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Indianapolis Star
a day ago
- Indianapolis Star
FBI releases records about FedEx mass shooter. Here's what they show
Four years after a mass shooting left nine people dead at a FedEx facility in Indianapolis, the FBI is beginning to release records that provide a behind-the-scenes look at law enforcement's interactions with the killer. The records, which IndyStar first requested in 2021, include 147 heavily redacted pages. They confirm that 19-year-old Brandon Hole was on the FBI's radar more than a year before he murdered eight employees and killed himself at his former workplace on April 15, 2021. As early as March 4, 2020, the FBI opened an assessment of Hole for possible adherence to racially motivated violent extremism. The assessment began when IMPD seized a shotgun from Hole's residence after his mother reported that he had threatened suicide by cop. During the intervention, officers "observed computer monitors in Brandon's bedroom that displayed opened websites related to Nazi and Neo-Nazi killings along with a popular Neo-Nazi 4-chan forum that uses the moniker 'My Little Pony'. The forum was in German and a German to English translator website was converting the messages in the forum." In an email, an FBI task force officer said IMPD officers told him there were "20 tabs of nazi related material" and that Hole was posting on a forum about a gun he had recently purchased. Agents interviewed Hole on April 21, 2020, at his mother's home. He denied having extremist views and said his father killed himself when Hole was 3 years old. Hole said he played video games such as Warhammer 40,000, which has scenes of German soldiers fighting with gasmasks, and belonged to an Internet group for adult fans of the animated children's series ''My Little Pony." Members of the forum are also known as "Bronies" and while some genuinely enjoy watching the show with its bright colors and positive messages, it has also been a home for sexual, violent and racist fan art. Hole told the FBI agent he "enjoys Anime related to the TV Show." "Hole seemed to already know that some followers/fans of My Little Pony have been tied to White Supremacy, but denied any affiliation," according to the FBI's summary of the interview. Two days later, the FBI closed the assessment, noting Hole did not warrant further investigation. Read the records: Here's what the FBI has released so far on FedEx shooter Brandon Hole A few months later, on Aug. 19, 2020, Hole called the FBI task force officer who had previously interviewed him. He demanded to know why the FBI had interviewed him. Hole asked the officer if he "kneeled at BLM protests like other cops, and asked if White Supremacy was illegal." The records are consistent with IndyStar's reporting in 2021 that identified multiple warning signs and failed interventions in the months leading up to the massacre. That included more than a dozen mental health care and law enforcement encounters. The reporting was part of a series, "Red Flagged," that identified numerous instances where police and prosecutors had failed to understand and enforce Indiana's red flag law. The project was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. The newly released records show that after the FedEx shooting, the FBI re-opened its investigation. During a walk-through of Hole's home the day after the shooting, agents made the following observations: "All four walls of the bedroom contained blankets, posters, tapestries, and painted murals of 'My Little Pony' characters. The bed was 'My Little Pony' themed and had a large stuffed animal of one of the characters from the tv show. In the closet there was the torso of a mannequin dangling from a hanger. This mannequin had a dress on it. Also in the closet was a box adorned with what appeared to be Japanese writing and a picture of a sex doll. In this bedroom, there was no visible literature, pictures, symbols, or trinkets that would be apparent representation of an extremist ideology." The records show agents also called or visited multiple gun stores in an effort to learn more about Hole's activities. Agents traced a Ruger AR-556 rifle that Hole purchased before the shooting to Indy Trading Post at 2851 Madison Ave. The store has since closed. Several records released by the FBI pertain to interviews agents conducted in May 2021 with employees at an Amazon warehouse in Plainfield, where Hole worked briefly in 2020. Hole got into an argument with another employee and became confrontational on June 12, 2020, according to the interviews. One employee "was worried about the possibility of HOLE committing workplace violence due to his violent outbursts and antiauthority inclinations." When questioned by management, Hole denied making any threats. During a meeting with human resources, Hole made repeated sarcastic comments and claimed he was being unfairly targeted because he was gay. At one point, he showed an FBI business card and said the company could call his FBI contact. A few minutes later Hole left the building. Security suspended Hole's badge and swept the parking lot, but he was not located, according to the records. Later that summer, Hole took a job with FedEx Ground near the Indianapolis International Airport, but he left the company in October 2020, about six months before the shooting. The motive for the shooting remained a topic of speculation for months. Many of the facility's employees were Sikh, and four of the eight people Hole killed in the shooting were Sikh. More than three months after the shooting, authorities announced that the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit had determined the shooting was "an act of suicidal murder" in which Hole decided to kill himself "in a way he believed would demonstrate his masculinity and capability while fulfilling a final desire to experience killing people." "Only the shooter knows all the reasons why he committed this horrific act of violence," then-FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Paul Keenan said, adding that Hole "did not appear to have been motivated by bias or desire to advance any ideology." Keenan said authorities reviewed Hole's online activity, but that World War II and Nazi-type propaganda was only a small percentage of his overall viewing. "I believe we reviewed about 175,000 files this computer and it was somewhere in the neighborhood of less than 200 files mainly of German military, German Nazi things," Keenan said. The records released so far are limited in scope. In addition to the heavy redactions, the FBI withheld hundreds of additional pages altogether, citing exemptions to public records laws for medical privacy and confidential law enforcement techniques. The FBI says the four batches of records that have been made public so far represent an "interim" release and that additional releases may come in the future.
