Preparedness
Homeowner Defends Family Intruder Fatality Shocks Community
In the early hours of Friday, police in Hobbs, New Mexico, responded to a distress call regarding a break-in on the 2100 block of North Rojo. Hobbs, situated just two miles west of the Texas border and nearly two hours southwest of Lubbock, became the scene of a tragic incident.
Upon arrival, officers discovered that 38-year-old Curtis Thames had forcefully entered a residence. The homeowners, armed and seeking safety, barricaded themselves in a bedroom. As Thames approached, one of the homeowners fired a shot through the bedroom door, hitting Thames.
“Thames died at a local hospital,” police confirmed.
In an unsettling twist, officers were informed that Curtis Thames’ mother, Kristie Thames, lived in a neighboring home. Efforts to contact her proved futile, prompting officers to forcibly enter her residence. Inside, they found her deceased in a bedroom.
The police department’s news release on the incident does not include a cause of death for Thames’ mother.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to reach out. “Police said those who have information regarding the incident can call dispatch at 575-397-9265 or Lea County Crime Stoppers at 575-393-8005.”
The incident has sparked varied reactions on social media. One commenter stated, “This is why we have the 2nd Amendment.” Another expressed sympathy, writing, “Prayers to the people who had to make the decision … they probably didn’t want to ever have to make, the officers and other first responders who were involved, and the families and friends of those whose lives will be forever impacted.”
Concerns about legal repercussions were also voiced. “Hope the DA doesn’t charge the homeowner with manslaughter for defending himself,” one user remarked, noting the district attorney’s reputation for charging individuals who act in self-defense.
Another commenter praised the homeowner’s actions, saying, “Good job for the homeowner! Sounds like it was the last thing they wanted to do, but they were protecting their property and family.”
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Preparedness
Aurora Police Detain 14 in Dramatic Apartment Raid
In the early hours of Tuesday morning, Aurora police detained 14 individuals at the Edge at Lowry Apartments, a location recently thrust into the spotlight amid national discussions on immigration. Authorities were alerted to the scene shortly before 2:30 a.m. due to reports of “an armed home invasion involving a stabbing and kidnapping.”
The incident involved several suspects who allegedly forced entry into an apartment occupied by two individuals. The victims were reportedly threatened, restrained, and relocated to another unit within the same complex.
One of the victims, an adult male, sustained a stab wound, although police have confirmed that his injuries are not life-threatening.
“After some time, the victims were released by the suspects, at which point they called 911. Multiple Aurora police patrol units responded to the scene. Fourteen people have been detained and are being questioned by investigators,” the Aurora Police Department reported. The investigation is still in its infancy, with authorities promising to provide more information as the situation develops.
This incident at the Edge at Lowry Apartments is not isolated. In August, residents claimed that the complex had been overtaken by the notorious Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua. A couple residing there at the time captured a video showing armed men storming through the building, and another video depicted a man using a hammer to break a deadbolt lock on an apartment door.
Despite these alarming reports, local officials have consistently denied that Tren de Aragua has established a significant presence in the area. This stance is at odds with residents and the property owner, who assert that the gang has taken over multiple buildings.
Surveillance footage from the complex reportedly shows one individual admitting to being a member of Tren de Aragua. While two men from the video have been apprehended, three others remain at large. However, Aurora police have not confirmed if any of the 14 individuals detained on Tuesday have connections to the gang.
Aurora City Council member Danielle Jurinsky voiced her concerns on X, stating, “the lawlessness must end! These are not all peaceful migrants looking for a better life.” She further expressed her views on the broader immigration context, saying, “I will speak again to the human suffering that has been allowed with wide open borders, allowing possible (actual) asylum seekers to come into our country followed by the very people who were terrorizing them.”
Jurinsky criticized the lack of transparency from the police, stating, “APD won’t give their names and most likely won’t tie any of them to Tren de Aragua. It’s okay if they don’t. I believe at this point I have made my case. DEPORT these criminals now!”
