'Shut the f**k up': White House hammers New Yorker writer for trivializing National Guard members' sacrifice

Two West Virginia National Guardsmen patrolling the national capital were shot the day before Thanksgiving, allegedly by a 29-year-old Afghan national who Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem indicated "was one of the many unvetted, mass paroled into the United States under Operation Allies Welcome on September 8, 2021, under the Biden Administration."

While 24-year-old U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe is reportedly still fighting for his life, Army Spc. Sarah Beckstrom succumbed to her wounds on Thursday evening.

"My baby girl has passed to glory," the fallen guardsman's father, Gary Beckstrom, noted in a Facebook post on Thursday. "... This has been a horrible tragedy."

'Apologize and repent.'

Amid the general outpouring of prayers and support for the victims and their families, the New Yorker magazine's chief Washington correspondent, Jane Mayer, decided to publicly trivialize the military members' sacrifice.

"This is so tragic, so unnecessary, these poor guardsmen should never have been deployed," wrote Mayer. "I live in DC and watched as they had virtually nothing to do but pick up trash. It was a political show and at what a cost."

Mayer's apparent suggestion that the National Guardsman who died and others overseeing a historic and transformative decrease in violent crime in Washington, D.C., were glorified garbage pickers did not go over well with the American people and their White House.

White House communications director Steven Cheung, responding on X from his official account, wrote, "Jane, respectfully, shut the f**k up for trying to politicize this tragedy.

"They were protecting DC and trying to make the nation's capital safer," continued Cheung. "People like you who engage in ghoulish behavior lose all credibility. Not like you had any to begin with."

Military members and civilians pray outside the hospital where the two wounded National Guardsmen were taken. Photo by Tom Brenner for The Washington Post via Getty Images.

The official White House rapid response account similarly castigated the liberal journalist, writing, "You sick, disgusting ghoul. Two of these heroes were just SHOT IN BROAD DAYLIGHT. The Guard has saved countless lives — backed up by evidence (which you’re clearly too stupid to notice). They are American patriots."

In August, President Donald Trump federalized the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C., and deployed the National Guard there in order to "re-establish law, order, and public safety" to a city that had a higher violent crime, murder, and robbery rate than all 50 states.

D.C. immediately witnessed a dramatic drop in crime.

There was a 44% decrease in violent crime in the first three weeks of the anti-crime initiative when compared to the same stretch the previous year and a 27% drop in crime from Aug. 11 through Oct. 15 relative to the same period in 2024. In addition to saving lives, the reduction in crime led to savings of over $450 million as of Nov. 4, according to the America First Policy Institute.

The White House was not alone in its disgust over Mayer's remarks.

Georgia Rep. Mike Collins (R) responded, "Apologize and repent."

"Stop supporting the murder of American soldiers," wrote BlazeTV host Auron MacIntyre.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier (R) wrote, "All these sick people on the Left do is blame the victims. I’m thankful for our guardsmen and praying for them and their families as they keep protecting the peace."

While others similarly bashed Mayer over her rush to politicize the attack on the guardsmen by a suspect apparently imported by the Biden administration, some critics refuted the New Yorker writer's narrative by providing accounts of critical actions taken by the National Guard in the District of Columbia.

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For instance, Wallace White, a reporter at the Daily Caller News Foundation, noted, "On my walk back from work a few weeks back, a man was dangling off the ledge of the metro tracks at Farragut West clearly trying to commit suicide by train. If two national guardsmen weren’t there at the time, he’d be dead. These people are heroes."

Logan Dobson, vice president of the political advertising agency Targeted Victory, noted that he lives in D.C. and that the city is safer thanks to the National Guard, adding on the basis of murder statistics, "Dozens of Washingtonians are alive today that wouldn't be if not for the Guard."

When confronted by Dobson with evidence of the drop in crime following the National Guard's deployment to D.C., Mayer said, "I've covered crime in Washington since 1981- let's skip the mansplaining. You can play with the stats but homicides were dropping before the troops got here."

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Armed crook breaks through window, orders elderly homeowner to turn over valuables — but victim fights back with his own gun

Police in Jacksonville, Florida, said they responded to a home around 12:41 p.m. Tuesday after a report that a person was shot, First Coast News said.

The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said a man believed to be in his 70s living in the home on Arlex Drive, off Merrill Road, reportedly told police that a male armed with a gun broke through a window in the back of the home, the outlet reported.

'Just glad to have another one, another one of these guys off the streets.'

The victim said he was ordered into a back bedroom and forced to hand over his car keys and other valuables, the outlet added, citing the sheriff's office.

But the elderly victim fought back.

The sheriff's office said the homeowner was able to grab a gun and managed to shoot the suspect once in the shoulder, the outlet reported.

The wounded suspect reportedly fled the home and drove off in the victim's car, First Coast News said.

