Home invasion suspect comes face-to-face with gun-toting homeowner — who is more than ready for him



A male who broke into a Memphis home early Tuesday morning came face-to-face with the armed homeowner, who was more than ready for him.

Memphis police told WMC-TV that officers responded just after 1 a.m. to a shots-fired call at a home on Eldridge Avenue in the North Memphis area.

'This is my home. I mean, I should be able to enjoy it without people comin' through the window on me.'

When officers arrived, they learned the homeowner caught an intruder breaking into the residence — and the homeowner was holding the suspect at gunpoint, the station said.

Police added to WMC that the suspect was lying face-down on the bedroom floor. The station's video report below about the incident says the homeowner fired two shots.

RELATED: 'I didn't have any hesitation': Gun-toting homeowner says he spotted intruder in his house and 'just let it fire'

Officers commanded the homeowner to put the gun down, the station said, adding that they then checked the suspect — Simeon Pratcher, 33 — and found he was not wounded.

Pratcher told police he came through the window because he thought no one was home, WMC reported, after which he was taken into custody without incident.

Pratcher is facing charges of aggravated burglary and possession of burglary tools, the station said. Jail records indicate he remained behind bars Wednesday morning, and no bond amount is listed. His next hearing is Wednesday morning.

The video report also notes that the homeowner experienced a break-in just days earlier, during which his home was ransacked and items worth thousands of dollars were stolen.

"This is my home," the victim told WMC in the video report. "I mean, I should be able to enjoy it without people comin' through the window on me."

After the previous break-in, two people were arrested, the station said.

"I'm not runnin'," the defiant homeowner told WMC.

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18-year-old accused of stabbing his elderly grandmother to death; cops find knives protruding from victim's body



An 18-year-old New Jersey male is accused of stabbing his elderly grandmother to death — and police found knives protruding from the victim's body Monday morning.

Louis Brown of Jackson Township on Monday was charged with murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon, all in connection with the death of his grandmother, 69-year-old Darlene Brown also of Jackson Township, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.

'An unbelievably nice person — the nicest person to talk to, intelligent, just always helpful, always kind.'

Jackson Township Police Department officers around 7 a.m. Monday responded to a residence on Justin Way in reference to a 911 call stating that someone had been murdered, officials said.

Officers found Louis Brown standing at the front doorway of the residence, officials said, adding that Brown exited the residence with his hands up and was immediately taken into custody while officers conducted their investigation.

Officers entered the home and found the body of a deceased female — later identified as Darlene Brown — in an upstairs bedroom with apparent stab wounds to her face and neck, officials said, adding that officers observed two knives protruding from the victim.

An investigation — which was conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crime Unit, Jackson Township Police Department Detective Bureau, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit — revealed that Louis Brown was the individual who called 911 and was responsible for his grandmother’s death, officials said.

Brown was charged and taken to the Ocean County Jail, where he remained Tuesday morning. There is no hearing information in Brown's jail record, which also lists no bail.

RELATED: Florida thug allegedly stabs his grandmother 11 times on Mother's Day — after being asked to help carry in groceries

Image source: Jackson Township (N.J.) Police

Jasmina Perazic, a resident of the complex where the stabbing took place, told NJ.com Darlene Brown lived in a unit with her grandson, Louis Brown, a high school senior.

Perazic — the head women’s basketball coach at Georgian Court University — told the outlet that Louis Brown moved in with his grandmother after his mom died of sickle cell anemia. Perazic described Darlene Brown as a friendly person whom she spoke to at least five times a week, NJ.com added.

“An unbelievably nice person — the nicest person to talk to, intelligent, just always helpful, always kind," Perazic said to the outlet in regard to Darlene Brown. “It just looked like she was working so hard to take care of him.”

Perazic added to NJ.com that Louis Brown was quiet and had been bullied in school, but she saw no warning signs that anything was wrong. In fact, Perazic told the outlet that his grandmother said Louis Brown was a good kid who was doing well in school.

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Mother, 39, accused of pulling gun on children outside Chicago elementary school, making threats



A 39-year-old mother is accused of pulling a gun on children outside a Chicago elementary school and making threats because she thought one of the students had hit her son, who also attends the school, CWB Chicago reported, citing prosecutors.

The outlet said Kenosha Willis allegedly confronted kids outside O’Keeffe School of Excellence in the 6900 block of South Merrill Avenue on the afternoon of May 6.

'They don’t know who they messing with.'

Prosecutors said Willis pulled a black handgun from her purse and pointed it at two children while making threats, the outlet said.

