Mass shooting - BLK NEWS NOW!

DOJ attorneys say Supreme Court should not review Dylann Roof case

2Sep

By BNNNo Comments

News Briefs

DOJ attorneys say Supreme Court should not review Dylann Roof case

Attorneys for the U.S. Department of Justice have reportedly responded in a filing on Wednesday to a request from attorneys representing Dylann Roof, asking for the Supreme Court to review his case. Roof, who was convicted of killing nine Black people in a racially-motivated attack at a church in South Carolina in 2015, was sentenced to death. Earlier this year, Roof's attorney's asked the Supreme Court decide how to handle disputes regarding mental illness-related evidence between capital defendants and their attorneys, reported the Associated Press. DOJ attorneys said in 39-page brief filed Wednesday that Roof "fails to identify any meaningful disagreement in the lower courts" regarding how his legal representation played out at trial, reported the Associated Press. Roof ...

FBI, DHS warn about potential racially-motivated mass shootings carried out by copycats

1Sep

By BNNNo Comments

News Briefs

FBI, DHS warn about potential racially-motivated mass shootings carried out by copycats

Federal authorities have reportedly warned in an internal memo issued last month that the threat of another racially-motivated mass shooting is wiring. The FBI and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said that threats posted in online forums are calling for people to replicate the deadly mass shooting at an Uvalde elementary school which left 19 children and two adults dead, reported CBS News. Authorities say the dissemination of the manifesto written by the gunman who killed 10 Black people at a grocery store frequented by Blacks in Buffalo, New York has increased the likelihood of a threat. The FBI, DHS, and the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), said in the memo that the Buffalo Massacre suspect's manifesto was "intended to serve as a manual for future attacker...

Providing mental health support for children of color more important than ever

20Aug

By Falisha McGeeNo Comments

HER FELICITIES

Providing mental health support for children of color more important than ever

Society is rapidly changing, and children of color in school today face pressures I never had to worry about when I was growing up. The mental health of children is more important now than ever. With Covid 19, the nation’s political/racial unrest, school shootings (which have become a sad norm), on top of the stresses that come with life and wanting to return to school, and the wanting to fitting in, the probability of students suffering from mental health crises is at an all time high. With the start of this school year, considering the anticipation and anxiety that this big day brings kids who return to school, I couldn’t help but to think about the kids returning to Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, and their mental health. It feels like yesterday when 19 students and two te...

5 suspects arrested in connection with massacre at Nigerian Catholic church

9Aug

By BNNNo Comments

News Briefs — Africa

5 suspects arrested in connection with massacre at Nigerian Catholic church

Nigerian officials announced today that authorities have arrested five suspects who killed dozens of people during mass at a Catholic church in Ondo state in June. Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) is suspected of carrying out the attack on a congregation inside the St. Francis Catholic Church on June 5 which left at least 40 people dead. ISWAP, an Islamic militant insurgency group, is mostly associated with attacks in the northeast. There are concerns the group is expanding its influence in Nigeria as such attacks are uncommon in Ondo state. RELATED: At least 50 killed in Nigerian church massacre The governor for Ondo state reportedly said one person believed to have provided "accommodation" to the suspects before the massacre was also arrested. RELATED: State ...

Buffalo Massacre suspect pleads not guilty to federal charges

18Jul

By BNNNo Comments

News Briefs

Buffalo Massacre suspect pleads not guilty to federal charges

The 19-year-old man accused of killing 10 Black people and injuring three others in May at a grocery story in Buffalo, New York has plead not guilty to federal hate crime charges. Peyton Gendron plead not guilty during an arraignment today. Gendron was indicted last week on 27 charges, including 10 counts of hate crimes resulting in death; three counts of hate crimes involving an attempt to kill others; and one hate crimes count alleging that Gendron attempted to kill additional Black people inside or near Tops grocery store. There are also 13 counts of using, carrying, or discharging a firearm in relation to the hate crimes. Following a grand jury indictment on Thursday, in a statement U.S. Attorney General Merrill Garland said, “The Justice Department fully recognizes the threat tha...

