing in five-straight AFC Championships – since Mahomes became the starter at QB in Kansas City, it has thus far translated into just one Super Bowl title over that span.
They lifted the Vince Lombardi Trophy on their first visit to the Super Bowl in 50 years when they beat the 49ers to cap the 2018 season, with Mahomes named MVP after engineering a comeback from 20-10 down midway through the fourth quarter.
Mahomes and the Chiefs beat the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV to wrap the 2019 season
They have made it all the way to the Super Bowl on four occasions in total, losing to the Green Bay Packers in the first-ever Super Bowl to be played, back in the 1966 season, before triumphing over the Minnesota Vikings three years later.
After their Super Bowl LIV win over the Niners to break the drought, the Chiefs missed the chance to go back-to-back as they were beaten by Brady and the Bucs in the big game following the Covid-disrupted 2020 season.
Tom Brady got the better of Mahomes in Super Bowl LV, preventing the Kansas City Chiefs from claiming back-to-back titles
The concern for the Chiefs would be that, much like he is heading into this game, Mahomes was hobbled by injury in that game, making it easier for Tampa Bay’s ferocious pass rush to get after him and limit his explosive Chiefs offense to only nine points.
With the Philadelphia Eagles, and their own hugely-intimidating defensive line full of monsters, awaiting in Super Bowl LVII, Mahomes’ ability to still deliver enough magic moments despite his ankle injury will prove key to deciding the outcome of the game.
Watch Super Bowl LVII – Kansas City Chiefs vs Philadelphia Eagles – live on Sky Sports NFL and Main Event from 10pm on Sunday, February 12
Dallas police said Friday they have arrested a man in connection with two monkeys who went missing last week from the Dallas Zoo. The suspect is also charged in connection with the temporary disappearance of a leopard last month. The monkeys were found unharmed in an abandoned house.
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A suspect has been arrested in connection with two emperor tamarin monkeys that went missing last week from the Dallas Zoo, authorities said Friday. The suspect, 24-year-old Davion Irvin, has also been charged in connection with an incident involving a clouded leopard.
Irvin was initially charged with six counts of cruelty to non-livestock animals for the break-in at the tamarin monkey enclosure, Dallas police said in a news release.
Later Friday afternoon, police said he is also facing two additional counts of burglary of a building for a Jan. 13 break-in at the clouded leopard enclosure and the break-in at the tamarin monkey enclosure.
Irvin was arrested by police on Thursday. He was identified as a suspect earlier this week after a preliminary investigation.
The tamarin monkeys, named Bella and Finn, went missing on Jan. 30 and were found in a vacant house the next day, the Dallas Police Department said, adding that they were “intentionally taken” in the latest in a series of incidents at the zoo involving missing or dead animals.
Emperor tamarin monkeys, Bella and Finn, were so happy to snuggle into their nest sack here at the Zoo last night! Our vet and animal care teams have said, beyond losing a bit of weight, they show no signs of injury. pic.twitter.com/Nf5DXvGxJX
Dallas police said they received a tip on Thursday that Irvin was seen near animal exhibits at the Dallas Aquarium. Officers responded and saw Irvin get onto a DART rail – Dallas’ public transportation system. They said they later found him and took him in for questioning.
Irvin has been charged with six counts of cruelty to nonlivestock animals. Further charges are possible as the investigation is ongoing.
The two monkeys were reported missing after their enclosure pen was cut open. Police said “it was clear the habitat had been intentionally compromised.”
“Emperor tamarin monkeys would likely stay close to home — the zoo searched near their habitat and across Zoo grounds, and did not locate them,” police said in a statement in late January.
Dallas police received a tip that the monkeys may be at an abandoned home in Lancaster, which is part of the Dallas-Forth Worth metro area. With the help of the Lancaster Police Department, the monkeys were located in a closet of an empty home about 10 miles south of the Dallas Zoo.
Dallas police had released a photo and video of a suspect at the zoo, asking for the public’s help identifying him.
On Jan. 13, a clouded leopard named Nova spent hours on the loose after her enclosure was “intentionally” cut, officials said. The leopard was located near to her original habitat within one day, the zoo said.
Shortly after discovering the cut fencing in the clouded leopard habitat, zoo personnel showed investigators a similar cut found in the enclosure for langur monkeys at the zoo. At the time, all of those monkeys appeared to have remained inside their habitat, unharmed, the police department said.
Later that month, the Dallas Zoo announced an endangered vulture named Pin had died at the zoo, calling the circumstances “unusual.” However, the vulture’s death has not been connected to Irvin at this time, police said Friday.
The zoo announced on Wednesday it was offering a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and indictment of the person or persons “responsible for these incidents.”
It has also announced they added additional cameras and security patrols after the incident involving the vulture. The investigation has linked Irvin to the langur case. Further charges are possible.
“We will continue to implement and expand our safety and security measures to whatever level necessary to keep our animals and staff safe,” the zoo said in January.
