A look at recent vehicle-ramming incidents worldwide
The driver, whom police identified as Fernando Ramirez, 29, was pulled from his vehicle and shot by a bystander. He was arrested on a charge of assault with a deadly weapon.
Other vehicle-ramming incidents have claimed lives. Here are some major vehicle-ramming incidents in recent years:
London, May 26 — A 53-year-old British man plows his minivan into a crowd of Liverpool soccer fans who were celebrating the city team's Premier League soccer championship, as shouts of joy turned into shrieks of terror, injuring more than 45 people.
Vancouver, Canada, April 26 — A suspect is charged with multiple counts of murder after an Audi SUV speeds down a closed, food-truck-lined street and hits people attending a festival, killing 11. Officials say 32 people are hurt. Authorities say the suspect, a 30-year-old man, had a history of mental health issues.
New Orleans, Jan. 1 — At least 15 people are killed and dozens are injured after a U.S. citizen from Texas rams a vehicle into a crowd of pedestrians in the bustling French Quarter district at 3:15 a.m. on New Year's Day. The FBI identifies the suspect as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar. He is killed in a gunfight with police.
Magdeburg, Germany, Dec. 20, 2024 — At least five people are killed and more than 200 are injured when a car slams into a Christmas market in eastern Germany. Police arrest a 50-year-old doctor from Saudi Arabia who supports Germany's far-right AfD party.
Zhuhai, China, Nov. 11, 2024 — A 62-year-old driver rams his car into people exercising at a sports complex in southern China, killing 35. Authorities say the suspect was upset about his divorce. He pleads guilty to endangering public safety by dangerous means and is sentenced to death.
Waukesha, Wis., Nov. 21, 2021 — Six people are killed and dozens injured when a man drives his SUV through a Christmas parade in suburban Milwaukee. Darrell Brooks Jr., who drove into the crowd after getting into a fight with his ex-girlfriend, was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of release.
London, Canada, June 6, 2021 — Four members of a Muslim family are killed when an attacker hits them with a pickup truck in the Ontario city. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau calls it 'a terrorist attack, motivated by hatred.' White nationalist Nathaniel Veltman is sentenced to life in prison.
Toronto, April 23, 2018 — Alek Minassian, 25, drives a rental van into mostly female pedestrians on Yonge Street, the main thoroughfare in Toronto, killing 10 people and injuring 16. Minassian tells police he belongs to an online 'incel' community of sexually frustrated men. He is sentenced to life in prison.
New York, Oct. 31, 2017 — Sayfullo Saipov, an Islamic extremist from Uzbekistan, drives a pickup truck onto a popular New York City bike path, killing eight people. He is convicted of terrorism and sentenced to 10 life sentences plus 260 years in prison.
Barcelona, Spain, Aug. 17, 2017 — A man rams a van into people on the crowded Las Ramblas boulevard, killing 14 and injuring others. The militant group Islamic State claims responsibility. Several members of the same extremist cell carry out a similar attack in the nearby resort town of Cambrils, killing one person.
Charlottesville, Va., Aug. 12, 2017 — During a 'Unite the Right' rally, white supremacist James Alex Fields Jr. drives his car into a crowd of counterprotesters, killing one woman and injuring dozens of people. Fields is serving a life sentence for murder and hate crimes.
London, June 19, 2017 — Darren Osborne, a man radicalized by far-right ideas, drives a van into worshipers outside a mosque in Finsbury Park, killing one man and injuring 15 people. He is sentenced to life in prison.
London, June 3, 2017 — Three attackers drive a van into pedestrians on London Bridge before stabbing people in nearby Borough Market. Eight people are killed, and the attackers are shot dead by police.
London, March 22, 2017 — Khalid Masood rams an SUV into people on Westminster Bridge, killing four, then fatally stabs a police officer guarding the Houses of Parliament. Masood is shot dead.
Melbourne, Jan. 20, 2017 — Six people are killed and more than 30 injured when a car hits lunchtime crowds at a pedestrian mall in the Australian metropolis. James Gargasoulas is found to have been in a state of drug-induced psychosis and is sentenced to life in prison.
Berlin, Dec. 19, 2016 — Anis Amri, a rejected asylum seeker from Tunisia, plows a hijacked truck into a Christmas market in the German capital, killing 13 people and injuring dozens. The attacker is killed days later in a shootout in Italy.
Nice, France, July 14, 2016 — Tunisian-born French resident Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel drives a rented truck along a packed seaside promenade in the French Riviera resort on the Bastille Day holiday, killing 86 people in the deadliest attack of its kind. He is killed by police. Eight other people are sentenced to prison for helping orchestrate the attack.
