Hero pilot Sully who saved 155 lives says he's been diagnosed with heartbreaking condition



Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger is facing another harrowing battle, this time one having to do with his health.

The man known for heroically piloting a damaged passenger plane into the Hudson River and saving 155 lives 17 years ago is now fighting Alzheimer's disease.

'I am in the beginning of this long journey.'

"I recently found out I have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. It is early stage," said the 75-year-old in a statement. "For now, this means a name may not come easily to me, I forget a story I have recently told, or I don’t sleep as well, but I am in the beginning of this long journey."

He said he was speaking out in hopes of encouraging other families dealing with the disease.

"This new phase of my life has challenged what it means to be of service. And the answer is to speak up," he continued. "It is my hope that by sharing this, other families living in the shadows with this disease will feel they too can step forward."

Sullenberger's story was dramatized in the 2016 hit movie "Sully," which was directed by Clint Eastwood and starred Tom Hanks as the hero.

The Jan. 2009 incident that stemmed from a plane hitting numerous birds on takeoff and losing both of its engines has since been dubbed the "Miracle on the Hudson."

Sullenberger has spoken many times about his actions on that fateful day.

"I think about not only what we did but what everybody else did," he said to ABC News on the 10th anniversary of the water landing. "All the pieces had to come together. This group of strangers had to rise to the occasion and make sure that they saved every life."

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Sullenberger had been described by the passengers as very calm as he helped them exit the plane, but he has since revealed otherwise.

"I think people with certain temperament gravitate toward certain jobs and flying is certainly one of those, and I think the training and the experience we develop tends to make us more that way," he explained.

"It develops in you an ability to summon up from somewhere within this ability to create a sense of calm, a professional calm," he added. "But we weren't calm. We couldn't be calm. The stress was too intense, but we had that focus ... to be able to do the job in spite of how stressful it was."

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Heroic Oklahoma principal praised for thwarting alleged 'Columbine'-inspired attack



After what could have been a devastating school shooting like that at Columbine High School in 1999, one Oklahoma town is praising a hero rather than mourning this week.

On Tuesday afternoon at Pauls Valley High School in Oklahoma, an armed suspect entered the school with the intent to kill.

'Principal Moore acted bravely to protect students' lives.'

However, the shooting was quickly thwarted when Principal Kirk Moore sprang into action.

The suspect entered the school near the principal's office. The suspect reportedly drove his truck with two pistols to the school, entered the building, ordered everyone to get on the ground, and attempted to fire one of the guns.

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DAVID PASHAEE/Middle East Images/AFP/Getty Images

However, the gun did not fire at first.

Moore was then able to subdue the shooter, doubtlessly saving a number of lives in the process. He was shot in the leg as he restrained the shooter, though the injury is reportedly minor and Moore is expected to make a recovery.

“Hug your children extra close tonight. After the events of today, I am so appreciative for the brave actions of our high school Principal Kirk Moore and his staff. He undoubtedly saved lives today through his actions,” Pauls Valley Councilman Kahn Nirschl told News 9.

"Principal Moore acted bravely to protect students' lives. Sarah and I are praying for his quick recovery. I'm thankful for the swift response from law enforcement and school staff, and I'm grateful no students were harmed," Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt (R) said in a statement.

KOCO News reported that the suspect, identified as former Pauls Valley student Victor Hawkins, told investigators that he planned to kill students, faculty, and then himself. He also allegedly told investigators that he had "every intention of re-enacting what happened at Columbine."

Classes at the high school were canceled on Wednesday and Thursday of this week.

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Trump threatens takeover of DC after DOGE's 'Big Balls' was savagely assaulted while defending a young woman



Police data indicates that Washington, D.C., saw a significant drop in violent crime in 2024 and continued improvements this year. Democrat D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser made a big deal about this positive trend in her April letter to President Donald Trump's "D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force" as well as in public statements.

