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Author: laurynnewton

Suburban High School’s varsity baseball team is being investigated for alleged conduct violations.

Mundelein High School is investigating alleged violations of the school code of conduct involving the varsity baseball team.

Three games have been rescheduled, according to the school’s principal.

While the nature of the possible violations hasn’t been revealed, the principal said, “Student safety is always our top priority. The expectation in all of our educational and extracurricular programs is that everyone treats each other with respect and dignity.”

The possible violations were discovered on Friday.

If the report is true, those involved will face both school and athletic consequences, according to the principal.

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Matthew Whitehead’s death: A woman in Pennsylvania is accused of strangling her 11-year-old son and fleeing the state.

In Horsham, Pennsylvania, a mother is accused of murdering her 11-year-old son.

Ruth DiRienzo-Whitehead, 50, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Matthew Whitehead, according to the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office.

Police were called to the boy’s home shortly after 7 a.m. Tuesday after his father discovered him dead.

An autopsy confirmed Whitehead had been strangled, according to the D.A.’s office.

DiRienzo-Whitehead allegedly killed her son after he fell asleep around 9:30 p.m. Monday, then drove the family’s SUV to Cape May, New Jersey.

According to investigators, she drove the vehicle into the ocean and then walked to Wildwood Crest, New Jersey, once the vehicle could no longer be driven.

That is where DiRienzo-Whitehead was apprehended. Montgomery County detectives and Horsham, Pennsylvania police then questioned her.

According to the D.A.’s office, a black men’s dress belt was discovered on the driver’s side floor of the SUV during a search.

There was no immediate word on why this person was killed.

DiRienzo-Whitehead is being held in Cape May County and will be extradited to Montgomery County.

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A gun was discovered inside a vehicle in the parking lot of Antioch High School.

A handgun was discovered inside a vehicle in the parking lot of Antioch High School on Tuesday morning.

According to police, the gun was discovered during a routine canine scent search of vehicles.

When it was discovered, the student, a 21-year-old man in an alternative schooling program, was arrested.

“I would like to recognize District 117 on its commitment to ensuring the safety of students at our high school,” said Antioch Police Chief Geoffrey Guttschow.

The investigation is still ongoing, and no potential charges have been announced at this time.

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Traffic in Chicago: A large car fire on I-55 at 1st Avenue causes a morning rush hour backup.

During the Tuesday morning rush hour, a large car fire backed up traffic on Interstate 55 in Cook County.

Just before 7 a.m., Illinois State Police and fire crews responded to the car fire on outbound I-55 at First Avenue.

According to state police, the vehicle was on the right shoulder and the driver was able to exit safely.

The incident caused no injuries.

Only the left lane remained open nearly an hour after the fire began, and traffic was backed up to Cicero Avenue.

Chopper7HD captured massive flames and firefighters battling the blaze.

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A 15-year-old girl was fatally shot in front of her siblings while fleeing an attempted robbery on Chicago’s South Side, according to her family.

Demea Morris’ family stated that she and her siblings were attempting to flee an attempted robbery when they were shot at.

Demea’s family said the 15-year-old was ambitious and trying to make her way in the world.

“She was in the middle of nursing school, a 15-year-old girl. Most of them don’t really care about much. She was building her future,” said Toni Turner, Demea’s aunt. “She loved dancing, laughing, playing, cracking jokes. She loved excelling.”

But her future was snatched away in an Easter morning tragedy. Morris was shot in the head in the backseat of an SUV near 106th and Sangamon in the Washington Heights neighborhood on Sunday morning, according to Chicago police.

Morris’ family said she was in the SUV with her siblings, who witnessed the entire incident after surviving another terrifying situation prior to the shooting.

“They were in the middle of being robbed, and got away from the people who were trying to rob them, and they shot after them,” Turner said. “In the midst of pulling off of getting away from avoiding getting robbed they started getting shot at and they tried to go to the hospital while on the phone with police and they (police) pulled them over because they were able to track them down.”

Morris’ family paid tribute to her life in Jackie Robinson Park on Monday night.