Stillwater, Okla., Oct. 24, 2015 — A woman plows a car into a crowd at an Oklahoma State University homecoming parade, killing four people, including a toddler, and injuring many others. Adacia Chambers, who pleaded no contest to more than 40 felony charges, is serving four concurrent life sentences for the deaths.
Apeldoorn, Netherlands, April 28, 2009 — Former security guard Karst Tates drives a car into parade spectators in an attempt to hit an open-topped bus carrying members of the Dutch royal family. Six people are killed, and Tates dies of injuries the next day, leaving his full motive a mystery.
Chapel Hill, N.C., March 3, 2006 — University of North Carolina graduate Mohammed Taheri-Azar drives an SUV into a crowd at the university, injuring nine people, in a self-professed bid to avenge Muslim deaths overseas. He is sentenced to up to 33 years in prison.
Santa Monica, July 16, 2003 — An 86-year-old man crashes into a farmers market, killing 10 people and injuring dozens of others. He was sentenced to probation after being convicted of 10 counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence.
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Yahoo
an hour ago
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'Missed opportunities' in case of man who took his own life at HMP Liverpool
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READ MORE: Liverpool street where residents put up a chain to keep people out READ MORE: Large emergency response after object spotted next to railway tracks "He was sadly found in his cell on the morning of January 19 2024." A jury handed down a unanimous conclusion of suicide. Following his death, an independent investigation was carried out by the Prisons and Probations Ombudsman. A report published on Friday, July 25, said Mr Fielding "had several risk factors including an extensive history of deliberate self harm and suicidal thoughts, mental illness diagnosis, personality disorder diagnosis, recent contact with psychiatric services, impulsiveness, relationship difficulties, and drug use." It found there had been "missed opportunities" in dealing with the ACCT plans - both of which were put in place after Mr Fielding's mother left voicemails reporting her son had self-harmed. A PPO spokesman said: "We have some concerns about the management of these ACCTs. Given Mr Fielding was regularly seen by a substance misuse worker, it would have been good practice to invite him to ACCT reviews. "Despite Mr Fielding disclosing he was in debt during his first ACCT assessment, staff never subsequently discussed this with him or offered him support. "The first ACCT opened had no care plan to identify ways to support Mr Fielding and lessen his risk to himself. When staff closed the first ACCT, no healthcare staff were present, nor did they provide any input. Given Mr Fielding's mental health diagnosis and prescription... this was a missed opportunity to holistically assess his risk. "The Head of Healthcare told us she would expect staff to provide a written contribution if they could not attend a review. However, both prison and healthcare staff told us that this did not occur in practice. "Staff closed his second ACCT after one day. Neither of the members of staff present had any previous knowledge of Mr Fielding or his significant risk history. Given this lack of knowledge, we consider this was premature, particularly as Mr Fielding said that the festive period was a trigger for him, and it was New Year's Eve." They said prison staff had "placed too much emphasis on what Mr Fielding said, rather than objectively considering his known risk factors". Additionally, no attempts had been made to contact Mr Fielding's mum, Margaret Farley. However, the ombudsman added: "We have not found anything to suggest that staff should have considered he was at increased or imminent risk of suicide when he died, or foreseen his actions." Ms Farley told the inquest that she had called HMP Liverpool several times to express her concerns, and had left several voicemail messages on the safer custody answerphone. The PPO said: "Staff responded to two of these calls, on one occasion almost 24 hours after receiving the call. The prison could not identify calls that Mr Fielding's mother said she made on 17 October, 7 December, or 9 January. "When asked how members of the public would raise urgent concerns about a prisoner (as it could be considered these were), staff said that they should leave a message on the answerphone. We do not consider that this is appropriate where there are concerns about an imminent risk to a prisoner. The public should be able to raise these directly with a member of staff to act on immediately." A separate "action plan" report said a full debt reduction strategy has since been developed by HMP Liverpool, aimed at understanding, preventing and responding to prisoner debt within the prison. The inquest had heard Mr Fielding had disclosed being in debt for vapes. The plan also recommended: "The Governor should ensure that welfare checks are clearly defined in Liverpool's Safer Strategy, that staff complete welfare checks in line with this strategy and that there is a robust quality assurance process in place to ensure these checks are done correctly." This followed findings that a prison officer did not complete an adequate welfare check on Mr Fielding on the morning of his death, as when she looked into his cell at 7.55am, "he had already hanged himself at this time, which she failed to notice". The PPO said: "HMP Liverpool will review and update the current safety strategy to ensure that welfare checks are clearly defined. Staff will be reminded of the process for completing welfare checks when the revised strategy is published. Welfare checks are recorded daily and signed for in each wing's roll book."