Business Standard
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Bidso Inks Multi-Year Licensing Pacts with Hasbro, Hello Kitty, Chhota Bheem and more
NewsVoir Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], June 14: Bidso, a premier B2B contract toy manufacturer, has announced multi-year licensing partnerships with top brands like Hello Kitty, Chhota Bheem & Friends, and Hasbro's iconic IPs, including Transformers, G.I. Joe, and My Little Pony. This strategic move underscores Bidso's growth plans, meeting the demand for high-quality, locally made toys in India. These partnerships will unlock new opportunities for Bidso to leverage its innovation and technical expertise in manufacturing toys and IP products, driving its vision to establish India as a global toy manufacturing hub. Kicking off their partnership with Hello Kitty, Bidso has already prototyped and developed iconic Hello Kitty scooters which will soon be available on Flipkart. In line with the scope of the licensing partnerships, all IPs are under work and will be available in the market soon both on e-commerce and physical retail stores. While all Hasbro products will be sold exclusively through brands on Flipkart, the products being prepared for Hello Kitty and Chhota Bheem & Friends will be sold by brands on multiple platforms. Vivek Singhal, Co-founder & CEO, Bidso said, "Signing multi-year partnerships with some of the most loved and globally renowned brands, which have such a passionate fanbase, is a gratifying milestone for us. The partnerships will be a reflection of our strong shared values, as these brands have a long history of stretching the boundaries of quality, innovation, and creativity. At the heart of all of our endeavors is the making of local products of international standard and quality that we can proudly boast and we look forward to further leverage that through these partnerships." The key market being catered to is the Indian market, where Bidso will be bringing to life locally made, world-class products that blend technological innovation with stringent quality certifications heralding a new era in Government's vision of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'. Further bolstering its growth momentum, Bidso recently secured fresh funding in a Pre-series A round led by Eternal capital, with participation from their existing investor Peer Capital, and other new investors namely Marshot Ventures, Atrium Ventures, and angel investors.
Fashion Value Chain
7 days ago
- Business
- Fashion Value Chain
Bidso Inks Multi-Year Licensing Pacts with Hasbro, Hello Kitty, Chhota Bheem and more
Bidso, a premier B2B contract toy manufacturer, has announced multi-year licensing partnerships with top brands like Hello Kitty, Chhota Bheem & Friends, and Hasbros iconic IPs, including Transformers, G.I. Joe, and My Little Pony. This strategic move underscores Bidsos growth plans, meeting the demand for high-quality, locally made toys in India. These partnerships will unlock new opportunities for Bidso to leverage its innovation and technical expertise in manufacturing toys and IP products, driving its vision to establish India as a global toy manufacturing hub. Kicking off their partnership with Hello Kitty, Bidso has already prototyped and developed iconic Hello Kitty scooters which will soon be available on Flipkart. In line with the scope of the licensing partnerships, all IPs are under work and will be available in the market soon both on e-commerce and physical retail stores. While all Hasbro products will be sold exclusively through brands on Flipkart, the products being prepared for Hello Kitty and Chhota Bheem & Friends will be sold by brands on multiple platforms. Vivek Singhal, Co-founder & CEO, Bidso Vivek Singhal, Co-founder & CEO, Bidso said, 'Signing multi-year partnerships with some of the most loved and globally renowned brands, which have such a passionate fanbase, is a gratifying milestone for us. The partnerships will be a reflection of our strong shared values, as these brands have a long history of stretching the boundaries of quality, innovation, and creativity. At the heart of all of our endeavors is the making of local products of international standard and quality that we can proudly boast and we look forward to further leverage that through these partnerships.' The key market being catered to is the Indian market, where Bidso will be bringing to life locally made, world-class products that blend technological innovation with stringent quality certifications heralding a new era in Governments vision of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'. Further bolstering its growth momentum, Bidso recently secured fresh funding in a Pre-series A round led by Eternal capital, with participation from their existing investor Peer Capital, and other new investors namely Marshot Ventures, Atrium Ventures, and angel investors.
