Monday, April 15, 2024

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Fatal Stabbing Outside McDonald's: 16-Year-Old Girl Loses Life in Alleged Sweet-and-Sour Sauce Dispute 

A 16-year-old girl has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the fatal stabbing of another 16-year-old female outside a McDonald’s in Washington, D.C. The incident, described by authorities as a dispute over sweet-and-sour sauce, resulted in the death of Naima Liggon from Waldorf, Maryland.

According to Metro Police, they responded to a report of a juvenile with stab wounds early Sunday morning. Liggon succumbed to her injuries at a hospital. The fatal stabbing occurred outside a McDonald’s in the 1900 block of 14th Street, Northwest. Liggon was transported to the hospital in a privately-owned vehicle. The police arrested a 16-year-old female, also from Waldorf, charging her with second-degree murder while armed. The suspect was found in possession of a knife during the arrest.

Detective Brendan Jasper testified at a D.C. Superior Court hearing, stating that the fatal stabbing stemmed from a dispute over sweet-and-sour sauce among three girls outside the restaurant. Liggon and another girl allegedly assaulted the 16-year-old suspect, who, based on surveillance footage, did not initially fight back. As Liggon and the other girl were about to enter a vehicle, the 16-year-old suspect approached Liggon with a 7.5-inch pocketknife, stabbing her in the abdomen and chest.

Prosecutors reported that the suspect was located a block away. The court heard that Liggon and the suspect, part of a group from Oxon Hill, Maryland, had driven to a party in D.C. After the party, they went to the McDonald’s. The suspect’s attorney claimed self-defense, emphasizing the lack of a prior criminal history. D.C. Superior Court Judge Sherri Beatty-Arthur ordered the juvenile suspect to be held until a new hearing on Friday, stating, "At the end of the day, someone is dead over a dispute over sauce."

Naima Liggon's mother, Joy Liggon, called the incident "senseless" and expressed disbelief that a fight over sweet-and-sour sauce could lead to murder. Naima Liggon was a student at Thomas Stone High School in Waldorf, and the school community received a statement from the principal expressing condolences and asking for thoughts and prayers for Liggon’s family and friends.

Fatal Stabbing Outside McDonald's: 16-Year-Old Girl Loses Life in Alleged Sweet-and-Sour Sauce Dispute

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Sunday, April 14, 2024

California Mother Undergoes Limb Amputation Due to Bacterial Infection After Consuming Undercooked Tilapia 

A California mother, Laura Barajas, underwent amputation of all her limbs after consuming undercooked tilapia, leading to a severe infection. Purchased from a local market in San Jose last month, the fish was prepared and eaten at home by Barajas. Her friend, Anna Messina, detailed the situation in a GoFundMe campaign, explaining that Barajas spent over a month in the hospital battling an infection caused by Vibrio vulnificus bacteria. On Wednesday, she underwent the drastic measure of limb amputation.

Messina urged support for Barajas' family during this challenging time, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of such incidents that could impact anyone. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a health advisory on September 1, warning of an uptick in Vibrio vulnificus bacterial infections in the United States due to rising water temperatures.

Vibrio vulnificus, a bacterium thriving in warmer Gulf of Mexico waters, causes approximately 80,000 illnesses in the U.S. annually, according to the CDC. In a separate incident in Galveston, Texas, a man died over Labor Day Weekend after consuming oysters contaminated with Vibrio vulnificus.

Symptoms of a Vibrio vulnificus infection include watery diarrhea, stomach cramping, nausea, vomiting, and fever. Additionally, infected wounds may exhibit redness, pain, swelling, warmth, discoloration, and discharge. The CDC identifies the most common cause of Vibrio infections as the consumption of undercooked or raw oysters and shellfish, advising against such practices. Proper cooking and hand hygiene, especially after handling raw shellfish, are recommended preventive measures. The CDC also cautions individuals with open wounds to avoid saltwater exposure to minimize the risk of Vibrio infection.

California Mother Undergoes Limb Amputation Due to Bacterial Infection After Consuming Undercooked Tilapia

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Saturday, April 13, 2024

Scholarship Withdrawn from Honor Student Over Homecoming 'Twerking' Video: Describes Feeling Like Life Was Over 

A Louisiana high school senior, Kaylee Timonet, faced the withdrawal of a scholarship endorsement and removal from her position as student government association president after a video of her dancing at a homecoming after-party surfaced on social media. Despite her 4.2 GPA, the video, showing Timonet dancing behind a friend engaged in twerking, led to severe consequences. The private event at Livingston Parish Country Club on Sept. 30 was filmed by the party's DJ, who later posted the video on social media. Timonet's mother was present at the gathering.

