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Armed Teen Carjacker Meets Match in Sotomayor’s Security Officers

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In a grave incident that unfolded recently, Deputy U.S. Marshals tasked with Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s security were forced to discharge their service firearms in response to an armed carjacking attempt. The event took place in the early hours of a past Friday, just outside Sotomayor’s residence in Washington D.C.’s Beauregard Condominiums complex.

The Marshals, situated in unmarked vehicles, were taken aback by the sudden appearance of an armed male suspect who emerged from a silver minivan around 1:15 a.m.

The suspect, brandishing a firearm, targeted a Deputy U.S. Marshal named only as “Black” in the reports. According to the Daily Mail, the suspect demanded Black’s vehicle. A chilling quote reflected the severity of the situation: “In most U.S cities, juveniles spend the summer hanging out with their friends, working summer jobs, visiting family members. In DC, juveniles carjack.”

Reacting to the threat, Black drew his service weapon and fired multiple shots at the suspect. One of these rounds reportedly hit the suspect in the mouth, causing significant injury but not posing a threat to his life.

A second Deputy Marshal was also involved in the incident, exiting his vehicle and discharging his firearm. Whether any of his shots connected with the suspect remains uncertain. After the altercation, Black provided first aid to the wounded suspect, later identified as 18-year-old Kentrell Flowers of Washington D.C.

Flowers was promptly transported to a nearby hospital to treat his non-life-threatening injuries. His apparent accomplice, however, did not remain at the scene. The silver van absconded northbound on 11th Street Northwest shortly after the shooting, as stated in a fact sheet filed in D.C. district court by Deputy U.S. Marshal Tyler Wells.

Despite efforts to locate the accomplice, the secondary suspect remains unidentified. Officers did recover a .40 caliber Smith & Wesson – the weapon allegedly used in the carjacking attempt. Thankfully, no Marshals were harmed in the face-off.

Flowers now faces charges of armed carjacking, carrying a pistol without a license, and possessing a large-capacity ammunition-feeding device. Investigations around the incident are ongoing.

Interestingly, initial statements from the Metro PD about the Marshal-involved shooting omitted that it unfolded near Justice Sotomayor’s residence. As the Daily Mail reported, her D.C. condo is a two-bedroom, two-bath property valued at over $860,000.

Sotomayor had once compared her residential neighborhood to New York’s East Village. She told the New York Times, “It has a touch of the East Village in it… I picked it because it’s mixed. I walk out and I see all kinds of people, which is the environment I grew up in and the environment I love.”

The U.S. Supreme Court’s public information officer did not respond to Blaze News when asked for a statement regarding the incident.

Former D.C. official K. Denise Rucker Krepp, who previously worked under the Obama administration, expressed her exasperation at the ongoing violence involving juveniles in the district. Speaking to Blaze News, she stated, “Washington DC, the District of Crime, has a juvenile carjacking problem… As was demonstrated last Friday, no one is safe from juvenile carjacking in the nation’s capital.”


What is your view on privately employed security personnel carrying firearms, in light of the recent incident involving Justice Sonia Sotomayor's security in DC?

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8 Comments

8 Comments

  1. Suzie Wi

    July 21, 2024 at 11:22 pm

    Sounds like these two officers need to spend some time on the shooting range.

  2. Justin

    July 21, 2024 at 11:30 pm

    18 is not a juvenile and he’s lucky he’s still on the green side of the grass

  3. DanC

    July 21, 2024 at 11:56 pm

    Theft in the night, our laws cover that, bang, bang. The SS agent needs some target practice…

  4. Gerald Hallman

    July 22, 2024 at 1:12 am

    These were identified as deputy US marshals not “private “ security personnel. If they were deputy marshals then they had legal right to carry. There needs to be more information about the individuals that were involved. Were they actually hired to protect Justice Sotomayor as Deputy Marshals on private duty. As a US Marshal they are allowed to carry since their guns were described as a service weapon. So the questions you asked are inaccurate.

  5. Dr. Caligary

    July 22, 2024 at 1:52 pm

    So exactly how many shots were fired that did not hit their targets? Black fired multiple shots and one hit the carjacker in the mouth. Sounds to me these two need to go to the range and re-qualify!

