Deadly mass shooting erupts after 'planned fight' near middle school in North Carolina, police say



A "planned fight between two young" individuals on Monday led to a mass shooting where at least two people were killed, say North Carolina police.

Winston-Salem police said on social media that the fight began at about 9:52 a.m. at Leinbach Park, which is only about 400 yards away from Jefferson Middle School on Sally Kirk Rd.

'Several individuals — both victims and suspects — have been identified and located.'

While police were on their way to the park to respond to the fight, a shooting broke out.

Police said several people shot at each other, and later the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation confirmed that at least two people had died in the incident.

"Several individuals — both victims and suspects — have been identified and located. Due to the number of people involved, efforts are ongoing to account for everyone. At this time, some of those involved in the incident are juveniles," said police.

The shooting led to lockdowns at several schools.

WGHP-TV reported a massive police presence in the area, with many businesses and streets closed down as the investigation continues.

Police called for the community not to use personal drones in the area to avoid interfering with police drones searching for other possible suspects and victims.

RELATED: VIDEO: Heroic high school principal saves the day, stops shooter in his tracks

Although police said schools were returning to their normal schedule, some parents showed up to pick up their children.

This is a developing story.

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5 wounded, including 3 students, in shooting near University of Iowa; police release photos of persons of interest



Five people were wounded, including three students, in a shooting near the University of Iowa early Sunday morning — and Iowa City Police have released photos showing persons of interest.

Police said they responded at 1:46 a.m. to a report of a large fight in the 100 Block of East College Street — and that arriving officers heard gunfire.

Police said no arrests have been made, but there is no known ongoing threat associated with the incident; the department is continuing to investigate.

Police said in a separate post that the scene of the shooting was in downtown Iowa City.

Police said they have identified five victims in the shooting: One is in critical condition, and the other four victims are in stable condition.

NBC News said video circulating on social media appears to show a confrontation before the shooting that seemed to involve a large group of people. The news network added that several people could be seen punching and kicking others while bystanders urged them to stop.

NBC News added that it's unclear when the gunfire commenced, but additional video on social media shows a large crowd fleeing.

RELATED: Male, 31, fatally shoots 8 children execution style; 7 were his own kids: Report

Police said no arrests have been made, but there is no known ongoing threat associated with the incident; the department is continuing to investigate.

Police also posted photos on its Facebook page showing persons of interest associated with the shooting as part of the department's ongoing investigation.

RELATED: Masked men open fire after storming into Chick-fil-A; 1 dead, 6 injured; manhunt under way

Persons of interest. Image source: Iowa City Police, composite

Police said those with information about the individuals in the photos are asked to contact Detective Cade Burma at cburma@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5275.

Police added that the persons of interest have been numbered to assist in the sharing of information.

In addition, those with video also can contact Detective Burma, police said, adding that tips can also be submitted anonymously through Iowa City Crime Stoppers, which is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information about this incident that leads to an arrest.

Crime Stoppers tips can be submitted via the P3 Tips app online at iccrimestoppers.org or by phone at 319-358-TIPS (8477), police said, adding that all tips and calls are held in strict confidence and anonymity is guaranteed. Individuals providing information are not required to reveal their identity to collect a reward, police also said, noting that a CASE #2026003915 also was provided.

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Male, 31, fatally shoots 8 children execution style; 7 were his own kids: Report



A 31-year-old male fatally shot eight children execution style in Shreveport, Louisiana, on Sunday morning — and seven of the victims were the shooter's own children, authorities told the New York Times.

The gunman, Shamar Elkins — who was fatally shot following a police chase — had mental health problems and recently had expressed suicidal thoughts, the Times said, citing family members' statements in interviews.

'My babies — my babies are gone.'

The children ranged in age from 1 to 14, officials told the paper, and seven of the eight were Elkins' own children. A Shreveport Police Department spokesman said he shot them execution style, the Times reported.

Elkins also shot two other people, including his wife, who was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries, the paper said, citing officials and relatives.

