Texas shuts down city's police department after controversial arrests, claim of 'deliberate political retaliation'



The mayor of Trinidad, Texas, told KDFW-TV earlier this week he wasn't surprised that the state shut down his city's police department.

"It was not a shock," Mayor Dennis Haws told the station. "I’m not gonna say that it was."

'There’s been a lot of neglect through the years.'

Haws received a letter from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement last week telling him it was revoking the city's license to have its own police department, KDFW reported.

The Trinidad Police Department employs five full-time officers and several part-time officers, the station said. The community of only 860 residents sits a little over an hour southeast of Dallas.

The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement said the police department "failed to meet minimum standards" and "was unable to provide evidence that the agency provides public benefit to the community," KDFW noted.

The state agency's investigation found that the police department didn't have 18 required policies in place, including policies on use of force, vehicle pursuit, professional conduct, and active shooters, the station said.

"There’s been a lot of neglect through the years," Haws noted to KDFW.

Moving forward, Trinidad will receive law enforcement support from the Henderson County Sheriff's Office, and the mayor told the station that the city will look into getting a designated deputy from the sheriff's office.

"We are moving in a positive direction," Haws added to KDFW. "We’ve got to get past all of this."

RELATED: Virginia town backtracks on dissolving police force after public fury, criminal probe

What's more, the station noted that the Trinidad Police Department has been mired in controversy since May when citizen journalist Jennifer Combs was arrested and charged with a felony after her Facebook post about the city's water issues.

More from KDFW:

Combs' post stated she had seen reports that people had been hospitalized after drinking the city's water. Trinidad Police Chief Charles Gregory responded by saying Combs’ post "creates fear, panic, or unnecessary emergency response within a community."

A Henderson County grand jury declined to indict Combs, who has since filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Trinidad and Gregory which alleges she was arrested in "an act of deliberate political retaliation."

One day after FOX 4's initial report on Combs, citizen journalist Winston Noles was arrested and charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct after protesting outside Trinidad City Hall with a sign with expletives targeting "bad cops." The charge was later dismissed.

Gregory resigned from his position as Trinidad Police Chief after saying at a Trinidad City Council meeting that he had "nothing to hide" in relation to Combs' and Knowles' arrests, the station said, adding that Gregory's final day with the police department was June 19.

KDFW said Gregory, citing pending lawsuits, has declined interview requests with the station.

In addition, the station said the Trinidad judge who approved the search warrant for Combs wrote a letter blasting Gregory and his police department after news of Gregory's resignation.

The judge's letter questions "the accuracy, completeness, and reliability of information presented" to him by two Trinidad police officers regarding Combs' search warrant, KDFW reported.

The Henderson County District Attorney's Office announced in August it would stop taking cases from the department, the station said.

In regard to the local water issues, the City of Trinidad website contains a boil water notice dated Wednesday saying that "due to low water pressure and low chlorine residual, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the City of Trinidad water system to notify customers who are north of the intersection at Hwy 274 and Old River Rd. to boil their water prior to consumption (e.g., washing hands/face, brushing teeth, drinking, etc). Children, seniors, and persons with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to harmful bacteria, and all customers should follow these directions)."

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Thug caught on video kicking man in back of head while victim sits in jacuzzi. But case soon breaks in surprising way.



An individual was caught on video kicking a man in the back of the head while he sat in a Southern California jacuzzi earlier this month, after which another suspect stole the man's phone.

The incident occurred Aug.14 when Greg Medina — who serves the homeless in San Bernardino — said he was relaxing in a jacuzzi when two suspects approached him from behind, KTLA-TV reported.

'I could have lost consciousness, or I could have been hurt a lot worse and drowned.'

Surveillance video captured one of the suspects delivering a hard kick to the back of Medina’s head, the station said, adding that the other suspect reached down to steal Medina's phone, which was sitting on the concrete.