Chatter about this trend serves to gloss over how these improvements are relative to statistics in 2023, when the city suffered a 39% increase in violent crime — the biggest violent crime spike in the country — and recorded more murders than in any year since 1997. Despite the spin by city officials, D.C. remains one of America's most dangerous cities and has a long way to go to achieve a passing grade.

'He is also a HERO for sacrificing his own safety to defend a helpless woman!'

The president, who has set his sights on D.C.'s beautification and safety, was recently confronted with yet more evidence of the violent state of the nation's capital, this time manifest in a brutal attack on a former employee. It appears the attack may have been the last straw.

Trump shared an image Monday on Truth Social of a battered and blood-covered man, later identified as Edward Coristine, the young engineer known as "Big Balls" who previously worked for the Department of Government Efficiency.

According to Elon Musk, "a gang of about a dozen young men tried to assault a woman in her car at night in DC. A DOGE team member saw what was happening, ran to defend her and was severely beaten to the point of concussion, but he saved her."

Marko Elez, a friend of "Big Balls" who also worked for the DOGE, said that he took the photo and indicated that "Edward protected a young woman from an attempted carjacking by 8 thugs near Dupont Circle."

— (@)

The Metropolitan Police Department indicated that on Sunday, suspects approached the victims in the 1400 block of Swann Street Northwest, "demanded the victim’s vehicle and then assaulted one of the victims."

According to an incident report obtained by Wired, police saw around 10 juveniles surround what was apparently Coristine's vehicle. Before the mob descended on him, Coristine "pushed" his girlfriend, Emily Bryant, into the car, then "turned to deal with the suspects."

RELATED: Trump signs executive order to help cities and states tackle homelessness and drug abuse

Photo by Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Images

The thugs scattered when nearby police officers exited their vehicle.

Police have arrested and charged a 15-year-old male and a 15-year-old female of Hyattsville, Maryland, with unarmed carjacking.

Coristine has been hailed as a hero for facing the mob to defend Bryant and back up his nickname.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, for instance, noted, "Not only does Edward Coristine patriotically work to gut our government of waste, fraud, and abuse, he is also a HERO for sacrificing his own safety to defend a helpless woman!"

'Washington, D.C., must be safe, clean, and beautiful for all Americans and, importantly, for the World to see.'

Trump, evidently disgusted with how Coristine was "beaten mercilessly by local thugs," noted, "Crime in Washington, D.C., is totally out of control. Local 'youths' and gang members, some only 14, 15, and 16-years-old, are randomly attacking, mugging, maiming, and shooting innocent Citizens, at the same time knowing that they will be almost immediately released. They are not afraid of Law Enforcement because they know nothing ever happens to them, but it’s going to happen now!"

Trump suggested that the juvenile thugs engaged in such crime should be prosecuted and sentenced as adults "starting at age 14."

Newly confirmed U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro vowed on Monday to "fight crime with a vengeance" and "make sure there are consequences" for crime.

RELATED: 'Anti-white bigotry': Mob beats victims down to street — including male who punches woman in face, apparently knocks her out

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and President Donald Trump. Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images.

"Washington, D.C., must be safe, clean, and beautiful for all Americans and, importantly, for the World to see," Trump added in his Truth Social post. "If D.C. doesn’t get its act together, and quickly, we will have no choice but to take Federal control of the City, and run this City how it should be run, and put criminals on notice that they’re not going to get away with it anymore."

Trump has long discussed a federal takeover of the city.

In February, the president suggested that the federal government should govern the district, stating, "I think that we should run it strong, run it with law and order, make it absolutely, flawlessly beautiful, and I think we should take over Washington, D.C., make it safe."

Last month, again, the president suggested, "We could run D.C.," adding that "we want a capital that's run flawlessly, and it wouldn't be hard for us to do it."

During a press conference Monday evening concerning his establishment of a White House Olympics task force, Trump reiterated his intention to take over the city unless things drastically improve.

