Latest news with #gunViolence
CBS News
4 days ago
- CBS News
U.S. Navy veteran killed in alleged road rage shooting in NYC, suspect charged with murder
New York City police charged a man with murder after a U.S. Navy veteran was shot and killed during an alleged road rage incident in the Bronx. Michael Aracena, 20, also faces a manslaughter and weapon charge following his arrest for the fatal shooting of 27-year-old Keino Campbell. Navy veteran shot 3 times inside car, NYPD says Campbell was shot and killed along the intersection of Givan Avenue and Palmer Avenue in the Bronx on Saturday. Investigators said he was shot three times while inside his gray 2012 Infiniti sedan. It happened while Campbell was leaving a car show and heading to his sister's house, his mother, Suzette Thomas, said. Thomas and Vermaline McCracon, Campbell's aunt, said he had so much life ahead of him and planned to attend school next month to become a mechanical engineer. "My son finally realized what he wanted to do. He said he could open up his own business. And then all of this happening now, it's just too much," Thomas said. NYPD arrested and charged 20-year-old Michael Aracena with murder, manslaughter, and criminal possession of a weapon in the fatal shooting of 27-year-old Keino Campbell, a U.S. Navy veteran. Campbell Family She described the last time she spoke to her son, hours before he was killed. "He said that's all right, I'm gonna go and see you tomorrow. And I could cook him some Oxtails," she said through tears. Family devastated Campbell's family now wants big changes when it comes to gun laws and violence, and more extracurricular activities for children and young adults to expose them to better lifestyles away from the streets. McCracon said her nephew was very generous, smart and funny, and that he was a peacemaker who didn't like confrontations. "That's why this is so hard for us, because we couldn't imagine that someone would take him from us, because he doesn't put himself in positions to be taken from us," she said. Campbell's friends and family planned to gather for a vigil honoring him Monday at 7 p.m. on Grace Avenue. You can email Erica with Bronx story ideas by CLICKING HERE.
CBS News
10-06-2025
- CBS News
Chicago sees a drop in auto thefts, but a new concern drives numbers up for certain vehicles
Most violent crime has been dropping this year in Chicago. The only exceptions are criminal sexual assault and human trafficking which are up 2.5% and 30% respectively according to the city's Violence Reduction Dashboard. The last 12 months have also seen fewer gun violence victims, fatal and non-fatal, than any year since 2013, according to the CBS News Gun Violence in Chicago tracker. Now, add a third bright spot to the Chicago crime chronicle. Motor vehicle thefts, overall, dropped 27% in 2024, according to a CBS News Chicago analysis of Chicago Police data. The trend continues this year. Through May 4, car thefts are down 35%. "We are trending in the right direction," said Chicago Police Commander Andrew Costello, who leads CPD's Central Intelligence Division — which includes auto theft cases. Costello knows the impact of this crime on the community. "We live in Chicago. We have families in Chicago. We, our families, have been victims of auto theft just like they have," he said. Police credit the variety of measures available to help recover stolen vehicles faster and drive the overall decrease. "The license plate reader technology has been a game changer, especially in Chicago. That has made our job much more efficient," said Lt. Adam Broshous, who leads the Illinois Statewide Auto Theft Task Force, or ISATT. So far this year, ISATT reports it has recovered 143 stolen cars. The team's work has led to 85 criminal charges, including 45 felonies. They have also recovered 16 guns. "We can, see where has this car been read by a license plate reader while it was stolen? And that may help lead us to who stole it, where it's been, and what it was used for," said Lt. Broshous. Chicago police are seeing an increase in the theft of different makes of vehicles. "A lot of the high-end cars getting targeted … Dodges and the Jeeps," said Cmdr. Costello. The CBS News Chicago data analysis reveals a 155% year-over-year increase in 2024 in the number of luxury Lexus vehicles being stolen. More than 400 were taken by thieves — the highest number in more than a decade. Jeeps are also becoming more popular, up 28% in 2024. The 1,700 stolen also represent the most in more than a decade. Dodge models are up 6%. More than 1,500 have been taken – similar to the number stolen in 2013 and 2016. Sport utility vehicle models of Jeeps and Dodges are especially targeted. "We have seen those being used in the commission of other crimes, be able to ram things and to steal ATMs," said Lt. Broshous. "We sometimes have the idea that people steal your car, it goes to a chop shop