Willis is accused of pointing the gun at a 9-year-old boy’s head, the outlet added, citing a Chicago Police Department report.

Prosecutors said one of the children called 911 as Willis walked away, the outlet noted, adding that a school security guard encountered a group of children running from the area who reported that a woman had a gun.

RELATED: Mom boards school bus, threatens student, curses out bus driver — then repeats scene at HS, cops say. It ends badly for her.

Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto/Getty Images

Willis allegedly approached the security guard and began making additional threats about shooting the school and students, the outlet said: “They don’t know who they messing with. I’ll shoot this b**** up.”

As Willis left the scene, the guard flagged down a Chicago police officer who stopped Willis in her vehicle and found a firearm in her purse, the outlet said, citing prosecutors.

Judge Luciano Panici Jr. ordered Willis detained, CWB Chicago noted.

Willis is charged with making a threat to a person at a school, four counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated unlawful possession of a firearm, and violating the Illinois concealed carry act.

She remains in Cook County Jail with no bond as of Friday morning; her next hearing also is scheduled for Friday.

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



Bodycam video caught the moment when a 38-year-old male ambushed and repeatedly stabbed a Florida deputy Wednesday.

The Marion County Sheriff's Office said Deputy Robert Fitch responded around 5 p.m. to the area of 11775 NW 10th Place in Dunnellon in reference to a suspicious person.

'I should have killed you. You're lucky I didn't.'

Dunnellon is located on the west coast of Florida; it's about an hour south of Gainesville and about an hour and a half north of Tampa.

As the deputy exited his vehicle, Heriberto Medina Marquez immediately ambushed him, causing the deputy to fall to the ground, officials said.

Marquez then climbed atop the deputy and repeatedly stabbed him in the chest before fleeing into a nearby wooded area, officials said.

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

Image source: Marion County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office bodycam video screenshot

But after another deputy arrived on the scene, Marquez emerged from the woods, and the deputies were able to take him into custody without further incident, officials said.

RELATED: 'Despicable' homicide suspect caught on body cam pointing gun at Florida deputy — and pulling trigger, cops say

Image source: Marion County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office bodycam video screenshot

Detectives arrested Marquez for attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, the sheriff's office said.

After being placed in a patrol vehicle, Marquez was heard saying, "I should have killed you, bitch. You know that, right?”

He added, "I should have killed you. You're lucky I didn't."

The following is bodycam video of the attack and arrest. Content warning: Language.

RELATED: Knifed for 'being a Christian'? Suspect allegedly stabs man and his dog after asking about victim's religion

Officials said the deputy suffered minor injuries during the attack — and that his bulletproof vest "saved his life."

Following interviews and evidence gathering, major crimes detectives from the sheriff's office determined Marquez intentionally attempted to take the life of Deputy Fitch.

RELATED: Knife-wielding thug who's a convicted felon allegedly stabs Asian man nearly 20 times on train in what prosecutor calls a 'random and incredibly violent' attack

Medina Marquez. Image source: Marion County (Fla.) Sheriff's Office

Investigators recovered two folding knives at the scene, both with suspected fresh blood on them, the sheriff’s office told WKMG-TV.

Marquez was taken to the Marion County Jail, where he was being held without bond, officials said. WKMG said he also was charged with providing a false name to law enforcement and resisting without violence.

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Adult accused of telling 13-year-old he likes 'little boys and girls' before shoving, holding victim against wall learns fate



A 33-year-old Chicago male who's accused of telling a 13-year-old he likes "little boys and girls" before shoving and holding the victim against a wall has been sentenced, CWB Chicago reported.

Devontay Kenny on February 24, 2025, followed the 13-year-old boy down West Division Street in Humboldt Park, the outlet said.

Court records indicate Kenny has several felony convictions for narcotics-related charges as well as a 2017 conviction for aggravated robbery, the outlet said.

Kenny repeatedly tried to get the victim's attention, saying he likes "little boys and girls," the outlet added, citing court filings.

But when the boy refused to stop, prosecutors said Kenny grabbed the boy by the sweater with both hands and pushed him against a brick wall to keep him from moving away, the outlet said.

After a struggle, the victim broke free and ran to a nearby convenience store for help, the outlet said.

When witnesses confronted Kenny, officials said he tried to convince them he was the boy’s uncle, the outlet said.

RELATED: Thug carjacks a grandmother as her 6-year-old grandson looks on. But crook soon gets his comeuppance.

Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune

Kenny pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful restraint in connection with the incident, the outlet said, adding that prosecutors dropped child abduction and aggravated battery charges.

