Month: July 2026

By Raymond Strickland

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    PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania (KYW) — Christmas came early at Shriners Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia as members of the Centurion Motorcycle Club dropped off gifts and delivered joy to the kids during their annual toy run.

“Being able to see them smile and grab a toy and be happy even if it’s for the one day, it means everything to us,” said Brian Cain with Philadelphia’s Chapter of the Centurions Motorcycle Club. “This is why we do it.”

The toy run has become a tradition at the hospital. It’s an event kids like Yair Bonilla look forward to every year.

“I see the happiness that they put on these kids’ faces, especially mine. It really makes me emotional, and they really do a lot for these kids and they help out a lot,” said Bonilla, who is a patient at the hospital.

This year’s toy run was even more special for the motorcycle club as they celebrated their 30th anniversary. In the past three decades, the club has been able to raise $1 million, with all of the money going to the kids at the hospital. So far this year, the club has raised $100,000.

“To see the kids’ faces is special, but to see these big burly guys pulling up in a Harley-Davidson with a Barbie in one hand and wiping a tear with the other because they know they are doing something so great for our hospital is amazing,” said Mario Salvati, who is the interim administrator at Shriners Children’s Hospital.

But for members of the motorcycle club, the money raised pales in comparison to amount of happiness they provide to kids who are battling difficult circumstances.

“It really brings tears to your eyes. It’s so wonderful,” Cain said.

And even though it wasn’t winter in Philadelphia, the moment with the kids could still easily give you the chills.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Ali Bauman

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    NEW YORK, New York (WCBS) — New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Sunday responded to criticism that he’s fueling antisemitism.

He did so as Jewish New Yorkers rallied on Manhattan’s Upper West Side against antisemitism and hate in the wake of the stabbing of a Jewish man and Asian man in the neighborhood last week.

Mamdani is “throwing gasoline on the fire,” New Yorker says Protesters rallied against Mamdani and a video he released earlier this week in which he conceded he does not have authority to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He instead called on the federal government to arrest him.

“Benjamin Netanyahu is not welcome in New York City,” Mamdani says on the video.

Some Jewish New Yorkers at Sunday’s rally did not take too kindly to the footage they saw.

“That is an inciteful video inciting violence,” Lizzy Savetsky said.

“You, Mamdani, are throwing gasoline on the fire, pitting one community against the other,” another person said.

“It’s important to come here today to show we will not be silenced,” Ari Afilalo said.

Mamdani responds, as do his defenders CBS News New York’s Ali Bauman asked the mayor for his response to New Yorkers who feel he is fanning the flames of antisemitism.

“I would say first and foremost there’s no tolerance for antisemitism in this city. We have to root out antisemitism from across the five boroughs and that’s because the city is one that has no room for hate or bigotry of any kind, and when we make criticisms of a nation state or policies, we have to remember those are criticisms of exactly that — never of a people, never of a faith,” Mamdani said.

The rally was met with counter-protesters defending the mayor.

“People are against Jews not because of Judaism. They’re against Jews because of what the Zionists are doing and they think Jews are responsible. He is doing a job to clarify that it’s not Judaism. He is doing the Jews a favor,” said Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Weiss, of the group Jews United Against Zionism.

51-year-old arrested in UWS stabbings Raul Morales, 51, was arraigned on two counts of second-degree attempted murder as a hate crime in the attack on the two men.

The Department of Justice says its Civil Rights Division, along with the NYPD, is investigating the double stabbing. Both victims are expected to survive. The suspect is being held without bail.

The latest NYPD data shows about a 2% increase in anti-Jewish hate crimes citywide so far this year.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Noelle Lilley, Naveen Dhaliwal, Jeff Capellini

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    NEW YORK, New York (WCBS) — A young boy was killed in a triple shooting in the Bronx on Saturday.

The NYPD identified the victim as 12-year-old Jacob Freytes. He is the son of a retired NYPD sergeant detective, according to the Sergeants Benevolent Association.

The child was not the intended target of this shooting, according to police sources. Local leaders are calling him an innocent bystander.

William Ferrer, 45, of the Bronx was arrested Sunday. He is facing a slew of charges, including second-degree murder and first-degree manslaughter.