and it's divided up for parts. We are seeing something completely different. We're seeing those cars being used in robberies," said Glen Brooks, deputy director of community policing for CPD. "We're even seeing those cars used in other types of thefts." "Auto theft is like the gateway to larger thefts, to the robberies, carjackings, shootings," said Cmdr. Costello. The brakes are being put on the big problem of criminals stealing Kias and Hyundais. Those vehicles fueled the huge spike in 2023, when the city recorded 31,565 motor vehicle thefts. In 2024, that number dropped to 23,135 — helped primarily by a nearly 50% cut in Kia and Hyundai thefts last year. Both automakers told us they each updated security software on more than one million cars to address the flaw that led to the surge in thefts. Kia and Hyundai owners can check here and here to see if their vehicles qualify for a free security software upgrade. All you need is your VIN. While the downward trend is encouraging city and state law enforcement are not stopping efforts to bring motor vehicle thefts down even more. "We're out there every day," said Cmdr. Costello. "There's still a lot of work to be done." 2024 numbers are still 107% higher than in 2021, before the rash of stolen Kias and Hyundais. Beyond using technology like license plate readers and the new Chicago Police helicopters, educating the community is also a top priority that some believe can make a big difference. "If we can get to our young people, if we an make our property more secure, if we can work with our neighbors to make our neighborhoods better and safer that will lower the likelihood someone will come to perpetrate harm," said Brooks. NOTE: Motor vehicle theft numbers include theft, attempted theft and recovered stolen vehicles. KIA STATEMENT "As of May 12th, nearly 1.37 million vehicles have received Kia's software update, and over 400,000 steering wheel locks have been sent to law enforcement agencies around the country for distribution to local constituencies. As an update, were recently contacted by CPD for an additional shipment of wheel locks for your local communities, and they are working on distribution to those areas now." HYUNDAI STATEMENT "Hyundai's software upgrade campaign is at 68% completion for on road vehicles, representing more than 1.5 million vehicles. Hyundai is committed to continuing our efforts to assist our customers with this issue. Hyundai Motor America is committed to ensuring the quality and integrity of our products. A subset of Hyundai vehicles on the road in the U.S. today – primarily "base trim" or entry-level models – are not equipped with push-button ignitions and immobilizing anti-theft devices. It is important to clarify that many of these vehicles are now eligible for free software upgrades or ignition cylinder protectors designed to prevent the popularized method of theft. Notices have been sent to registered owners and customers can check their vehicle eligibility by visiting: In response to thieves promoting their exploits on TikTok and other social media channels, Hyundai has taken comprehensive action to assist our customers, including: Made engine immobilizers standard on all vehicles produced as of November 2021; Developed a software upgrade to equip these vehicles with an "ignition kill" feature designed to prevent the popularized method of theft; Rolled out the free anti-theft software upgrade to all of the nearly 4 million vehicles involved through a service campaign to affected customers who own or lease model year 2011-2022 vehicles; Launched a dedicated website toll-free number (888) 498-0390 and digital advertising to generate awareness of the software upgrade, help customers determine their eligibility, and schedule an appointment at their local Hyundai dealership; Initiated a program to reimburse affected customers for their purchase of steering wheel locks, including for a smaller group of 2011-2022 model year vehicles that cannot accommodate the software upgrade (these vehicles are now eligible for ignition cylinder protectors at no cost); Established a program to provide free steering wheel locks to law enforcement agencies across the country for distribution to local residents who own or lease the affected vehicles; Collaborated with AAA insurers on a program to offer insurance options for affected owners and lessees. As part of this collaboration, AAA insurers will issue new and renewal policies for eligible affected Hyundai customers. The program will be available in all states except those where AAA does not offer insurance. (e.g., Alaska, Massachusetts, Washington); Piloted mobile service centers in Washington, D.C., St. Louis County, MO, Dallas, Chicago, Minneapolis, St. Paul, upstate New York and Baltimore with plans to replicate activities with our dealers in additional markets to further scale and speed installation of the software upgrade."
