Man charged with May 16 murder has deadly criminal history

KRDO on May 20, 2025

Michael Logerwell

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – Emmanuel Cooley III now faces a 1st degree murder charge and other lesser offenses for the May 16 fatal shooting outside a shopping center on Pikes Peak Avenue.

KRDO13 Investigates has now uncovered court documents that show this is the second time Cooley has been charged with murder.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: One person dead after shooting at Colorado Springs business center

According to Cooley’s arrest affidavit, the Friday shooting started with an argument in the parking lot of the Park Hill Business Center. The original caller told police they saw two people arguing, then “one shot the other.”

Police say they arrived and found the victim wounded in front of Santiago’s Boxing Club. The victim died at the scene. As of Monday evening, CSPD has not identified the victim, but loved ones are already grieving. A memorial made up of dozens of candles, balloons, and flowers now sits at the scene of the crime.

The arrest affidavit says police were able to obtain footage of the shooting and the moments leading up to it. That footage matches up with the witness’s statement, according to police records. The witness told police she saw a black man dressed in dark clothing pull the trigger. Police say the security camera footage showed the same thing.

Cooley is now facing the following charges:

1st degree murder

Felony menacing

Possession of a weapon by a previous offender

When police brought him in for questioning, Cooley said he didn’t want to waste time and pleaded the 5th, declining to answer any questions.

KRDO13 Investigates uncovered court documents and newspaper headlines that show that Cooley previously pleaded guilty to 2nd degree murder in 2001, related to an August 1999 killing.

Cooley was sentenced to 32 years behind bars in that case.

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Watch: Ride along with DWI Task Force

KVIA on May 20, 2025

Paul Cicala

EL PASO (KVIA) -The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office headed up a countywide DWI Task Force over the weekend that led to 48 arrests. ABC-7 anchor Paul Cicala took part in a ride along with El Paso Constable Frank Almada, of Precinct 1, to bring you an in-depth look at what law enforcement deals with during any given weekend:

“Enforcing D-W-I, The message is, if you are driving while intoxicated, you will be arrested,” said Constable Almada to Paul Cicala while he sat in his patrol vehicle after exercising a DWI arrest during the ride along, “People want to be safe.  People want to get home to their loved ones as well.”

The operation, speerheaded by El Paso County Sheriff Oscar Ugarte, is described as bringing together “every local municipality in El Paso County, our State Troopers, and Constables to target and arrest impaired drivers and ensure safer roads for our community.”

“We are incredibly grateful to every agency that participated in this joint effort and to our County and City leaders for recognizing the seriousness of DWIs in our region,” stated Sheriff Ugarte. “We’re proud to lead this initiative and even prouder to see our entire law enforcement community unite around the common goal of protecting lives. I also want to thank the men and women in law enforcement who go out every day to serve and protect, and our dedicated detention officers who play a vital role in supporting these operations.”

Here’s more released from the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office:

“This unprecedented partnership included the following agencies:

El Paso County Sheriff’s Office – Sheriff Oscar Ugarte

El Paso Police Department – Chief Peter Pacillas

Socorro Police Department – Chief Robert Rojas

Clint Police Department – Chief Robert Fernandez

San Elizario Police Department – Chief Jose Soliz

Horizon City Police Department – Chief Marco Vargas

Anthony Police Department – Chief Carlos Enriquez

Constable Precinct 1 – Constable Frank Almada

Constable Precinct 2 – Constable Danny Zamora

Constable Precinct 3 – Constable Hector Bernal

Constable Precinct 4 – Constable Luis “Louie” Aguilar

Constable Precinct 6 – Constable Javier Garcia

Texas Department of Public Safety – Regional Director Jose Sanchez

Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission – Major Paul Parent

Offense Breakdown:

Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) – 20

DWI BAC ≥ 0.15 – 6

DWI BAC ≥ 0.15 & Resisting Arrest – 1

DWI with Open Alcohol Container – 2

DWI & Possession of Marijuana – 1

DWI & Possession of Controlled Substance PG 1 – 1

DWI 3rd or More – 2

DWI 2nd Offense – 2

DWI & Unlawful Carry of a Weapon – 1

DUI Minor – 1

Public Intoxication – 3

Assault Causing Bodily Injury – 1

Evading Arrest with Motor Vehicle – 1

Evading Arrest & Assault – 1

Possession of Controlled Substance – 2

Parole Violation – 1

Criminal Mischief – 1

Traffic Warrants – 1

This coordinated enforcement action is part of Sheriff Ugarte’s ongoing commitment to combat impaired driving and reduce preventable deaths on El Paso County roads.”