"Somebody from DOGE was very badly hurt last night. You saw that: a young man who was beat up by a bunch of thugs in D.C.," said the president. "Either they're going to straighten their act out in terms of government and in terms of protection, or we're going to have to federalize and run it the way it's supposed to be run."

Federalizing America's capital in a sustainable fashion would require the repeal or suspension of the District of Columbia's Home Rule Act.

The Home Rule Act of 1973 enabled residents of the district to elect a mayor and a 13-member council and delegated certain powers to the district's local government. D.C. was previously governed by Congress and federal appointees.

Republican lawmakers Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) introduced legislation in February that would repeal the Home Rule Act one year after the passage of the bill.

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Horror and heroism in Texas as search for flood survivors continues



In the early hours of Independence Day, West Texas and the Hill Country received nearly nearly a foot of rain, which triggered flash floods and sent the Guadalupe River surging 20 feet above flood stage and well over its banks. The rushing waters — fed by continued downpours over the weekend — swallowed homes and vehicles and claimed the lives of scores of Americans.

The death toll rose to 70 on Sunday afternoon, the New York Times reported.

'It doesn't surprise me at all that his last act of kindness and sacrifice was working to save the lives of campers.'

Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said as of 9 a.m. Sunday, 59 victims were confirmed dead in his county — 38 adults and 21 children.

At least five of the 750 girls attending Camp Mystic — the Christian camp in Hunt that Republican Gov. Greg Abbott said was "horrendously ravaged in ways unlike I've seen in any natural disaster" — are confirmed dead. Eleven girls and one counselor from Camp Mystic were still missing as of Sunday afternoon.

Those numbers might have been much higher were it not for the camp's 70-year-old co-owner Dick Eastland, whom U.S. Rep. August Plufger (R-Tex.) indicated "no doubt gave his life attempting to save his campers."

Texas Public Radio reported that Eastland was among the dead. His co-owner and wife Tweety Eastland was found safe at their home.

Paige Sumner paid tribute to Dick Eastland in a column for the Kerrville Daily Times: "It doesn't surprise me at all that his last act of kindness and sacrifice was working to save the lives of campers. He had already saved so many lives with the gift of Camp Mystic."

Campers also benefited from the heroism of 400 first responders and 20 agencies at work in Kerr County, including the U.S. Coast Guard, which conducted at least 12 flights near the Kerrville area.

'It severed his artery and his arm — almost cut it clean off.'

While an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew worked to whisk away 15 campers on Friday, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer reportedly remained on the ground, providing medical assistance and helping with the evacuation efforts of 230 victims into assisting agencies' air assets.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem later singled out Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer and Petty Office Scott Ruskin, noting he "directly saved an astonishing 165 victims in the devastating flooding in central Texas."

"This was the first rescue mission of his career, and he was the only triage coordinator at the scene. Scott Ruskin is an American hero," said Noem. "His selfless courage embodies the spirit and mission of the USCG."

Photo by Eric Vryn/Getty Images

President Donald Trump, who declared a major disaster for Kerr County, Texas, on Sunday afternoon, indicated in a corresponding statement that U.S. Coast Guard and Texas first responders have "saved more than 850 lives."

'He died a hero.'

About a half hour east of Camp Mystic, Julian Ryan lost his life in a similar exhibition of American greatness and virtue, trying to save his mother, his fiancée, and his 6-year-old and 13-month-old sons from drowning when the Guadalupe River rapidly poured into their trailer home in Ingram.

Ryan went to bed after finishing a long night shift as a dishwasher at a local restaurant. But both he and his fiancée, Christinia Wilson, had a rude awakening, finding that ankle-deep waters chased their 6-year-old into their bedroom along with Ryan's mother.

Shortly after powering through the front door, the river sealed the family inside Ryan's bedroom, where the water quickly began to rise above their waists, reported the New York Times.

When the mattress began to float, the parents put the boys atop it then looked for a way to get everyone out.

Desperate to get his family onto the roof of the trailer as the waters rose, Ryan smashed a window with his bare hand, mortally wounding himself in the process.