Medina told KTLA he was listening to a class with earbuds when he "felt a sharp kick behind my head. I saw the kids off in the distance [but] didn’t really pay much attention to them.”

Medina added to the station that he didn’t get a look at the two suspects but that he believed they were either teens or young adults.

Medina tracked his phone to a neighboring apartment complex and contacted police, the station said.

He then went to an emergency room, where he learned he had suffered a concussion, KTLA added.

Soon, however, the case broke in a surprising way.

RELATED: 'Teen chaos in DC': Brawl with chairs used as weapons erupts in Chipotle after Pirro's warning to parents of thugs

Investigators told KTLA the parents of the two 13-year-old suspects turned them in Friday morning, and the pair were arrested on felony charges.

Police told the station that both teens were taken to Juvenile Hall; the suspect who allegedly delivered the kick was booked on robbery and battery charges, while the other suspect was booked on robbery charges.

The teens have not been identified because of their ages, KTLA said.

“I don’t hate them. … I forgive them,” Medina noted to the station. “I don’t wish any bad on anybody. However, I do feel that they need to be held accountable, especially the parents.”

“I could have lost consciousness, or I could have been hurt a lot worse and drowned,” he added to KTLA.

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High-ranking police official and ex-con husband helped gangbanger son flee drive-by shooting: Prosecutors



A high-ranking law enforcement official in New York state and her husband have been arrested after prosecutors alleged they helped their son flee the scene of a shooting that targeted a suspected rival gang member in a getaway vehicle.

Jennifer Lackard, 49, was employed as the deputy commissioner of wellness for the Mount Vernon Police Department.

'It is stunning that this public official would jeopardize her position and reputation to be involved in this alleged conspiracy.'

Lackard and her 20-year-old son, Chase Lackard, were arrested around 5:30 a.m. Tuesday following the execution of a search warrant at the family's Bronx apartment, according to WCBS-TV.

Jennifer Lackard pleaded not guilty.

James Lackard, Jennifer's 47-year-old husband, turned himself in to the 44th Precinct station house in the Bronx around 8:30 a.m. Thursday, according to the New York Post.

WCBS reported that the trio was charged with attempted murder, three counts of attempted assault, six counts of weapons possession, one count of conspiracy, and one count of reckless endangerment.

Court records show that Jennifer Lackard and her son each were released on $75,000 bail, and the father — James Lackard — was held on $300,000 bail, according to the New York Post.

A newly unsealed indictment states that the family participated in a coordinated shooting attack outside the Bronx Criminal Courthouse around noon June 29.

WABC-TV reported that the parents drove their son to the courthouse in their tan Chrysler Pacifica, and Chase Lackard fired a semiautomatic gun out of the vehicle's window.

Prosecutors said Chase — a reported member of the Slutty Gang — was targeting a member of a rival gang, the Sex Money Murder crew.

However, prosecutors said the shooter missed the target, and nobody was injured in the alleged attack.

The indictment said Chase Lackard sent a text message instructing his mother to pick him up in the front of the courthouse.

Jennifer Lackard asked her son what time to be there, according to the indictment.

"You can't just sit directly outside. It has to be timed right," she texted, ABC News reported, citing the indictment.

The mother drove the family back to their home, according to the indictment.

RELATED: Cop torches career after home invasion, physical attack on former lover — and his girlfriend — plus threat to burn down house

ABC News, citing the indictment, reported that Jennifer Lackard's "son changed his clothing "to avoid identification."

Prosecutors said the shooting was caught on surveillance video.

According to ABC News, Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark stated:

These defendants allegedly conspired with each other to drive from their Bronx residence to the Hall of Justice for the purpose of shooting someone. Despite multiple shots being fired, thankfully no one was hit.

It is stunning that this public official would jeopardize her position and reputation to be involved in this alleged conspiracy.

Jennifer Lackard was terminated from her position with the Mount Vernon Police Department.

The City of Mount Vernon said in a statement, "Effective immediately, the City of Mount Vernon has terminated Mrs. Lackard's employment."

