Breaking News - Houston Stringer

Court rules GEICO not responsible for $2 million judgment in Florida crash case

23Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Florida

Court rules GEICO not responsible for $2 million judgment in Florida crash case

ATLANTA, GA – The United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit has affirmed the district court’s entry of summary judgment in favor of GEICO Casualty Insurance Company in a bad faith lawsuit brought by Katherine Martinez. The panel, consisting of Circuit Judges Luck, Lagoa, and Abudu, held that no reasonable jury could find GEICO acted in bad faith under Florida law based on the evidence presented. Martinez was severely injured in a three-vehicle crash in Miami-Dade County on February 12, 2009. The crash occurred when a pickup truck driven by Rene Carranza rear-ended the SUV in which Martinez was a passenger, causing it to spin into the path of a northbound truck driven by Diana Guevara. Guevara was insured by GEICO with a bodily injury policy limit of $10,000 per person ...

Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office denies Nextdoor claims of officer-involved shooting

23Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

South Carolina

Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office denies Nextdoor claims of officer-involved shooting

BEAUFORT COUNTY, SC – The Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office has issued a statement refuting widely circulated false claims made on the Nextdoor platform regarding an alleged officer-involved shooting near Beach City Road. According to the Sheriff’s Office, a post published via the “Safety Alerts” feature on September 23 falsely claimed that a police officer had been shot and that the suspect had fled into nearby woods. Other unverified accounts referenced a possible connection to a local Walmart. Officials confirmed that no shooting occurred and no law enforcement officers have been injured. The Sheriff’s Office emphasized that in the event of any confirmed public safety threat, such as a shooting or injured officer, residents would be promptly notified through official means, ...

Tenth Circuit affirms conviction in felon-in-possession case against Eddie White Jr.

23Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Colorado

Tenth Circuit affirms conviction in felon-in-possession case against Eddie White Jr.

DENVER, CO – The United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit has affirmed the conviction of Eddie White Jr. in a direct criminal appeal challenging his sentence for unlawfully possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon. File Photo (September 2025) White was convicted in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas (Case No. 2:19-CR-20055-HLT-1) of violating 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1). During trial, the Government presented undisputed evidence establishing the elements required for conviction. White admitted to possessing a Glock 9mm pistol but argued that his possession was under duress. The case was heard before Judges Hartz, Ebel, and Rossman, with the opinion entered for the court by Judge Ebel. The court reviewed multiple claims raised on appeal, includi...

Surveillance video released of suspects in double fatal shooting on Bissonnet Street

23Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Texas

Surveillance video released of suspects in double fatal shooting on Bissonnet Street

HOUSTON, TX – Houston Police have released surveillance video of two suspects wanted in connection with the fatal shooting of two men outside a business located in the 8900 block of Bissonnet Street. https://youtu.be/JxhmrYjeUKE?si=jm5tg97uSdD_BS1W The shooting occurred around 5:35 p.m. on September 23, 2023. According to HPD Homicide Division Sergeant C. Ponder, officers arrived at the scene and found two unresponsive males with gunshot wounds. Houston Fire Department paramedics pronounced both victims deceased. The victims have been identified as 48-year-old Desmond Moore and 30-year-old Dester Chavez. Investigators believe Moore was the intended target, while Chavez was an innocent bystander. Surveillance footage released by police shows the suspects, believed to...

Suspect charged with capital murder after fatal shooting on Unity Drive

23Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Texas

Suspect charged with capital murder after fatal shooting on Unity Drive

HOUSTON, TX – Houston Police have arrested 18-year-old Henry Steven Aguilar in connection with the fatal shooting of a man found on the sidewalk in the 3400 block of Unity Drive. The incident occurred around 11:05 p.m. on September 21. Officers initially responded to a robbery and carjacking in the 6300 block of Skyline Drive, where a male victim reported his vehicle was taken by three Hispanic male suspects, one of whom was armed with a rifle. The armed suspect fled the scene in a black sedan, while the other two left in the victim’s vehicle. While investigating, officers were flagged down by a citizen who reported seeing a man lying on the sidewalk nearby. Officers found a 25-year-old male suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced deceased at the scene by Housto...