Following the shootings, authorities said Elkins took a car by force, and police pursued him, the Times said. Officers opened fire, and Elkins died, Cpl. Chris Bordelon of the Shreveport Police Department said in a news conference, according to the paper. It's unclear if officers killed Elkins, or if he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, the Times said.

Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux said it's “maybe the worst tragic situation we’ve ever had," according to the paper.

RELATED: Masked men open fire after storming into Chick-fil-A; 1 dead, 6 injured; manhunt under way

While police haven't offered a possible motive, the Times said relatives in interviews noted that Elkins recently struggled with mental health and was stressed about his relationship with his wife, Shaneiqua Pugh.

More from the paper:

Earlier this month, on Easter Sunday, he called his mother, Mahelia Elkins, and his stepfather, Marcus Jackson. Ms. Elkins and Mr. Jackson said in interviews that their son sounded despondent. They said they could hear his children playing in the background during the call.

Mr. Elkins told them through tears that he wanted to take his own life. He told Mr. Jackson that his wife wanted a divorce, and that he was drowning in “dark thoughts.”

“I told him, ‘You can beat stuff, man. I don’t care what you’re going through, you can beat it,’” Mr. Jackson said. “Then I remember him telling me: ‘Some people don’t come back from their demons.’”

Elkins' mother told the Times she didn't know precisely what problems her son was having with his wife. The paper said records indicate they were married in 2024. Elkins' mother added to the Times that her son worked for UPS and had served in the Army.

The Army told the paper in a Sunday statement that Elkins served in the Louisiana Army National Guard from August 2013 to August 2020 as a signal support system specialist and a fire support specialist. The Times added that Elkins had no deployment and left the Army as a private.

Elkins' mother also told the paper she wasn't extremely close with her son; she had given birth to him when she was a teenager and struggling with a crack cocaine addiction. The Times added that she had a family friend — Betty Walker — raise Elkins, and he and his mother reconnected more than a decade ago.

Walker spoke to authorities Sunday, the paper said. While she didn't witness the shootings, Walker said in an interview that Elkins shot his wife several times, including in the head and in the stomach, the Times reported.

Walker told the paper she last saw Elkins last weekend when his family came over for dinner, and nothing appeared off with him at the time: “I was getting up this morning to make myself some coffee, and I got the call. My babies — my babies are gone.”

The Times, citing records, reported that Elkins had at least two prior convictions, including driving while intoxicated in 2016 and illegal use of weapons in 2019.

The paper said a police description of the March 2019 incident notes that Elkins pulled a 9-millimeter handgun from his waistband and shot at a vehicle five times after the driver of the car pulled a silver handgun on him. One of the bullets Elkins shot was found near a school where children were playing outside, the Times said.

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The Gray-Haired ‘Free DC’ Crowd Wants To Free The Capital From Law And Order

While Navy Yard sees street brawls and property damage, Capitol Hill activists are protesting the National Guard from the comfort of their seven-figure homes.

Deadly HS shooting deemed self-defense — but student who fired fatal shot isn't completely in the clear



A deadly shooting that took place at a Northern California high school earlier this month has been deemed self-defense — but the student who allegedly fired the fatal shot isn't completely in the clear.

Sacramento County prosecutors have declined to file homicide charges in the case because the April 10 killing at Natomas High School occurred during a violent attempted robbery, which falls under self-defense, KXTV-TV reported.

'Our professional and ethical obligation requires us to decline charges when the evidence cannot establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.'

The Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office said Tuesday that two non-students went on campus looking for a specific student, the station said.

Authorities said one of them was wearing a ski mask and carrying a handgun, KXTV noted.

More from the station:

Investigators determined the pair found the student and violently tried to rob him, leading to a confrontation, according to the DA's office. During that encounter, the targeted student — who was also carrying a firearm — shot and killed the armed suspect, according to prosecutors.

The person who was killed has been identified by family members as 16-year-old De’Jon Sledge.

