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Feds charge Decarlos Dejuan Brown Jr. in stabbing death of Iryna Zarutska on Charlotte light rail, could face death penalty

9Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

North Carolina

Feds charge Decarlos Dejuan Brown Jr. in stabbing death of Iryna Zarutska on Charlotte light rail, could face death penalty

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A federal criminal complaint was filed in U.S. District Court in Charlotte charging Decarlos Dejuan Brown Jr., 34, in connection with the fatal stabbing of Iryna Zarutska on the city’s Lynx Blue Line light rail system. Brown is charged with one count of committing an act causing death on a mass transportation system. According to the affidavit, on August 22, 2025, at about 9:55 p.m., Charlotte Mecklenburg Police officers responded to the light rail after reports of an assault. They found Zarutska inside a rail car with fatal stab wounds. Surveillance footage showed Zarutska entering the car and sitting in front of Brown. Minutes later, Brown allegedly unfolded a pocketknife and stabbed her three times from behind. He was arrested on the light rail platform short...

DeRidder police are searching for missing 16-year-old

9Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Louisiana

DeRidder police are searching for missing 16-year-old

DERIDDER, LA – The DeRidder Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating 16-year-old Tyler Willis, who has been reported missing. Police said Willis left his residence on August 13, 2025, shortly after 1:30 p.m. He was reported as a missing/runaway juvenile to DeRidder Police on September 9. Willis is described as 6’2” tall, weighing 165 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair with a blonde patch in the front left. He wears his hair in short dreads or twists. His clothing description is unknown. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact the DeRidder Police Department at 337-462-8911.

Delaware State Police investigating fatal hit-and-run pedestrian crash in New Castle

9Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Delaware

Delaware State Police investigating fatal hit-and-run pedestrian crash in New Castle

NEW CASTLE, DE – Delaware State Police are investigating a fatal hit-and-run pedestrian crash that occurred on South Dupont Highway. The crash happened around 8 p.m. on September 8, 2025. A pedestrian was walking northbound in the southbound lanes of South Dupont Highway, just south of Pulaski Highway, when an unknown vehicle struck the individual. The impact threw the pedestrian into a wooded area off the roadway, where Emergency Medical Services later located the victim while responding to another call. The pedestrian, whose identity has not yet been confirmed, was pronounced deceased at the scene. The roadway was closed for about four hours while members of the Delaware State Police Troop 2 Collision Reconstruction Unit investigated and cleared the area. The investigatio...

Shell launches fifth year of ‘The Giving Pump’ to support children and families nationwide

9Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Texas

Shell launches fifth year of ‘The Giving Pump’ to support children and families nationwide

HOUSTON, TX – Shell Oil Products US announced the return of The Giving Pump, a charitable initiative now in its fifth year, encouraging customers to support local organizations by fueling up at designated purple pumps at Shell stations across the country. From now through October 31, consumers at nearly 6,500 participating Shell stations can contribute to charities assisting children and families, at no additional cost. Station owners and Shell branded wholesalers will donate a portion of proceeds from the purple pumps to causes such as children’s hospitals, schools, youth leadership programs, food pantries, and sports initiatives. The program began in 2021 with 2,900 locations and has since more than doubled in reach. This year, more than 400 charities will benefit, including St...

Houston man arrested in fatal shooting of uncle on West Bellfort

9Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Texas

Houston man arrested in fatal shooting of uncle on West Bellfort

HOUSTON, TX – Houston Police have arrested a suspect charged in the fatal shooting of a man that occurred at 8300 West Bellfort around 6:50 p.m. on August 26. The suspect, Jacque Jamar Malveaux, 41, is charged with murder and unlawful possession of a firearm in the 180th Criminal District Court. He was arrested without incident on September 8 with assistance from HPD’s Southeast Patrol Tactical Unit and South Gessner Tactical Unit. The victim, identified as 52-year-old Shawn Malveaux, was the suspect’s uncle. Officers responded to a shooting call at the scene and found the victim lying on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported by Houston Fire Department paramedics to a hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. The suspect, initially described only as a H...

