All articles tagged with #crime politics
The fatal stabbing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on a Charlotte light rail has become a political issue, with videos of the incident sparking national debate and criticism of local officials' handling of crime, amid broader discussions on crime rates and public safety.
A man has been arrested for allegedly setting fire to US senator Bernie Sanders’ office in Vermont, with no motive released yet. Shant Soghomonian, 35, from California, is accused of using an accelerant and a lighter to start the fire, endangering staff working inside. While no injuries were reported, Soghomonian could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted. The incident comes amid a backdrop of implied threats of political violence in the lead-up to the 2024 elections, with politicians from both parties being targeted in recent months.
The family of murder victim Ruby Garcia expressed anger after former President Donald Trump claimed to have spoken with them during a speech in Grand Rapids, Michigan, regarding her death. The family spokesperson, Mavi Garcia, stated that neither Trump nor anyone from his campaign had contacted them, and she criticized the politicization of her sister's death, emphasizing that the focus should be on remembering who Ruby was in life. The murder suspect, Brandon Ortiz-Vite, who was in the U.S. illegally, has confessed to the crime and is facing multiple charges.
Former President Donald Trump plans to attend the wake of New York City police officer Jonathan Diller, who was fatally shot during a traffic stop. The shooting occurred when Diller and his partner approached an illegally parked SUV, leading to a confrontation in which Diller was shot under his protective vest and later died. Trump's attendance at the wake comes amid his focus on crime in New York City and ahead of his own legal issues. The alleged shooter, Guy Rivera, had numerous prior arrests, and a second suspect, Lindy Jones, has been arraigned on weapons charges. The city mourns the loss of Officer Diller, who is survived by his wife and young son.
Ecuador's youngest mayor, Brigitte García, and her advisor were found shot to death in a vehicle amid a state of emergency, with police working to determine a motive for the shooting. The 27-year-old mayor of San Vicente was a member of the left-wing Citizen Revolution Party, and her death has been described as an assassination by a fellow party member. President Daniel Noboa had declared a "state of war" against gangs following violence and the escape of a gang leader, extending the state of emergency by 30 days to maintain order and reduce homicides. The U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Ecuador advised American citizens to exercise increased caution in the country.
Ecuador's youngest mayor, Brigitte García, and her advisor were found shot to death in a vehicle amid a state of emergency. The 27-year-old mayor of San Vicente, a member of the left-wing Citizen Revolution Party, was allegedly assassinated, prompting concerns about safety in Ecuador. The killings occurred during a state of war against gangs, with the government extending the emergency order to combat violence. The U.S. Embassy advised American citizens to exercise increased caution in Ecuador due to the ongoing conflict.
Ecuador's youngest mayor, 27-year-old Brigitte García, was found shot dead in a rental car along with her communications director, Jairo Loor, in what police believe to be a criminal action. The incident has prompted a national outcry, with former President Rafael Correa expressing disbelief and the Ecuadorian Ministry of Government vowing to use all force of the State to bring the perpetrators to justice. The country has been grappling with a surge in violence at the hands of armed gangs, leading to a state of emergency declaration in January. García, a member of the left-wing Citizen Revolution Party, had been working on a clean drinking water project for her city.
The youngest mayor in Ecuador's history, 27-year-old Brigitte Garcia, and her communications director, Jairo Loor, were found shot to death in a car in the province of Manabi. The vehicle had a GPS system being tracked, and authorities suspect the gunfire came from inside the car. Garcia, a member of former President Rafael Correa’s party, is the latest political figure to be killed in Ecuador, amid a wave of violence blamed on drug trafficking. President Daniel Noboa's government condemned the killings and is working with national police to ensure a swift investigation.
Three well-known and politically connected Rio de Janeiro officials have been arrested in connection with the 2018 killing of leftist politician and human rights activist Marielle Franco, providing a rare look at the alleged connections between the city’s political elite and criminal militias. The suspects, including a federal congressman and a former police chief, have not been formally charged but are suspected of being the masterminds behind the killing. The arrests have sparked a national reckoning over corruption and impunity in Brazil, as activists and politicians react to the long-awaited development in the case.
Ecuador's youngest mayor, Brigitte Garcia, and her communications director, Jairo Loor, were found shot dead in a car in the province of Manabi. The police are investigating the deaths, which they believe to be an assassination. Garcia, a member of former President Rafael Correa's party, is the latest political figure to be killed in the country, following the assassination of a presidential candidate last August. President Daniel Noboa declared a state of emergency in January amid a spike in violence, and the government has condemned the killings and vowed to reinforce public order policies to ensure safety and peace for all Ecuadorians.
Brazilian federal police have arrested congressman Chiquinho Brazão and his brother Domingos Brazão, suspected of ordering the 2018 killing of Rio de Janeiro councilwoman Marielle Franco, a prominent human rights activist. The shooter, disgraced former police officer Ronnie Lessa, signed a plea bargain deal, leading to the recent arrests. The case had been troubled for years, with the lead detectives changed multiple times. Franco's murder shook Brazil profoundly and led to widespread outcry, as she had been a rising political star known for exposing police abuse and violence against residents of working-class neighborhoods.
Michigan Rep. Dan Kildee's brother, Tim Kildee, was fatally shot in Genesee County, with the suspect identified as the victim's son and the congressman's nephew. The suspect, who had mental health and substance abuse issues, is in custody after a related high-impact accident. Rep. Kildee requested privacy, expressing grief and heartbreak, while the sheriff's office continues its investigation into the tragic incident.
Two federal detectives searching for 43 missing students in Mexico's Guerrero state have disappeared, prompting President López Obrador to launch a search effort. The disappearances highlight the breakdown of law and order in the state, where drug cartels are active. Guerrero has been plagued by the case of the missing students since 2014, and tensions have flared between the president and the students' families, who accuse him of not doing enough to investigate. The involvement of drug cartels in the region has led to a situation where parts of the country are effectively under their control, as acknowledged by the US director of national intelligence.
Two federal detectives searching for 43 missing students who disappeared in Mexico almost ten years ago have themselves gone missing, prompting a search effort. The disappearances highlight the breakdown in law and order in Guerrero state, where the students are believed to have been abducted by local officials and turned over to a drug gang to be killed. The state has been plagued by clashes between police and students, and the involvement of drug cartels has led to a lack of control in certain areas. President López Obrador has faced criticism for not doing enough to investigate the fate of the missing students, leading to tensions and protests.
Gunmen on motorcycles abducted between 200 and 300 students from a school in Nigeria's northwest, marking the second mass kidnapping in the country in less than a week. The incident comes 10 years after the infamous Chibok kidnappings, and Nigeria has been struggling to contain the kidnapping epidemic, with over 3,600 abductions reported between July 2022 and June 2023. President Bola Tinubu condemned the abductions and directed security agencies to rescue the victims. The country has been plagued by unrest, including activities of Boko Haram, clashes between nomadic herders and farming communities, and rampant criminal kidnappings for ransom.