Ferrer had nothing to say as he was escorted out of the 44th Precinct stationhouse in handcuffs. He was arraigned and pleaded not guilty to the charges. He is being held without bail.

“No arrest can ever ease the pain of this unimaginable loss, but the NYPD will continue to do everything in our power to seek justice for Jacob,” Tisch wrote on social media.

Here’s what police say happened Saturday The gun violence erupted in broad daylight at around 5 p.m. in front of a bodega on Elliot Place in the Mount Eden section of the borough.

Surveillance video shows the 12-year-old on his bike as shots ring out, and then he is seen running inside the business for help. Police later said the boy was shot in the left shoulder and was rushed to Lincoln Hospital, where he died. Officials said the bodega did have a panic button inside, but it’s unclear if it was used.

Two other people were also shot, including a 25-year-old man and a 34-year-old man. Authorities said they are in stable condition.

The tragic loss of life has shaken the neighborhood. Neighbors described a chaotic scene.

“All of a sudden, I heard like two gunshots going off. I thought they were fireworks, but then I heard, like, commotion going on,” Alex Peralta said, adding, “I look out the window, I saw people, like, running away. I saw guys going into their cars in the driveway, and they just drove off real quick.”

Read more: Gunman sought in robbery and attempted carjacking of Brooklyn car service driver The United Bodega Association had offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the boy’s shooting, and the New York State Federation of Taxis drivers put forth a $10,000 reward for information pertaining to the two other people who were shot.

The organizations held a joint news conference on Sunday morning, demanding an end to gun violence in and around their businesses. They specifically singled out the Bronx and Brooklyn.

“We cannot accept this violence as normal” On Sunday, just around the corner from where the 12-year-old was shot, there was a growing memorial of candles, flowers, and messages outside his building from a community that knew him by his nickname, “Kai.”

“I started crying. Me and Kai had been childhood best friends. He was a nice kid. He didn’t deserve that,” Marlyn Rosario said.

Not long after the shooting, elected officials took to social media to denounce the violence.

“Our children should be able to ride their bikes on a nice summer day in their neighborhood without fear of being shot. We cannot accept this violence as normal,” New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani said.

“We have to do better,” Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson added.

“We mourn with 12-year-old Jacob Freytes’ family. Nothing could be more tragic: An innocent child on his bike, killed by a stray bullet. Our children’s safety is our collective responsibility. We must meet this crisis by urgently implementing strategies proven to make us safer,” the office of Public Advocate Jumaane Williams wrote on social media.

Anyone with any information is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). You can also submit a tip via their website or via DM on Twitter, @NYPDTips. All calls are kept confidential.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Zachary Bynum

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    BROWARD COUNTY, Florida (WFOR) — A wildfire sparked by a lightning strike in western Broward County has been fully contained, according to officials.

The wildfire, which ignited along U.S. 27 near Interstate 75, forced officials to shut the roadway down.

However, officials were able to reopen the road once the blaze was brought under control.

Firefighters and member of the Florida Forest Service remained at the scene to monitor the situation as drivers were urged to avoid the area.

No injuries were reported.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Zachary Bynum

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    OPA-LOCKA, Florida (WFOR) — A South Florida man is facing multiple charges after deputies say he led law enforcement on a high-speed chase through the Florida Keys early Sunday morning, reaching speeds of more than 100 mph before he was taken into custody.

According to Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, 41-year-old Harold Junius Walker, of Opa-locka, was arrested after deputies attempted to stop a Dodge truck for speeding near Mile Marker 29 on U.S. 1 at about 3 a.m.

Investigators said Walker instead sped away, prompting a pursuit southbound on U.S. 1.

Deputies deployed tire-deflation tools near the Sheriff’s Office substation on Cudjoe Key, but officials said Walker continued driving despite the flattened tires. The pursuit ended near Mile Marker 19, where the truck came to a stop.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, Walker refused repeated commands to exit the vehicle. Deputies ultimately removed him from the truck by force, and officials said he continued resisting officers.

Walker was booked into Monroe County Jail on charges of fleeing officers, resisting lawful arrest, driving without a valid driver’s license and excessive speeding. He’s also obtained multiple traffic citations.

No injuries have been reported.

Police have not released additional information about what caused Walker to flee the initial traffic stop.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.