Man arrested after threatening to kill deputy during traffic stop in northeast Harris County

9Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Texas

Man arrested after threatening to kill deputy during traffic stop in northeast Harris County

HARRIS COUNTY, TX – A man was arrested after making a terroristic threat against a deputy during a traffic stop in the 5300 block of FM 1960 Road East. According to Constable Mark Herman, the incident occurred around 1:49 a.m. on September 7, 2025. During the stop, a male identified as Trey Gibson approached the scene, interfered with the investigation, and refused to leave after being given several lawful commands. When the deputy made contact, Gibson allegedly threatened to kill him. Gibson was arrested and booked into the Harris County Jail for terroristic threat against a public servant. His bond was set at $15,000 out of the 495th District Court.

Ukrainian national charged in ransomware attacks on hundreds of victims worldwide

9Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

New York

Ukrainian national charged in ransomware attacks on hundreds of victims worldwide

BROOKLYN, NY – A federal grand jury in the Eastern District of New York has returned a superseding indictment charging Volodymyr Viktorovich Tymoshchuk, also known as “deadforz,” “Boba,” “msfv,” and “farnetwork,” for his role as an administrator in the LockerGoga, MegaCortex, and Nefilim ransomware schemes. According to court documents, Tymoshchuk, a Ukrainian national, participated in ransomware operations that targeted more than 250 companies in the United States and hundreds of others worldwide between 2018 and 2021. The attacks caused millions of dollars in losses through encrypted data, operational disruptions, and ransom payments. Investigators said Tymoshchuk and his co-conspirators customized ransomware variants for each victim, demanding ransom payments in exchange for d...

Tennessee man pleads guilty to attempting to use weapon of mass destruction and plotting drone attack on energy facility

9Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Tennessee

Tennessee man pleads guilty to attempting to use weapon of mass destruction and plotting drone attack on energy facility

NASHVILLE, TN – Skyler Philippi, 24, of Columbia, Tennessee, pleaded guilty to attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction and attempting to destroy an energy facility. According to court documents, Philippi planned to attack Nashville’s energy infrastructure using a drone equipped with explosives. He conducted reconnaissance of an electrical substation, researched explosives, and communicated his intent to use C-4 or TATP on a drone to disable the facility. Philippi was arrested on Nov. 2, 2024, after meeting undercover FBI employees at a hotel and preparing to attach an armed explosive to a drone. Prosecutors stated Philippi had been motivated by violent extremist ideology, previously affiliating himself with Atomwaffen Division and the National Alliance. He also wrote a manif...

Shreveport police searching for woman wanted for identity theft, vehicle theft, and fraud

9Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Louisiana

Shreveport police searching for woman wanted for identity theft, vehicle theft, and fraud

SHREVEPORT, LA – The Shreveport Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating Hollie Jean Scroggins, 44, who is wanted on multiple charges. Investigators said Scroggins allegedly used a stolen identity to rent a vehicle, leading to her identification as a suspect. She is wanted on charges of identity theft, theft of a motor vehicle, and access device fraud. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is urged to contact the Shreveport Police Department at 318-673-7300 or Caddo Crime Stoppers at 318-673-7373. Tips to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous.

DeKalb County Master Firefighter Preston Fant dies while rescuing fellow firefighter in warehouse fire

9Sep

By Houston StringerNo Comments

Georgia

DeKalb County Master Firefighter Preston Fant dies while rescuing fellow firefighter in warehouse fire

DEKALB COUNTY, GA – Master Firefighter Preston Fant, a 21-year veteran of DeKalb County Fire Rescue, died in the line of duty after responding to a warehouse fire Monday afternoon. According to Fire Chief Darnell Fullem, Fant was attempting to rescue a fellow firefighter when he became overcome by fire conditions and was trapped during the response on South Stone Mountain Lithonia Road. He was later rescued himself and transported to Grady Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. More than 12 firetrucks and 30 firefighters responded to the blaze, which broke out on a movie production company’s property. Fullem said Fant is the first DeKalb County firefighter to die in the line of duty while battling a fire. Fant spent his 21-year career with Company 24, stationed a...