Sunday, November 23

Breaking News

Latest breaking news and developing stories from Houston Stringer, covering major incidents and local stories across the U.S. and worldwide.

Major auto-pedestrian crash shuts down lanes on West Hardy Road
Harris County

Major auto-pedestrian crash shuts down lanes on West Hardy Road

HARRIS COUNTY, TX – Deputies with Constable Mark Herman’s Office are investigating a major auto-pedestrian crash in the 23300 block of West Hardy Road. https://youtu.be/BgDCwwiIRic According to Constable Mark Herman, all lanes in the area are currently shut down. Fire and EMS crews are on scene and transported the victim to a local hospital. Motorists are advised to avoid the area while the investigation continues. More information will follow if it becomes available.
Man shot and killed after argument at ex-girlfriend’s home on Lucky Street
Houston

Man shot and killed after argument at ex-girlfriend’s home on Lucky Street

HOUSTON, TX – A man was shot and killed early Saturday morning during a confrontation at his ex-girlfriend’s home in the 800 block of Lucky Street. https://youtu.be/tiNMh5XbASU Houston Police responded around 3 a.m. and found an adult Hispanic male on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds. Officers performed CPR and applied chest seals, but the man was pronounced deceased at the scene by Houston Fire Department personnel. Investigators say the man had gone to his ex-girlfriend’s residence, where a male friend of hers was also present. A verbal altercation occurred between the two men, which escalated when the male friend produced a firearm and shot the ex-boyfriend multiple times. The motive and circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation.
Motorcyclist killed in crash with turning vehicle on Veterans Memorial
Harris County

Motorcyclist killed in crash with turning vehicle on Veterans Memorial

HARRIS COUNTY, TX – A motorcyclist was killed Friday night in a collision with a car in the 12000 block of Veterans Memorial. https://youtu.be/ujTEm5UPP5g The crash occurred as a northbound vehicle came to a complete stop to make a left turn into a private driveway. At the same time, a southbound motorcycle struck the car, ejecting the rider from the bike. ESD-11 personnel responded and performed CPR, but the male motorcyclist was pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the car was not injured and had no passengers. The driver of the vehicle did not show any signs of intoxication.
Wrong-way driver enters fatal crash scene and smoke pours from car as deputies begin to search it
Harris County

Wrong-way driver enters fatal crash scene and smoke pours from car as deputies begin to search it

HARRIS COUNTY, TX – A driver was detained Friday night after entering the scene of a fatal motorcycle crash on FM 1960 East near Moonshine Hill by driving the wrong way past a roadblock. https://youtu.be/FIsyjqaG4_U The vehicle bypassed barricades and continued into the active investigation area. As deputies opened the car door, smoke poured from the vehicle, prompting them to detain the driver at the scene. No additional details have been released about the driver or possible charges at this time.
Motorcyclist killed in single-vehicle crash on FM 1960 East
Harris County

Motorcyclist killed in single-vehicle crash on FM 1960 East

HARRIS COUNTY, TX – A motorcyclist was killed in a crash Friday night in a construction zone along FM 1960 East near Moonshine Hill. https://youtu.be/2Yi3Q_wg8Uc Deputies with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office District 2 responded to the scene around 9:00 p.m. and found a male lying in the roadway. Medical personnel pronounced the man deceased from his injuries. Investigators believe speed and lighting may have contributed to the crash. No other vehicles are believed to have been involved. An autopsy will determine whether intoxication played a role. The man's identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
Houston Airports advises early arrival ahead of reduced TSA operations
Texas

Houston Airports advises early arrival ahead of reduced TSA operations

HOUSTON, TX – Houston Airports is urging passengers to arrive early and allow extra time for security screening at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). File Photo (December 2021) According to airport officials, TSA wait times may exceed 30 minutes. Beginning at 4 a.m. Saturday, only the TSA checkpoints at Terminals A and E will operate at Bush Airport. At Hobby Airport, passengers may experience fewer screening lanes, potentially leading to extended wait times starting the same day. United Airlines is directing passengers to check luggage at Terminal C before proceeding to Terminal E by walking or using the Subway for security screening. For inquiries regarding TSA staffing or screening procedures, passengers are advised to contact the ...
Ukrainian man extradited to U.S. for role in Conti ransomware attacks that extorted $150 million worldwide
U.S.

Ukrainian man extradited to U.S. for role in Conti ransomware attacks that extorted $150 million worldwide

NASHVILLE, TN – A Ukrainian national has made his initial court appearance in the Middle District of Tennessee following his extradition from Ireland on federal charges related to the global Conti ransomware operation, which targeted over 1,000 victims and caused at least $150 million in ransom payments. According to the Department of Justice, 43-year-old Oleksii Oleksiyovych Lytvynenko, of Cork, Ireland, conspired to deploy Conti ransomware between 2020 and June 2022 to hack into networks, encrypt data, and demand cryptocurrency ransoms. Prosecutors allege that Lytvynenko and his co-conspirators extorted more than $500,000 from two victims in Tennessee and published stolen data from a third. The FBI reports that Conti was responsible for more attacks on critical infrastructure i...
Arizona man indicted for terrorism conspiracy and child exploitation crimes tied to 764 extremist network
U.S.

Arizona man indicted for terrorism conspiracy and child exploitation crimes tied to 764 extremist network

TUCSON, AZ – A federal grand jury in the District of Arizona has returned a 29-count superseding indictment against 21-year-old Baron Cain Martin, also known online as “Convict,” for allegedly leading an international criminal network linked to terrorism, child exploitation, and extreme online violence. According to the Department of Justice, Martin, of Tucson, is charged with participating in a child exploitation enterprise, conspiring to provide material support to terrorists, conspiring to kill, kidnap, or maim persons in a foreign country, producing and distributing child pornography, coercing minors into sexual activity, cyberstalking, animal crushing, and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Martin has been in federal custody since December 11, 2024. Federal prosecutors allege ...
Father and son convicted in Alabama sex trafficking operation involving minors and multiple victims
U.S.

Father and son convicted in Alabama sex trafficking operation involving minors and multiple victims

MONTGOMERY, AL – A federal jury in the Middle District of Alabama has convicted 32-year-old Kimani “Statik” Jones and his father, 50-year-old Tremayne “Bayrock” Lambert, both of Montgomery, for operating a violent sex trafficking enterprise that exploited multiple victims, including minors, across several states. According to the Department of Justice, the jury found that Jones trafficked seven victims, including two minors, between August 2016 and November 2020, while Lambert trafficked three victims between 2017 and 2020. Evidence presented at trial showed the defendants used physical and sexual violence, addictive drugs, and threats against victims’ children to coerce and control them for profit. Prosecutors said Jones organized and led the commercial sex operation, renting ho...
Dual Canadian American citizen extradited in deadly human smuggling case that left four dead in St. Lawrence River
U.S.

Dual Canadian American citizen extradited in deadly human smuggling case that left four dead in St. Lawrence River

PLATTSBURGH, NY – A dual Canadian American citizen has appeared in federal court in Plattsburgh after being extradited from Canada to face charges related to a human smuggling conspiracy that resulted in the deaths of a family of four, including two small children, in the St. Lawrence River. According to the Department of Justice, 52-year-old Stephanie Square, of the Akwesasne Mohawk Indian Reservation in Canada, was indicted in June 2024 on multiple counts, including conspiracy to engage in alien smuggling, four counts of alien smuggling for profit, and four counts of alien smuggling resulting in death. Square was arrested in Canada in August 2024 following a U.S. request for extradition. Investigators allege she was the U.S.-based leader of an alien smuggling organization that ...