“You took a lovely person, you understand. She was very smart, very intelligent and very witty,” Turner said. “For some bum to want to be greedy, and take something from somebody? You took more than what you could even imagine.”

Their cries for a lost life were as audible as their cries for justice.

“Say something. A parent-parents are suffering. Siblings are suffering,” Turner said.

The family, in collaboration with the Andrew Holmes Foundation and All Kids Matter, is offering a $13,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

“What you did and the decision you made was wrong. This wasn’t a mistaken identity. This was first degree murder,” said community activist Andrew Holmes.

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The FBI warns against using free charging stations at airports, hotels, and shopping malls.

The FBI has issued a new warning to stop using public charging stations.

Airports, hotels, and shopping malls all have charging stations.

While these charging stations are convenient for charging your phone or electronic devices, they can also be infected with malware.

This is referred to as juice jacking. When your phone or iPad needs “juice” or a charge, the FBI warns that if you plug it into a public charging station that is infected with malware, it may lock your device or send private information to criminals such as passwords, addresses, banking information, or even a full backup of your phone.

Scammers can use that information to access online accounts or sell it once it falls into the wrong hands.

Here are some more Troubleshooter Takeaways to help you avoid becoming a victim of juice jacking:

– Bring a portable charger or an external battery with you.
– Carry a charging-only cable from a reputable supplier, which prevents data from being sent or received while charging.
– Never plug your device into pre-existing cables, as authorities warn that in some cases, criminals have left those cables to deceive you.

Aside from juice jacking, never use public WiFi networks in airports or busy areas, as this is another way for cyber criminals to target you.

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A 15-year-old girl was fatally shot in the head on Chicago’s South Side.

On the city’s South Side early Sunday morning, a 15-year-old girl was fatally shot in the back of the head while sitting in a vehicle.

Demea Morris, 15, of Chicago, IL, has been identified by police.

Morris was shot in the back of the head around 12:51 a.m. while sitting in the back of a vehicle near the 10600 block of South Sangamon Cul De Sac.

According to police, she was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition and later pronounced dead.

There is currently no one in custody, and the incident is being investigated by police.

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Two people were killed and 18 were injured in weekend shootings in Chicago.

Over the weekend, two people were killed and 18 others were injured in shootings across Chicago.

A girl was shot and killed inside a car early Sunday in the South Side neighborhood of Washington Heights. Demea Morris, 15, was discovered with a gunshot wound to the back of her head in the 10600 block of South Sangamon Street around 12:50 a.m., according to Chicago police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office. She was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center and pronounced dead.

Two people were shot, one fatally, in Grand Crossing on the South Side on Saturday. Timothy Taylor, 30, and a 24-year-old man were walking down the street in the 7000 block of South Lafayette Avenue around 5:40 p.m. when a vehicle approached and someone inside opened fire, according to police. According to police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office, Taylor was shot multiple times and taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center, where he later died. According to police, the 24-year-old man was shot in the head and was taken to the same hospital in critical condition.

In other shootings, three men were shot early Saturday in Avalon Park on Chicago’s South Side. A 30-year-old man approached two men walking to their vehicle in the 8000 block of South Anthony Avenue around 1:30 a.m., according to police. They each pulled out a gun and fired shots after getting into a fight. One man, 35, was shot in the body and was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition. The other man, 36, was hit in the thigh and taken to the same hospital in stable condition. The suspect was shot in the leg and was also taken to the same hospital, where he was treated and released.

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CTA riders are concerned after several passengers on the Red Line were beaten and robbed recently.

According to police, several passengers on the Red Line have recently been beaten and robbed.

One of these incidents occurred just outside the Chinatown Red Line station, where many riders voiced their concerns.

Officials issued several community alerts on Sunday in an attempt to find out who is terrorizing the CTA.

“Just a lot of people bothering you, like won’t take no for an answer and you’re trying to mind your business,” said CTA rider Brode Boyd.

Mass Transit Detectives are seeking the public’s assistance in locating three female suspects who, according to police, beat and robbed someone on a Red Line train at the 79th Street Station around 8:15 p.m. Friday.

