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ICE involved in fatal Maine shooting

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on March 24, 2026 in New York, New York. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

(BIDDLEFORD, Maine) -- Federal immigration authorities were involved in a fatal shooting in Biddeford, Maine, on Monday, according to the local elected leaders and multiple sources.

Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, said he was briefed on the incident by Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin. He said he was informed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were involved in the deadly shooting.

King said the man was fatally shot after federal agents tried to stop the vehicle he was driving.

"He was in a vehicle -- pulled out in the vehicle, and the term the secretary used was 'weaponized' the vehicle and was shot by an ICE agent," King told reporters Monday morning.

King said the man who was shot was the target of the operation and that ICE agents had been given a final order for the man to be removed from the country.

"Body cameras were not on the agents. So we have no video evidence of what occurred in this case," King said. "State and local officials, of course, are attending to it. The FBI will be leading the investigation because it was a federal operation."

The Maine Attorney General's Office also released a statement, confirming that the ICE operation on Monday morning was targeting a man related to a final order to remove him from the country. The Attorney General's Office alleged, "the suspect attempted to flee in the vehicle in the direction of the officer and was fatally shot."

"The male subject is not being named until positive identification is made and family members are notified," according to the statement from the state Attorney General's Office.

Maine Gov. Janet Mills said she was also briefed on the shooting and was informed that federal law enforcement was involved.

"I know situations like these are alarming and frightening," Mills said in a statement. "The Maine State Police are at the scene supporting and working cooperatively with the Attorney General's Office, Maine's Office of Chief Medical Examiner, and Federal officials to determine the facts of what occurred this morning."

Two Maine immigration advocacy groups -- Maine Immigrants' Rights Coalition (MIRC) and the Presente! -- issued a joint statement, saying the individual who was killed was a 26-year-old Colombian man, who they claimed was authorized to work in the United States and had a Social Security number.

The groups called for a "prompt, independent, and transparent investigation." The groups also called for a full accounting of every agency and officer involved as well as the preservation of all body-camera footage, surveillance footage, and communications between the federal officials involved.

"ICE must not be allowed to investigate itself or control the public narrative surrounding a death in which its personnel or operations were involved," the groups said.

The FBI said the agency "responded to assist on-scene immediately following this morning's shooting incident in Biddeford, Maine. We have no additional comment at this time."

The Department of Homeland Security has not yet responded to ABC News' requests for comment. 

A bystander video verified by ABC News showed what appeared to be federal immigration agents and uniformed law enforcement officers in the aftermath of the shooting performing first aid on an individual on the ground at an intersection.

A Ring camera video obtained by ABC News from a residence near the shooting scene captured the sound of what appeared to be at least five gunshots.

Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, said in a social media post that she is "aware of reports that someone was fatally shot in Biddeford this morning, and ICE may be involved."

A bystander video verified by ABC News showed what appeared to be federal immigration agents and uniformed law enforcement officers in the aftermath of the shooting performing first aid on an individual on the ground at an intersection.

A Ring camera video obtained by ABC News from a residence near the shooting scene captured the sound of what appeared to be at least five gunshots.

Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, said in a social media post that she is "aware of reports that someone was fatally shot in Biddeford this morning, and ICE may be involved."

A bystander video verified by ABC News showed what appeared to be federal immigration agents and uniformed law enforcement officers in the aftermath of the shooting performing first aid on an individual on the ground at an intersection.

A Ring camera video obtained by ABC News from a residence near the shooting scene captured the sound of what appeared to be at least five gunshots.

Rep. Chellie Pingree, D-Maine, said in a social media post that she is "aware of reports that someone was fatally shot in Biddeford this morning, and ICE may be involved."

She added, "My team and I are working to get more information and will share more as we learn it."

Em Akerley, who lives near the shooting scene, told ABC affiliate station WMTW, that she was inside her home having her morning coffee when she heard the gunshots.

"I thought it was a backfire, and then I kept hearing them," Akerley said. "I thought it was a drive-by shooting."

She said she looked out her window and saw a small white car being corralled by two men, who appeared to be trying to stop the vehicle from losing control in the intersection.

"All of a sudden, all of these plain-clothes vested men started running down the street, abandoning their cars," Akerley said.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


FBI offers reward for information on deceased newborn at Electric Forest music festival

An FBI logo on a podium seen during a press conference at Los Angeles FBI Office on Tuesday, July 7, 2026 in Los Angeles, CA. (Ronaldo Bolaños / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

(DETROIT) -- The FBI announced it is joining an investigation into the death of an infant who was found dead in a toilet at the Electric Forest music festival last month. The agency is offering a $15,000 reward for new information on the case.

The FBI's Detroit Field Office, alongside Michigan State Police, is seeking information regarding the identification, arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for the death.

The newborn was found in a portable restroom on the campgrounds of the festival on the morning of Sunday, June 28, the final day of the four-day festival, according to Michigan State Police. The festival took place in Rothbury, Michigan, in the western part of the state near Lake Michigan.

Preliminary autopsy findings indicate the infant was viable and born alive, Michigan police reported.

The child was identified by police as a "neonate," an infant in the first 28 days after birth.

An employee of the restroom vending company found the deceased infant when conducting routine maintenance on the restrooms, ABC News' Grand Rapids affiliate WZZM 13 reported.

"Investigators believe there are individuals with important information relevant to this case who may be reluctant to come forward," Michigan State Police wrote on X. "The MSP continues to seek the public's assistance and encourages anyone with information to report it."

Information regarding the incident can be reported at Michigan.gov/MichTip or by calling 1-855-MICH-TIP (1-855-642-4847).

In a Facebook post, Electric Forest urged the public to share new information with police, writing it is "heartbroken" by the tragic event.

Michigan State Police requested the public not speculate on social media as investigators work to determine what happened.

"We are confident that continued investigative efforts, combined with forensic science, will ultimately lead to the identification of the person responsible," Michigan State Police said.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Judge refers Trump's attorneys for potential disciplinary action over IRS lawsuit

U.S. President Donald Trump talks to reporters in the Oval Office at the White House on July 06, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

(WASHINGTON) -- A federal judge in Florida has referred President Donald Trump's attorneys for potential disciplinary action over their filing of the $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS that resulted in the creation of the now-defunct "Anti-Weaponization Fund."

U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams' scathing order criticized the president and his lawyers for using the court "to earmark billions of dollars from American taxpayers."

"In reaching this conclusion, the Court determines that Plaintiffs improperly employed this lawsuit to justify a particular award in this matter -- access to taxpayer funds and exemption from audits and other investigations -- which was accomplished by leveraging control over Defendants," Judge Williams wrote.