After reviewing the facts, evidence and applicable law, including self-defense, the district attorney’s office concluded there was insufficient evidence to prove a homicide case beyond a reasonable doubt.

“Our professional and ethical obligation requires us to decline charges when the evidence cannot establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt,” the office told KXTV in a statement.

RELATED: Teen robbers open fire on victim behind Texas Family Dollar, but victim also has a gun — and turns the tables lethally

The person associated with the individual who was fatally shot will be charged in juvenile court with attempted robbery, the station noted.

The intended target who fired the weapon will be charged with various weapons charges, KXTV said, citing the DA's office.

The station said the DA's office also raised concerns about school violence and noted that schools should be safe places for students — and that youths should not feel compelled to carry weapons for protection.

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MLB umpire chases down, fights teen thug who allegedly stole his phone on Philly street: Police sources



A Major League Baseball umpire chased down and fought a teenager who allegedly stole his phone on a Philadelphia street earlier this month, KYW-TV reported, citing police sources.

Multiple law enforcement sources identified the umpire as Brock Ballou, who has been an MLB umpire since 2022, the station said.

'They ended up on the ground, at which time the victim struck his head, causing injury. The male continued his assault, violently punching him.'

Police released surveillance video of the suspect, KYW noted. Police said the suspect is a teenage male with brown complexion wearing a light blue sweatshirt and black pants.

Police said the suspect approached Ballou from behind in the 1600 block of Walnut Street in the downtown section of the city around 7 p.m. April 9, stole Ballou's phone while the umpire was looking at directions, and then ran off, the station reported.

"The suspect approached the male and snatched his cell phone out of his hands," Capt. Jason Smith told KYW. "The victim went chasing after the male, at which time they got involved in a physical altercation at 16th and Walnut."

Investigators told the station that when Ballou tried to take his phone back, the suspect punched him several times in the head. KYW said surveillance video it reviewed shows the suspect repeatedly punching Ballou.

"They ended up on the ground, at which time the victim struck his head, causing injury," Smith added to the station. "The male continued his assault, violently punching him."

The suspect then ran away without the phone, which was returned to Ballou later by someone on the street, police told KYW.

RELATED: Coach for 10-year-old baseball players shoves umpire, knocks him to the ground; injured ump says he's pressing charges

Ballou's injuries were not serious, police added to the station.

Ballou was in Philadelphia to work the Phillies vs. Arizona Diamondbacks series last weekend, KYW said, adding that Ballou umpired at first base the night after the incident and was behind home plate two days later.

KYW said MLB declined to comment.

In addition, police told the station the same suspect about a half-hour previously had entered a 7-Eleven just a few blocks away in the 1200 block of Chestnut Street and allegedly stole several items. Police told KYW that an employee confronted the suspect, after which the suspect punched the employee multiple times before the suspect fled the store.

Police are asking those with information about the crimes to contact the department's central detective division at 215-686-3093/3094, the station said.

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Homeless Florida man shoots and kills dog owner while intervening in dog attack on woman, police say



A dog attack near a homeless camp led to the death of the dog owner, a dead dog, and the search for a suspect, according to Florida police.

Lake County Sheriff's deputies responded to the shooting near a homeless camp in Leesburg on Friday at about 7:20 a.m. and found a man with gunshot wounds.

The dog owner stepped in between the dog and Pasco and was struck by the gunfire instead.

The man was transported to a hospital, where he later died.

Police said they were searching for an armed person of interest identified as 43-year-old Matthew Lee Pasco, a homeless man believed to have shot the dog owner.

The dogs were attacking a woman outside the homeless camp when Pasco intervened and fired at a dog, according to police. The dog owner stepped in between the dog and Pasco and was struck by the gunfire instead.

The woman, who was bitten numerous times, was also transported to a hospital.

Two dogs were shot, and one was killed.

Police said Pasco fled the scene on foot, and they are searching the area to locate him. They said the homeless man has a distinctive scar on the right side of his face.