“What is the safest way to get around because I don’t have a car here — I don’t want to drive here. We are in the city, so obviously we take public transportation but if I can’t even rely on that, I don’t even know what I’m to do,” said CTA rider Estela Romero.

That isn’t the only case police are looking into.

They say two suspects held a knife up to a victim on the Red Line heading northbound on Tuesday and stole their cell phone and backpack.

They say two suspects held a knife up to a victim on the Red Line heading northbound on Tuesday and stole their cell phone and backpack.

A suspect also followed a victim after leaving the Cermak/Chinatown train station around 7:45 a.m. on March 28, punching the victim in the face and knocking them to the ground.

“It’s insane. I believe we should travel as a group rather than alone. That’s what I’m attempting to do with my friends as well “CTA rider Hai Truong agreed.

All of these were terrifying incidents that made riders hesitant to ride the CTA at any time.

“It’s jarring to know that it’s happening at any point in time now,” said CTA rider Pooja Menon.

Menon said she has noticed a greater presence of patrol officers recently, but it’s difficult not to be concerned when crimes like these occur on the CTA every day.

“I just keep seeing more CTA security personnel, but also CPD and canine units in general,” she said. “Even in the mornings, all throughout the whole day, I just see at least two officers in the station at all times.”

“Just hopefully things get better soon and hopefully things don’t escalate, crime doesn’t escalate as it gets warmer,” said CTA rider Adarsh Menon.

If you recognize any of the suspects, police ask that you contact them right away.

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Illinois Treasurer returns $22.7 million in unclaimed property to its owners.

Last month, Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced that $22.7 million in unclaimed property was returned to its rightful owners. During the month of March, more than 11,000 claims were paid.

Since Frerichs took office in 2015, the Illinois State Treasurer’s Office has returned $1.6 billion.

According to Frerichs, Illinois currently holds more than $3.5 billion in unclaimed property. Unused safe deposit boxes, unpaid life insurance benefits, forgotten bank accounts, and unused rebate cards are examples of these assets.

“I prioritize reuniting people with money that is rightfully theirs,” Frerichs said. “Putting money in people’s pockets benefits the state’s economy. We will keep unclaimed property for as long as it takes to return it to the rightful owner.”

To search for unclaimed property in Illinois, go to www.illinoistreasurer.gov/ICASH.

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Park Forest police: four people shot, one fatally, in the south suburbs

According to police, four people were shot, one fatally, in a shooting in south suburban Park Forest on Friday morning.

The shooting happened around 3:30 a.m. in the 100 block of Fir Street, according to police.

According to police, one person died at the scene. The victim’s identity has not been released by authorities.

Two other people were taken to hospitals, and a fourth person was treated at the scene, according to police. Their current conditions were unknown.

According to police, an investigation is ongoing and there is a significant police presence in the area, but there is no threat to the community.

More information was not immediately available.

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Posen police: A truck driver has been critically injured in a possible road rage shooting.

Young male driver in suit sitting in car and gesturing in irritation because of traffic

According to police, a truck driver was critically injured in a possible road rage shooting in south suburban Posen on Thursday morning.

Both drivers were westbound on 147th Street when the shooting occurred near I-57 around 2:30 a.m., according to police.

The truck driver, 60, was taken to Advocate Christ Hospital in critical condition.

The driver of a four-door sedan last seen driving south on I-57 is wanted by police.

More information was not immediately available.

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Chicago police: A man was critically injured in a shooting while fishing in the Chicago River.

Woman fishing on Fishing rod spinning in Norway. Fishing in Norway is a way to embrace the local lifestyle. Countless lakes and rivers and an extensive coastline means outstanding opportunities…

According to police, a 23-year-old man was shot in the face and critically injured while fishing in the North Branch of the Chicago River on Wednesday night.

The shooting happened around 10:30 p.m. in the 3100 block of West Carmen Avenue.

According to police, the victim was able to tell them he was fishing with a relative.

He told police that he was walking back to his car when he was confronted by several unidentified men. According to police, this is when they allegedly opened fire on the victim.