  6. don

    July 22, 2024 at 3:19 pm

    Too bad the perp was not killed. We will now spend millions trying, convicting, housing this creep for years. Death is cheaper – and more instructive.

  7. Old Man

    July 23, 2024 at 12:30 pm

    “In most U.S cities, juveniles spend the summer hanging out with their friends, working summer jobs, visiting family members. In DC, juveniles carjack.”
    Welcome to Democrat Washington D.C.

  8. Jack

    July 23, 2024 at 6:08 pm

    She should have just sat on the perp. It would have squashed him quite sufficiently.

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Preparedness

Good Samaritan Saves Trooper in Harrowing Interstate Confrontation

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A recent incident on Interstate 49 in Rogers, Arkansas, has brought to light the dangers faced by state troopers and the critical role of Good Samaritans. On July 27, 26-year-old Guatemalan national Angel Zapet-Alvarado was recorded on dashcam video resisting arrest after being pulled over for driving at a staggering 114 miles per hour in heavy traffic.

Arkansas State Police released the dashcam footage on Wednesday, showing the tense moments that unfolded when Trooper Alexandria Duncan attempted to stop Zapet-Alvarado. Despite her emergency lights and sirens, he initially refused to pull over.

After finally stopping on the highway shoulder, Zapet-Alvarado continued to defy Duncan’s commands. Duncan observed his hand on the gearshift and took his keys to prevent him from fleeing. However, he resisted exiting the vehicle, prompting Duncan to deploy her taser.

The dashcam video captures Zapet-Alvarado’s persistent refusal to comply with Duncan’s orders to roll over and put his hands behind his back. In response, Duncan triggered the taser multiple times, causing Zapet-Alvarado to cry out in pain.

At one point, Zapet-Alvarado managed to wrestle the taser from Duncan and threw it into interstate traffic. He then escalated the confrontation by kicking Duncan’s head multiple times.

Amid the struggle, 31-year-old Kylie Sutton, a Good Samaritan, rushed to assist Duncan. Upon noticing Sutton, Duncan instructed her to retrieve the taser, which Sutton did. However, Zapet-Alvarado managed to get on top of Duncan.

Sutton intervened by grabbing Zapet-Alvarado from behind and moving him to the ground. Duncan then instructed Sutton to step back and warned Zapet-Alvarado that she would shoot if he continued to resist. When he did not comply, Duncan fired a single round, wounding him in the right temple.

Despite his injury, Zapet-Alvarado continued to resist arrest until another state trooper arrived to assist Duncan. Zapet-Alvarado was then transported to Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas for treatment before being released to law enforcement.

Toxicology reports revealed that Zapet-Alvarado’s blood-alcohol level was .16, twice the legal limit, and that cannabinoids were present in his system. He was subsequently taken to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center and placed on hold for a Homeland Security Investigation.

Trooper Duncan sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the altercation and received medical treatment. The state police Criminal Investigation Division reviewed the case, and Benton County Prosecutor Joshua Robinson confirmed that Duncan’s use of deadly force was consistent with Arkansas law.

Col. Mike Hagar expressed his support for Trooper Duncan, stating, “I wholeheartedly support Trooper Duncan. We tell our troopers to trust their instincts and lean into their experience and training when they’re on the highways. Anyone who has walked in a trooper’s boots knows that trusting your gut keeps you safe so that you can protect and serve the public. In our world, hesitation can get you killed.”

Hagar also praised the bravery of both Duncan and Sutton, adding, “I thank God that he gave Alex the strength to survive that encounter, and that he put Kylie by her side when she needed support the most. I’m so proud of them both.”

This incident underscores the unpredictable and perilous nature of law enforcement duties and highlights the importance of community support in ensuring the safety of officers and the public.


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Robot Heroics: Texas Standoff Ends with High-Tech Takedown

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There’s a new high-tech hero in the realm of law enforcement. A police bomb squad robot recently played a pivotal role in subduing an armed suspect during a tense standoff in Texas.