Trump in May announced the $1.776 billion "Anti-Weaponization Fund" to compensate those who allege they were wrongly targeted under the Biden administration, in exchange for Trump agreeing to drop his $10 billion suit against the IRS over the unauthorized disclosure of his tax information during his first term, for which a former IRS contractor pleaded guilty in 2023.

The arrangement sparked accusations of self-dealing and a bipartisan uproar over the possible use of taxpayer money to pay rioters who attacked the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Judge Williams, in her order, said that Trump's personal lawyers and the Department of Justice attempted to "use the Court to provide some legitimacy ... to earmark billions of dollars from American taxpayers to redress grievances not defined in the law."  

"The Parties used the existence of federal litigation as a means of conferring legitimacy upon a course of action that they were unwilling to subject to judicial review," Williams wrote. "The context of the 'settlement,' the relationships of the people involved in negotiating and approving it, the ethical implications of their conduct, and the Parties' swift efforts to dismiss this case after the Court raised fundamental jurisdictional questions all support this conclusion. Accordingly, the Court expressly finds that Plaintiffs acted in bad faith."

Williams also directly called out acting Attorney General Todd Blanche throughout her order, and suggested he provided "misleading" testimony before Congress when probed over the Justice Department's now-defunct "Anti-Weaponization Fund."

"The Court is extremely troubled by the testimony given by Acting Attorney General Blanche on May 19, 2026," Williams wrote. "In response to why the 'settlement agreement' had not been submitted to this Court for review, he stated that 'there is no judge' because the case had been dismissed and, therefore, there was "no mechanism" for reviewing the agreement."

"While temporally accurate, this answer is, at best, misleading and, at worst, disingenuous," the judge wrote. "The Court was available to review any pleading by any Party at any time during this lawsuit. And if Acting Attorney General Blanche had thought the dismissal was improvidently granted or thought Plaintiffs misspoke when they said, 'no judicial analysis is appropriate,' he only had to file an appearance and ask for relief."

The scathing assessment comes just two days before Blanche is set to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee for his confirmation hearing to take the attorney general position on a permanent basis. Republican senators have already said they would push for further details from Blanche on the portion of the settlement that related to Trump and his family being immune from IRS investigations of their past tax returns.

A spokesperson for Trump's legal team said in a statement, "The IRS wrongly allowed a rogue, politically-motivated employee to leak private and confidential information about President Trump, his family, and the Trump Organization to the New York Times, ProPublica and other left-wing news outlets, which was then illegally released to millions of people. President Trump continues to hold those who wrong America and Americans accountable."

A Justice Department spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the Judge Williams' ruling.

Brandon DeBot, policy director of New York University's Tax Law Center, said in a statement regarding Williams' ruling, "The court confirmed this sweetheart deal is an abuse of the tax and legal system and 'directly contravenes' the tax system’s protections against political interference. This decision confirms that the IRS should not follow through to implement the Acting AG’s unprecedented and unauthorized exemption from the normal tax audit rules for the President and his affiliates."

"The court’s decision is important, but does not remove the need for Congressional action to nullify the entire deal and to prevent any similar attempts at presidential self-dealing in the future," DeBot said.

"This lawsuit was not brought to vindicate rights; it was brought to manipulate the judicial process to pursue benefits unavailable in litigation because the Parties were not adverse," Judge Williams wrote.

Blanche last month told a House subcommittee that the Trump administration is backing down from establishing the "Anti-Weaponization Fund." A federal judge has directed Justice Department to formally address whether fund is dead, as the agency has claimed.

In addition to referring the lawyers in the case for disciplinary action, Judge Williams said that Trump and the federal government are "prohibited from referring to the purported 'settlement agreement'" or using it "in any judicial, administrative, regulatory, arbitration, or any other official proceeding."

"The Court determines that Plaintiffs improperly employed this lawsuit to justify a particular award in this matter -- access to taxpayer funds and exemption from audits and other investigations -- which was accomplished by leveraging control over Defendants," she wrote.

Williams also directed the court's clerk to mail a copy of her order to the state bars of New York and Washington D.C., where disciplinary referrals had already previously been sent for Blanche and Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward.

It's unclear how Williams' ruling will impact the broad audit protections that were purportedly granted to Trump, his family, and his businesses. The Department of Justice had argued that those protections were part of a private settlement that did not require any judicial oversight, and Judge Williams did not explicitly lay out the next steps in her order.

Separate from the Florida case, federal judges this week had scheduled court hearings as part of lawsuits challenging the settlement -- providing a potential venue where the issue may be litigated.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


100 million Americans expected to be under dangerous heat this week

An ABC News graphic shows the forecast on Monday, July 13, 2026. (ABC News)

(NEW YORK) -- Dangerous heat from Los Angeles to Boston is expected to impact more than 100 million Americans this week.

Multiple cities in the West, from Utah to Montana, experienced their hottest temperatures on record Sunday afternoon, shattering previous heat records.

The preliminary high temperature in Salt Lake City was 109 degrees F, breaking the previous all-time record high of 107 degrees, previously set in 1960, 2002, 2021, and twice in 2022. Temperature records for the city go back to 1874.

Billings, Montana reached a preliminary high temperature of 111 degrees on Sunday afternoon, shattering the previous all-time high of 108 degrees set on July 14, 2002.

In Miles City, Montana, the temperature rose to a preliminary high of 115 degrees on Sunday afternoon, also shattering its previous all-time high of 111 degrees set on June 26, 2012.

For reference, the hottest temperature ever recorded in the state of Montana is 117 degrees, observed in the town of Medicine Lake on July 5, 1937, and in Glendive on July 20, 1893.

A heat dome has set up over the Northern Plains, with extreme heat and humidity over America's northern tier.

An extreme heat warning is in place through Thursday for Minneapolis, Minnesota, with daily high heat index up to 100 possible.

Other extreme heat warnings are in place from Utah to the upper peninsula of Michigan.

In Utah, places like Zion Canyon could feel like 110 today, while Salt Lake City and Billings reach above 100.

Fargo, North Dakota, is under an extreme heat warning for a heat index as high as 110 today and Tuesday.

The heat index for places like Calumet, Michigan, and Duluth, Minnesota, could reach near 100.

On Tuesday, Detroit, Michigan, is under an extreme heat watch for a heat index near 107.

In the Northeast, a heat wave is set to begin on Tuesday, with three or more days of temperatures over 90 degrees for New York City, Philadelphia and D.C.

A heat advisory is in place for at least Tuesday and Wednesday across much of the Northeast due to heat indices around 100 expected.

The upper Northeast will be hottest on Tuesday with a heat index of 100 to 104 from Rochester to Albany to Boston.

New York City to D.C. is likely the hottest on Wednesday with heat indices near 100 in NYC and near 105 in D.C.

Out West, Southern California is under heat alerts through Thursday.

Temps will reach 85 to 90 across the coastal valleys and up to 105 for the interior valleys through Tuesday.