However, the sheriff's office said police found the suspect inside the vehicle about 30 minutes later and took him into custody on Fort Caroline Road, near Jacksonville University — just a few miles from the scene of the home invasion, the outlet noted.

Brandon Meredith, who was driving along University Boulevard, told First Coast News he witnessed the suspect's capture.

"Everyone had their tasers drawn," Meredith told the outlet. "They're moving up in a special kind of formation on the back of the car, heard a pop, they grabbed him and pulled him out, put him on the ground, and EMS was tending to him, and they had the intersection shut down for about two hours while this whole thing unfolded."

The suspect, who has not yet been publicly identified, was taken to a hospital for the gunshot wound, the sheriff's office told First Coast News, and was in police custody.

Meredith added to the outlet that he's happy with the way things ended up: "Just glad to have another one, another one of these guys off the streets."

First Coast News said those with information about the incident that could help in the investigation can contact the sheriff's office at 904-630-0500. The outlet added that anonymous tips are also welcome through Crime Stoppers.

Commenters on WJAX's Facebook post about the incident expressed a variety of opinions about the outcome. The following are but a few of them:

"'In custody' means the homeowner needs some range time," one commenter asserted.
"Dang, people still dare to break in other houses in open carry state," another user opined.
"He's a hero," another commenter declared.
"The only problem I see is the homeowner needs some shooting lessons," another user wrote, adding "shoot for center mass, and this potentially eliminates the issue."
"In blue states and cities, this poor homeowner would have to face trial and have his life financially ruined (at best), or spend the rest of his life in prison," another commenter observed.

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Gun-wielding homeowner wastes no time after he says burglar kicked in his door at midnight, ran toward him when told to stop

A North Carolina homeowner told WRAL-TV he was in his bathroom getting ready for bed around midnight Wednesday when he heard someone kick in the door of his home in southeast Raleigh.

The homeowner told the station that when he got to the living room, the intruder was standing there.

'If somebody breaks in your home, you have to protect yourself.'

"I had my gun, and I was telling him to get down! Get down! Or get out! Then he just ran to me," the homeowner, who didn't want to be identified, told WRAL.

With that, the homeowner fired shots, the station said.

When Raleigh police arrived at the scene on Rose Lane, they found 26-year-old Christian Beasley with a gunshot wound, WRAL reported.

Police told the station that Beasley was taken to a trauma center and was stable — and that after he's released from the trauma center, he'll be processed on charges of first-degree burglary and damage to property.

The homeowners told WRAL that they had no choice but to defend themselves and their home.

"If somebody breaks in your home, you have to protect yourself," the homeowner's wife added to the station. "And that's what he did. He had to protect us. We did not know what he was going to do."

Police told WRAL the homeowner will not face charges at this time but that the incident is under investigation. The station added that forensics investigators gathered evidence at the front door and inside the house.

WRAL said its Breaking News Tracker captured video of people coming out of the house, adding that they got in the back of police cruisers but did not appear to be under arrest.

Commenters on WRAL's Facebook post about the shooting seemed completely on the homeowner's side:

"Lookie there ... the burglar found the consequences of his actions," one commenter said.
"The homeowner deserves a medal!" another user declared. "Every home should be protected like this!"
"I'd done the same thing," another commenter wrote. "Let someone try and break into my house."
"It’s about time these criminals got it," another user stated.
"Sorry to hear he was taken to a trauma center, should have been taken to a morgue," another commenter said.
"America's fighting back!!!" another user exclaimed.

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Armed carjackers meet their match as gun-toting victim turns the tables, shoots the crooks — among them a 14-year-old male

A crew of carjackers most definitely picked the wrong guy to steal from in Seattle over the weekend.

Officers around 3:30 a.m. Sunday responded to a shooting in the 2200 block of 1st Avenue, police said.

'Stories like this just warm my heart. I love a happy ending.'

Officers found a suspect suffering from multiple gunshot wounds and detained him, police said, adding that they also detained the victim — a licensed gun owner — for questioning and recovered the firearm.

Firefighters responded with police and provided medical aid to the suspect, police said, adding that medics transported him to Harborview Medical Center in serious condition. Police said the suspect was under armed guard by officers.

Police determined that the victim parked his sports car along 1st Avenue when the driver of a white sedan approached him.

Image source: Seattle Police

Four individuals wearing face masks were in the vehicle, police said, adding that after a short conversation, two males armed with guns tried to steal the victim's car.

Fearing for his safety, the victim fired multiple rounds, striking one of the suspects, police said.

The remaining suspects fled the area in the sedan before police arrived.

While they were investigating, police said the driver of a white sedan dropped off a second suspect at Harborview Medical Center. The second suspect also had been shot, was in serious condition, and was under armed guard, police said.