Wilson told KHOU-TV, "It severed his artery and his arm — almost cut it clean off."

"He had lost all of it, all his blood," said Wilson. "He looked at me and the kids, and my mother-in-law, and said, 'Sorry, I'm not going to make it. I love you all.'"

Wilson, her boys, and her mother-in-law managed to survive, even though the trailer was torn in half.

Connie Salas, Ryan's sister, tearfully told KHOU, "He died a hero."

The GoFundMe for the family, which had raised over $71,000 as of Sunday afternoon, emphasized that "Julian gave his life for his family, passing as a true hero."

Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha indicated that those wishing to support relief and rebuilding efforts should donate to the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund.

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Christian father killed in attempted Trump assassination lived and 'died a hero'



A 20-year-old would-be assassin fired roughly 6-8 shots Saturday at President Donald Trump shortly after the Republican began addressing a massive crowd in Butler, Pennsylvania. Although the shooter, whom the FBI have identified as ActBlue donor Thomas Matthew Crooks of Bethel Park, was ultimately unsuccessful in his monstrous mission to kill the man Democrats have characterized as a "clear and present danger," he still managed to visit tragedy upon at least one family of patriots.

"We lost a fellow Pennsylvanian last night," Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) told the press Sunday. "Corey Comperatore."

"Corey was an avid supporter of the former president," said Shapiro, "and was so excited to be there last night with him and the community."

The last message on the 50-year-old former fire chief's alleged X account was posted Saturday morning and stated, "Trump rally! Butler, PA."

'Corey was the very best of us.'

The governor learned upon speaking with Comperatore's wife and two daughters, "Corey was a girl dad. Corey was a firefighter. Corey went to church every Sunday. Corey loved his community. And most especially, Corey loved his family."

Comperatore's love for his family was manifest in his final act: protecting them from harm.

The governor noted that Comperatore's wife not only cleared him to share their conversation but asked him to convey the following: "Corey died a hero."

Comperatore's wife told Shapiro that "Corey dove on his family to protect them last night at this rally."

"Corey was the very best of us," said Shapiro. "May his memory be a blessing."

Dr. Jim Sweetland, an emergency department physician, told CBS News that he had attempted to save a man shot at the rally, who suffered a gunshot wound to the head and collapsed between the bleachers. Sweetland indicated that the man, who appears to have been Comperatore, had no pulse and was not breathing.

"There was lots of blood," said the doctor. "The people over there were really helpful."

The efforts to resuscitate the victim were in vain. Sweetland noted that Pennsylvania State Police officers took over, "picked him up, unfortunately like a rag doll, and took him from the stands.

"I looked up to see his family, who witnessed my efforts and resuscitation, and the look on their faces said it all," added Sweetland.

Allyson Comperatore, one of the victim's daughters, said her father died "a real-life superhero," throwing her and her mother to the ground when gunshots first rang out, reported the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

"He shielded my body from the bullet that came at us. He loved his family. He truly loved us enough to take a real bullet for us," wrote Allyson Comperatore.

Dawn Comperatore Schafer, the victim's sister, noted on Facebook, "The PA Trump Rally claimed the life of my brother, Corey Comperatore. The hatred for one man took the life of the one man we loved the most. He was a hero that shielded his daughters."

"His wife and girls just lived through the unthinkable and unimaginable. My baby brother just turned 50 and had so much life left to experience," continued Schafer. "Hatred has no limits and love has no bounds. Pray for my sister-in-law, nieces, my mother, sister, me and his nieces and nephews as this feels like a terrible nightmare but we know it is our painful reality."

'He died a hero because he was a hero.'

Comperatore was the former fire chief for the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company.

Matt Lauer, a former president of the Butler County Fire Chiefs Association, provided WPXI-TV with a strong indication that Comperatore's heroism in his final moments was reflective of who he was in every moment prior.