The school's principal, Jason St. Pierre, called Timonet into the front office, where she was shown the video and criticized for her actions. She was allegedly told to feel ashamed and that her conduct did not align with "God's ideals," leaving her distraught and in tears. St. Pierre, during the meeting, withdrew Timonet's application for a scholarship, which is awarded to only two students annually.

Timonet, describing the incident as innocent fun, expressed her mortification, saying, "All I was doing was having innocent fun. I was mortified." Her mother, Rachel Timonet, had a subsequent meeting with the principal and voiced her concerns about being excluded from the initial meeting with her minor daughter. Rachel criticized the perceived unfairness of the punishment, pointing out that other students in the video faced no consequences. She also objected to St. Pierre allegedly discussing her daughter's religious faith in a public school setting.

The community rallied behind Kaylee Timonet, creating T-shirts with slogans like "Let the Girl Dance" and "I stand with Kaylee Timonet." The support, visible across social media, has been crucial in helping Timonet cope with the humiliating incident. Despite the controversy, she appreciates the backing she has received, stating, "Seeing that people were supporting me no matter what and seeing that my accomplishments were still noticed means the world."

Walker, the town where Timonet resides, has a population of approximately 6,100 and is situated about 22 miles from Baton Rouge.

Scholarship Withdrawn from Honor Student Over Homecoming 'Twerking' Video: Describes Feeling Like Life Was Over

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Friday, April 12, 2024

Florida Single Mom Falls Victim to Elaborate Scam: Concrete Driveway Stolen After Putting Home on Market, Leaving Her with $10k Replacement Bill 

A Florida mother faced a costly scam after putting her home up for sale, as scammers orchestrated the removal of her driveway, leaving her with a $10,000 bill for replacement just weeks before her planned move.

Amanda Brochu listed her home in Apopka, Florida, for sale in December. Soon after, individuals arrived at her $289,000 property, attempting to measure her concrete driveway. One contractor revealed that a person named Andre had inquired about a driveway replacement quote at Brochu's address but backed out when asked for payment and proof of ownership.

As Brochu was preparing to leave for the holidays, she received a doorbell camera notification that crews were tearing up her driveway. Upon her return, she found her driveway gone, having fallen victim to a scam where scammers enlist contractors to work on homes, leaving the homeowner responsible for the bill.

The contractor Brochu confronted showed her text messages indicating that Andre had received a $7,200 quote for driveway replacement and had agreed to it but claimed he couldn't provide the deposit. Brochu contacted the Orange County Sheriff's Office, leading to an attempt to contact Andre.

Initially, Andre denied the accusations and hung up on the police, later stating it was a mistake and providing them with a supposed contractor's number, which turned out to be the Orlando airport's phone number. Subsequently, her driveway was removed, leaving a dirt track.

Unable to afford the $10,000 replacement cost, Brochu sought help. A local radio sponsor, upon learning about the incident, offered to replace the driveway for free. Brochu plans to donate the funds raised from her GoFundMe to charity.

Brochu's real estate agent, Rocki Sanchez, expressed shock at the situation and learned it might be part of a scam. The four-bedroom, two-bathroom house is currently listed on Zillow for $289,990, with a commitment to install a new driveway before closing.

Florida Single Mom Falls Victim to Elaborate Scam: Concrete Driveway Stolen After Putting Home on Market, Leaving Her with $10k Replacement Bill

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Thursday, April 11, 2024

Two Boys, Aged 12 and 17, Accused of Killing Three Teens in Marion County; $10,000 Reward for Capture of At-Large Suspect 

Two teenagers, aged 12 and 17, are facing first-degree murder charges in Marion County after allegedly killing three teenagers, while another suspect, a 16-year-old, remains at large. The victims, two girls and a boy, were found with gunshot wounds in the Ocklawaha area over the past week.

Sheriff Billy Woods disclosed that the suspects fled the scene after simultaneously killing the three teenagers, leaving behind substantial evidence. The arrested individuals are Robert Robinson, 17, and Christopher Atkins, 12, both charged with first-degree murder. The third suspect, Tahj Brewton, 16, is still on the run.

A $10,000 reward has been announced for information leading to Brewton's arrest, and Sheriff Woods urged anyone with knowledge about his whereabouts to come forward.

While the motive for the shootings does not appear to be linked to gang rivalry, Sheriff Woods mentioned that all the teenagers, both suspects and victims, were associated with gangs. The suspects were known for committing burglaries and robberies in the area, obtaining the gun used in the killings through these criminal activities.