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Heroic first responders save embryos after Palm Springs bomb explosion

KESQ on May 20, 2025

Tori King

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – We’re hearing directly from some of the first responders who arrived at the scene of Saturday’s explosion in Palm Springs.

Fire crews found themselves at the site of the largest bombing in Southern California history on Saturday, but that didn’t stop them from going beyond the call of duty.

The FBI says the suspect, Guy Edward Barktus, used a car bomb to blow up a fertility clinic because of his anti-IVF and nihilistic beliefs. But what Barktus didn’t know was that his plan was going to fail, thanks to several heroes who put their lives on the line to make sure the embryos survived.

One of those heroes was Deputy Chief Greg Lyle, who says he was called in about an hour after the blast went off. He immediately got in contact with the clinic’s doctor, who informed the team about the embryos being stored inside the lab. 

Asst Fire Chief Greg Lyle (Left) and FBI agent Chris Meltzer (Right)

That’s when Lyle, along with the bomb squad, was tasked to come up with a rescue plan.

“There was kind of a lot of uncertainty. I didn’t feel comfortable in sending my guys in,” Lyle said.

At the moment, they weren’t sure if it had been affected by the blast but after careful consideration, they decided to go inside, saying saving the embryos was non-negotiable. 

“And so, you know, I said that if anybody was going to go, it was going to be me, the bomb squad technician. He agreed. So him and I decided to go in there. At some point, there was conversation where we said, you know, if we don’t try, the bad guy wins,” Lyle said.

The pair found a room where the cryogenic tanks were being stored and found they hadn’t been damaged by the homemade bomb. 

Lyle says the team realized the tanks were too large to remove but determined they were stable enough to keep inside; the only problem, the power was out.  It’s a problem, because embryos have to be stored at a certain temperature in order to survive, they’re frozen in liquid nitrogen at -321 degrees Fahrenheit, preserving them indefinitely. 

Since they couldn’t move the tanks, Lyle says that had to get the power back on.

The generator failed, but after a few hours, and a few more personnel, they managed to restore the power and save the embryos. 

Lyle said this was one of the most important jobs he’s ever worked on, and that since the rescue, one of the patients reached out to thank him. That patient was one of our very own Palm Springs firefighters. 

“I received a text message later on that night from one of the personnel fire department thanking me for saving his embryos, and then in later talking to him, it was, it’s his wife that had a scheduled appointment on Tuesday with the office,” Lyle said.

“Despite the building suffering structural collapse, this was nothing short of heroic, and I’m so proud of our firefighters,” said Palm Springs Fire Chief Paul Alvarado.

Lyle said that knowing he helped out one of his own, made the save that much more special.

“That’s when things started to kind of kind of hit home, that, like we were we, we were involved in something that was pretty special. So it was a team thing. It was not just me, if anything, I was just the one that came up with a crazy plan,” Lyle said.

“We were able to save all of the embryos at this facility. Good guys one. Bad guys zero,” said Akil Davis, assistant director in charge of the FBI in Los Angeles.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage on the Palm Springs explosion investigation.

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Businesses, neighbors rebuilding after explosion

KESQ on May 20, 2025

Shay Lawson

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — A powerful explosion rocked downtown Palm Springs Saturday, leaving damage scattered over a 100-yard radius according to investigators.

The blast shattered windows, rattled nerves and left local businesses like The Velvet Rope reeling.

Owner David Rios said he’s spent days sweeping up debris and repairing broken windows — without the help of insurance.

“No one tells you that you need terrorism insurance, you think about fire and floods,” Rios said. “In the meantime, when we gave them the claim, we were denied.”

Despite the devastation, Rios said a strong sense of community has emerged.

“They have given me love and support,” Rios said.

Rios colleagues said he is a beacon of kindness not only to the community of Palm Springs but to all those around him.

To support The Velvet Rope during this time, visit its GoFundMe.

Crews are continuing cleanup efforts as the investigation proceeds.

Stay with News Channel 3 for the latest updates.

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Oceano man arrested for assault with deadly weapon among other crimes Friday

KEYT on May 20, 2025

Caleb Nguyen

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – A 26-year-old Oceano man was arrested for robbery, assault with a deadly weapon and criminal threats after stealing from a San Luis Obispo business Friday night, according to the San Luis Obispo Police Department.