Wednesday and Thursday will be hotter, with temps in downtown LA reaching the middle to upper 90s and interior valleys reaching up to 105.

Tuesday severe weather threat for northern New England

Fueled by the extreme heat and humidity and a sinking cold front from Canada, severe storms capable of destructive winds over 70 mph, large hail large than ping pong balls and a strong tornado or two will move over northern New England.

A level 3 of 5 risk is in place from northeast New York through northern Vermont, northern New Hampshire, and northern Maine on Tuesday afternoon and evening. It includes Burlington, Vermont; Plattsburgh, New York; Caribou, Maine; Colchester, Vermont; and Massena, New York.

Storms are most likely after 5 p.m. ET and continuing into the night as the cold front sinks south.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


'Nobody would ever hurt Nolan:' Friend of late Mississippi teen Nolan Wells says of boat trip

The Jackson County Sheriff's Department released this photo during the search for Nolan Xavier Wells, 18, in Mississippi. (Jackson County Sheriff's Department)

(NEW YORK) -- A viral video depicting a Fourth of July party at a barrier island off the coast of Mississippi does not depict an argument involving Nolan Wells, a childhood friend of the late teen, said to ABC News Sunday in a broadcast exclusive.

Wells, an 18-year-old Mississippi football player, died last weekend following an all-day party on Horn Island, off the coast of Ocean Springs, his hometown. Attorney Ben Crump, who is representing Wells' parents, said Friday that Wells is among a group of people standing on the island and is heard on the video, shot from a boat on the water, demanding his phone back. However, Tracestin Shepherd, a long-time Wells friend, said the voice heard on the video was his own. Wells is not in the video, he said.

"That's me yelling. ... there was no talk about a phone in that video," but instead, Shepherd said, he was telling both friend Jayvon Williams, and a family member, who were both restraining him, to let him off the boat so he could continue the fight. "Nolan wasn't on the island" at that time, he claimed.

Shepherd said the altercation was between him and another man, a stranger, who allegedly started a fight with him. He said that he and his group of friends, which included Wells, had been drinking alcohol since the late morning after multiple boats, all containing his friends, arrived on the island for an outing that had been planned to be "one last hurrah" before returning to either school or work after the holiday break. About 300 people, many of them former high school classmates, were concentrated on their portion of the island.

Later in the day, after being told the boat needed to return to shore due to an electrical issue, Wells said he wanted to stay behind because he met a girl and would return on another friend’s boat, Shepherd said.

Wells' body was recovered on Monday in water off the island shore. Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter told ABC News he suspects Wells drowned, but is still investigating. An autopsy is being conducted by the state medical examiner. The results are pending, said Jackson County Coroner Bruce Lynd Jr.

Shepherd said he and Wells were among a tight circle of friends who had known each other since their freshman year at Ocean Springs High School. Shepherd, 20, said Wells "was just somebody that you automatically just felt so comfortable to talk to" and they bonded through athletics. Their friend group was "very diverse" in race and ethnicity, and he said they all had one thing in common: Admiration for Wells.

"Nobody would ever hurt Nolan in our friend group. We would die for him. We would do everything in our power for that guy. If he needed anything, we would do it," he said. "Nolan brought us all together."

Shepherd declined to be interviewed on camera out of fear for his safety. He said he and other friends have been besieged by death threats since Wells' body was found last Monday from people accusing them of playing a role in his death.

He said he wanted to speak publicly because he wanted to set the record straight due to what he said was misinformation and speculation swirling online. Crump told "Good Morning America" Thursday that a key piece of evidence was Wells' phone, which he said was retrieved from his friends -- something he said was suspicious.

Shepherd said it was very common for everyone to leave their phones in boats. He said few videos or photos exist from that day because "everybody was in the water" and not on their phones.

"All our friends are out there. Who are we communicating with? And we're in salt water. We're not in fresh water," he said.

Wells, he said, placed his phone in the boat of one of their friends. "When Nolan got in the water, he put his phone on the [boat] dash also with probably 15 other phones." Shepherd's uncle, who asked not to be named and was piloting one of the boats that day, said it is normal for people in the boating community to ignore their phones while on the water.

"That's not uncommon. I've even gotten home and had phones on my deck; I didn't know whose they were. They come and get the phones later. Out there, they can give a care less about their phone. They get up in the boat, take a picture, set it down, get back in the water," he said.

Ledbetter told ABC News that Crump has not yet turned over Wells' phone to his investigators. Crump said Friday that the family planned to turn over the phone after they conducted their own independent investigation.

Shepherd also said that a photo that Crump shared on his Instagram, which supposedly shows Wells at a pool party, was not from July 5, as the caption claims. He said the party took place on June 27 in nearby Pass Christian, Mississippi.

Investigators from the Jackson County Sheriff's Department talked to Shepherd and his group of friends on Monday and on Friday he gave an official statement.

He said he is upset by the suggestion from Crump that race may have played a role in Wells' death. As a result, he said, he and his friends have become targets. "They're trying to spin a narrative that's not there," he said. "He's wrong."

"I understand [Wells'] parents are grieving and I really think he's taken a little bit of advantage of that. And I don't like that. I really don't because they're vulnerable," he said.

Shepherd said he wants "everybody just to relax and let everybody mourn the loss of Nolan. And let us remember him as the sweet guy he was and not something we're scared of because of the trauma we've had," he said. "If Ben Crump is doing his own investigation, let him do it. And then let the sheriff's office conclude with their investigation and figure out what the facts are on their end. Let us all just know the truth instead of jumping to two conclusions about things."

"We all cared and loved Nolan, and nobody wanted to see Nolan die. Nobody wanted his life taken so short," he said. "He had everything going for him."

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Missouri governor declares state of emergency over flooding with more rain on the way

Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe waits for U.S. Vice President JD Vance's arrival at Kansas City International Airport May 18, 2026, in Kansas City, Missouri. Vance will be in Kansas City, where he will deliver remarks on the Trump administration’s efforts to support American manufacturing during a visit to a facility. (Photo by Eric Lee-Pool/Getty Images)

(MISSOURI) -- Emergency responders are at the scene of a campground in Missouri where a building reportedly collapsed into floodwaters amid flash flooding on Friday.

Initial reports indicate 10 to 17 individuals may have entered the water as a result of the collapse, according to the Reynolds County Sheriff's Office.

Five campers who were previously reported missing from Bearcat Getaway Campground have been located and accounted for while the search for those who may have been in the building that collapsed continues.

Over 90 water rescues have been conducted involving residents, campers and motorists affected by rapidly rising floodwaters, the sheriff's office said.

The governor of Missouri declared a state of emergency on Friday in response to flash flooding. 