"The allegations are unrelated to her duties with the Mount Vernon Police Department and do not stem from any conduct associated with the Department or the performance of her official responsibilities," the statement read.

Lackard was paid a salary of $138,219 last year, according to online payroll records.

The Mount Vernon Police Department said in a statement that it was aware of the criminal history of Jennifer Lackard's husband.

"As part of the hiring process, information regarding her husband’s prior criminal history was disclosed and reviewed and deemed not to be disqualifying for her civilian position," the statement said.

The Mount Vernon Police Department stated that it will not comment on the situation any further because it is an active investigation.

The Journal News reported that Jennifer Lackard founded the Ivy House Center for Self-Sufficiency, a former nonprofit substance abuse and mental health outpatient treatment center in North Carolina, in 2007.

However, the center was forced to close in 2012 because James Lackard was arrested on drug charges.

WCBS-TV reported that a 2012 federal indictment shows James Lackard previously served 52 months on a drug conviction before later pleading guilty in another federal drug case.

Meanwhile, Chase Lackard reportedly has a history of encounters with police.

According to the Journal News, Chase Lackard has pending criminal cases in the Bronx and Manhattan.

The Journal News reported:

In November 2024 he was arrested after being shot in the leg by an NYPD officer when he allegedly pointed a gun at officers following a fight in the Soundview neighborhood. Three months earlier, he was arrested on gun charges in Manhattan. In 2023 he was shot in the chest during a gang-related fight on an MTA bus in the Bronx.

The NYPD stated that Jennifer Lackard has no criminal history in New York City.

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'I love blood': Disturbing messages unveiled in teen couple's alleged family murder spree



Frightening messages between a teen couple were read aloud during a pretrial hearing earlier this week for a 16-year-old accused of killing five members of his girlfriend's family.

Illinois State Police stated that all the victims were related to the accused's 15-year-old girlfriend, who is identified in court records only by the initials W.T. since she is being charged as a juvenile. Her boyfriend, Ja'ymier Davis, is being prosecuted as an adult under Illinois law, which requires juveniles age 16 or older who are charged with first-degree murder to face adult criminal proceedings.

'Babe, I’m finna lose my whole family for you.'

The couple is accused of killing the girl’s grandmother Patricia May, 74; aunt Cherie May, 49; sister Shania Thompson, 25; cousin Devin May, 24; and brother Quentin Thompson, 21.

During Wednesday’s hearing in St. Clair County criminal court, prosecutors read a series of chilling Instagram chats between Davis and the girl prior to the killings.

“Well, your auntie is going to be easy. We can have her at gunpoint and stab her [expletive],” Davis wrote.

“I can do that. I love blood,” the girlfriend allegedly responded.

She added, “Babe, I’m finna lose my whole family for you.”

It was revealed in court that the girl's mother discovered messages in which the pair allegedly listed relatives they intended to kill.

RELATED: 15-year-old girl allegedly shot and killed 5 of her family members with 16-year-old boy, police say

Prosecutors also allege that at the time of the arrest, law enforcement officials discovered Patricia May's severed thumb, which the pair had cut off to access her cell phone.

Davis is facing 12 criminal charges, including five counts of first-degree murder, dismembering a human body, two counts of attempted murder, two counts of aggravated battery, aggravated vehicular hijacking, and unlawful use of a stolen firearm.

However, his attorney is claiming self-defense.

“This is not a case where he is the hunter; he is the hunted,” part-time public defender Patrick Sullivan said. “The truth will come out.”

St. Clair County Assistant State’s Attorney Dan Lewis argued during the pretrial hearing to keep Davis in jail.

“If he gets out, there’s every indication that he will finish what he started,” Lewis said.

Associate Judge Sara Rice agreed and ordered Davis to remain in custody.

Authorities have not yet disclosed a motive for the killings.

Illinois State Police said the investigation began Sunday after the body of Cherie May was discovered at the Samuel Gompers Homes public housing complex in East St. Louis. Authorities said two additional victims, Patricia and Devin May, also were found dead there.