The sheriff emphasized that the suspects and victims had previously collaborated on burglaries and robberies but had a falling out, leading to the tragic turn of events. Sheriff Woods stated, "There is no honor among the thieves, and at some point, these three individuals turned on our three victims and murdered them."

Two Boys, Aged 12 and 17, Accused of Killing Three Teens in Marion County; $10,000 Reward for Capture of At-Large Suspect

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Wednesday, April 10, 2024

DoorDash Driver Apprehended and Charged in Connection with Alleged Attempted Sexual Assault 

In north St. Louis County, a DoorDash driver, Travaye Gaines, has been arrested and charged with an alleged sexual assault, a disturbing incident that unfolded in Spanish Lake.

Viewers are cautioned as the details of the incident are unsettling. According to prosecutors, Gaines stands accused of sexually assaulting a customer inside her apartment. The victim, who opened the door for her food delivery, reported that Gaines forced his way inside, removed her towel, and assaulted her. Fortunately, she managed to escape and seek help from a neighbor.

Following the incident, the victim received a FaceTime call from an unknown number, revealing Gaines engaging in inappropriate behavior. With the assistance of DoorDash, the police were able to determine Gaines' location.

Travaye Gaines now faces charges of burglary, attempted rape, sexual misconduct, and resisting arrest in connection with the disturbing event.

DoorDash Driver Apprehended and Charged in Connection with Alleged Attempted Sexual Assault

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Tuesday, April 9, 2024

Mother of Three in Houston Faces Homelessness Pursuing Social Media Influencer Dreams 

A mother named Kieria Jones and her three children find themselves without a home in Houston after relocating from Tallahassee to pursue dreams of becoming a social media influencer in 2024.

Expressing her initial motivation for the move, Jones explained, "It's mainly what I came to Houston for. That's where most of all of my favorite YouTubers are from."

Despite having no personal transportation, Jones managed to rent a car by utilizing disability checks for her son. However, her children expressed a desire to return to Florida with their grandmother, given the challenging circumstances.

"If I feel like I'm putting too much on them with me being stressed, then I would go back," Jones informed Houston Mayor John Whitmire.

Initially employed at Denny's upon arriving in Houston, Jones was able to afford a motel room, but the financial strain became overwhelming over time. Aware that her decisions significantly impact her three kids, Jones and her children sought refuge in a warming center during the January 16 freeze, prompted by dropping temperatures rendering the streets unsafe.

Unfortunately, the warming center unexpectedly closed on January 17 at noon, catching Jones off guard. Mayor Whitmire stepped in to connect her with assistance to address her precarious situation.

Mother of Three in Houston Faces Homelessness Pursuing Social Media Influencer Dreams

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Monday, April 8, 2024

Tragic Christmas Eve: Sister Fatally Shot as Teenage Brothers Engage in Gunfight Over Presents

 Tragedy unfolded on Christmas Eve in Largo as two teenage brothers now face charges following a deadly altercation within their family, as reported by authorities.

Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri revealed that the incident occurred during a Christmas shopping outing with the family. The 14-year-old and 15-year-old brothers engaged in an argument, fueled by jealousy on the part of the older brother over the number of gifts their mother was purchasing for the younger sibling.

Upon leaving the store, the family, including the brothers, their mother, their 23-year-old sister, and her 10-month-old and 6-year-old sons, headed to their grandmother's residence on 22nd Avenue Southwest in Largo. The plan was for the grandmother to care for the children while the sister went to work.

At the grandmother's home, tensions escalated when the 14-year-old brandished a gun, threatening to shoot his brother in the head, as per authorities. Initially, the 15-year-old resisted engaging in a physical altercation, and the boys' uncle intervened to separate them. The 14-year-old left the home briefly, prompting his sister to discourage the conflict, reminding them it was Christmas.

However, a new argument erupted between the 14-year-old and his sister, who was carrying her 10-month-old son in a baby carrier. The situation escalated when the 14-year-old directed derogatory language at his sister and proceeded to shoot her in the chest with a .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun, according to the sheriff's office.

In response to the shooting, the 15-year-old retaliated by firing at his brother, shouting, "You shot my m***** f****** sister." Subsequently, the 15-year-old fled, discarding his firearm in a nearby yard. Authorities apprehended him at a relative's home in Clearwater.

The 14-year-old shot once in the stomach, and underwent surgery after being transported to the hospital, while their sister tragically succumbed to her injuries.