On Monday, Judge John Lyke handed down Kenny’s sentence: six years in prison, the outlet said.

As you might imagine, Kenny has had other run-ins with the law.

In fact, just one week before the incident with the 13-year-old boy, Kenny was placed on a nighttime curfew with an electronic monitoring bracelet after police said he was distributing heroin and cocaine, the outlet said, citing court records.

However, prosecutors dropped those drug charges three weeks after Kenny was charged with assaulting the 13-year-old boy, the outlet said.

What's more, court records indicate Kenny has several felony convictions for narcotics-related charges as well as a 2017 conviction for aggravated robbery, the outlet noted.

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Florida teacher accused of kissing male student for about 6 minutes, unzipping victim's pants, performing sex act on him



A Florida teacher is accused of kissing a male student for about six minutes and groping him — then on another occasion unzipping the victim's pants and performing a sex act on him.

According to an arrest report WPLG-TV obtained Monday, Leroy Wright Jr., 46, of Miami was arrested last week on charges of offenses against students by authority figures, unlawful sexual activity with a minor, and depiction of obscene material involving a minor.

'He is too educated for that. No. Not my friend.'

Police said someone emailed the principal of Miami Jackson Senior High School on April 28 saying that Wright — a reading teacher at the school — was “having a relationship” with a student, WPLG reported.

The principal on Thursday submitted a “personnel investigative model report” to the Miami-Dade County Public Schools Office of Professional Standards, and the report was subsequently submitted to the Miami-Dade Schools Police Department, the station said.

Police on Thursday interviewed the person who emailed the principal, and that person identified the victim to them, WPLG said.

Police said they interviewed the victim at his home in the presence of his mother, and the student said he first met Wright at the beginning of the school year when Wright asked him to join the Freshman Club, for which Wright was the adult sponsor, the station said. Police said the student joined the club, WPLG added.

The victim claimed the first sexual incident occurred April 29 when he hugged Wright as he was exiting Wright’s classroom, the station said.

Police said the student claimed Wright hugged him back and then kissed him for about six minutes while groping him, WPLG reported.

On May 1, Wright again kissed the student and groped him, the station said, citing authorities.

WTVJ-TV reported that the victim said he was in Wright's car three days later, and while they were stuck in traffic, Wright unzipped the victim's pants and performed a sexual act.

Police said Wright was informed prior to his arrest that the victim’s cell phone had been "forensically examined," WPLG reported.

Wright was booked into jail Friday and remained there Wednesday morning, jail records indicate.

WPLG said Wright will appear before a judge Wednesday.

RELATED: Former teacher, 26, accused of having sex with 16-year-old male student

One neighbor told WPLG she couldn't believe the charges against Wright, who holds a PhD: "He is too educated for that. No. Not my friend."

The school district released a statement over the weekend, WPLG reported, adding that the statement confirmed Wright would be fired.

“The type of behavior this individual is accused of will not be tolerated, as it runs contrary to the professional conduct we expect from all employees,” the statement read, according to WPLG. “The district has initiated employment termination proceedings and will ensure the individual is precluded from seeking future employment with the district. At M-DCPS, the safety and well-being of all students remain our top priority.”

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Florida thug allegedly stabs his grandmother 11 times on Mother's Day — after being asked to help carry in groceries



A 29-year-old Florida male allegedly stabbed his grandmother 11 times on Mother's Day after being asked to help carry in groceries.

The West Palm Beach Police Department said it received a call around 1:26 p.m. from a relative reporting that Keo Nottage had stabbed his grandmother, WPEC-TV reported.

'Someone is going to die today.'

When officers arrived at the scene on 52nd Street, they found Nottage and his cousin involved in a physical altercation, the station said.

The grandmother — who was attacked during the incident — told officers Nottage's cousin had just returned from the grocery store to prepare for a Mother's Day dinner, WPEC said.

When the cousin asked Nottage to help bring in groceries, Nottage allegedly replied, "Someone is going to die today," the station said.

Shortly afterward Nottage entered the kitchen, grabbed a knife, and stabbed his grandmother 11 times, WPEC reported.

Witnesses told the station the cousin tried to help the grandmother during the attack. According to a WPBF-TV video report, Nottage began chasing the cousin with the knife.

RELATED: 'I'm not dying today': Grandmother outwits, fights attackers after being severely beaten, threatened with her life in quaint Iowa wine shop where she works

WPEC said that while the cousin was on the phone with police, Nottage tried to flee the scene.

But the cousin stopped Nottage, which led to another physical altercation between the two and resulted in an injury to the cousin's hand, WPEC said.