Quentin Thompson and Shania Thompson were killed at Jones Park and in an alley at 39th Street and Summit Avenue, respectively. Two other family members, Santosha Scott and Tiffany Thompson, survived after they also were shot at Jones Park.

RELATED: Thug allegedly threatens to kill homeowner, enters victim's residence. But homeowner fights back with baseball bat — and gun.

Lamarian Smiley, whose wife survived the attack, spoke to KSDK and said the teen couple posted a "hit list" on Instagram.

"It's all because y'all wanted to be together, so ... they wanted to eliminate everybody that had a problem with the situation," Smiley said.

He noted that his wife survived only because the pair ran out of bullets and were unable to kill her.

Smiley, along with police, also said the gun used in the spree was stolen from the girl's mother.

"Her daughter took the keys from her purse, unlocked the lockbox, and took the firearm," he added. "The police were notified as soon as they found out that the firearm was taken."

The St. Clair County State's Attorney's Office is seeking to have the 15-year-old girl tried as an adult.

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Parents accused of leaving their 6 kids — including 2 infants — in hot car while inside a Wingstop for up to 30 minutes



Two Kansas parents are accused of leaving their six children — including two infants — in a hot car as temperatures neared triple digits last week; the parents reportedly went inside a Wingstop for up to 30 minutes.

Citing Salina Police, KSAL-AM reported that officers were dispatched to the Wingstop in the 1600 block of South Ohio Street around 2:15 p.m. Wednesday concerning multiple children left in a vehicle in the parking lot for approximately 20 to 30 minutes with no air conditioning and only one window down.

'A child’s body temperature raises three to five times faster than adults. They just do not have the same regulating capabilities that an adult does.'

KSAL said arriving officers found a vehicle containing two 7-month-old children, a 2-year-old, a 4-year-old, a 5-year-old, and a 13-year-old. The station said the vehicle was not running and had only one window down while the temperature was 97 degrees with a heat index of 102 degrees.

KSAL added that "the parents of the children," identified as 53-year-old Michael Krueger and 40-year-old Tiffany Krueger, were located inside the business.

Witnesses said the parents had been in the business for approximately 20 to 30 minutes without checking on the children, the station said.

The Salina Police Department confirmed that Michael Krueger and Tiffany Krueger were booked on six counts of aggravated child endangerment, KWCH-TV reported.

Salina EMS responded and evaluated the children, KSAL reported; police also confirmed that all six children were taken into protective custody, KWCH added.

The parents remained behind bars Monday in Saline County Jail.

RELATED: Mother 'intentionally' left her toddler in hot car, police say. Now she's charged with murder.

Chad Scoville of the Salina Fire Department told KWCH that children are more vulnerable to heat than adults.

“A child’s body temperature raises three to five times faster than adults,” Scoville told the station. “They just do not have the same regulating capabilities that an adult does.”

Scoville added to KWCH that temperatures inside vehicles can reach dangerous levels in a short period of time.

"Temperatures can reach deadly levels inside cars within minutes,” Scoville told the station. “Anything can happen at any time, even if you think you’re going to be minutes — that could turn into an hour. We simply do not want to leave ... children or pets in unattended vehicles. Period.”

KWCH, citing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said cracking a car window does not help reduce temperatures inside a vehicle. The station's video report said a thermometer placed inside a car starting at 83 degrees with the windows rolled up reached 108 degrees in approximately 20 minutes.

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July 4 mob attack on female cops: 3 adults, 4 kids charged with possession of machine gun, theft of Taser, assault on police



Three adults and four juveniles have been arrested in connection with the July 4 mob attack on female police officers caught on video in South Carolina.

North Charleston Police said the juveniles face charges ranging from assault by mob (third degree), assault on police while resisting arrest, resisting arrest, and possession of a machine gun to breach of peace.