In critical condition, the victim was taken to St. Francis Hospital in Evanston.

Bullets struck an SUV at the scene, and shell casings could be seen on the sidewalk.

According to police, the victim is unknown to them and has no criminal record. The motive for the shooting is unknown, and no one is in custody.

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According to Chicago police, a man was pistol whipped during an armed robbery outside Martyrs’ bar in North Center.

A man was pistol whipped outside Martyrs’ bar in North Center early Sunday morning, according to Chicago police.

Police said a 22-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman were outside the bar after working a concert at the space in the 1900-block of West Byron when four men got out of a dark colored sedan and flashed guns.

According to police, the armed men demanded the victims’ property and handed it over. During the robbery, the man was “struck about the head” with a gun, according to police. The woman was unharmed.

The suspects took off in their vehicle. According to police, the man refused medical treatment at the scene.

Martyrs management confirmed the incident and expressed gratitude that “the two victims were not seriously injured,” but declined to comment further.

There is currently no one in custody. Chicago police are conducting an investigation.

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‘A special kid,’ a high school sports star was killed near the United Center just days after his 16th birthday.

Darrion Williams turned 16 just one week ago.

His stepmother stated that he was overjoyed to be celebrating this weekend. A birthday party was planned for this Saturday, but sadly, it will now be canceled.

Williams’ family is still coming to terms with the fact that their fun-loving 16-year-old son is no longer with them.

“They took a special kid away. They did,” said Audrey Welch-Williams, the victim’s stepmother. “It tore me up, because I had just spoken with him, and he said, ‘I love you too.’ And I’m like, that was the last thing that I got from him.”

According to Chicago police, around 11 p.m. on Friday, Williams was walking on the sidewalk in the 2100 block of West Randolph Street when someone wearing dark clothing began shooting at him. Williams was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he died shortly afterwards.

“He had a lot of people and mentors that were in his life. So, it wasn’t like he strayed away. He was just at the wrong place at the wrong time,” Welch-Williams said.

His stepmother described him as a playful and sometimes shy child from a loving family. Williams also excelled in football and basketball at Crane Medical Prep High School on Chicago’s Near West Side.

He was only a sophomore, but he was already an important member of both varsity teams.

“We had anticipations for him going to prom, and maybe probably even getting drafted from somewhere, because he was totally varsity, and he did both sports and he did them well,” Welch-Williams said.

Those hopes were dashed as the happy times they shared became memories.

“I want everybody to know that he was a beautiful kid. And what happened, he didn’t deserve it,” Welch-Williams said.

As of now, no one is in custody, according to Chicago police, as detectives continue their investigation.

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Nashville shooter allegedly planned attack for months and fired 152 rounds

According to police, the suspect who allegedly shot and killed six people at a private Christian school in Nashville, Tennessee, last week had been planning to commit mass murder at The Covenant School for “months,” according to the suspect’s journals.

According to Nashville police, the suspect, 28-year-old Audrey Hale, a former Covenant School student, fired 152 rounds during the March 27 mass shooting, according to a statement released Monday.

According to police, Hale was armed with two assault-style rifles, a handgun, and “significant ammunition” at the time of the attack. According to authorities, Hale owned seven legally purchased firearms from five different local stores.

A law enforcement official told ABC News that the seven guns seized by authorities were purchased between October 30, 2020 and June 6, 2022. According to the official, the most recent weapon purchased was an AR-15 style weapon.

Police shot and killed Hale inside the school. According to police, the two officers who shot at Hale each fired four rounds.

The motive is unknown, but police determined that “Hale considered the actions of other mass murderers.”

According to Metropolitan Nashville Police Chief John Drake, Hale had a detailed map of the school as well as “writings and a book we consider to be like a manifesto.”

Nashville police and the FBI are investigating Hale’s writings, which were discovered in a car at the scene and a bedroom.

A police spokesperson stated that Hale was assigned female at birth, but pointed to a social media account associated with Hale that used the pronouns he/him.