"Over the past 24 hours, intense storms have created dangerous flash flooding across several regions of Missouri, resulting in multiple swift-water rescues. Activating the State Emergency Operations Plan allows our agencies to move quickly, coordinate resources, and support local response efforts," Gov. Mike Kehoe said in a statement Friday. 

"With additional heavy rain expected through the weekend, the threat is not over. If you're camping, floating, or spending time near rivers and streams, move to higher ground and stay alert of weather conditions," Kehoe said. "Missourians should continue to monitor local forecasts and follow the guidance of local authorities."

Rescue operations began around 2:30 a.m. on Friday after emergency calls reported numerous campers trapped by rising water, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

A flash flood emergency has been declared for several locations in Missouri and additional thunderstorms with heavy rain are expected to continue throughout the evening. 

Water rescues were reported amid catastrophic flooding.

In parts of Iron and Reynolds counties, 7 to 12 inches of rain have fallen. The Black River at Lesterville rose 8 feet in an hour, with that water working its way toward Annapolis, where river levels quickly rose. 

This emergency includes recreational places such as Johnson's Shut-Ins and Taum Sauk Mountain State Park. Towns in the emergency include Viburnum, Annapolis, Glover, Oates, Bixby, Lesterville, Black, Hogan, Chloride, and Sabula. 

Additional rounds of heavy rain and storms will continue from the central Plains east to the Ohio Valley and interior parts of the Northeast through this weekend.

There is a level 3 of 4 (moderate risk) for excessive rainfall over already hard-hit southeastern Missouri on Friday. Also, a level 2 of 4 (slight risk) for excessive rainfall from parts of the Mid-Mississippi Valley to the Central Appalachians.

A Flood Watch is in effect for over 21 million Americans, from Pennsylvania to Tennessee and west to Missouri.

Officials are warning Missourians not to attempt to drive through floodwaters even if the water appears shallow. 

Just six inches of floodwater can sweep a person off their feet, and as little as one foot of water can move most cars off the road.

"More than half of flood deaths in Missouri are victims in vehicles. Nighttime severe weather is particularly dangerous because visibility is severely reduced. If you find yourself stranded by floodwaters, immediately call for help and seek higher ground," the governor's office warned Friday. 

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Parents of Nolan Wells call for 'thorough investigation' amid unanswered questions about son's 'suspicious' death

An undated photo of 18-year-old Nolan Xavier Wells, whose body was believed to be recovered after going missing on July 4, 2026. (Courtesy of the Wells Family)

(NEW YORK) -- The parents of Nolan Xavier Wells, Christine and Elmore Wonsley, broke their silence on their son's mysterious death in an interview with "Good Morning America" anchor Michael Strahan on Friday morning.

"We just want honesty and transparency. We want a thorough investigation," Christine Wonsley said. "We want that same respect that would be given to anybody else, and that's it. We just want answers."

The Wonsleys, who were joined by their attorney Ben Crump, called for a "thorough" and independent investigation.

They also expressed the need to shed more light on unanswered questions, including what they allege are deleted messages from their son's phone, that have led them to become "suspicious" about his death following a July 4 boating trip.

"Nolan was just like this bright light ... his smile, his energy was just, just so infectious," Christine Wonsley said. "He was just a genuinely a good person. Like I always say, all the best parts of me are with him."

Elmore Wonsley said Wells "was very loving."

"There was not a friend that he couldn't make ... he's gonna be really missed," he said.

Wells, who played football at Southwest Mississippi Community College, went missing during a Fourth of July celebration with high school friends on Horn Island, a popular undeveloped island just south of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, officials said.

The 18-year-old's body was recovered on Monday. Authorities said they suspect Wells drowned, but are still investigating. An autopsy was conducted but results could take weeks, officials said.

The disappearance

According to Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter, a friend of Wells contacted the Coast Guard around 11 p.m. last Saturday, July 4. Separately, Wells' mother contacted the sheriff's office about her son around midnight leading into Sunday, July 5.

The Wonsleys cast doubt on claims by friends that Wells decided to stay behind on the island, while his friends left.

"That we cannot answer," Christine Wonsley said when asked why Wells would stay behind. "I just, I can't -- I can't fathom why he would."

Elmore Wonsley said that would have gone against the advice they gave Wells.

"We always told him, if you go with a group, you stay with a group," he said.

Ledbetter told ABC News in an interview that aired on "GMA" on Friday that nothing "yet" from the evidence they collected indicates that foul play was involved in Wells' death, but the investigation will take time and is ongoing, he added.

"We're working towards the same goal as the family. We want a thorough investigation. We're trying to find out everything ," he said. "We are providing a thorough, professional, and accurate investigation. That's what we're going to continue to do, until we arrive at the answers that the family deserves."

Crump, the attorney representing the Wonsleys, told ABC News Live in an interview on Wednesday that Wells could swim, his family is "not accepting that Nolan drowned accidentally."

Unanswered questions

Christine Wonsley told "GMA" that his family tracked his phone, but when she went to pick it up from Wells' friends, she said it appears that some texts and SnapChat messages had been deleted. It is unclear which friends Wells' phone was retrieved from and who could have been in possession of it prior to that.

"When we finally got his phone, me and my sister went through the phone. We went in his Snapchat. He had two accounts. Absolutely nothing," Christine Wonsley said. "It wasn't even 24 hours, which is how long videos and pictures stay in Snapchat ... even my sister was like 'Yeah, that's suspicious.'"

Crump, who joined the Wonsleys on "GMA" Friday, said that the family has questions about a cell phone video of an "argument" that was posted online.

"You can hear an argument going where Nolan is saying, 'Give me my freaking phone! What are you freaking doing?' And so then his phone ends up missing," Crump said.

"No young person leaves their cell phone," he added. "It's not adding up, and that is the problem when you think about the history of Mississippi. Yeah, so there are so many questions that need to be answered."

Ledbetter told GMA on Thursday night that Wells' phone has not been turned over to investigators yet.

"It may be important, may be a piece that we haven't got yet," he said.

Crump told reporters during a press conference on Friday that the family plans to turn the phone over to law enforcement after their own investigators complete their examination.

"We're going to do it expeditiously and give it to them to examine it as well," he said.

Ledbetter noted that the "argument" video will be part of the investigation.

As the family searches for answers, the investigation will continue in Washington, D.C., Crump said, where "we are having an independent autopsy done at behest of his family." 

He noted that former NFL football star Colin Kaepernick helped pay for it.

"We flew his body up from Mississippi to D.C. because they wanted an autopsy done by a person with no interaction with the Mississippi law enforcement because there's an issue of trust here that is really important," Crump said.

Ledbetter told "GMA" that the sheriff's office welcomes the independent investigation.

"By all means, that's more information looking into the death of Nolan that will be made available and another set of eyes looking at it," he said.