'We just can’t do that. We can’t attack and jump on a police officer who was just trying to do her job and beat her like that, like a mob. That just can’t happen.'

Police also said 19-year-old Giovanni Mekhi Sincere Campbell of North Charleston faces a charge of possession of a machine gun, and 18-year-old Sa'Mya Adriana Collette Weaver of North Charleston faces charges of breach of peace and assault on police.

In addition, the police department's Gang Intervention Team and the Intelligence Led Policing Team said they arrested 21-year-old Charleston resident Dejuan Ravenel in connection with the theft of a Taser and loaded gun magazines from one of the assaulted police officers. Police said they received information identifying Ravenel and determining he was possibly staying at an apartment complex in the West Ashley area, after which police established surveillance at the location.

Police said they saw Ravenel leave the apartment and enter the back seat of a vehicle. Soon they followed the vehicle to a restaurant, and Ravenel was taken into custody after exiting the restaurant, police said.

Investigators later executed a search warrant at the apartment and recovered the stolen Taser and loaded gun magazines, police said.

Ravenel was charged with unlawful taking of a weapon from law enforcement and transported to jail, police said, adding that the investigation remains ongoing and additional arrests are possible.

The following is cellphone video of the physical attacks on police:

RELATED: Over 400 arrested after July 4 'TikTok Takeover' in beach city leads to fights, looting, vandalism, violence against cops

Prior to the July 4 mob attack, police said North Charleston had permitted a neighborhood block party. Police said leadership met with block party organizers to discuss the event, including traffic and parking plans to ensure emergency vehicles could safely access the area if needed.

But police said around 8:30 p.m., officers began receiving reports of gunfire and individuals shooting fireworks toward passing vehicles.

Officers responded immediately, and attendees told them that several people had begun discharging firearms, police said, adding that officers made repeated public announcements advising that the event had ended and directing attendees to leave the area safely, in an attempt to de-escalate the situation.

Police said that despite those efforts, multiple fights broke out and additional gunshots were fired.

Officers exited their patrol vehicles to intervene, separate individuals involved in fights, and restore order and protect the public, police said, adding that during the response, multiple firearms and a makeshift spear were recovered.

Police said "multiple officers were physically assaulted, with two female officers sustaining minor injuries," and "several attendees were arrested as a result of their own actions."

"Attacks on law enforcement are unacceptable, and those responsible will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," police said. "The safety of our residents and visitors remains our highest priority."

Police also said "we especially thank those from the community who helped officers during the attacks."

WCSC-TV reported that the attacks occurred near Chicora Community Park on Calvert Street — and that police said the event had been held in the same location for about 10 years without incident.

About 400 people were present at the scene, police told WCSC.

North Charleston Police Chief Ron Camacho told the station that the two female officers who were injured "are fine. They’re working."

Community advocate Elvin Speights told WCSC he was shaken after watching the video circulate online: “A lot of emotions. Ashamed. Disgraced. I’m very pleased that no one was seriously hurt. That could have gone really bad.”

Speights added to the station that "we just can’t do that. We can’t attack and jump on a police officer who was just trying to do her job and beat her like that, like a mob. That just can’t happen.”

Speights also told WCSC the police response was admirable: “I just wanted to give a huge shout-out to that officer who showed humongous restraint on not going out here and pulling her gun and start shooting. The North Charleston Police Department as a whole — no one was seriously hurt. They showed a lot of restraint.”

Camacho told the station that police had prior intelligence that juveniles were planning to engage in fights using fireworks in the area that night — but were not prepared for the scale of what took place at the block party.

“We were not ready for this,” Camacho noted to WCSC.

“We need some help,” Camacho told WCSC. “We really do. We need some help from the community. Because stuff like this is getting dangerous."

Camacho also told the the station that unruly juveniles are “the most difficult thing that I’ve had to deal with in my policing career.”