6Jun

By BNNNo Comments

News Briefs

Arizona senate candidate blames uptick in gun violence on “Black people”

An Arizona senate candidate (who also has a real chance at winning) had the audacity to blame the increase in gun violence in America on “Black people” in a recently surfaced interview. The candidate was asked about violent shootings across the country during an interview on a podcast in April, which prompted his response. This isn’t the candidate’s first time publicly sharing controversial views that ensnare “Black people.” In fact, anyone not White is to be blamed for America’s ills, and the Democratic Party that enables minorities to be destructive to society, in his view. The candidate in question is a venture capitalist whose campaign is healthily funded by a right-wing, nut-job billionaire who not only supports Trump, but also reportedly seeks to formalize the MAGA Oompa Loomp...

5Jun

By BNNNo Comments

News Briefs — Africa

At least 50 killed in Nigerian church massacre

At least 50 people have been killed and countless more injured after gunmen opened fire on a Catholic church during service for Pentecost Sunday in Nigeria. The shooting happened on Sunday around 11:30 a.m. in the town of Owo in the Ondo state and left men, women and children dead or injured. Witnesses reportedly said the gunmen opened fire inside the church while the other assailants waited outside. The church had three entrances but the main entrance was locked. The gunmen fled before authorities arrived. Tensions between religious groups, particularly involving Islamics and Christians, have been on the rise, but such violence is not common in southwest Nigeria. Last month a woman was beaten and set on fire by classmates for “blasphemy” at a school in northern Nigeria. ...

4Jun

By BNNNo Comments

News Briefs

911 dispatcher fired after being accused of hanging up call for help during Buffalo Massacre

A 911 dispatcher accused of hanging up a call for help during the Buffalo Massacre last month has been fired. Officials announced on Thursday the dispatcher was terminated. The call was made to 911 by a store employee who was hiding inside the grocery store while the gunman was shooting. The person who called apparently spoke softly to avoid being noticed by the shooter. The dispatcher then admonished the caller for speaking quietly before allegedly disconnecting the call. An investigation was launched after the incident came to light, leading officials to eventually terminate the employee. Opinion: 911 isn’t a customer service center — good judgment is a critical skill that should always be exercised. While due process is necessary, it’s hard to believe this dispatcher couldn’...

17May

By BNNNo Comments

News Briefs

President Biden calls Buffalo Massacre domestic terrorism

Following the most devastating hate crime in Buffalo, New York’s history, President Biden visited the families of the victims killed in Saturday’s mass shooting. Biden spoke at a press conference in Buffalo today where he denounced racial hatred, and reminded Americans that White extremists are a threat to the security of the nation. He also called on political leaders and the media to cease the harmful rhetoric that is influencing violence against minorities. An excerpt from Biden’s speech on Tuesday: “Hate will not prevail. White supremacy will not have the last word. Evil did come to Buffalo. It’s come to all too many places, manifested in a gunman who massacred innocent people in the name of hateful and perverse ideology rooted in fear and racism. It’s taken so much. Ten lives...

14May

By BNNNo Comments

News Briefs

10 dead, 3 wounded in racially-motivated mass shooting in New York, authorities say

At least 10 people are dead and 3 hurt after a racially-motivated shooting today in Buffalo, New York, authorities said. The shooting was reported around 2:30 p.m. at a grocery store in a predominantly Black neighborhood. Authorities said an 18-year-old man drove from hours away to the grocery store and started opening fire in the parking lot before entering the grocery store and shooting more victims. Authorities said the suspect was wearing tactical gear and a camera used to also live-stream the shooting on a social media platform. He was taken into custody. Eleven of the shooting victims were Black, and two were White, according to Buffalo PD. Authorities have called the shooting a racially-motivated hate crime. The suspect is expected to be arraigned in court tonight....