The incident involved 39-year-old Felix Delarosa, who had a warrant out for his arrest due to a parole violation. According to KCBD, Delarosa had tampered with his electronic monitoring device.

Around 10 a.m. on a Wednesday, members of the Texas Anti-Gang unit located Delarosa at a Days Inn hotel in Lubbock. When officers attempted to approach him, Delarosa, who was armed, fired a shot from inside his hotel room.

In response, the officers called in the Lubbock County Sheriff’s SWAT team for assistance.

Negotiations with Delarosa proved challenging as he fired additional shots while barricaded in his room. Amid the exchange, the room’s large glass window was shattered.

To mitigate further risk to law enforcement, the Lubbock Regional Bomb Squad deployed a robot to handle the situation. The robot approached Delarosa’s hotel room, and the suspect attempted to disable it by throwing a bed sheet over it, which proved ineffective.

The robot advanced towards the broken window, prompting Delarosa to shoot at it. In a tactical move, the robot retaliated by deploying tear gas into the room.

Footage shows Delarosa crawling out of the room, visibly disoriented from the tear gas.

As he struggled on the ground, the robot maneuvered on top of him, pinning him down. During this action, the robot’s wheels inadvertently pulled down the suspect’s pants.

SWAT team members then swiftly moved in and apprehended Delarosa, concluding the two-hour standoff.

Following his capture, Delarosa was transported to University Medical Center for treatment of his injuries before being booked into the Lubbock County Detention Center.

He now faces charges of aggravated assault against a public servant.

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice noted that Delarosa had previously been sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2017 for manufacturing and delivering a controlled substance. He was released on parole in April 2022.

This incident demonstrates the growing role of technology in law enforcement, showcasing how robotic assistance can effectively and safely manage high-risk situations.


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Self-Defense Ruling in Detroit Tailgate Shooting Sparks Controversy

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A concealed carrier involved in a fatal incident at a Detroit Lions tailgate won’t face charges, as the Wayne County Prosecutor has declared the shooting an act of self-defense. The incident, which took place at the Eastern Market, was captured on cellphone video and involved a confrontation that escalated quickly.

Jalen Welch, the assailant, allegedly pulled a gun and threatened a 40-year-old man, who is a legal concealed pistol owner. In response, the 40-year-old fired a single shot that struck Welch in the head, fatally wounding him.

Tragically, the same bullet also hit an innocent bystander, RayShawn Palmer, who was also killed.

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy stated, “In this case, the shooter was not involved with the physical altercation, or any crime, when Mr. Welch pulled out his weapon and threatened him with deadly force.”

“It is only then that the shooter drew his weapon and fired one-time striking Mr. Welch, and unfortunately striking Mr. Palmer,” Worthy added. “A thorough review of the facts and evidence shows that the shooter acted in lawful self-defense. The shooting was justified. There is insufficient evidence to charge the shooter with any crime.”

The shooter’s attorney expressed relief over the decision.

“My client is very pleased he is not being charged with a crime; it was agonizing sitting in jail for three days awaiting the decision,” the attorney told WJBK-TV.

“He is dealing with a lot of emotions. He feels terrible for the family of the bystander and wishes to extend his condolences, but he is grateful to return to his family. His right to exercise to protect his life and others is absolute. He did nothing to forfeit that right.”

Despite the ruling, Palmer’s family is devastated and angry that no charges are being filed against the shooter.

“This is unbelievable that an individual shoots someone — even though he had a CPL — in an environment like this,” said Jermaine Little, Palmer’s brother. “It could have been a 5-year-old. Unfortunately, it was my brother, and so my whole family is here. We are grieving. We are hurt, and we want some answers.”

Little continued, “Our brother’s gone. This is an individual that wanted to give back, did give back, loved his family, was not a violent person, loved to dance. Just wanted to entertain and for this to happen, for trying to stop something that was happening, it’s unacceptable.”

Palmer’s family has vowed to challenge the no-charges ruling.

“We’re not going to give up,” Little noted. “If we got to get out here every day, if we got to post things, if we got to march — whatever we got to do. We just want some answers. Give us some answers.”

This incident highlights the complexities and emotional toll of self-defense cases, especially when innocent lives are lost.


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