Ledbetter asked the public for "patience" as investigators look into a "substantial amount" of tips, in addition to reviewing photo and video evidence.

The sheriff's department stressed Wednesday that the investigation is ongoing and urged anyone who was on or near the northwest tip of Horn Island to come forward with photos or videos, "particularly those depicting alleged altercations or containing images of, or believed to include Nolan Wells."

ABC News' Sasha Pezenick, Kirk Cohall and Mark Guarino contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Long Island birth mother set to sue county, school district over death of 7-year-old daughter

Portia Duncan becomes emotional as she speaks about her late daughter, 7-year-old Jor'Dynn Duncan, during a news conference on July 7, 2026, in Melville, New York. (Alejandra Villa Loarca/Newsday RM via Getty Images)

(NEW YORK) -- The birth mother of a 7-year-old girl from Long Island, New York, is planning to sue the county and school district following the death of her daughter in December 2025.

Portia Duncan filed a notice of claim against Suffolk County for allegedly neglecting her daughter, Jor'Dynn Duncan, by placing her in the care of her legal guardian, Emily Kelly, who Portia Duncan alleges physically abused, neglected and tortured Jor'Dynn.

Kelly was charged with second-degree murder and pleaded not guilty in court on June 23.

In addition to Kelly, her mother, Barbara Renner, and her daughter, Elyssa Seymore, were also arrested on charges regarding their alleged involvement in Jor'Dynn's death. Renner was charged with second-degree manslaughter and Seymore with unlawful imprisonment, among other charges. They both pleaded not guilty.

Portia Duncan also filed a notice of claim against Bayport-Blue Point School District for allegedly failing to act on indicators of abuse she said Jor'Dynn presented.

"I miss her dearly, dearly," Portia Duncan said amid tears in a press conference on Tuesday. "She was such a sweet, beautiful, smart, fun, girly girl. If I could turn back the time, I would've done things so much different."

An autopsy determined that Jor'Dynn's death on Dec. 29, 2025, was due to a massive untreated infection from more than 90 injuries that were found on her body at the time of her death, according to a Suffolk County District Attorney's Office press release.

"These claims arise from the placement of seven-year-old Jor'Dynn Duncan, while she was in the custody of the County of Suffolk, into a home in which she was subjected to a prolonged, systematic, and ultimately fatal course of physical abuse, torture, and neglect; from the failure of the County of Suffolk, the Suffolk County Department of Social Services and Suffolk County Child Protective Services to adequately investigate and vet the caregiver with whom they placed her, to monitor her health, safety and general well-being during the approximately one year she remained in that place, and to act upon the indicators of abuse she and other presented; and from the failure of the Bayport-Blue Point School District and its personnel, in their capacity as mandated reporters, to report the outwardly observable indicia of abuse and Jor'Dynn's chronic school absenteeism," the notice said.

Jor'Dynn allegedly missed 40 days of school between January and June 2025, according to the notice of claim. The child allegedly wore makeup to conceal injuries she incurred from the abuse on the days she did attend school, the notice said.

Kelly allegedly called the school with several excuses for Jor'Dynn's absences to cover up the alleged abuse, including fake illnesses, deaths in the family and trips to Disney World, the District Attorney's press release said.

Kelly gained full custody of Jor'Dynn in April 2025 upon her request, an investigation by the Suffolk County Police Department found. Kelly is the fiancée of Jor'Dynn's father, who was in prison, according to the notice of claim.

Jor'Dynn was removed from Portia Duncan's custody on account of a failed drug test, her attorney said.

The police investigation allegedly found extensive photo and video evidence of abuse captured on Kelly's cell phone and other cloud-based accounts, the press release stated.

"The placement of Jor'Dynn Duncan with Emily Kelly was what led to her death," Derek Sells, an attorney representing Portia Duncan, said in a press conference. "The failure to properly screen that placement, the failure to properly supervise that placement, and the failure to report clear abuse in the form of neglect, not going to school, all led to this death. And we're gonna hold those people accountable."

Sells said the filing of claims is the "first step" in the process of holding parties accountable for Jor'Dynn's death. Filing a Notice of Claim typically comes before filing a lawsuit against the state, local government or a government agency in New York.

Both the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office and the Bayport-Blue Point School District declined to comment on the claims.

Attempts to reach Suffolk County for a comment were unsuccessful.

The three women are set to return to court at the beginning of August, ABC News New York affiliate WABC reported.

"She pled not guilty at the arraignment, my client asserts her innocence, and we are vigorously going to defend her throughout these proceedings," said John LoTurco, Kelly's defense attorney, according to WABC.

"I'm so thankful to the Lord for giving me the chance to be in my daughter's life the way that I was," Portia Duncan said. "I'm very upset that she's been taken from me."

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Indiana trooper shot during pursuit of stolen car, suspect found dead after manhunt

Law enforcement gather evidence at the scene of a state trooper-involved shooting in LaPorte County, Indiana, July 10, 2026. (WLS)

(CHICAGO) -- An Indiana state trooper is recovering in a hospital after he was shot by a suspect Friday who was being pursued by law enforcement across two states in a stolen car.

Indiana State Police later found the unidentified suspect dead following a manhunt.

The incident began around 5:30 a.m., when officers were in pursuit over a stolen truck in Berrien County, Michigan, which ultimately continued to LaPorte County, Indiana, Indiana State Police Sgt. Glen Fifield said during a news conference.

The unidentified suspect allegedly drove into a cornfield to elude police and ultimately got on I-94 and then US-421 in Indiana, Fifield said.

The suspect and the unidentified officer collided in Michigan City, Indiana, and the suspect allegedly began firing, according to Fifield.

Even though he was hit several times, the trooper was able to return fire before the suspect got back in the truck and fled, according to Fifield.

The trooper was transported to the hospital and was listed in stable condition, according to the police.

The wounded officer was in surgery and in good spirits, according to Fifield.

Investigators located the truck around 9:16 a.m. in a tree line in the Westville, Indiana area, Fifield said.

Officials urged those in the area to remain indoors and report anything suspicious as they continue to search for the suspect in that wooded area, Fifield said. About 100 officers were searching for the suspect, he added.

Around 1:15 p.m., Fifield said that the suspect was found deceased and that he had injuries consistent with gunshot wounds.

A law enforcement source with knowledge of the investigation told ABC News that preliminary information suggests the suspect died of a self inflicted gunshot wound.

ABC News' Luke Barr contributed to this report.

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Man fatally shot by federal officer in Houston was not ICE target, DHS says

A person places flowers at the site where Mexican immigrant Lorenzo Salgado Araujo was killed, on July 9, 2026, in Houston, Texas. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

(HOUSTON) -- The man fatally shot during a traffic stop by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Houston this week was seemingly not the original target of the immigration enforcement operation, a Department of Homeland Security official told ABC News.