The investigation into the shooting led to a lockdown at Carver Middle School.

One person named Leilei told reporters that the shooting came about after her friend's girlfriend kicked one of Leilei's dogs. She said her boyfriend intervened and was shot.

RELATED: Homeless man found tied up in vacant home was brutally beaten with signs of torture, police say

Animal services took control of more than one dog, police said.

Police asked for help locating Pasco but warned the public not to approach him and instead contact them.

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'Made me sick to my stomach': PA man hit with HUNDREDS of charges over alleged robbery of graves



A 34-year-old man is facing nearly 500 charges after police found a trove of human remains he allegedly stole from graves in Pennsylvania.

Investigators caught Jonathan Gerlach of Ephrata coming out of the historic Mount Moriah Cemetery and Arboretum in Yeadon with a burlap bag and a crowbar.

'To be able to sell body parts on the internet just appalls me, and I just think it should be stopped.'

In his car they discovered "numerous bones and skulls in plain view in the back seat."

Gerlach allegedly admitted to stealing remains from more than 30 grave sites. Investigators were shocked when they searched his home and storage unit.

"Detectives walked into a horror movie come to life in that home," said Delaware County District Attorney Tanner Rouse at a press conference. "It is truly, in the most literal sense of the word, horrific. I grieve for those who are upset by this, who are going through this, who are trying to figure out if it is in fact one of their loved ones."

They found that Gerlach was a part of a Facebook group where people allegedly sold and purchased human remains.

On Friday, some of the burglary charges were dropped against Gerlach, but he faced additional charges from other counties.

Judy Prichard McCleary said her great-grandfather's mausoleum from 1915 at Mount Moriah Cemetery was broken into, and many remains were stolen.

"It just made me sick to my stomach to think anyone would want to do that," she added. "To be able to sell body parts on the internet just appalls me, and I just think it should be stopped."

Law enforcement sources told KYW-TV that Gerlach had been caught with the remains of two children in the burlap bag. The sources indicate that a plea deal is being sought.

RELATED: 4 people arrested over numerous incidents of human remains found scattered across New York, bail reform lets them walk free

McCleary went on to say that sentencing for grave robbing should be stiffened to deter potential criminals.

"I think laws need to change," she said. "And we can't sweep it under the rug because it will just happen again in five years or six years or after I'm gone, and people will wonder, 'Why didn't you do anything?'"

Gerlach was given a bail of $1 million and is being held at the George W. Hill Correctional Facility.

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Florida doctor indicted after allegedly removing wrong organ in fatal surgery with 'catastrophic blood loss'



A Florida doctor has been indicted in connection with the death of a 70-year-old man after authorities said the surgeon removed the wrong organ during surgery and caused "catastrophic blood loss" that killed the patient.

Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky, 44, was indicted this week by a grand jury on a charge of second-degree manslaughter in connection with the death of William Bryan of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, according to police.

'This heartbreaking loss has devastated the family of William Bryan, and we are seeking justice for this senseless tragedy.'

The Pensacola News Journal reported that Bryan and his wife, Beverly, were visiting their rental property in Okaloosa County, Florida, when he suddenly began experiencing pain on the left side of his body, according to the family's law firm.

The couple went to Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital in Miramar Beach, Florida.

William was admitted to the hospital for further testing after doctors found a potential issue with his spleen, the law firm said.

The Florida Department of Health said the patient wanted to utilize medication management for his spleen issue instead of undergoing surgery.

However, Shaknovsky allegedly "continued to pressure" the patient to undergo surgery to remove his spleen, despite the man "repeatedly" saying that he didn't want the surgery.

The Walton County Sheriff's Office said in a statement that the alleged victim was scheduled to undergo a laparoscopic splenectomy on Aug. 21, 2024, which is a spleen removal surgery.

The health department said that operating room staff members were concerned about the procedure "being done so late in the day since they only had a skeletal crew" and that "splenectomies were complicated procedures that could quickly deteriorate and were not regularly performed" at the facility.