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Strong gun laws in California yield lowest gun deaths rates, Newsom says
( — Gov. Gavin Newsom released a statement stating that California leads the nation in strong gun safety laws, correlating with many lives that were saved. Newsom stated that year after year, California has been ranked as the number one state in the country for its strong gun safety laws, along with some of the lowest rates of gun deaths, according to information from Giffords Law Center and Everytown for Gun Safety. In other states, where officials have passed gun safety laws, fewer people have died from gun violence, Newsom said. Texas and Florida, which have been ranked 32nd and 21st, respectively, in gun law strength, had firearm mortality rates more than 50% higher than California. Newsom said that according to the California Department of Justice Office of Gun Violence Prevention, if the gun death rate in the rest of the U.S. matched the state's over the past decade, there would have been almost 140,000 lives saved, and potentially hundreds of thousands of people would sustain gunshot injuries. California gun control bill that could ban popular Glock pistol sales moves forward 'Strong gun laws save lives,' said Newsom. 'California has reduced its gun violence rate because of its leading gun safety laws.' California was the first state in the nation to have a 'Red Flag Law' in 2016, according to Newsom. The law builds on a bedrock of available protection orders – nine in total – that would prohibit firearm possession for people subject to orders ranging from domestic violence and workplace harassment. In the first three years of the law, the protection order was used to prevent 58 cases of threatened mass shooting, according to Newsom. Newsom said, 'There have been significant increases in utilization of GVROs – increasing by 118% – from 2020 to 2023.' Newsom stated that he signed a bipartisan legislative package to further reinforce California's nation-leading gun laws and prevent incidents of mass violence. 'California won't wait until the next school shooting or mass shooting to act. In the absence of congressional action, our state is once again leading the way by strengthening our nation-leading gun laws. Data shows that California's gun safety laws are effective in preventing gun-related deaths, which makes the ongoing inaction and obstruction by politicians in the pocket of the gun lobby even more reprehensible.' Gov. Gavin Newsom Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Daily Mail
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
REVEALED: America's worst state for active shooters
Texas saw more active shooter reports than any other state in 2024 — with disturbing incidents unfolding everywhere from church pews to parking lots, according to a shocking new FBI report. The Lone Star State logged four separate active shooter events last year, the most in the country, leaving 11 people either dead or injured. California and North Carolina trailed behind with two each. Nationwide, the FBI counted 24 active shooter incidents in 2024 — half as many as the year before. However, the report cautions that despite the decline in incidents last year, the overall trend remains concerning. Active shooter cases rose 70 per cent since 2020 compared to the previous five-year period. Texas is a key driver of that spike, with a staggering 22 incidents recorded over five years, second only to California's 25. In total, 369 people have been killed and 701 injured in U.S. active shooter attacks since 2020. The FBI's definition of 'active shooter' is specific: it refers to someone trying to kill in a populated area, typically with a gun — even if there's just one victim. It is not the same as a mass shooting. Texas's loose gun laws may also factor into the state's high numbers. The state has some of the most permissive firearm regulations in the U.S. Residents are allowed to carry handguns in public without a license or training under the 2021 permit less carry law. There is no requirement to register firearms or report private gun sales, and background checks for such transactions are not mandatory. Texas also has a strong 'stand your ground' law and no waiting period for gun purchases. Despite Texas's lead in raw numbers, the most deadly single shooting of 2024 took place in Arkansas, where a gunman opened fire at a supermarket in June, killing four and injuring 10. One of the most shocking Texas incidents occurred on February 11 at Houston's Lakewood Church — the megachurch led by televangelist Joel Osteen. Texas's permissive gun laws may be a contributing factor; residents can carry handguns without a permit or training, and there are no background checks required for private sales (Pictured: Law enforcement stands outside of a reunification center after the Lakewood Church shooting) During the busy Sunday service, 36-year-old Genesse Moreno walked into the building armed with an AR-style rifle. Her 7-year-old son was with her. Witnesses say she opened fire in the church's hallway while shouting in Spanish. Chaos broke out as parishioners ran for cover. Off-duty officers working security returned fire, killing Moreno at the scene. Her son was critically injured in the exchange, along with a 57-year-old man. Authorities later revealed the weapon had been purchased legally in 2016 and had a 'Palestine' sticker on it. The motive behind the attack remains under investigation.