The DHS official said Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a Mexican national, "resembled the target."

"After receiving a credible tip from our law enforcement partners, our officers conducted surveillance on a target's address. Weeks prior to the incident, they noted two white vans at the property," the official said.  "On July 7, officers were almost at the target's address when they observed a white van with an individual who resembled the target. Officers then initiated the vehicle stop."

The Harris County Medical Examiner has listed Lorenzo Salgado's death as a homicide. The primary cause of death was "penetrating gunshot wound of the torso," according to the office.

The update from DHS comes as Salgado's family and local officials are pushing for answers and demanding an independent and transparent investigation into the incident.

In a previous statement, ICE said officers attempted to stop a vehicle driven by Salgado Araujo around 6:50 a.m. on Tuesday as part of a targeted operation.

Salgado Araujo allegedly didn't follow verbal commands, according to ICE, and the agency alleged that Salgado Araujo "weaponized his vehicle" and tried to run over an officer during the stop, prompting the officer to fire their weapon "in self-defense."

DHS said the shooting remains under investigation by its Office of the Inspector General.

Earlier Thursday, DHS said the ICE officers involved in the incident had not been issued body-worn cameras.

Salgado Araujo's sons have called for an independent investigation into their father's death, as they say they have many questions for ICE, including why he was targeted and why deadly force was used.

"My dad had no criminal history," Ronaldo Salgado, 29, one of Salgado Araujo's three sons, told ABC News on Thursday. "My dad, you know, wasn't doing anything illegal. He was picking up his workers to go to work."

Ronaldo Salgado said no one from DHS or ICE has contacted the family, and that he and only learned of their father's death on social media, watching a Facebook post of his father, lying on the street after being shot.

"We still don't have any answers," Ronaldo Salgado said. "All we have to go for is their statement that they released."

Four Democratic Texas congress members -- Reps. Sylvia Garcia, Al Green, Lizzie Fletcher and Christian Menefee -- have also called for an "immediate, fully independent, and transparent investigation" into Salgado Araujo's death.

In a letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Acting ICE Director David Venturella on Wednesday, the four lawmakers demanded answers to multiple questions about the incident, including whether the officers had body-worn cameras, and asked for the "complete, unedited body camera footage from all officers present at the incident, as well as all dash camera footage from both vehicles."

Salgado Araujo, who had been in the U.S. for nearly 35 years, was undocumented, according to ICE. Ronaldo Salgado said his father's priority had been providing for his family and getting his three sons through school, and that last year he had started the process of getting a work permit.

"I just want all Americans to know that my dad was a hardworking man, a family man who wanted nothing more than to put food on the table and to watch his sons achieve the American dream," he told ABC News.

Three men, including Salgado Araujo's brother, who were in the van being driven by Salgado Araujo were detained in the incident, according to the Texas congress members, who asked for an update on their current status in their letter to the DHS and ICE leaders.

The deadly shooting has sparked protests in Houston, with hundreds of people marching Wednesday through the neighborhood where the incident occurred.

In the wake of the shooting, Mexican officials said they plan to file criminal complaints over the deaths of Mexicans in the U.S. in connection with immigration operations.

Mexico's foreign affairs secretary, Roberto Velasco, referenced Salgado Araujo's death during a press briefing announcing the legal measures on Thursday, calling it a "painful situation," and said Mexico's president has instructed them to begin legal action to "protect the human rights of Mexicans in the United States."

Regarding body-worn cameras, a DHS spokesperson said the officers involved in the incident were "not issued" them, pointing to two partial government shutdowns -- one in the fall of 2025 and the other one earlier this year -- for the delay in issuing cameras to ICE law enforcement officers.

"The process of purchasing and issuing body-worn cameras to all of our ICE field offices was interrupted by the Democrats multiple government shutdowns," the spokesperson said. "Body cameras have been deployed to more than half the field offices with the remaining half to receive them in the next 60 days."

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Nolan Wells' family to do independent autopsy, attorney describes 'altercation' on boat

The Jackson County Sheriff's Department released this photo during the search for Nolan Xavier Wells, 18, in Mississippi. (Jackson County Sheriff's Department)

(OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss.) -- The family of Mississippi teen Nolan Xavier Wells will conduct an independent autopsy following the 18-year-old's mysterious death, according to attorney Ben Crump, who revealed new details about what he says unfolded on the day Wells vanished.

"He was a good kid. He was beloved. He was a college athlete. He had everything going for him. And so to go on that island ... and then not to come back is what is concerning," Crump told ABC News' Linsey Davis.

Wells went missing on the 4th of July after going on a boat trip with his high school friends to the popular, undeveloped Horn Island, just south of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, according to officials and Crump. The location is accessible only by private boat and doesn't have facilities, drinking water or staff.

"[The friends] left [Horn Island] and went back without Nolan," Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter said. "From what we understand, he chose to stay there."

A body believed to be Wells was recovered Monday, officials said.

One of Nolan Wells’ friends who went boating to Horn Island on July 4 was the first to report him missing, Jackson County Sheriff John Ledbetter told ABC News Thursday.

That friend contacted the Coast Guard around 11 p.m. that night, Ledbetter said. Separately, Wells’ mother contacted the sheriff’s office about her son around midnight leading into July 5.

Authorities said they believe Wells drowned and don't suspect foul play, but the sheriff's office stressed Wednesday that investigators are "working diligently to determine exactly what occurred."

Crump said investigators "continue to tell the family that 'We don't see any evidence of any foul play,' even though you have students who recorded an altercation while they were on the boats." Crump described the altercation as "Nolan and somebody yelling at one another on the boat."

According to Crump, Wells' friends took the teen's phone with them when they left Horn Island. Crump said when Wells' family got his phone back, messages had been deleted.

Crump also said Wells' father described the 18-year-old college football player as "an elite athlete."

"He said that his son could swim. And so, they're just not accepting that Nolan drowned accidentally," Crump said.

Crump said the independent autopsy will be conducted in Washington, D.C.

The sheriff's office stressed Wednesday that the investigation is ongoing and urged anyone who was on or near the northwest tip of Horn Island to come forward with photos or videos, "particularly those depicting alleged altercations or containing images of, or believed to include Nolan Wells."

The sheriff's office said it's also looking for anyone who may have seen Wells or "observed or heard an argument, disturbance, or other unusual activity while on the island."

"Even information that may seem insignificant could prove valuable to investigators. We encourage anyone with firsthand knowledge to come forward," the department said.

"Our thoughts, prayers, and condolences remain with Nolan Wells' family during this difficult time," the department added.