"Corey put everyone and everything first before himself. It showed in his leadership as fire chief, husband, father, and son. He died a hero because he was a hero. Putting others first," said Lauer. "Butler [County's] emergency service family is less today without him. Godspeed, Corey. You will sorely be missed."

The Buffalo Township Fire Protection District said Saturday was a "tragic day" on Facebook, echoing another group's call to "keep his memory alive!"

Trump asked on Truth Social Sunday morning that Americans "hold in our hearts the memory of the citizen who was so horribly killed."

— (@)

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FDNY firefighter fired by city to free up funds for illegal aliens dies suddenly, leaving behind struggling young family



Hundreds of thousands of illegal aliens have flooded into New York City where, in many cases, they receive thousands of dollars in free rent monthly from the government. They are also eligible for a host of taxpayer-funded services such as health insurance, medical care, food assistance, and public education.

NYC has struggled to find ways to pay down the cost of housing, feeding, and placating this unlawfully imported cohort, which has brought with it upticks in crime, disease, and resource competition, disproportionately affecting America's most vulnerable citizens. As with other Democratic-run sanctuary cities, NYC determined late last year that it would have to make various budget cuts, laying off citizen workers to free up funds for idling foreigners.

Derek Floyd, a 36-year-old former Marine who had gone to work for the New York City Fire Department, was one of the citizens who got the boot last year. Shortly thereafter, he died of a heart attack. Now, his family is facing financial struggles.

Floyd long aspired to be a firefighter. After picking up various accolades and campaign medals for tours in Iraq, Afghanistan, and South Korea with the Marines, the proud American's dream began to materialize.

"He decided to go be a Marine," his mother told Newsday, "because he thought it could help him do better as a fireman."

Floyd made it to the FDNY Fire Academy and began to train for a second career protecting his countrymen, this time in New York City. However, one month into training, he suffered a nonfatal heart attack.

While unable to complete the academy on account of his June 2019 health episode, he went to work for four years as a probationary firefighter with the FDNY Ceremonial Unit, according to his obituary in Newsday.

Floyd worked on modified duty in the chaplain's office, helping to arrange the funerals of fallen firefighters — until the city canned him just before Christmas 2023.

FDNY sources told the New York Post that Floyd was one of roughly 10 employees who had been hurt on the job and assigned office work or had been sick for a prolonged period who were terminated as part of a broader budget cut scheme aimed at tackling the financial strain imposed by the city's overwhelming illegal alien population.

"What disturbs me the most is that the FDNY is understaffed by hundreds of firefighters. Terminating [Floyd] was absolutely unnecessary," Uniformed Firefighter Association President Andrew Ansbro told the Post. "He had an important job, and the FDNY actually needed him in that unit. He was terminated so the department could prove that they were making cuts. He deserved better."

After struggling to make ends meet, the husband and father died from a cardiac arrest four months later.

Christine Floyd, the Marine's widow, told the Post, "I wouldn't wish it on anyone."

"I think it definitely took a toll once they let him go," Christine Floyd said of Floyd's termination. "He always tried to, like, stay positive about it, and he wasn't really angry."

"But you see a person, and the wheels are turning in their brain where they're just constantly thinking, so I definitely think it did affect us," said the widow.

According to the Post, Floyd had been close to securing additional medical benefits for his family as well as over $600,000 in death benefits at the time of his ouster. While foreign nationals continue to be cared for, his wife and two kids were effectively left with nothing.

"If Derek would have stayed on, he would have had a life insurance policy with the FDNY," said his widow, a guidance counselor with the NYC Department of Education. "That would have helped out financially because right now, it's really bad. I'm honestly swimming in a lot of debt."

The GoFundMe campaign organized on behalf of the Marine's widow and their two children, ages 6 and 2, had already raised over $48,000 at the time of publication.

"He was someone of integrity. His word was his bond. If he said he was going to do something, he was going to do it," Christine Floyd told Newsday. "And his heart beat for our kids."

Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh said, "We are heartbroken over the passing of former Probationary Firefighter Derek Floyd, and will explore all financial, legal and legislative options to help his family and ensure they have the support they need during this time."

The Post indicated that City Hall did not respond to its request for comment.

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'Our hero': UFC legend Mark Coleman recovering after rescuing both parents from 'horrible' house fire



UFC Hall of Famer Mark Coleman called himself "the happiest man in the world" earlier this week after he managed to rescue both of his parents from a "horrible" fire that destroyed their home and claimed the life of their beloved dog, Hammer.

In the wee hours of the morning, Coleman and his parents were sleeping at home in Fremont, Ohio, when Coleman suddenly awoke, reportedly because of Hammer's incessant barking. Coleman immediately knew something was desperately wrong.

"I got out of my room and went to the door," he later recalled through tears, "and it was already horrible. I couldn't breathe. I almost had to go outside."

A fire was raging in the house, endangering everyone inside. Seemingly on instinct, Coleman raced in and picked up his parents, one by one, and carried them outside to safety.

"I can't believe my parents are alive!" he said from his hospital bed, still weeping with joy and hugging his young daughters, Kenzie and Morgan.

According to an Instagram post from Morgan, Coleman had to be "life-flighted to the hospital" where he then "battl[ed] for his life." Thankfully, he is recovering and breathing on his own, a Facebook video shows. "God is good. Miracles do happen," read a message accompanying the post.

Though the family is celebrating that Coleman and his parents are alive, they are also grieving the loss of Hammer, who perished in the fire. "I couldn't find Hammer!" Coleman wept.

"We will miss our sweet hammer so deeply," Morgan added in her post.

Coleman, who still maintains his muscular physique, has been an athlete his entire adult life. He won a national championship in wrestling at Ohio State in 1988 and then went on to compete in the Barcelona Olympics in 1992.

Afterward, he spent some time competing as an amateur MMA fighter before joining UFC. He won his first heavyweight title in 1997 and was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame in 2008.

"Our father has always been our hero and means the world to us," Morgan said. "He is and always will be a fighter."

"The strongest [and] bravest man I know."

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WATCH: Footage captures the exact moment Kansas City parade shooter was caught



Despite what you might think, “there are good people out there,” says Dave Rubin.

Thankfully, there was more than one Good Samaritan attending the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade. When more than one shooter opened fire on the crowd, resulting in one death and over twenty injuries, a couple of attendees took it upon themselves to detain one of the perpetrators.

Dave plays the footage of the exact moment bystanders tackled one of the shooters.

One of the main civilians involved in the gunman’s takedown was Paul Contreras, whom Dave calls “a true American hero.”

When interviewed, Contreras said that he “didn’t think about it” and just reacted.

“As I'm tackling him, I see his weapon either fall out of his hand or out of his sleeve,” he said. That’s when he knew he had “to take this guy down.”

“Just a good man who saw something and did something,” says Dave.

Unfortunately, “the media and the Democrats and everybody else will say, ‘We need to get rid of guns … we need more gun laws,’” he says.

To see the footage, watch the clip below.


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Heroic dads speak out after tackling suspected Kansas Chiefs parade shooter and feeding him a series of punches



Kansas City Chiefs fans took to the streets of their hometown Wednesday to celebrate their team's Super Bowl victory. The merriment and festivities were cut short when at least one armed thug opened fire west of Union Station, killing a mother of two and wounding 21 others — including nine children.

The atrocity could very well have claimed more victims were it not for the prompt and reflexive bravery of a pair of dads who ran down the alleged gunman and tested his tolerance for punches.

Trey Filter and Paul Contreras, previously unknown to one another, both stressed that inaction was never an option: "It was just: just do it."

The shooting

The Kansas City Missouri Police Department indicated that the shooting started around 2 p.m. Wednesday, west of Union Station, where a stage was set up for speeches made by team players.

Blaze News previously reported that footage of the incident shared online shows panicked fans fleeing the sound of gunshots.