The 26-year-old laid shirtless in the hallway of the business at the 500 block of Higuera Street when an employee told him he had to leave at 10:24 p.m. on Friday, according to the SLOPD.

The Oceano man left but later returned, charging his cellphone in a bathroom within the business before an argument between him and the employee broke out, according to the SLOPD.

The employee told the 26-year-old he would call the police and began filming the encounter before the Oceano man knocked the phone out of the employee’s hand, according to the SLOPD.

The Oceano man then pulled a knife on the employee and threatened to kill him before the employee put up a trash can to defend himself from the attack, according to the SLOPD.

The 26-year-old then continued to threaten the employee, ran out of the restroom with the employee’s phone in hand, and later destroyed the employee’s phone in a nearby parking lot.

SLOPD officers could not initially find the Oceano man but later identified him thanks to surveillance footage.

SLOPD officers recognized the 26-year-old near Santa Rosa Park before arresting him in the park’s parking lot May 17.

The Oceano man was booked into the San Luis Obispo County Jail and is currently being held without bail under the following charges:

PC 211 – Felony Robbery 

PC 245(a)(1) – Felony Assault with a Deadly Weapon 

PC 422(1) – Felony Criminal Threats 

PC 136.1(b)(1) – Felony Preventing Victim from Calling Law Enforcement 

PC 594(b)(2)(A) – Misdemeanor Vandalism under $400 but with Priors  

PC 3455(A) – Misdemeanor Probation Violation 

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CAL Fire SLO crews put out half acre fire in Atascadero Monday

KEYT on May 20, 2025

Caleb Nguyen

ATASCADERO, Calif. – CAL Fire SLO crews put out a half-acre fire and treated two people for smoke inhalation in Atascadero just past 6:00 p.m. Monday at 12005 San Antonio Road.

CAL Fire SLO crews mopped up the flames until 8:00 p.m. and an aircraft was cancelled as part of the response after forward progress was stopped.

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As Memorial Day nears, Bend-based Project Recover remembers the fallen by bringing heroes home

KTVZ on May 20, 2025

Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding video)

BEND, Ore. — As families across Central Oregon prepare to honor those who gave their lives in service to the nation, one Bend-based nonprofit is working year-round to bring missing heroes home.

Project Recover, a national leader in the search for and recovery of Americans Missing in Action (MIA), is using Memorial Day to remind the community of the powerful work still being done to keep our nation’s promise: that no one is left behind.

In the last six months, Project Recover has played a key role in the identification and repatriation of seven American service members, with more identifications to come.

“These are not just names etched in stone. These are individuals who sacrificed for our nation and  whose families have waited decades for answers,” said Derek Abbey, Project Recover CEO. “Memorial Day is not only a time to remember their sacrifice, but also to renew our commitment to bringing them home.”

This Memorial Day weekend, Project Recover team members will attend services for two WWII airmen whose remains were recently recovered and identified following the organization’s efforts in locating their B-24 in 2017:

SSgt Eugene Darriagan, to be honored in Wappingers Falls, NY, on Saturday, May 24

2nd Lt. Thomas V. Kelly, Jr., to be honored in Livermore, CA, on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26

Both men served aboard the B-24 bomber Heaven Can Wait, which was shot down over Papua New Guinea in 1944. Their homecomings are the result of years of research, search, and recovery missions, and unwavering dedication.

Locally, Project Recover invites the community to continue honoring fallen heroes at an upcoming ribbon cutting and open house for their new Bend office on Tuesday, July 22 at 3:30 p.m. in partnership with the Bend Chamber of Commerce. The new office, located at 803 SW Industrial Way, is helping bring national impact to Central Oregon.

“As Memorial Day reminds us, freedom is not free,” said Derek Abbey. “At Project Recover, we’re doing our part to make sure every sacrifice is remembered—and every hero has the chance to come home.”

To learn more about Project Recover’s mission or attend the July event, visit www.projectrecover.org.

Project Recover has completed over 100 missions in 25 countries, discovered and documented more than 75 aircraft associated with MIAs, developed a growing database of more than 700 cases associated with more than 3,000 MIAs, accounted for over 90 missing-in-action service members, repatriated 26 American heroes, and anticipate additional identifications before the end of 2025.