The Florida Department of Health also noted that Shaknovsky "arrived at the hospital approximately an hour late" for the surgery scheduled for 4 p.m.

Investigators said Shaknovsky removed the patient's liver instead of his spleen.

The health department's report stated, "Immediately after performing the dissection, Patient W.B. began to severely hemorrhage and went into cardiac arrest. Operating room staff members observed a significant amount of blood pouring out, immediately disrupting visibility in the field."

The health department noted, "Spleens and livers are anatomically distinct, have different consistencies, and are different colors. Additionally, the spleen is located on the left side of the abdomen, while the liver is on the right side."

The report said, "The staff looked at the readily identifiable liver on the table and were shocked when Dr. Shaknovsky told them that it was a spleen. One staff member felt sick to their stomach."

Bryan was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The Walton County Sheriff's Office said, "Dr. Shaknovsky removed the victim's liver instead of his spleen, resulting in catastrophic blood loss and the patient's death on the operating table."

Dr. Shaknovsky told the staff that the patient died from a ruptured splenic artery aneurysm, according to the report.

The Florida Department of Health said a pathologist confirmed the organ tissue removed was an intact liver.

The report revealed that the "medical examiner observed that patient W.B.'s spleen and its attachments were untouched and in the normal position, his liver was missing, and his inferior cava had been severed."

The health department pointed out, "The vena cava is the largest vein in the body and brings deoxygenated blood from the body back to the heart for new oxygen. The inferior vena cava connects the liver to the heart."

"Additionally, the medical examiner noted that there was no evidence of a ruptured splenic artery aneurysm," the report proclaimed.

The report claimed that Shaknovsky dissected Bryan's inferior vena cava, "resulting in the bleeding event that precipitated his death."

"Dr. Shaknovsky claims that due to his shock and the chaos of the situation, he was unable to properly identify the organ he removed and assumed it must be the spleen," according to the health department.

The sheriff's office stated, "The grand jury found probable cause to charge that the actions taken in the operating room constituted criminal conduct under Florida law."

Shaknovsky was arrested in Miramar Beach and transported to the Walton County Jail.

Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson said, "Our duty is to follow the facts wherever they lead, without fear or favor."

Adkinson added, "The grand jury has spoken, and our responsibility is to ensure the charges are carried out through the proper legal process."

The deceased man's widow, Beverly Bryan, told NBC News, "When I tell people what happened, it still sounds too awful to be true that that could happen."

Pensacola-based law firm Zarzaur Law P.A. filed a lawsuit against Shaknovsky and Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast in January 2025.

RELATED: Fake Florida nurse who treated nearly 4,500 patients gets sweetheart deal; judge reportedly asserts she 'excelled at her job'

A spokesperson for Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital Emerald Coast told NBC News, "Dr. Shaknovsky was never a Sacred Heart Emerald Coast employee and has not practiced at any of our facilities since August 2024."

The spokesperson continued, "We remain focused on upholding the standards our patients and community expect of us."

Authorities claim that two other patients of Shaknovsky experienced surgery mishaps, including one man who died after surgery.

In May 2023, a 58-year-old man went to the Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Hospital to get an adrenalectomy, which is the surgical removal of one or both adrenal glands.

The emergency suspension order stated, "During the surgery, Dr. Shaknovsky removed a portion of Patient G.D.'s pancreas instead of the adrenal gland."

Following the surgery, the removed tissue was sent for pathological analysis, according to the Florida Department of Health.

A pathologist examined the purported adrenal gland specimen, which was actually tissue from the patient's pancreas, the order revealed.

"In response to the allegations, Dr. Shaknovsky claimed that the adrenal gland had 'migrated' to a different part of the body," the order said.

The State of Florida Department of Health said the patient "suffered from long-term, permanent harm as a result of Dr. Shaknovsky's error."

Florida Department of Health records show that Shaknovsky in August 2024 settled a malpractice claim for $400,000 in connection with the May 2023 case.

