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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
5-Year-Old Girl Escapes Shooting Covering in Blood Splatter After Man Allegedly Kills 3 Women in Florida Home: Police
The shooting occurred at a residence in Nassau County, Fla. on the evening of Thursday, July 24 A 5-year-old girl managed to escape without being hurt after three females were shot and killed by a gunman in a home in Florida, authorities have said. On Thursday, July 24 at around 8 p.m. local time, the Nassau County Sheriff's Office responded to reports of a possible shooting on West 12th Avenue in Hilliard, Nassau County, Sheriff Bill Leeper said at a news conference, per a clip shared by First Coast News. Leeper told reporters the incident was "tragic," adding, "It's heartbreaking and totally, totally was unnecessary." He explained that "deputies [had] responded to the residence and attempted to make contact with anyone inside." 'We got no response. They tried to look through open windows to see if there were any signs of people inside. As they checked the front door, they found it to be unlocked, so they opened the door and announced who they were and called out for anyone, but got no response," Leeper said. Officers who entered the residence then saw a female "on the floor, between the living room and dining room, lying in blood," before noticing a male subject in the living room, with a black assault-style rifle beside him. Another female was discovered deceased in the hallway bathroom and a further deceased female was found in a bedroom across the hall from the bathroom. The male had a "slight pulse," and was airlifted to hospital, the sheriff told reporters. The male suspect — who has been identified as Christopher Bobby Rowell, 34 — is now clinically dead, the officer said. Leeper confirmed the gun found next to him was a black 'SKS-style 7.62 caliber assault rifle.' 'It appears the shooter first shot the female in the living room, dining room area, then shot the female in the bathroom, and then shot the female in the bedroom,' the sheriff told reporters. 'He eventually returned to the living room where he shot himself in the head.' Discussing the 5-year-old's escape, the sheriff said, "A neighbor across the street reported that a 5-year-old female, who was inside the residence at the time of the shooting, came to their house, banging on the door and stated the suspect had killed others inside the home," adding that they then called 911. "The child said she was in the back of the house, heard a gun shot, she came down the hallway, seen [the] female on the floor,' Leeper said at the conference. 'Another female grabbed her, put her in the bathroom." And when the woman who pulled the little girl into the bathroom was shot, Leeper said the 5-year-old "got blood splatter on her." The sheriff told reporters the little girl "was in shock, naturally,' following the incident. 'She's a very strong little girl. Very brave. Beautiful girl. She's with other relatives at this time. So she's safe, but she was traumatized," he said during the conference. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. All those involved in the shooting were related, the sheriff said, but he declined to mention how at the moment. He told reporters that this was "some type of domestic incident," and said further details would eventually be released amid the ongoing investigation. The Nassau County Sheriff's Office didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information. Read the original article on People
Metro
14-07-2025
- Climate
- Metro
Multiple holidaymakers struck by lightning on Florida beach
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video A beachgoer was taken to hospital in a critical condition after 'multiple people' were struck by lightning. Firefighters said that three patients were treated and evacuated from the area after the strike at St Augustine Pier in northeastern Florida. Swimmers and surfers ran over the sand to their cars in a panic after the bright flash when a sudden storm rolled in on July 12, reports said. One witness, who gave his name only as Jamar, told WJXT he was on the beach with family for a retirement celebration. 'All of a sudden in the corner of my eye, I see a big flash, two seconds later I hear this boom and now my ears are ringing,' he said. 'I'm confused on what just happened. I'm over here scared, shocked, I don't even know.' Another witness, Tristin Whetstinem said: 'It really brings me to Earth too, perspective. 'We are just out here feeling nature when nature strikes. We're trying to take advantage of the life we live and then its BOOM.' St Johns County Fire and Rescue said in a Facebook post that they took two patients to hospital, one badly hurt and one with minor injuries. Another patient who had been hit refused to go to hospital and made their own way home. They warned people to 'avoid the pier while emergency operations are underway — and remember, when thunder roars, go indoors'. Video of the beach during the strike appears to show a flash or glitch before people on the sand close to the pier fall down, as others run and birds can be seen flying away. The pier was shut down for the rest of the day, with a black sack wrapped around an area damaged with splintered wood, but it was expected to reopen by Monday. Anyone struck by lightning should ideally be checked over in hospital, even if they feel okay, as the strike can throw off heart rhythm as well as cause burns. First Coast News reported that the person seriously injured was still alive by the time they reached hospital, but an update on their current condition was not available. St. Augustine Beach Mayor Dylan Rumrell urged any locals and visitors to take weather conditions seriously, telling News4Jax: 'The perfect world, you'd have all the signs and signals out there that you can, but at the end of the day, people still need to take caution when you see clouds rolling in summertime. 'This is when most of this happens…You just gotta be careful…You see the storms rolling in [and] you hear the thunder, seek shelter.' The US National Weather Service says there have been 20 fatalities from lightning strikes each year over the last ten years. More Trending So far in 2025, there have been six deaths which happened in North Carolina, Texas, Mississippi, Florida and Oklahoma. Florida is the US state with the most lightning strikes by area, sometimes referred to as the 'lightning capital' of the US. To reduce the risk from lightning in a storm, you should move away from high ground as soon as possible incuding hills and mountains, as well as from bodies of water and anything which conducts electricity. The National Weather Service said people should never lie down, hide under an isolated tree, or use a rocky overhang for shelter. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Map reveals where and when it is going to rain after heatwave ends MORE: Graphs show how the UK's climate has shifted in just 50 years MORE: Is the UK heatwave now over after temperatures reached 33°C?