Funerals are being held for the three children and three adults who were killed. The victims were identified as 9-year-old Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs, and Will Kinney, as well as substitute teacher Cynthia Peak, school custodian Mike Hill, and the school’s principal, Katherine Koonce.

The ABC News This report was contributed to by Stephanie Wash, Pierre Thomas, and Luke Barr.

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Jermaine Pelt, a Chicago firefighter, died and two others were injured in West Pullman, according to the CFD.

Jermaine Pelt, a Chicago firefighter, died Tuesday morning after an extra-alarm fire in the West Pullman neighborhood.

According to the fire department, the fire started around 3:30 a.m. near 120th and Wallace streets.

The fire is thought to have started in a home’s attic and spread to two adjacent homes. The structure where the fire began appeared to have a partial roof collapse.

Firefighter Pelt was working a hose line when conditions worsened and all firefighters were ordered out, according to Chicago Fire Commissioner Annette Nance Holt.

Pelt was taken to Advocate Christ Hospital, where he died later that day. Two more firefighters were taken to the hospital in stable condition.

“Jermaine is our family and when we lose one of our members, it takes a toll on us and people just don’t know what firefighters and paramedics go through daily when they respond to these calls not knowing if they will come home the next day,” Commissioner Nance Holt said.

Pelt, 49, has worked for CFD since 2005. He has two children, one of whom he recently walked down the aisle for her wedding. He is also the father of a six-year-old child.

According to the Chicago Fire Department, one firefighter was taken to Advocate Christ Hospital in critical condition and died later. Two more people were transported in critical condition.

The fire broke out shortly after 5 a.m. According to the CFD, the fire has displaced two adults and two children.

Lori Lightfoot, the mayor, issued a statement on Twitter, saying, “I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of Jermaine Pelt, an 18-year veteran of the CFD, who died in the line of duty early this morning. Following this tragic incident, my heartfelt condolences go out to his family, fellow CFD colleagues, and Engine 75 brothers and sisters.

“It takes a special form of bravery to work as a first responder, to rise to meet different disasters and dangerous situations on a daily basis. Jermaine put his life on the line to answer this call, a selfless act of bravery and dedication to the residents of this city.

“Our city mourns this tragic loss today, and is here to uplift all who loved Jermaine with our prayers and support.”

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A $40 million lawsuit has been filed by a Virginia teacher who was shot by a 6-year-old student.

A first-grade teacher in Virginia who was shot and seriously injured by her 6-year-old student filed a lawsuit against school officials on Monday, accusing them of gross negligence for allegedly ignoring multiple warnings on the day of the shooting that the boy had a gun and was in a “violent mood.”

Abby Zwerner, a 25-year-old teacher at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia, was shot in the hand and chest while sitting at a reading table in her classroom on Jan. 6. She was in the hospital for nearly two weeks and has had four surgeries since the shooting.

The shooting shook the military shipbuilding community and sent shockwaves across the country, with many people wondering how a child so young could get a gun and shoot his teacher.

The Newport News School Board and several school district officials, including former Superintendent George Parker III, are named as defendants in the lawsuit.

Michelle Price, a school board spokesperson, Lisa Surles-Law, chair of the school board, and other board members did not respond immediately to emails seeking comment on the lawsuit. The former superintendent did not immediately respond to a message left on his cellphone seeking comment.

No one, including the boy, has been charged in connection with the shooting. Following the shooting, the school board fired the superintendent, and the assistant principal resigned. The principal was moved to another position within the school district. The board also agreed to install metal detectors in all district schools, beginning with Richneck, and to buy clear backpacks for all students.

According to Zwerner’s attorneys, all of the defendants were aware that the boy “had a history of random violence” at school and at home, including an incident the previous year in which he “strangled and choked” his kindergarten teacher.

“All Defendants knew that John Doe attacked students and teachers alike, and his motivation to injure was directed toward anyone in his path, both in and out of school, and was not limited to teachers while at the school,” the lawsuit states.