Miami Herald
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Feds raid California home of ‘TikTok Cult' pastor in sex trafficking, fraud investigation
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On Friday, agents with the U.S. Postal Service, Internal Revenue Service and U.S. Department of Labor served a warrant at the home around 6 a.m., according to the El Monte Police Department, which provided assistance along with the FBI. The search was related to allegations of sex trafficking, money laundering, tax evasion and COVID-19 pandemic-era-related fraud. SWAT officers were at the scene to assist, according to the El Monte Police Department. Postal Inspector Patricia Mendoza said in a prepared statement that officials will provide more details as the investigation progresses. 'U.S. Postal Inspection Service is working closely with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners on this ongoing investigation. This remains an active case, and we are continuing to gather and review information,' Mendoza said. Law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation say the federal warrant is connected with the alleged cult featured in the Netflix docuseries, but details from the investigation remain under seal in federal court. News footage from KTLA showed several handcuffed people outside the residence, but sources familiar with the investigation say there have not yet been any arrests. On Friday afternoon, the Tujunga home bustled with onlookers, curious neighbors and news vehicles. The gated entrance to the home was visibly twisted and warped, having been rammed by federal agents early that morning, according to neighbors. 'I was getting ready for work when I heard the flash-bangs go off,' said one neighbor, Jake Hartmann. 'Then a loud speaker ... 'You need to come out, hands up.' All the neighbors came out to find FBI, Sheriff's Department and police taking up the whole area.' An open gate is apparently unusual for the home. 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Times staff writers Brittny Mejia and Kimberly Aguirre contributed to this report. Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
Fox News
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Johnson says Ghislaine Maxwell deserves life sentence over Epstein crimes, rejects potential pardon
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said Sunday that Jeffrey Epstein's former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell deserves a life sentence, rejecting the idea of a potential pardon for the convicted sex trafficker. In an appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press," Johnson was asked if he supported a pardon for Maxwell, but the speaker emphasized that the decision ultimately belongs to President Donald Trump. "I think 20 years was a pittance," Johnson said of Maxwell's time behind bars. "I think she should have a life sentence, at least. I mean, think of all these unspeakable crimes." "I mean it's hard to put into words how evil this was and that she orchestrated it and was a big part of it, at least under the criminal sanction, I think is an unforgivable thing," Johnson added, acknowledging that federal prosecutors identified more than 1,000 victims, many of whom were underage. "So again, not my decision, but I have great pause about that as any reasonable person would." While leaving the White House on Friday en route for Scotland, Trump was asked if he considered a pardon or clemency for Maxwell. The president left the door open, responding: "I'm allowed to do it, but it's something I have not thought about." Johnson said he supports the position of the president, the FBI and the Justice Department that "all credible evidence and information" be released, but emphasized the need for safeguards to protect victims' identities. As for Maxwell, she was questioned by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche at federal prison in Tallahassee, Florida, for two consecutive days last week. Her lawyer told reporters she answered questions on about 100 potential Epstein associates as she angles for clemency. "That's a decision of the president," Johnson said of a potential Maxwell pardon. "He said he had not adequately considered that. I won't get in front of him. That's not my lane. My lane is to help direct and control the House of Representatives and to use every tool within our arsenal to get to the truth. I'm going to say this as clearly and plainly and repeatedly as I can over and over. We are for maximum disclosure. We want all transparency. I trust the American people. I and the House Republicans believe that they should have all this information to be able to determine what they will. But we have to protect the innocent. And that's the only safeguard here that we've got to be diligent about, and I'm insistent upon doing so." Johnson criticized a petition for the release of all the Epstein files brought by Reps. Thomas Massie, and Ro Khanna, D-Penn., as "reckless" and poorly drafted, arguing that it ignored federal rules protecting grand jury materials and "would require the DOJ and FBI to release information that they know is false, that is based on lies and rumors and was not even credible enough to be entered into the court proceedings." The speaker said the petition also lacked safeguards for minor victims who were subjected to "unspeakable crimes, abject evil" and who risk being "unmasked." Johnson said Massie and Khanna "cite that they don't want child abuse, sex abuse information uncovered, but they cite the wrong provision of the federal code, and so it makes it unworkable." The speaker argued Republicans on the House Rules Committee are committed to a better drafted approach that will protect the innocent. Asked about a potential pardon for Maxwell, Massie told NBC's Kristen Welker earlier in the program that it "would be up to the president, but if she has information that could help us, I think that she should testify." "Let's get that out there, and whatever they need to do to compel that testimony, as long as it's truthful, I would be in favor of," Massie said. Khanna said he did not believe Maxwell's sentence should be commuted and that he was concerned that Blanche was meeting with her. He said he agreed with Massie that Maxwell should testify but noted she has been indicted twice for perjury. "This is why we need the files. This is why we need independent evidence," Khanna said.