Scottish Sun
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
I've spent £20k on 24 doll babies – I spend hours a day playing with them, my boyfriend thinks it's odd but I want more
PRIDE & TOY I've spent £20k on 24 doll babies – I spend hours a day playing with them, my boyfriend thinks it's odd but I want more When it comes to babies, I definitely have my hands full. Right now, Louisa is in her baby seat and Albee and Harmony are sleeping in their cots. Zadie and Zelda are in the living room, while their big sisters Pieta, four, and Daida, two, are relaxing on their chairs. Advertisement 4 Mary Lee Beatson loves playing with her babies and has so far collected 24 reborn dolls 4 Mary Lee dressed dolls Albee, Pieta, Daida and Harmony up for St Patrick's Day Meanwhile I'm walking in circles in my living room, soothing Ozzie in my arms. In total I have 24 babies, but my house in Lake City, South Carolina, is peaceful and quiet and my beautiful children never get a day older. That's because I'm a 'reborn mummy'. As a child, I loved stuffed animals and My Little Pony, but I didn't really play with dolls. Then, in October 2022, when I was 39, I was shopping for Halloween decorations when I spotted a zombie doll called Ruby. Advertisement 'Reborn mummy' I was so excited to bring her home and couldn't bear to box her away when the holiday was over. Suddenly, I had a reason to buy cute baby clothes I'd seen while out shopping. It was such fun to dress Ruby that I started to Google other dolls I might buy. That's the first time I read about reborns, which are hyper-realistic, life-sized baby dolls. They're works of art, sculpted and hand-painted to look just like real babies. I was blown away. Inspired by Ruby, I wanted to pick something a little different. In March 2023, I saw a reborn with two faces, painted to look like clowns. I fell in love instantly and called them Penny and Dima. Advertisement Ozzie came next, and after I'd removed the nappy that is always placed over the doll's face by sellers to protect their delicate features, it was so exciting to unwrap him from his box and see his gorgeous face emerge. I've spent £350 on a reborn doll to battle my empty nest - my hubby is 'weirded out' by it but it's been life-changing By April, Albee had arrived, quickly followed by Zadie and Zelda. I never do things by halves. Within months I had three more – Daida, my gorgeous two year old, who is 81cm tall, tiny baby Harmony and Burgundy Rose, a reborn baby werewolf. It made me so happy to see them in my house. I even bought a baby car seat and took Ozzie to work with me. My shift patterns meant I had a room at work to sleep in that I shared with a colleague. Advertisement I know it's a hobby many people don't understand – men in particular find it strange She walked in one day to see Ozzie on the bed and was shocked, thinking I'd left a real baby in there alone! Another colleague gave me an outfit for Pieta, my 101cm-tall four year old, that his daughter had grown out of. They never made me feel that it was weird to have the dolls, and, like my friends and family, they always want to hear about my new arrivals. But I know it's a hobby many people don't understand – men in particular find it strange. That's why I put a photo of me holding a reborn on my Facebook dating profile in November 2024. Advertisement They're a huge part of my life – I can spend hours a day playing with them – and that isn't going to change. I've since met my boyfriend and he accepts it, but finds it odd. The other day we were sitting on the sofa watching TV as I held Ozzie. As I got up to get a drink, I handed him Ozzie, but he looked at me like I'd grown an extra head! 4 Mary Lee has an eclectic collection including reborn werewolf Burgundy Rose 4 Mary Lee snaps doll daughter Melitina 'playing' Twister Advertisement When I take the babies out in public, I get all kinds of reactions. Most people just think they're real, but when I explain they're reborns, I get everything from confusion and intrigued questions, to shock and fear. To me, they have their own personalities. Melitina and Burgundy Rose are energetic and cheeky, Daida is sweet and kind and Ozzie is peaceful. Unlike real children, they're all clean and quiet. They don't make a mess or damage things And, unlike real children, they're all clean and quiet. They don't make a mess or damage things. They're only there to make me feel happy. I love to share our life on my YouTube channel. I might take them for walks, 'feed' them with a real baby bottle filled with fake formula, dress them up for Valentine's Day or just cuddle them. Advertisement Trolls have made comments, but they don't bother me. I think part of what upsets people is how much they cost. So far, I've spent £20,000, with Pieta and Daida costing £1,500 and £2,300 each. I've also made lots of friends with other reborn mums online. I can't wait to keep welcoming reborns into my life. If anyone thinks that's a waste of money, I don't care. I work hard and my dolls bring me a lot of joy. What could possibly be wrong with that?' Follow Mary Lee at
Sky News AU
09-05-2025
- Business
- Sky News AU
US weighs plan to slash China tariffs to as low as 50 per cent