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Over 400 arrested after July 4 'TikTok Takeover' in beach city leads to fights, looting, vandalism, violence against cops



The City of Newport Beach in Southern California said police made 402 arrests after "social media posts drew a large influx of juveniles and young adults to the Newport Pier area within a matter of minutes" on July 4.

Officials added that "as the crowd quickly grew into the thousands, dangerous and unlawful behavior escalated, blocking roadways, preventing emergency access and putting families, visitors and first responders at risk."

'I've lived here 54, 55 years, and I've never seen anything like that. It's very sad.'

However, officials said "more than 350 officers responded quickly to restore order, reopen emergency access routes and protect the community."

KTLA-TV reported that video of the chaos shows hundreds of people in a parking lot along West Balboa Boulevard — and that some were seen fist-fighting while others vandalized property and looted some local businesses, including a grocery store.

In a statement issued Sunday afternoon, Newport Beach officials said a "large group of unruly juveniles and young adults created dangerous conditions" on the Balboa Peninsula during Independence Day celebrations, KTLA noted.

More from the station:

City officials stated that tens of thousands of people were drawn to the community throughout the day, but things didn’t get out of hand until “late in the evening” when social media posts drew a large influx of people to the Newport Pier in a short amount of time.

That verified reports of previous social media posts advertising a “TikTok Takeover” in Newport Beach.

RELATED: Video: 2 female police officers assaulted, injured in July 4 mob attack; guns, spear recovered

"As the crowd rapidly grew, individuals engaged in increasingly dangerous and unlawful behavior, blocking roadways, restricting emergency vehicle access, and throwing explosive mortars, fireworks, and other projectiles at police officers, into densely packed crowds and near families with children," the city's statement reads, according to KTLA. "The sudden influx of thousands of people into a confined area within a short period of time created an immediate threat to public safety and required a coordinated regional law enforcement response."

The gathering was eventually declared an unlawful assembly, and law enforcement worked to restore order, the station said.

One Newport Beach police officer was struck by a mortar, KTLA reported, adding that the officer was treated at the scene and released.

The 402 arrests made between midnight July 3 and 6 a.m. July 5 were more than six times the 60 arrests made during the same period last year, the station said.

Officials said approximately 200 of the arrests involved individuals who refused lawful dispersal orders, while those "responsible for inciting the crowd, engaging in violent, criminal behavior, and threatening public safety" also were taken into custody, KTLA reported.

RELATED: Bodycam video: Thug ambushes, repeatedly stabs Florida deputy. Sheriff's office reveals what ultimately saved deputy's life.

A longtime Newport Beach resident spoke to the station Monday morning and said the scene over the holiday weekend was unlike anything he'd experienced before.

"This year was the worst I've ever seen," the resident, named John, told KTLA. "Last year was kind of a little crazy, but this year ... was a riot. I've lived here 54, 55 years, and I've never seen anything like that. It's very sad."

"Come to the city, please. Come enjoy yourself. ... It's Fourth of July. ... Greatest country in the world, right?" he added to the station. "Beautiful beach, the water's warm, there's a little bit of surf. ... Why wouldn't you come here? Please come, but please don't do what you did [this year]."

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3 females charged with murdering mother of 5 on Texas street in broad daylight; 1 suspect appears to smile after her arrest



Three females have been charged with murdering a mother of five on a south Texas street in broad daylight — and at least one suspect appeared to smile on video after her arrest.

Officers with the Del Rio Police Department just after 2 p.m. Thursday responded to Val Verde Regional Medical Center after receiving a report of a female suffering from multiple stab wounds, police said.

'The severity of this crime is indeed a stark reminder of the consequences of violent actions. We need God in our lives.'

Upon arrival, officers determined the assault had occurred in the 800 block of East 10th Street, police said.

Due to the severity of her injuries, the victim was taken to a medical facility in San Antonio for emergency treatment, police said.

During the investigation, detectives identified the victim as a 32-year-old female and developed three suspects: Kitty Mia Diaz, 21; Amaya Cookie Diaz, 19; and Kyandra Renee Faz, 21.