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Charlie Kirk court hearing: Video of suspect Tyler Robinson's roommate alleging he confessed

A video of a police interview with Lance Twiggs is played in the courtroom during a preliminary hearing for Tyler Robinson at the Fourth District Courthouse in Provo, Utah, July 9, 2026. (Utah Courts)

(UTAH) -- Over objections from defense attorneys, a video was played in a Utah courtroom on Thursday in which the roommate of Tyler Robinson, the suspect charged in the 2025 killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, claimed Robinson confessed to the shooting.

Lance Twiggs, Robinson's roommate and romantic partner, claimed in the highly redacted videotaped interview with prosecutors and detectives that Robinson told him in person that he killed Kirk.

"He didn't go into detail. I just asked him in person what he said was true the night before, and he said it was," Twiggs said in the video filmed in April 2026 at the Utah County Attorney's Office. "He started crying a little bit and he said he wishes he hadn't done it, and kept going around just doing stuff, I think to keep himself busy or distracted, or something."

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

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Georgia officer charged with involuntary manslaughter after accidentally discharging gun during arrest: Court filing

Derrick Harris Jr. is seen in a booking photo. (DeKalb County Sheriff's Office)

(SAVANNAH, GA.) -- A now-former Georgia police officer has been charged with involuntary manslaughter after he accidentally discharged his weapon during an arrest, fatally shooting a teenager he was attempting to handcuff, according to court filings.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) filed criminal charges against Derrick Harris Jr., 37, who was an officer with the DeKalb County Police Department, on Wednesday, a day after the deadly shooting.

The teen -- 19-year-old Seth Jayden Eccles, of Savannah -- was shot Tuesday evening in the backyard of a home in Avondale Estates, according to GBI.

U.S. Postal Inspection Service agents had questioned him earlier that afternoon regarding the armed robbery of a mail carrier, according to GBI. Law enforcement later learned he had an active arrest warrant and began searching for Eccles, who allegedly hid in nearby woods after being allowed to walk away following questioning, according to GBI.

After multiple 911 callers reported a suspicious person moving through the backyards of homes in Avondale Estates, Harris located Eccles in a backyard of a home, according to GBI.

Harris gave the teen verbal commands at gunpoint and Eccles complied, according to GBI. The teen was lying on his stomach as Harris attempted to take him into custody, with the officer holding a firearm in one hand at the teen's back and handcuffs in the other, according to an arrest warrant affidavit.  

"During the process of attempting to handcuff Eccles, Harris accidentally fired his firearm," the affidavit stated. "This accidental discharge resulted in the injury and death of Eccles."

Eccles was transported to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead, GBI said.

Harris has been charged with involuntary manslaughter, a felony, and reckless conduct, a misdemeanor, according to court filings.

A second arrest warrant affidavit alleges that Harris was "consciously disregarding a substantial and unjustifiable risk" and that his actions "constituted a gross deviation from the standard of care which a reasonable person would exercise in the situation."

The investigation remains ongoing. Once complete, the case will be presented to the DeKalb County District Attorney's Office for prosecution and review, GBI said.

Harris was booked into the DeKalb County Jail on Thursday. His bond was set at $10,000 and he has since bonded out, jail records show. Online court records do not list any attorney information for him. ABC News' attempts to reach him over the phone were unsuccessful.

Following the charges on Wednesday, the DeKalb County Police Department said that Harris has been terminated due to "violations of laws."

"This incident has had a profound impact on everyone involved. My thoughts and prayers remain with the family of Seth Jayden Eccles as they continue to grieve this tragic loss," DeKalb County Police Chief Greg Padrick said in a statement. "This has also been a difficult time for the members of our department. The men and women of the DeKalb County Police Department remain committed to serving our community with professionalism, integrity, and compassion, and they will continue to serve the people of DeKalb County with honor, service, and partnership each and every day."

DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson called Eccles' death a "tragedy."

"My heartfelt condolences are with his family and loved ones as they navigate an unimaginable loss," she said in a statement on Wednesday. "Today's criminal charges and the termination of our officer reflect our commitment to accountability. We understand no one is above the law and that accountability is essential to maintaining public trust."

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Over 30 people injured after bus crashes into building in Maryland: Authorities

The incident occurred in Pikesville, located northwest of Baltimore, just outside the city limits. (Baltimore County Fire Department)

(PIKESVILLE, Md.) -- Over 30 people were injured after a public transit bus struck multiple vehicles before crashing into a building in Maryland on Wednesday, authorities said.

The incident occurred shortly before 6 p.m. ET in Pikesville, located northwest of Baltimore, just outside the city limits.

A Maryland Transit Administration bus "struck several vehicles before losing control and striking a building," the Baltimore County Police Department said.

The bus driver was transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries, police said. Additionally, 36 people were transported to area hospitals, police said.

Twelve vehicles were involved in the incident, including one that rolled over, according to authorities.

"The circumstances leading up to this crash remain under investigation," police said Thursday.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said he is monitoring the situation.

"We are deeply grateful for our first responders who acted with speed and skill to ensure the safety of our neighbors," he said in a post on social media. "We've been in close coordination with local officials to provide any support needed on the ground."

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No arrests made 1 month after mysterious killing of New Jersey mom

Stock image of police tape. (halbergman/Getty Images)

(CHESTER TOWNSHIP, N.J.) -- More than one month after a New Jersey mom was killed in her suburban home, prosecutors say no arrests have been made.

Brooke Hanlon, 35, was found dead in her house in Chester Township after officers responded to a 911 call in the late afternoon of June 6, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office said.

Her death was ruled a homicide from "multiple sharp force injuries," prosecutors said.

Hanlon is survived by her husband and baby daughter, according to Fox News Digital.

Hanlon's sister, Paige Haggerty, told Fox News Digital that "Brooke was the sweetest, purest person that I have ever known in my entire life," and she called Hanlon's baby "the only saving grace."

The 35-year-old worked as a therapist in Bernardsville, New Jersey, according to LifeStance.

"We are deeply saddened at the passing of our teammate Brooke Hanlon," a LifeStance spokesperson told ABC News in a statement. "Brooke was a beloved member of our Bernardsville team and an exceptional therapist who was highly dedicated to her clients. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Brooke's family and friends during this difficult time."

Prosecutors said the case is active and ongoing.

Officials urge anyone with information to call the Morris County Prosecutor's Office at 973-285-2900, Chester Police at 908-879-5100 or CrimeStoppers at 973-267-2255. A reward up to $1,000 is available, Morris County Sheriff's CrimeStoppers said.

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Man arrested for allegedly throwing Molotov cocktails at Queens houses of worship

Stock image of Molotov cocktail. (Sinenkiy/Getty Images)

(NEW YORK) -- A man was arrested after he allegedly threw Molotov cocktails at two different houses of worship and another building in Queens Wednesday night, the New York City Police Department said.

Officers responded to a 911 call at Iglesia Bautista El Mesias Church in Ozone Park around 11:35 p.m. about a man allegedly throwing the incendiary device, according to the NYPD.