The Trump administration is weighing a plan to slash the 145% tariff on Chinese imports by more than half — effective as soon as next week — as top US and China officials head to Switzerland for high-level trade negotiations, The Post has learned. Specifically, US officials are discussing a proposal to lower President Trump's punishing levy on China goods to between 50% and 54% as they begin what promise to be lengthy talks to hammer out a trade agreement, sources close to the negotiations said. Meanwhile, trade taxes on neighboring south Asian countries would be cut to 25%, the source added. 'They are going to be bringing it down to 50% while the negotiations are ongoing,' the source said of the trade tax on China. The trade tax reduction is being eyed as Trump on Thursday said China tariffs 'can only come down' as he unveiled a a trade deal with the UK in the Oval Office. 'It's at 145 so we know it's coming down,' Trump told reporters. 'I think we're going to have a very good relationship.' Insiders said the 50%-to-54% range — down from the triple-digit level that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said this week 'isn't sustainable' this week — is in keeping with rates that were discussed last month when President Trump met with the bosses of the three biggest retailers in the US. The CEOs – Doug McMillon of Walmart, Brian Cornell of Target and Ted Decker of Home Depot – all said the April 21 meeting at the White House was 'productive' and 'constructive' without offering details, according to reports. In response, a 'whisper' campaign spread quickly and 'the number that emerged to get the ships flowing out of China was 54%,' said Jay Foreman, CEO of Basic Fun, which makes its retro toys in China including Tonka Trucks, Care Bears and My Little Pony. 'The signals we are getting is that the dam will break by the end of this week or next, that there will be an adjustment,' Foreman told The Post. Accordingly, many retailers already have begun asking vendors to quote prices based on a range of tariff rates — anywhere between 10% and 54% — 'so they are ready to price when the goods land' in the US, Foreman added. White House spokesman Kush Desai told The Post in a statement, 'When decisions on tariffs are made, they will come directly from the President. Anything else is just pure speculation.' Nevertheless, 'CEOs felt very reassured after Bessent's remarks at Milken,' a source told The Post, referring to the Treasury secretary's 'sustainable' comment at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Los Angeles this week. 'People are realizing that deals are going to be made.' Treasury's phone has been 'blowing up' with southeast Asian nations looking to seal a deal, the source added. The chatter in retail circles has likewise been traveling fast — and is very specific, industry sources told The Post. 'We are hearing China at 50% to 54% and [other] Asian countries at 25%,' said Lawrence Rosen, chairman of Cra-Z- Art, a New Jersey-based arts-and-crafts distributor. Another toy CEO, Nick Mowbray of Zuru – maker of Bunch O Balloons – said 'The speculation is 54%,' but he added, 'That's definitely not been told explicitly to retail yet.' While sharply lower than what's currently in effect, a 50% trade tax would pose a formidable challenge as retailers prepare for the crucial holiday season, sparking drastically higher prices at stores, retail executives said. A Tonka Mighty Dump Truck priced at $29.99 this week would cost $49.99 with a 54% tariff. While steep, that's 'workable,' according to Forman. A 145% levy, on the other hand, would translate to a $79.99 Tonka truck, which is 'just too much' and would bring sales to a virtual standstill, he said. Noel Hacegaba, chief operating officer of the Port of Long Beach in California, said 'there are high hopes that the meeting between the US and China in Switzerland will help to de-escalate growing trade tensions and set a path forward for resolving the trade war.' He added, however, 'it will take a strong signal coming out of the meeting for shippers to readjust their sourcing and routing.' The toy industry is in crosshairs of the tariff wars as 80% of toys sold in the US are made in China. Basic Fun has 35 containers on the water that are expected to arrive in the US this week and next, but seven of them were sent on April 10 when the 145% levy became effective. Foreman plans to store those containers in a warehouse because his company can't afford the higher levy. The rest of his toys are being stored at warehouses and at his factories in China – until he gives the word to ship them here. 'The retailers behavior changed after the White House meeting as if they got some confidence,' said retail guru Gerald Storch, a former CEO of Toys R Us and Canadian based department store company HBC. 'They are less panicked about how quickly they need a domestic source and they seemed to relax a little bit,' Storch told The Post. 'This is what I've heard from vendors about the retailers' tone and sense of urgency.' Originally published as US weighs plan to slash China tariffs to as low as 50 per cent - down from 145 per cent - as soon as next week: sources