Investigators gathered surveillance video, processed evidence, and conducted numerous witness interviews, police said, adding that officers located and arrested Kitty Mia Diaz and Amaya Cookie Diaz without incident around 4 p.m. Soon after officers located and arrested Kyandra Renee Faz, police said. All three suspects were taken to the Del Rio Police Department for booking and processing, police said.

USA Today reported that video capturing the arrests of Kitty Mia Diaz and Amaya Cookie Diaz show both females grinning as they're placed into police vehicles. The below news video — at the 2:38 mark — shows at least one handcuffed female appearing to smile following her arrest:

RELATED: Convicted killer giggles in court as judge describes murder. Judge asks why he's laughing — and isn't amused by his answer.

Around 9 p.m. investigators were told that the victim — identified as Caroline Peña, KENS-TV reported — was pronounced dead, police said.

Following the victim’s death, all three suspects were charged with murder and were taken to the GEO Correctional Facility, police said.

Authorities said the investigation remains active and ongoing and that additional charges may be filed as investigators continue to gather evidence and determine the full circumstances surrounding this incident.

A number of those commenting underneath the police department's Facebook post about the killing were taken aback by it:

  • "The severity of this crime is indeed a stark reminder of the consequences of violent actions," one commenter wrote. "We need God in our lives."
  • "It's heartbreaking to see women (or any person) involved in such a violent incident," another user said before adding, "Stay strong Del Rio, my thoughts are with the victim's family and the community during this difficult time."
  • "None of this had to happen," another commenter stated. "The saddest part is that all of them had children and families who now have to live with the aftermath. Choices don’t just affect yourself; they affect everyone connected to you."
  • "Prayers for the victim's family," another user wrote.

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Female attackers yelled 'free Karmelo' according to alleged assault victim; 3 suspects arrested



The alleged victim of a recent physical attack outside a Texas bar said her assailants yelled "free Karmelo" — and now three females face assault charges, the Dallas Express reported.

The alleged "free Karmelo" exclamation presumably was in reference to Karmelo Anthony, a black male who earlier this month was sentenced to 35 years in prison for murdering Austin Metcalf, a white male, at a high school track meet in April 2025.

'Any credible threat, any attempt to organize violence, and any effort to intimidate members of the community will be taken seriously and investigated appropriately.'

Ciarrianne Fuller, 21, and Alana Mumphrey, 25 — both of Longview — and Dejae Shalyn Brown, 26, of Pittsburg, were listed in Gregg County Jail records on warrants for assault causing bodily injury, the Express said.

Fuller was arrested Tuesday, the Longview News-Journal reported, adding that Brown and Mumphrey surrendered to law enforcement and were booked into jail Thursday afternoon; all three were released on $20,000 bonds.

The Express said a woman publicly identified on social media as Sammie Lee alleged that several females attacked her after leaving Whiskey J's in Longview during the overnight hours of June 20 into June 21.

According to the Express, Lee alleged in her public post that the females shouted "free Karmelo" and said they planned to target "the smallest white girl they could find."

Lee said she had not interacted with the three females prior to the assault, the News-Journal reported, adding that Lee posted photos on social media showing her injuries.

The Express said it asked the Longview Police Department for additional comment and clarification regarding if investigators have confirmed Lee's allegation that the suspects yelled "free Karmelo" — or if they've uncovered any motive for the alleged assault — but the paper said it didn't immediately receive a response from police.

RELATED: 'You can't look me in the eyes, but you can stab my f**king son?!' Austin Metcalf's dad humiliates Karmelo Anthony in court

Longview Police Department spokesperson LaDarian Brown did say police are in communication with the FBI about the case because of online conversations "concerning retaliation, division, and attacks between members of our community," the News-Journal reported.

"Any credible threat, any attempt to organize violence, and any effort to intimidate members of the community will be taken seriously and investigated appropriately,” Brown added, according to the News-Journal.