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Yahoo
Another Sapelo Island? Fernandina gangway collapses during 4th of July fireworks
A large gangway collapsed during Fourth of July fireworks at the Fernandina Beach Harbor Marina causing injuries to some of the celebrators. The Fernandina Beach Police Department posted an alert on its Facebook shortly before 10 p.m. stating the injuries were minor and that more information will be provided as it becomes available. It brings to mind the Sapelo Island gangway collapse last year in Georgia that killed seven people, including four from Jacksonville, and resulted in lawsuits. Police Chief Jeff Tambasco told Times-Union news partner First Coast News the scene was under control and the crowd had dispersed. He said there were more people on the structure than it could support to watch the fireworks. This is a developing story. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Fernandina Beach gangway collapses during 4th of July fireworks
American Military News
24-06-2025
- Politics
- American Military News
Video: 60 missing kids rescued in 'largest child rescue operation' in US history
Federal and state officials announced on Monday that 60 missing children were recently rescued in Florida as part of 'Operation Dragon Eye,' which has been described as the 'largest child rescue operation' in the history of the United States. Announcing the results of Operation Dragon Eye during a press conference on Monday, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, a Republican, said, 'We are here to announce the most successful completion of the largest child rescue operation, not just in Florida history, but in the United States history.' 'Protecting our kids and keeping Florida the safest state to raise a family is our number one priority,' the Florida attorney general added. 'Today is a result of the hard work to deliver on that promise.' According to First Coast News, Uthmeier confirmed on Monday that many of the children rescued as part of Operation Dragon Eye were in 'critical danger' and were at risk of human trafficking. 'Many of these kids have been through painful, disastrous situations,' Uthmeier stated. 'But at least today we've rescued them and we now can work towards recovery.' READ MORE: 244 child sex predators arrested, 109 kids rescued in major FBI operation U.S. Marshal William Berger also highlighted the historic results of Florida's Operation Dragon Eye during Monday's press conference. Berger explained that 60 juveniles, ages nine to 17, were rescued in just two weeks. Berger also confirmed that over 20 agencies and over 100 people were involved in the recent child rescue operation. According to Berger, in addition to the 60 children rescued in Operation Dragon Eye, eight people were arrested by law enforcement officials. Berger explained that the individuals arrested currently face charges of human trafficking, drug trafficking, drug possession, and child endangerment. Berger added, 'When arrested, they were given bonds ranging from no bond to $250 million bond.' 🚨 MAJOR BREAKING: U.S. Marshals and Florida officials announce LARGEST single child rescue operation in American 2 weeks, 60 KIDS are safe, in custody. This involved over 20 agencies and 100+ people. 8 people were arrested, charged with human trafficking, child… — Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) June 23, 2025 In a Monday press release, Uthmeier wrote, 'The real heroes behind this operation are the law enforcement who built and executed this mission. As your Attorney General and a father of three young kids, protecting children is my top priority. If you victimize children, you're going to prison, end of story.'
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Yahoo
Nassau Sheriff's Office puts 6 officers on paid administrative leave amid investigation
Six Nassau County Sheriff's Office officers are on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation, Times-Union news partner First Coast News confirmed. The individuals on leave are four sergeants and two deputies, the Sheriff's Office said about the June 18 breaking news. "At this time, all I can confirm is that there is an active investigation involving [several employees] and they are on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, Public Information Officer Robert Grant told the station in a statement. "We cannot comment further until the investigation is complete." Dirty cops: Ex-Nassau County sheriff's sergeant gets 17 years in prison for putting drugs back on street It was not immediately clear why the employees are under investigation. First Coast News is not naming the individuals involved because they are not currently charged with a crime. First Coast News is working to obtain the employee files for the individuals involved. This is a developing story. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Nassau Sheriff's Office puts six officers on leave for investigation