Twenty-two people were struck by bullets. Police noted that eight of the victims were left with "immediately life-threatening" wounds, seven with "life-threatening" gunshot wounds, and six with minor injuries.

A spokeswoman for Children's Mercy Kansas City told KSHB-TV that 11 children had been taken to the hospital with injuries, nine of whom had gunshot wounds.

Lisa Lopez-Galvan, a 44-year-old radio disc jockey and a mother of two, was fatally struck in the abdomen.

Lopez-Galvan's radio station, KKFI 90.1 FM, said in a statement, "It is with sincere sadness and an extremely heavy and broken heart that we let our community know that KKFI DJ Lisa Lopez-Galvan, host of Taste of Tejano, lost her life today in the shooting at the KC Chiefs' rally. Our hearts and prayers are with her family."

The Kansas City Star reported that the local mother of two may actually have been the second fatality in the mass shooting; she died after the 3:30 p.m. Wednesday press conference wherein police noted that one person had already died.

Three suspects were taken into custody, and at least one gun was recovered from the scene. According to the KCMPD's initial report, police had detained two armed suspects. FBI Kansas City said Wednesday evening the shooting "may have involved multiple actors."

"We do not have a motive, but we are asking those who may potentially have any kind of information, a witness or video, to contact police," KCMPD Chief Stavey Graves said Wednesday.

Off-season tackles

Trey Filter was with his wife and two sons when gunshots rang out and the multitudes of people surrounding them began to duck for cover. Then someone yelled, "Get him!" he told the New York Post.

"My brain tells me, 'That must be him,'" recalled Filter. "I literally remember when I was tackling him, 'I sure hope this is who they were yelling at me to get.' Because I just went, 'Boom!' ... I really don't recall seeing him coming."

— (@)

Although Filter managed to leap onto the alleged shooter and bring him to the ground, the suspected gunman managed to wiggle free.

That's when another dad with a zero-tolerance policy for evil stepped in to help.

KETV-TV reported that Paul Contreras of Bellevue, Nebraska, was with his three daughters when they heard what they figured to be fireworks. However, when it became clear that the crackling sound was gunfire and that the alleged shooter was on the loose, his parental instincts went into high gear.

Contreras reportedly spotted another man chasing down a suspect and yelling for someone to assist.

"I didn't think about it," Contreras told KETV. "It's just a reaction. I didn't hesitate. It was just: just do it."

"So I went to go tackle him and another gentleman did the same thing," continued Contreras. "And as I'm tackling him, I see his weapon either fall out of his hand or out of his sleeve, 'cause he was wearing a long jacket."

Trey Filter's wife, Casey, lunged for the weapon after it hit the ground and attempted to secure it, reported the Post. Filter suggested the weapon was an AK-47 rifle, though police have not confirmed the make and model.

"So when I see that hit the ground, I'm like, 'Oh, you know. We gotta take this guy down,'" added Contreras.

The Nebraska dad said that he and the other "Good Samaritan" held the suspect down for what "seemed like forever, but it probably ... was like 30 seconds" until police arrived.

— (@)

When Filter saw Contreras wrestling with the suspected gunman in the dirt, he leaped back into action and began feeding him punches.

"I don't know if I knocked him out when I tackled him or what, but I had him squeezed so hard he might have been passed out all the time for all I know. I just started racking him in his ribs," Filter told the Post. "I was just yelling, 'F your gun!' and I was just hitting him in his ribs. It was great. You know, America stuff."

While Filter stuffed the suspect's breadbasket with knuckle sandwiches, Contreras reportedly went to work on the alleged gunman's face.

"The whole time he's fighting to get up and run away," said Contreras. "We're fighting each other, you know. We're fighting to keep him down and he's fighting to get up."

After police made the arrest and nearby witnesses applauded the dads' efforts, Filter told his boys, "Get your mother, we're getting the f*** out of here."

CNN indicated that it remains unclear whether the man subdued by Contreras and Filter was among the three ultimately reported detained.

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