The driver of the sedan fled before officers arrived, police said.

One of the wounded suspects is a 14-year-old male, while the other is a 20-year-old male, KING-TV reported, citing police.

Both wounded suspects will be booked into custody when they are released from the hospital, the station noted.

Officers and robbery detectives processed the scene, collected evidence, and spoke to witnesses, police said, adding that officers took the victim to Seattle Police headquarters, where detectives interviewed him; he was then released. KING said the victim is 24 years old.

Police said the case is an open and active investigation assigned to the Robbery Unit.

More than 3,000 comments have flooded KING's Facebook post about the shooting, and as you might expect, folks seem quite happy about the outcome. The following are a few of their reactions.

"Not every hero wears a cape," one commenter said.
"The vehicle owner doing the Lord's work," another user noted.
"Awesome story," another commenter wrote before adding "buy that man a beer."
"Stories like this just warm my heart," another user gushed. "I love a happy ending."
"FAFO! Whahahaha! I love it!!!" another user exclaimed.
"When you allow your streets to become the Wild West, sometimes you run into Wyatt Earp," another commenter observed.

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Cop driving patrol car doesn't mess around when he spots alleged gunman on the run — and reaching for his waistband

Video from police in Fresno, California — newly released Friday — indicates that an officer was on an unrelated call in the area of the River Park Shopping Center on Aug. 20 when he heard gunshots from a restaurant parking lot around 5:30 p.m.

KSEE-TV reported that the restaurant is Ruth's Chris.

'He's reaching!'

Police said surveillance video shows George Ruiz, 18, firing shots at a passing vehicle.

The officer ran toward the sound of gunfire and saw Ruiz running off, police said. The officer then saw the suspect attempting to carjack a vehicle in a shopping center parking lot, police said, adding that the victim was able to drive away.

Police said Ruiz shot once at the vehicle during the attempted carjacking, hitting the car, but those inside the vehicle weren't hurt.

Police said the officer ran after Ruiz toward the Sam's Club parking lot and broadcasted over radio the suspect's description and the direction of the foot pursuit.

After the radio call, two other officers in a marked patrol vehicle spotted Ruiz on the run — and reaching for his waistband, police said.

The officer driving the patrol car struck Ruiz with the vehicle, and the officers arrested Ruiz, police said.

One officer is heard in the below video advising that "he's reaching!" in reference to the suspect going for his gun just before the arrest, police said. The relevant segment begins around the 4:40 mark:

Police said Ruiz dropped his handgun after getting hit.

Image source: Fresno (Calif.) Police bodycam video screenshot

Here's a screenshot showing the opposite angle:

Image source: Fresno (Calif.) Police bodycam video screenshot

The following is a close-up image of Ruiz's loaded gun, police said.

Image source: Fresno (Calif.) Police

Ruiz was taken to a hospital, treated for leg pain, and released, police said, adding that he provided a statement admitting to the shooting.

Ruiz was booked into jail for the shooting, firearm-related charges, and resisting arrest, police said, adding that no officers were hurt during the incident.

Fresno County Jail records indicate Ruiz was still behind bars Monday afternoon; his bail is listed as $575,000.

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Cheerleader's final act of kindness: 'Hero' high school student gunned down at bonfire gives life to others

A high school cheerleader who dreamed of becoming a nurse was shot during a party in a wooded area of Alabama. The 18-year-old died after being taken off life support because her gunshot wounds were so severe.

Kimber Mills was a senior at Cleveland High School, where she also ran track.

'We shouldn’t be burying our little sister.'

Mills was attending a bonfire party over the weekend in a wooded area known as "The Pit," according to AL.com.

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office said in a statement that deputies responded to a report of a shooting in the town of Pinson just before 12:30 a.m. Sunday

"Upon arrival, deputies discovered three victims suffering from apparent gunshot wounds: a 21-year-old male, an 18-year-old male, and an 18-year-old female," the sheriff's office stated, adding that all three were taken to area hospitals.

Trussville Police Chief Eric Rush said Mills was shot in the head and the leg.

The sheriff's office later learned that a fourth shooting victim, a 20-year-old female, had been transported to a hospital in a personal vehicle.

The three surviving victims have non-life-threatening injuries.

Police said the preliminary investigation indicated that a "verbal and physical altercation escalated and resulted in gunfire."

Kimber's sister, Ashley Mills, told AL.com that the alleged shooter was trying to talk to one of Kimber's friends, offering her drinks, and trying to get close to her.

"The girl told her boyfriend, a fight involving multiple people ensued, and shots were fired," AL.com reported.

Ashley Mills said, "Kimber was caught in the crossfire."

The sheriff's office named 27-year-old Steven Tyler Whitehead as the shooter. The suspect remains in custody at the Jefferson County Jail. Whitehead is being held without bond.