CBC
02-06-2025
- General
- CBC
Calgary boy who bought gun to impress Snapchat group executed teen, judge finds in murder conviction
Social Sharing A 15-year-old who bought a gun to impress his Snapchat group and then executed another teenager by shooting him point-blank in the back of the head is guilty of second-degree murder, a Calgary judge ruled Monday. Jal Acor Jal, 16, was fatally shot on March 31, 2022. His killer can't be named because he was a youth at the time of the shooting; CBC News will call him TK. On Monday, Court of King's Bench Justice Paul Jeffrey rejected TK's version of events, finding his story that the firearm accidentally discharged "impossible." On the day of the shooting, the two teens, who had recently met on Snapchat, planned to meet up at the Crowfoot LRT station. In a previous interview with CBC News, Jal's aunt said that he left his northwest home that night, asking his grandmother what she was cooking for dinner before telling her he would be back by 8:30 p.m., as he had school the next day. Jal was known as a talented athlete who played on both the basketball and football teams at St. Francis High School. When testifying in his own defence, TK told the court that he was an outcast at school, bullied and picked on, never invited anywhere or befriended by anyone, which led to him being home-schooled online. TK also worked for his father, installing vinyl siding. The Snapchat group In 2022, he'd joined a Snapchat group where some members discussed guns. "TK wanted badly to be accepted in the group and so set about getting his own gun," reads part of Jeffrey's conviction decision. TK tracked down a man who sold guns for cash online and one night, the two met and TK paid the seller $3,000 for a rifle he'd become "quite taken" with. That same night, TK showed off his new purchase to his Snapchat group. He got the reaction he'd been seeking. The gun was admired by the group, most of whom had handguns. Jeffrey noted that TK's rifle was "a hit." The meet-up TK told the group he'd get "whooped" and "beat" if his parents discovered the gun. He tore open the bottom fabric in his mattress's boxspring and shoved it into the wooden frame. In his testimony, TK told the court that Jal became interested in the gun and wanted to see it in person. There was some hearsay evidence, which the judge ruled he couldn't consider, that the purpose of the meet-up was for Jal to buy a pair of sneakers from TK, who had a collection. This is the narrative Jal's family believes to be true. The two boys met near the Crowfoot LRT station and walked to a grassy field behind a city electrical sub station building, hidden from sight. The victim carried an empty backpack. The killer carried a long, black shoulder bag with his semi-automatic rifle inside, along with a double magazine full of ammunition. The contradiction TK testified that, once at the substation, he handed Jal the gun as well as the loaded magazine. He said Jal loaded the gun and chambered a bullet and turned toward him. TK testified he "charged forward," grabbing the barrel of the gun from Jal. There was a struggle, according to TK, who testified he stumbled backwards. He said Jal tripped over his own feet. The gun "just went off," said TK. But the evidence showed Jal was shot in the back of the head and a firearms expert testified that more than eight pounds of force was required to pull the trigger. 'In a pool of blood, alone' Other tests were conducted on the weapon, showing that the gun would not discharge on its own or accidentally. The evidence also showed a lack of gunshot residue and melted fabric from the hood of Jal's sweatshirt. When the fatal bullet was fired, the gun was pressed up against the back of Jal's head, Jeffrey ruled. Within a couple of minutes after the 8:07 p.m. gunshot, security camera footage showed TK running across Crowchild Trail with the black bag across his shoulder. By 8:20 p.m., a nearby resident spotted Jal's body in the field. The judge noted the victim was "motionless, in a pool of blood, alone." Back at his house, TK hid the clothing he'd been wearing and returned the rifle to his boxspring hiding spot. Justice Jeffrey will hear sentencing arguments from defence lawyer Andrea Urquhart and prosecutor Todd Buziak at a later date.