The 14-year-old now faces charges of first-degree murder, child abuse, and being a delinquent in possession of a firearm. Meanwhile, the 15-year-old is charged with attempted first-degree murder and tampering with physical evidence. The Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney's Office will assess whether the 14-year-old will be charged as an adult.

Tragic Christmas Eve: Sister Fatally Shot as Teenage Brothers Engage in Gunfight Over Presents

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Uber Driver Caught on Camera Sexually Assaulting Woman After Pretending to Rescue Her 

A man who sexually assaulted a woman under the guise of rescuing her from another attack has pleaded guilty to the crime, captured on a live webcam. Kerry Calvin Gasag received a 10-year sentence for sexually violating a 34-year-old woman at a Florida tourist hotspot. Initially perceived as a rescuer when he posed as an Uber driver, Gasag later demanded sex, prompting the victim to escape the vehicle in panic. Gasag pursued and raped her near the Southernmost Point buoy in Key West. The entire incident was recorded on the tourist hotspot's live webcam, leading to prompt intervention by a Boston-based emergency services dispatcher, who contacted local police.

The dispatcher, monitoring the webcam, reported, "I could almost swear that I saw somebody get raped." The footage depicted Gasag restraining the woman in a headlock, resisting his advances, and the subsequent assault behind the iconic landmark. Witnesses and the live webcam assisted in locating the victim, who was found nude, crying, and screaming. Gasag returned to the crime scene that night to collect the victim's clothes in an attempt to conceal evidence.

Despite the video evidence, it took two years for Gasag to be arrested and charged with sexual battery, false imprisonment, and evidence tampering. Assistant Monroe County State Attorney Joseph Mansfield revealed that Gasag, facing up to 25 years in prison if the case went to trial, received a 10-year sentence with five years probation for pleading guilty.

The initial attacker, Jorge Calderon Nunez, alleged to have been involved in the earlier assault, is currently held in Miami-Dade County jail on a $225,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in court later this month on charges related to the previous attack.

Uber Driver Caught on Camera Sexually Assaulting Woman After Pretending to Rescue Her

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Tuesday, February 27, 2024

 Georgia Driver Hit with $1.4 Million Fine for Speeding at 90 MPH in a 55 MPH Zone

A Georgia resident faced an astonishing $1.4 million ticket last month after being pulled over for speeding on a freeway. Connor Cato was driving through Savannah on September 2 when he was caught going 90 miles per hour in a 55-mile-per-hour zone by the Georgia State Patrol.

Anticipating a 'super speeder' ticket due to exceeding the speed limit by 35 miles, Cato was surprised by the excessively high fine, far beyond the usual $1,000 maximum. Suspecting a mistake, he contacted the court, only to be informed that he must either pay the astronomical amount or appear in court on December 21 at 1:30 pm.

According to Cato, the court representative stated, '"$1.4 million," the lady told me on the phone. I said, "This might be a typo," and she said, "No, sir, you either pay the amount on the ticket or you come to court on December 21 at 1.30 pm."'

Later, Cato discovered that the exorbitant $1.4 million fine was merely a placeholder generated by e-citation software used by the local Recorder’s Court for 'super speeders.' The actual fine would be determined by a judge during Cato's mandatory court appearance.

Joshua Peacock, a spokesperson for Savannah’s city government, clarified that the intention was not to intimidate individuals into court. He explained, 'The programmers who designed the software used the largest number possible because super speeder tickets are a mandatory court appearance and do not have a fine amount attached to them when issued by police.'

Although the city has employed this system since 2017, they acknowledge the need to adjust the placeholder language to prevent confusion. Criminal defense attorney Sneh Patel expressed astonishment at the initial fine, stating that he had never encountered such a high amount for a misdemeanor traffic violation.

In Georgia, misdemeanor traffic violation fines cannot exceed $1,000, along with state-mandated costs. Patel emphasized that even for a misdemeanor of high and aggravated nature, the fine would typically be $5,000. He added that bond amounts exceeding $5,000 are usually reserved for more serious offenses, such as drug trafficking, murder, aggravated assault, or for individuals expected to evade their upcoming court date.

In Other SMH America News

According to the probable cause affidavit initially obtained by NBC DFW and reviewed by PEOPLE, Chad Christopher Stevens, 42, was accused of tampering with evidence and fabricating evidence by disposing of the dead body of his ex-girlfriend Heather Louise Schwab.

Georgia Driver Hit with $1.4 Million Fine for Speeding at 90 MPH in a 55 MPH Zone

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