Surveillance video and eyewitness accounts confirmed the sequence of events, WPEC said, adding that police subsequently accused Nottage of attempted first-degree murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

WPBF said Nottage — who appeared in court Monday — is being held without bond.

The grandmother was taken to a hospital for surgery and was in critical condition, WPEC said.

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3 female customers at Florida Taco Bell allegedly use water cup for soda — then employee opens fire after argument



Three female customers at a Florida Taco Bell allegedly used a water cup for soda earlier this week, after which an employee opened fire following an argument.

Officers were called around noon Monday to the Taco Bell at Military Trail and 45th Street in West Palm Beach after reports of shots fired inside the restaurant, WPEC-TV reported, citing the probable cause affidavit released Tuesday.

'It doesn't surprise me that it would happen. The world we live in today, it makes sense.'

Police said three women entered the restaurant and asked for a cup of water, the station reported.

Investigators said one of the women then filled the cup at a soda fountain, which led to a verbal argument with an employee identified as 20-year-old D'Mari Jy'Quan Patterson, WPEC said.

A witness recorded cellphone video showing Patterson yelling at the women as tempers flared, the station said, adding that police said the sound of a gun being racked can be heard on the video just before a shot rang out in the dining area.

One woman fell to the floor after being shot while another suffered a graze wound, investigators told WPEC.

A third woman ran out of the restaurant, the station said, adding that police allege Patterson followed her outside and fired another shot in her direction.

WPEC said that shot missed but shattered a window near the entrance.

RELATED: Male security guard in Taco Bell caught on video slapping female in face: 'I said leave!'

The three women drove themselves to a hospital, WPEC reported, adding that police said two were treated for minor injuries and released, while the third was not injured.

After the shooting, Patterson called 911 and told dispatchers a customer had jumped behind the counter, the station said, adding that an arrest affidavit indicated he admitted firing the gun and told officers he placed the gun in the management office before police arrived.

Investigators told WPEC Patterson claimed he believed the women were armed — though police said no weapons were found.

In addition, surveillance video and witness statements don't support a claim of self-defense, police told the station, which added that the women appeared to be trying to leave when additional shots were fired.

One customer told WPEC regarding the incident that "it doesn't surprise me that it would happen. The world we live in today, it makes sense."

Patterson was arrested Monday and charged with three counts of aggravated assault with a firearm, the station said, adding that jail records show he's being held pending court proceedings. His bond is $25,000 for each count of aggravated assault, jail records show.

The State Attorney’s Office is reviewing the case, WPEC said.

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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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Armed male enters Florida home, won't leave — then threatens homeowner while advancing toward him. But victim also is armed.



An armed male recently entered a Florida home and refused to leave — and then threatened the homeowner while advancing toward him, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office said.

But the homeowner had a gun on hand — and used it.

'Stand your ground, baby!'

The sheriff's office in a Tuesday news release said deputies responded to reports of shots fired in the 5400 block of Touraine Drive around 9:40 p.m. Feb. 6 and discovered a male suffering from a gunshot wound at the scene. The incident occurred in Tallahassee.

Detectives determined the male in question entered the home uninvited and refused to leave after the homeowner's repeated requests, officials said.

What's more, the male then threatened the homeowner with a weapon while advancing toward him, officials said.

With that, the homeowner used a semiautomatic handgun to fire a single shot at the male, which struck him, officials said.

The male was taken to a hospital in critical condition, officials said.

After an investigation, deputies identified and arrested 42-year-old Scott Scruggs on charges of burglary of a structure while armed and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, officials said.

RELATED: Male breaks window of home after midnight. Homeowner warns him he has a gun — then uses it when intruder keeps advancing.

Scott Scruggs. Image source: Leon County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office

Scruggs remained hospitalized following the incident and was taken into custody upon his release from the hospital, officials said, adding that Scruggs is now behind bars in the Leon County Detention Facility.

Jail records indicate there is no release date assigned to Scruggs; there is no bond for his burglary charge; his bond for his aggravated assault charge is $2,500.

Jail records also note Scruggs has a long criminal history dating back to 2008 filled with charges that include battery, trespassing, criminal mischief, burglary, resisting arrest, theft, reckless driving, and drug possession.

Commenters under the sheriff's office Facebook post about the incident seemed to approve of the homeowner's actions:

  • "Stand your ground, baby!" one commenter declared.
  • "Good job homeowner!!" another user exclaimed.
  • "FAFO," another commenter stated.
  • "Sounds to me like he should have left," another user noted. "Good for the homeowner protecting their home."

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