Lititz woman charged with DUI after crashing into utility pole in Warwick Township

22Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Pennsylvania

Lititz woman charged with DUI after crashing into utility pole in Warwick Township

WARWICK TOWNSHIP, PA – A 34-year-old Lititz woman has been charged with driving under the influence following a single-vehicle crash last month in Warwick Township. According to the Northern Lancaster County Regional Police Department, officers responded to the 300 block of Owl Hill Road on August 26, 2025, at approximately 11:41 p.m., for a report of a vehicle that struck a utility pole. Upon arrival, officers made contact with the driver, identified as Anna Serdiuk. Based on observations at the scene, officers initiated a DUI investigation. As a result, one count of DUI and a summary violation were filed against Serdiuk before Magisterial District Judge Stauffer. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Lebanon County man accused of attempted homicide waives preliminary hearing in Lancaster shooting case

22Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Pennsylvania

Lebanon County man accused of attempted homicide waives preliminary hearing in Lancaster shooting case

LANCASTER, PA – A Lebanon County man charged with attempting to kill another man during a fight in Lancaster has waived his preliminary hearing, allowing the case to proceed to county court. Rodrigo Valdez-Martinez, 24, of Millcreek Township, appeared before Judge Andrew LeFever on September 5 and waived his right to a preliminary hearing on multiple charges, including attempted criminal homicide, attempted aggravated assault, carrying a firearm without a license, receiving stolen property, and six counts of recklessly endangering another person. The charges stem from a July 30 incident during the early morning hours in the 200 block of East Walnut Street. According to investigators, Valdez-Martinez pulled a handgun from his vehicle’s center console and fired multiple rounds into...

Body recovered from Colorado River near Riverfront Trail in Mesa County

22Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Colorado

Body recovered from Colorado River near Riverfront Trail in Mesa County

MESA COUNTY, CO – A deceased adult was found in the Colorado River Monday morning near 21 Road and the Riverfront Trail at Monument View. File Photo (September 2025) Deputies with the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene at approximately 9:40 a.m. following a report of a body in the water. The circumstances surrounding the death remain under investigation. The Mesa County Coroner’s Office will release the identity and cause of death after notifying next of kin. No further details are available at this time.

DEA seizes over 2.3 million illegal vape devices, 100+ weapons in nationwide crackdown

22Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Washington

DEA seizes over 2.3 million illegal vape devices, 100+ weapons in nationwide crackdown

WASHINGTON – The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced the results of Operation Vape Trail, a week-long nationwide enforcement action targeting illegal substances in vape shops across the United States. From September 15–19, 2025, DEA and its federal, state, and local partners seized more than 2.3 million vaping devices and cartridges, 115 firearms, over $3.5 million in currency, and arrested 106 individuals. “This operation underscores our commitment to protecting Americans from dangerous, deadly, and illegal substances that threaten public safety and national security,” said DEA Administrator Terrance Cole. “Illegal vape products pose hidden risks—especially to young people who often have no idea what these chemicals are that they are inhaling.” Key enforcement result...

Woman fatally struck by vehicle while crossing Woodside Road in Redwood City

22Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

California

Woman fatally struck by vehicle while crossing Woodside Road in Redwood City

REDWOOD CITY, CA – A 32-year-old woman was killed early Monday morning after being struck by a vehicle while crossing the intersection of Woodside Road and Veterans Boulevard. The incident occurred on September 22, 2025, at approximately 12:11 a.m. Redwood City Police officers responded Code 3 to reports of a female lying on the ground, believed to have been hit by a vehicle. Officers located the woman approximately 100 feet east of the intersection. She was unconscious and without a pulse. Officers initiated CPR until medical personnel arrived. The woman was transported to Stanford Hospital, where she was later pronounced deceased. The driver involved remained at the scene and cooperated with the investigation. Police determined the driver was not under the influence of drugs or...