Whitehead initially was charged with three counts of attempted murder. However, an additional charge of murder was filed against Whitehead on Wednesday after Mills died.

Image source: Jefferson County (Ala.) Sheriff's Office

Mills was taken to the University of Alabama Hospital in critical condition, but Ashley Mills said there was "too much trauma to her brain," and Kimber was placed on a breathing machine.

"There is no surgery that would give her a life worth living," Ashley said.

But Kimber had already decided to be an organ donor — to give others a chance at life.

"We’ve already got it set up for her to be an organ donor because that’s what she wanted,” Ashley said.

Ashley Mills told WBRC that Kimber’s heart and lungs have already been matched with recipients.

On Tuesday, the hospital staff joined Mills' family and friends for an Honor Walk — a ceremony during which medical staff line the hallway to honor a patient before being transported to the Legacy of Hope organ center roughly two blocks away.

Kimber’s brother, Michael Mills, led a prayer in the hallway.

"Heavenly Father, thank you Lord for this young woman, my sister, I love her so much Lord," Michael prayed. "I pray for swift hands of the surgeons, Lord, that we do what needs to be done to save other lives Lord."

Michael continued. "I pray no fear, no sadness Lord, no hatred. Thank you, Lord, for Kimber. Please protect us in these uncertain times."

A Legacy of Hope representative told AL.com, "Today we stand in awe of a true hero, giving of themselves so that others may live."

"May the recipients enjoy restored health and recognize the magnitude of such a rare and remarkable gift," the spokesperson stated. "Thank you, Kimber, for the life-saving legacy you are leaving behind. We honor you today and always."

Mills died Tuesday when she was taken off life support, WBRC reported.

"We shouldn’t be burying our little sister. It should be the other way around," Ashley Mills said. "It's supposed to go from oldest to youngest not youngest first."

According to WBRC-TV, Rodney Green, superintendent of Blount County Schools, released the following statement:

Our school district is deeply saddened today to learn of the passing of one of our students, Ms. Kimber Mills. Kimber was a bright, outgoing senior cheerleader for Cleveland High School. Kimber’s smile and infectious personality will certainly be missed, but she will always be remembered. Our heart is burdened for her family and for the impact this will have on the students, faculty, and staff at Cleveland High School. Please keep our Cleveland Family in your thoughts and prayers! I do want to thank everyone that has reached out to this family and supported them during this tragedy.

AL.com reported that Kimber was planning to attend the University of Alabama next year with a dream of becoming a nurse.

A GoFundMe campaign was launched to help support Mills' family, which cited Psalm 34:18: "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed."

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment by Blaze News.

Anyone with information related to the shooting is urged to contact the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office at 205-325-1450 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.

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Felon accused of shooting man in scrotum reportedly after victim recorded video of gunman — after he fell off a scooter

A 41-year-old man had just gotten home from a construction job and was sitting in his car in the 500 block of West Scott Street in Chicago texting a co-worker about the next day’s schedule, CWB Chicago reported, citing prosecutors.

With that, the outlet said another male rode a scooter through the parking lot, crashed, and fell.

Photo by JONAS ROOSENS/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images

The man sitting in his car used his phone to record a short clip of the scooter rider on the pavement, the outlet said.

But apparently, the guy on the ground didn't like his mishap finding its way on camera.

So prosecutors said he got up, parked his scooter near the 41-year-old man's car, walked toward a grassy area, and returned holding a gun, the outlet said.

Judge Luciano Panici Jr. ordered Jones detained on charges of aggravated battery by discharging a firearm and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Surveillance video allegedly showed the gunman walking up to the car, standing next to the driver’s side door, and firing two shots downward toward the victim’s lap, CWB Chicago said.

He then moved to the back of the car and fired several more rounds as he walked away, the outlet said, citing prosecutors.

The armed victim returned fire from inside the vehicle and again after opening the door as the gunman — identified as 40-year-old Michael J. Jones — fled the scene, CWB Chicago said.

The victim called 911 and was found on the pavement next to his car with gunshot wounds to his thigh, calf, and scrotum, the outlet added, citing court filings.

'Shut the f**k up': White House hammers New Yorker writer for trivializing National Guard members' sacrifice

Armed crook breaks through window, orders elderly homeowner to turn over valuables — but victim fights back with his own gun

Gun-wielding homeowner wastes no time after he says burglar kicked in his door at midnight, ran toward him when told to stop

Armed carjackers meet their match as gun-toting victim turns the tables, shoots the crooks — among them a 14-year-old male

Cop driving patrol car doesn't mess around when he spots alleged gunman on the run — and reaching for his waistband

Cheerleader's final act of kindness: 'Hero' high school student gunned down at bonfire gives life to others

Felon accused of shooting man in scrotum reportedly after victim recorded video of gunman — after he fell off a scooter

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