As this complex situation unfolds, residents and officials alike are keenly watching for the next developments, hoping for clarity and resolution.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Preparedness
Teen Shooter Shocks Christian School Community in Tragic Attack
In a tragic incident at Abundant Life Christian School in Madison, Wisconsin, a 15-year-old student named Natalie Rupnow was identified as the shooter who claimed the lives of at least two individuals. The New York Times reported that Rupnow, a student at the school, used a 9mm firearm in the attack before dying from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The shooting unfolded in a study hall where students from various grades were present. Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes shared that the suspect, known as “Samantha” among peers, was responsible for the attack. The school, which serves students from kindergarten through 12th grade, was left in shock as a teacher and a teenage student were killed.
Authorities reported that five students and another teacher sustained injuries during the incident. Two of the students were in critical condition, while three students and a teacher were hospitalized with less severe injuries. Fortunately, two of these individuals have since been discharged.
The chaos began when a second-grade student made a 911 call just before 11 a.m. to alert authorities about the shooting. In the aftermath, investigators searched Rupnow’s home in Madison and spoke with her family, who were cooperating with the investigation. However, the police chief did not provide a motive for the shooting, stating that they were still seeking more information.
All surviving students were eventually reunited with their families, bringing some relief amidst the turmoil. Mireille Jean-Charles, a mother of three boys who attend the school, expressed her distress to WISC-TV in Madison.
“It’s sad, you know, to be home and then somebody calls you and says your kids’ school [is] in lockdown — and you don’t know where they are. And I was there since 11. I finally got them, and thank God they were safe.”
She continued to reflect on the emotional toll, saying, “But the trauma — it’s a lot, because I’m sure they lost friends and a teacher, which is not OK. And I don’t think they will be OK for a long time, and I’m not.”
This devastating event has left the community grappling with shock and grief, as they attempt to understand the reasons behind such a senseless act of violence.
Watch a local news report about the incident below:
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Preparedness
Chilean Crime Tourists Target Michigan Jewelry Stores
In a recent development highlighting the issue of “crime tourism,” four individuals from Chile have been charged with conducting violent smash-and-grab robberies at jewelry stores in Oakland County, Michigan. This comes amid rising concerns about illegal aliens engaging in criminal activities across the United States.
The individuals, identified as Hernan Parraquez-Mondaca, Michael Aguilar-Mondaca, Sandrino Rojas-Palma, and Nicholas Caceres-Hernandez, face charges of felony assault and armed robbery. Their alleged targets included MJ Diamonds and the jewelry section of a Macy’s store in August.
While firearms were not used in these incidents, the group reportedly wore masks and used pepper spray against employees. They also utilized hammers to break open glass cases, making off with valuable jewelry in the process.
The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency has placed detainers on all four suspects. However, details regarding their entry into the United States remain unclear, whether through the southern border or on temporary visas. For now, they are held in Oakland County Jail without the possibility of bail.
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard has previously warned about the growing trend of illegal aliens from the southern border engaging in burglaries. He describes this as part of a broader scheme known as “crime tourism.”
“These are transnational gangs that are involved in this that come from South America, looking to do burglaries and violate our communities, not just in Oakland County but across America,” Bouchard noted.
According to Bouchard, these gangs are primarily targeting items such as jewelry, high-end purses and watches, currency, and safes. The stolen goods are often sold at a fraction of their value to fences, who then resell them through various channels.
The issue of crime tourism is not confined to Oakland County. It has been observed across the United States, with lax enforcement of federal immigration laws contributing to the problem. Earlier this year, two illegal aliens in Gulf Shores, Alabama, were arrested for allegedly burglarizing a jewelry store, linked to a theft ring originating from South America.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
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Don
September 27, 2024 at 2:29 pm
Trooper Duncan is lucky she is alive. It took forever for more troopers to get there.
Paul
September 27, 2024 at 5:11 pm
I think you’re a bit confused Don, there is no mention of any trooper in this article. Meanwhile back at the ranch, good for the homeowner, self protection is above everything, the lawyers and DA (dumbass) have their priorities wrong if they choose to charge them.
Bill Stephens
September 27, 2024 at 6:12 pm
I’m a bit confused myself. Who is in the picture of the guy who looks incarcerated, and why?
RobertC
September 27, 2024 at 9:25 pm
This srticle, and the comments that followed, bring about more questions than answers. Internet journalism increasingly sucks.