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Palm Springs mayor sends message to community after terrorist attack

KESQ on May 20, 2025

Shay Lawson

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Palm Springs Mayor Ron deHarte spoke live with News Channel 3’s Shay Lawson to share his message to the community after a bomb explosion rocked the city on Saturday.

“It’s going to take time to heal the wounds that have been caused and the emotions and the incredible stress, not just for us two-legged folks, but our pets also that have been really impacted,” deHarte said “So I asked for patience. We’re going to get there. It’s still an active crime scene, so the investigation is, we’re not even 48 hours in, so answers are going to come it’s going to take a little bit of time.”

deHarte said the city has been working to provide resources and supplies to homeowners or businesses that were impacted by the blast.

“We’ve been working and having conversations for the last two days, talking to our other elected officials in different departments. Asking the questions about what resources are available, especially since insurance companies are looking at this as an act of terrorism,” deHarte said. “So we are rallying all the partners. I know Supervisor Perez has been checking with their Economic Development Department at the county level, we’re talking with Small Business Administration and any other department we can. Reach out to so we’re gathering the information on what programs may be available to our residents and our businesses.”

deHarte directed residents to visit EngagePalmSprings.com for a list of resources and information from the city.

Stay with News Channel 3 for continuing coverage on the Palm Springs explosion.

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Central Oregon’s yearly ‘Point in Time’ count finds number of homeless has risen 17% in past year, 89% over five years

KTVZ on May 20, 2025

Barney Lerten

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — There were 2,108 Central Oregon homeless people counted in January’s annual Point in Time Count, a 17% increase from last year, the Homeless Leadership Coalition said Monday.

The coalition said the regionwide survey is part of a federally mandated nationwide survey of people experiencing homelessness on a single night in January. Surveys were conducted between Jan. 28 and Feb. 3, asking people where they slept the night of Jan. 27.

Although the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development only requires a full count every other year, the HLC said it chose to conduct a full yearly count of both sheltered and unsheltered populations.

Of the total homeless surveyed across the region, two-thirds were unsheltered, and 1,442 said they were living outside in a vehicle. Also, 80% of those counted said they’ve been homeless for over a year.

Nearly 60% of the people surveyed say they’ve lived in Central Oregon for a decade or longer. And more than half said they’d been without a permanent residence for at least three years. Also, 54% reported having a mental health disorder.

The coalition said the total number of people surveyed who were experiencing homelessness has grown 89% in the past five years.

Here’s the full PowerPoint presentation:

2025 PIT presentation (1)Download

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NJCAA Softball World Series brings in tourism for Yuma

KYMA on May 20, 2025

Eduardo Morales

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Softball World Series is attracting hundreds of people the local area.

This gives the local community an opportunity to sell itself and show the country what Yuma has to offer.

According to Visit Yuma, around 800 people are in Yuma because of the tournament.

With 20 of the nation’s top junior college softball teams in town, their fans and family are also spending money in Yuma.

“Those people are staying in our hotels. They’re eating at our restaurants, they’re going to our shops, they’re experiencing our community, and so it is a huge economic opportunity. It’s also a huge opportunity for our community to truly showcase who we are,” said Marcus Carney, the Executive Director of Visit Yuma.

Gabriela Sosa, a catcher for one of the teams competing, says she is enjoying what Yuma has to offer.

“We’ve enjoyed it quite a lot. I mean like I said, coming from somewhere where southern hospitality is a thing, here is absolutely no different. Everyone’s been super accommodating like Coach Shelton said,” Sosa says.

Burgers and Beers restaurant is also seeing an increase of clients becuase of the tournament.

“There’s been a lot of movement this tournament helps Yuma Valley a lot, and we’ve seen a lot of rush in here. We’ve been packed these days and other than having Mother’s Day the other weekend, this tournament has been really great for us and for the community,” Jaime Honold, Burgers and Beer CFO.

Meanwhile, La Quinta Hotel shares how it’s also benefiting from the tournament. With around 45 rooms reserved for players and coaches, not including family and friends, it is safe to say business is booming.

“Being a hotel, that’s what we call it heads in beds, right? We need heads in beds and so something like this allows us to do that…Any tournament that we’ve had we’ve been at like 90% occupancy up to sold out,” said Crystal Rinaldis, General Manager at La Quinta Hotel General Manager.

The championship game is scheduled for this Saturday, meaning tourists will have more time to take in all that Yuma has to offer.

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