Surveillance footage showed the suspect lighting the Molotov cocktail and then throwing it at the church before walking away after it exploded on the ground, police said.

The New York City Fire Department put out the fire. No one was hurt and there was no significant damage to the building, according to the police.

Alex Garcia, the pastor of the church, told ABC News' New York City affiliate WABC that the house of worship has been around for 20 years.

"We have no enemies, so I don't know where this is coming from," he told the station.

The suspect, who police only identified as a 36-year-old man, then allegedly traveled a mile north to Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses and allegedly lit and threw another Molotov cocktail at the house of worship, according to investigators.

There were no reported damage or injuries at that location, police said.

The suspect was arrested by police later in the night, according to the NYPD.

Investigators discovered that he allegedly threw another Molotov cocktail at a third location in the area, according to the NYPD. That building also sustained no damage, and there were no injuries, investigators said.

Police alleged that the suspect had a bag with two other Molotov cocktails inside at the time of his arrest.

The suspect's charges and arraignment were pending as of Thursday morning, police said. The investigation is ongoing.

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2 World Trade Center breaks ground 25 years after 9/11

Scheduled to open in 2031, 2 World Trade Center will be the global headquarters of American Express as seen in this rendering of the building. (Foster + Partners/WTC)

(NEW YORK) -- Twenty-five years after the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, left a gaping void in Lower Manhattan, American Express broke ground Thursday on its new headquarters, a tiered glass and steel tower at 2 World Trade Center.

The 55-story, 2 million square foot building with more than an acre of outdoor terraces and gardens is the last commercial development in the footprint of the fallen twin towers of the World Trade Center. 

The skyscraper is scheduled to be completed in 2031 and rise 1,226 feet.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said the project will create 3,200 jobs and inject $6 billion into the city's economy.

"We are standing today on hallowed ground," Mamdani said. 

"This has been a long journey," said Lisa Silverstein of Silverstein Properties, the developer of the site since 2001. "This is the capstone for the World Trade Center."

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Judge orders Trump to pay E. Jean Carroll $5 million judgment

E. Jean Carroll attends "Ask E. Jean" New York screening at IFC Center on May 21, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)

(NEW YORK) -- While President Donald Trump attended the NATO summit in Ankara, a federal judge in New York on Wednesday ordered him to pay what he owes E. Jean Carroll after a jury held him liable for sexually abusing and defaming her.

Judge Lewis Kaplan ordered disbursement of the $5 million judgment plus almost $800,000 in interest.

"In the last analysis, defendant has been stalling this case for years. A jury unanimously concluded that he sexually abused and defamed plaintiff and awarded her damages accordingly. The judgment on that verdict has been upheld on appeal. En banc rehearing has been denied. The Supreme Court has denied certiorari without dissent," Kaplan wrote in an order late Wednesday. "It is time for him to 'do equity' and pay the judgment.”

A New York jury in 2023 held Trump liable for sexually abusing Carroll in the dressing room of Bergdorf Goodman in the mid-1990s and defaming her in 2022 when he denied her claim, and decided she is entitled to $5 million in damages.

A jury in a separate but related case determined Trump owes Carroll an additional $83 million in damages, but that is still going through the appeals process. 

The decision comes after the U.S. Supreme Court last month, with no dissents, declined to hear Trump's appeal of the verdict and judgment.

Trump's attorneys launched a long-shot bid to delay the payment and sought an administrative stay from United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, however, in a one-page order on Wednesday evening, the appeals court rejected his request for a delay, clearing the way for the money to go to Carroll.

The same court had already denied Trump's initial attempts to appeal the case, in addition to the Supreme Court's ruling.

Three years ago, Trump deposited $5.55 million in the federal government's Court Registry Investment System -- which effectively held the money in escrow during his appeal.

Judge Kaplan on Wednesday ordered the clerk to move the money into an account belonging to Carroll's lawyers. The transfer of funds may have already taken place, though the court docket does not indicate either way.

After the Supreme Court decision, attorneys for Carroll asked a federal judge to order Trump to pay the money, saying Trump's lawyers told them the president may ask the Supreme Court to reconsider.

"[A]fter four years of litigation across every level of the federal court system, it is time for this case to end," Carroll's attorney Roberta Kaplan wrote in a court filing. "And under the Court's Stipulation and Order, Carroll is now entitled to obtain payment of the money due under the judgment."

In a post on his social media platform after the Supreme Court rejected his appeal, Trump vowed to continue to fight the case.

"I will continue the fight against this Weaponization and Lawfare Case against me, including the ridiculous claim of Defamation, with all of my power and strength," Trump said in the post.

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Trial for alleged Jan. 6 pipe bomber set for February

Brian Cole Jr. is seen in this undated yearbook photo from the C.D. Hylton High School in 2013. (C.D. Hylton High School)

(WASHINGTON) -- Brian Cole Jr., the Virginia man charged with placing pipe bombs outside the Republican and Democratic National Committee headquarters the night before the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, is set to go to trial in February, a federal judge said during a court hearing Wednesday. 

U.S. District Judge Amir Ali set the trial date for Feb. 16 based on a request from Cole's lawyers, who pointed to massive tranches of evidence the government has shared with them stemming from the roughly five-year investigation into the placement of the pipe bombs. 

Cole has pleaded not guilty in the case.

The government and Cole's attorneys said they expect the trial could take as long as two weeks. 

Both sides will next return to court on Sept. 10 for a status conference. 

On Monday, Judge Ali ruled that the sweeping clemency granted by President Donald Trump for all of the individuals charged in connection with the Jan. 6 attack does not apply to Cole.

Cole's defense attorneys had argued that Cole should be covered by President Trump's pardons on the basis that his actions were allegedly related to Congress' convening of the joint session the next day.

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Child using computer shocked by electrical current after lightning strikes house: Authorities

Authorities respond to a residence in Harris County, Texas, following a lightning strike, July 7, 2026. (Harris County Precinct 4 Constable's Office)

(HOUSTON, Texas) -- A child was injured after lightning struck his Texas home and the electrical current traveled through the home's wiring, shocking him while he used a computer, according to authorities. 

The incident occurred Tuesday in Cypress, a Houston suburb. The electrical current caused a small fire in the home's attic, in addition to injuring the boy, according to Harris County Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman.

The 14-year-old was evaluated by emergency medical services personnel at the scene and was not transported to a hospital, according to the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable's Office.

The Cypress Creek Fire Department also responded, authorities said.

The investigation remains ongoing, Herman said.

The forecast for the Houston area on Tuesday called for isolated thunderstorms and showers.

Herman issued a safety warning following the incident, saying in a statement, "During thunderstorms, avoid using corded electronics and stay away from electrical wiring and plumbing, as lightning can travel through a home's electrical system." 

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