Racial tensions have surrounded the Karmelo Anthony case since its beginnings more than a year ago:

  • Shortly after Metcalf's stabbing death, Anthony supporters went viral on social media, with one declaring that "Austin Metcalf got exactly what he deserved — point blank, period."
  • A high-profile Anthony spokesman reacted to Anthony's indictment last year by calling for a fight against "white supremacy" and blasting "bigots" and "racists."
  • At the start of Anthony's murder trial early this month, the prosecution dismissed all prospective black jurors — and one of the prospective black jurors acknowledged he'd have a "hard time putting a brother in jail."
  • After Anthony's murder conviction, Democrat U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas threw shade at the Metcalf family, saying that "black women, especially black women who have black male children, live in fear and agony every single day — a fear and agony that, I promise you, the Metcalfs probably never spend a day living that way."
  • In addition, a white-hating agitator claiming Anthony was "legally lynched" is a criminal, disgraced ex-judge.

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3 masked teen thugs try to rob man on Chicago bus. But the 54-year-old isn't about to hand over his property without a fight.



When a trio of masked teens tried to rob a man aboard a Chicago bus Saturday night, the 54-year-old fought back, police told CWB Chicago.

Chicago police told the outlet the man was riding a northbound Ashland bus near 57th Street around 11:22 p.m. when the three males approached him and demanded his property while aboard the bus.

'This will continue to happen all over the city. Can't stand at the bus stop. Can't ride the CTA bus. Can't ride the train.'

Investigators told CWB Chicago the trio began taking items from the man, including a chain necklace that was later recovered from one of the suspects.

A witness told WGN-TV in the station's video report that the suspects were "talking about shooting him, blowing his brains out."

But the man soon decided he wasn't going to give up his stuff without a fight.

Police told the outlet the man reached into his bag, pulled out a “sharp object,” and fought with the robbers.

The suspects battered the victim before fleeing the bus, and CWB Chicago reported that officers initially were dispatched after a bus panic alarm generated a “person with a knife” call.

But as the investigation unfolded, police learned the three ski mask-wearing teenagers targeted the passenger who fought back, the outlet said.

CWB Chicago said police recovered a knife at the scene.

More from the outlet:

Then came the plot twist: While officers were sorting out what happened on the bus, 911 operators received another call from the 5600 block of South Justine Street from a caller reporting that his 13-year-old little brother had been stabbed in the hand.

When officers arrived, they quickly connected the dots. According to a police report, the wounded 13-year-old, his older brother, and another individual at the Justine location turned out to be the robbers. Police also recovered the victim’s chain necklace at the scene.

RELATED: Plucky elderly man who uses a walker fights back in brutal fashion when much younger male unleashes attack on him with wrench

Police told CWB Chicago that Chicago Fire Department personnel treated the victim, who suffered a cut on his hand, and then took him to St. Bernard Hospital; he was listed in good condition.

Two of the alleged robbers suffered what police said were minor injuries, and paramedics also treated them the outlet said, adding that the three suspects were arrested and charges were pending as of Sunday morning.

A number of commenters reacting to the station's video report about the incident were up in arms:

  • "The mayor will give the 3 criminals the key [to] the city for such bravery," one commenter wrote sarcastically.
  • "Every law-abiding citizen should invest in a [Firearm Owners Identification Card], firearm training, and the [Concealed Carry License]," another commenter said. "Stay ready for the Devil."
  • "A 54-year-old man taking on three young punks and only having a laceration on his hand ... bravo!!!" another commenter wrote. "And glad they caught and arrested the three thugs; just too bad they will be released, if they aren't already, due to [Illinois Democrat Gov. JB] Pritzker's absurd Safe-T Act."
  • "In a future plea deal, charges of assault with bodily harm and aggravated robbery will be reduced to fare evasion — probably," another commenter predicted.
  • "This will continue to happen all over the city," another commenter lamented. "Can't stand at the bus stop. Can't ride the CTA bus. Can't ride the train."

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