According to the lawsuit, school officials removed the boy from Richneck and sent him to another school for the remainder of the year, but allowed him to return to Richneck for first grade in the fall of 2022. He was put on a modified schedule “because he was chasing students around the playground with a belt in an attempt to whip them with it,” according to the report, and he was cursing staff and teachers. The modified schedule required one of the boy’s parents to accompany him to school during the day.

“Teachers’ concerns with John Doe’s behavior (were) regularly brought to the attention of Richneck Elementary School administration, and the concerns were always dismissed,” the lawsuit states. Often after he was taken to the office, “he would return to class shortly thereafter with some type of reward, such as a piece of candy,” according to the lawsuit.

According to the lawsuit, the boy’s parents refused to have him placed in special education classes with other students who had behavioral issues.

According to the lawsuit, Zwerner suffered permanent bodily injuries, physical pain, mental anguish, lost earnings, and other damages. It is suing for $40 million in compensatory damages.

Last month, Newport News prosecutor Howard Gwynn stated that his office will not charge the boy criminally because he would not understand the legal system and what a charge entails. Gwynn has yet to decide whether or not to charge any adults.

The boy used his mother’s legally purchased gun, according to police. According to an attorney for the boy’s family, the firearm was locked and secured on a closet shelf.

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A driver strikes a family walking on a California sidewalk, killing an infant.

Authorities said an 11-month-old child was killed in California on Sunday after a driver lost control of his vehicle, hopped a curb, and struck a family of three walking on the sidewalk.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the incident happened around 4:15 p.m. in the Las Flores area of Orange County.

According to authorities, a 54-year-old San Clemente man was driving a 2017 Hyundai Sonata when he left the road for an unknown reason and collided with a family walking with their child in a stroller on the sidewalk.

The couple, a 34-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman from Rancho Santa Margarita, and their infant were taken to the hospital with serious injuries. Despite the efforts of Orange County Fire Authority paramedics, hospital doctors, and nurses, the child succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, according to CHP officials.

According to the CHP, the 54-year-old driver, who was also taken to the hospital, was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs.

The identities of the victims and the driver have not yet been revealed, and the accident is still being investigated.

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Police report 21 shootings in Chicago over the weekend, four of which were fatal.

According to police, at least 21 people were shot over the weekend in Chicago, with four fatalities.

On Saturday, a would-be robber was shot while attempting to rob an O’Reilly Auto Parts store. According to police, a man entered the store near 91st and Stony Island, brandished a gun, and demanded cash. The suspect was then shot by the store manager, who police say is a valid FOID card holder. The suspect was taken to the University of Calgary Hospital in critical condition. He was later declared dead. Detectives from Area Two are currently investigating.

A man was found shot to death in Lawndale just hours before. Officers received a report of shots fired in the 3900 block of West Flournoy Street, according to Chicago police. When they arrived, they discovered a 32-year-old man unconscious on the ground around 1:10 a.m. He was shot in the back of the head and taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to police. There was no one in custody.

Another man was killed in a shooting near the United Center on the Near West Side on Friday night. According to Chicago police, the man, whose age was unknown, was on the sidewalk in the 2100 block of West Randolph Street when someone wearing dark clothing approached him and opened fire around 11 p.m. He was shot in the chest and taken to Stroger Hospital, where he died, according to police. There was no one in custody.

A 14-year-old girl was critically injured when shots fired on the street struck her inside her home on Chicago’s Far South Side, according to police. The shooting occurred shortly before 1:30 a.m. According to police, the incident occurred Saturday in the 12600 block of South Lowe Avenue in the West Pullman neighborhood. According to police, the girl felt pain immediately after hearing the shots. She had two bullet wounds in her thigh. No one is in custody, and Area Two detectives are looking into it.

A man was also injured in a shooting in Albany Park on Chicago’s Northwest Side on Sunday morning. Officers discovered the man, 24, with gunshot wounds to his lower back in the 2800 block of West Wilson Avenue around 6:15 a.m., according to Chicago police. According to police, he was taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center and was in fair condition. Officials said the injured man and two others were taken into custody. Detectives were looking into the incident’s circumstances.

This report was assisted by the Sun-Times Media Wire.

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