Active Shooter Killed In Brevard County
(Melbourne, FL)-- A man is dead after a standoff with police in Melbourne. Police say the incident started yesterday morning at an apartment complex in the area of Babcock Street and Strawbridge Ave. Officers were answering a well-being call when they knocked on the door of William Banks, Jr. Police say Banks opened fire, and the officers took cover. A crisis negotiation team was called in, and when Banks came out of the apartment holding a gun, officers shot and killed the 47-year-old. The FDLE is investigating, and the officers involved have been placed on administrative leave.
Judge Rules Ocala Violated First Amendment With Prayer Vigil
(Orlando, FL) -- A group of atheists can claim victory in a decade-long legal battle in Marion County. The American Humanist Association sued the city of Ocala for a prayer vigil held in a public square in 2014, and yesterday a federal judge ruled on their behalf. The AHA claimed the vigil violated the First Amendment, but the city argued praying at public events is a longstanding tradition in the US. The judge ruled for the plaintiffs six years ago, but, two years ago, an appeals court asked him to reconsider. There's no word on if the city will challenge yesterday's ruling. The AHA filed the suit on behalf of four clients, and the judge awarded them each one dollar in damages.
Kidnapping Victim Found, Suspect Arrested
(Pensacola, FL)-- A kidnapping victim is safe, and the man who allegedly took her is in custody. The Escambia County Sheriff's Office announced yesterday that Olvin Vasquez-Martinez was arrested for kidnapping four-year-old Alma Lisette Morena. She went missing yesterday but was found safe. There's no word on what connection the 24-year-old suspect has with the girl.
Miami Seaquarium Will Fight Eviction Notice
(Miami, FL) -- The Miami Seaquarium won't be going away quietly. Their lawyer said yesterday they'll fight Miami-Dade County's efforts to evict them from their property on Virginia Key. Attorney Hilton Napoleon says we're here to stay. He also says he's skeptical of the county's claim that its ultimate priority is the safety and well-being of the animals at the Seaquarium. Napoleon says he thinks the county is more interested in the money it could make by selling the land.
Off-Duty Lifeguard Rescues Family Of Seven Caught In Rip Current
(Sarasota, FL)-- A man is drawing praise for rescuing a family of seven from a rip current in Sarasota County. The county announced yesterday that off-duty Fire Department Lifeguard Mariano Martinez rescued seven swimmers in distress on Saturday. The rip current had carried them more than 200 yards into the Gulf. Martinez was at Lido Beach when he got an alert on the Pulse Point app. The county says he grabbed a rescue tube, swam to the group, secured one with the tube, helped two more to shore and returned for the first swimmer. He wound up making multiple trips using bodyboards to bring them back to shore safely. Lifeguard Chief Rick Hinkson says Martinez went above and beyond to save the family, and that's something to be commended.
NJ Gamer Arrested After Flying From NJ To FL To Attack Online Rival
(Jacksonville, FL) -- An online gamer from New Jersey is under arrest in Florida, accused of flying here so he could attack another gamer he was feuding with. Police in Fernandina Beach say they arrested Edward Kang after he broke into a home and was standing over a man with a hammer in his hand. Officials say Kang took a middle-of-the-night flight from Newark after the man angered him while they played the online role-playing game "ArcheAge."They say he bought the hammer and a flashlight once he got here and was wearing all black when the victim's father found him. The victim is okay. Kang, whose hometown has not been identified, has been charged with attempted murder and burglary.
Today in History
2005, the so-called BTK serial killer Dennis Rader pled guilty to a series of murders in the Wichita, Kansas area. The murders happened between 1974 and 1991 and the 60-year-old killer managed to elude authorities for 30 years.
1996, a Dallas police officer was charged with trying to hire a hit man to kill football star Michael Irvin.