Another one of Shaknovsky's patients died following a procedure, according to authorities.

NBC News reported that the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners said Shaknovsky removed part of a patient's intestine during a procedure in July 2023, which caused a gastrointestinal perforation during which a hole develops in the intestine.

The patient was transported to the ICU shortly after the surgery and died, according to NBC News.

In September 2024, Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo ordered the emergency suspension of Shaknovsky's medical license.

The Florida Department of Health currently lists the status of Shaknovsky's medical license as "retired," and the license expired on March 31, 2026.

Public records show his license in New York was temporarily suspended in May 2025.

The Alabama Board of Medical Examiners filed a court order to temporarily suspend Shaknovsky's medical license shortly after Bryan's death.

Citing records, the Washington Post reported that Shaknovsky voluntarily surrendered his medical license in Alabama after the board attempted to revoke his license.

The New York Times reported that Shaknovsky is scheduled for an arraignment in Walton County Circuit Court on May 19.

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Heroic gas station clerk saves girl from sex offender amid alleged kidnapping after she mouths desperate plea to him



A 16-year-old Michigan girl was waiting for a bus in Hamtramck around 7:05 a.m. Monday when a male allegedly approached her, put a handgun to her back, and forced her into a van, WJBK-TV reported. Hamtramck is about 10 minutes north of Detroit.

The girl is a student at Frontier International Academy, the station said, and a fellow student witnessed the incident and reported it.

'I see the police outside. I point to him. I go, "That's the guy."'

The victim allegedly was sexually assaulted inside the suspect's vehicle, WJBK said.

Police went to the victim's school and met with students who were tracking her cell phone location, WJBK said, adding that officers used the data to track the victim to a Detroit gas station.

Around 7:30 a.m., the suspect brought the girl into the Sunoco gas station, asked for cigarettes — and told the girl to pay for them, WXYZ-TV reported

Store clerk Abdulrahman Abohatem told WXYZ that struck him as odd: "When he ask her to pay for the cigarettes, I said ... 'There's something wrong.'"

The girl then sent him a silent, desperate signal.

"She mouth-talked to me, like, with no sound," Abohatem told WXYZ.

He said her message was one word: "Help."

RELATED: Female slashes face of 3-year-old boy she kidnapped at Walmart — and officers open fire: Police

With that, Abohatem came out from behind the protective glass and confronted the suspect, WXYZ said: "I go out, I kick him out, I ask the girl, 'Go behind me.'"

As Abohatem was escorting the male out of the store, police pulled into the parking lot, WXYZ said.

"I see the police outside. I point to him. I go, 'That's the guy,'" Abohatem added to WXYZ.

The suspect was quickly taken into custody, WXYZ reported.

City of Hamtramck Mayor Adam Alharbi told WXYZ the suspect is "a criminal who had a history of rape charges, and we will make sure that he gets what he deserves."

The girl's family said she is safe at home processing the incident and is thankful the community stepped up, WXYZ reported.

Hamtramck Police Department Chief Hussein Farhat told WXYZ the incident was random and the suspect and victim didn't know each other: "This suspect could have driven anywhere, saw the opportunity, and took advantage of it."

Hamtramck Police said 48-year-old Donald J. Fields of Detroit was arraigned Thursday.

RELATED: Transgender sex offender accused of trying to kidnap boy at elementary school gets good news from DA

Police said Fields was charged with two counts of first-degree criminal sexual assault, one count of kidnapping, one count of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, one count of felonious assault, and five counts of felony firearm. He also was charged as a habitual offender — third offense, police said.

Fields was taken to the Wayne County Jail and ordered held without bond, police said.

In a separate story, WXYZ reported that Fields is a registered sex offender, and that Judge Alexis Krot — who denied his bond — stated that "despite me saying one minute before that he's a habitual offender, Mr. Fields has the audacity to say he has no criminal history."

WXYZ said Fields previously spent time in prison in connection with a home invasion and assault with intent to commit sexual contact.

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