Category: CNN Regional

By Faraz Javed, Marlon Falconer, Brian Schwartz

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    DETROIT, Michigan (WXYZ) — Three people are dead and four others were injured after a fight turned deadly at a home on Detroit’s west side near Prest Street and Eaton Avenue.

Community Violence Intervention leaders say the dispute may have started over a cellphone.

Detroit police say a ShotSpotter alert came in just after 7:20 a.m. Sunday, followed by a 911 call. Officers arrived within four minutes and found three men with fatal gunshot wounds. Four other victims — two men and two women — were taken to hospitals privately with non-life-threatening injuries.

Community Violence Intervention leader Tamara Smith said the outcome of the dispute was preventable.

“This is a mass shooting that has occurred over something simple: a cellphone. We have three fatalities, four non-fatal injuries, but a total of seven because of a cellphone,” Smith said.

Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison described how the violence unfolded.

“A fight occurred, an altercation occurred and as a result, individuals decided to settle it with gun violence,” Bettison said.

One of the victims has been identified by family as 45-year-old Ansley Harris Jr. His cousin, Janelle Harris, said she had seen him just days before he was killed.

“I love him. You need anything, he was like, he good,” Janelle Harris said.

Janelle Harris said the family is committed to honoring him.

“Ansley, we love you. And we’re going to send you away, beautiful,” she said.

Neighbors say trouble had been brewing at the home before Sunday’s shooting. A resident, who asked to be identified only as Alex and not to be shown on camera out of fear of retaliation, described what he had observed in the days leading up to the shooting.

“Early morning, loud noise, lots of cars, lots of people coming in and out, a lot of fighting,” he said.

Alex said the situation had been escalating for at least two days and that neighbors had already contacted authorities.

“The last two days, it’s been an issue and a lot of us have called,” Alex said.

During a press conference, Bettison said investigators believe the home was operating as an after-hours location, telling reporters to imagine a strip club. He said the address had a history of calls for service.

“Since the beginning of this year, we have had seven calls for service to this address. I will let you know that I also had an investigation into this address as well,” the chief said.

Alex said he was sitting on his porch Sunday morning when he heard the situation escalating before the shooting began.

“I heard screaming between a number of women, it sounded like, and then louder, louder and then it became threats — so I’m gonna kill you, I’m gonna shoot you, this and that,” he said.

Alex said he then heard approximately 12 gunshots fired in rapid succession.

“I heard maybe 12. It was one after the other real quick,” he said.

Smith said the loss of life was unnecessary.

“Physical violence happens. Gun violence does not have to show up. This could have been handled in a completely different way when people could have went home,” Smith said.

Police say they have leads but do not believe there is an ongoing threat to the public. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-SPEAK-UP.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. WXYZ’s editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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 Eliezer Sherman

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    HOBBS, New Mexico (KOAT) — Hobbs Police Chief James Jones briefed the public on Sunday, addressing the shooting of a teacher at Highland Middle School on Friday in Hobbs, New Mexico.

At 11:39 a.m., officers responded to Highland Middle School after an initial report of a stabbing was updated to a possible shooting, Jones said. Two officers arrived in less than a minute, and Highland and Coronado middle schools were placed on lockdown.

Authorities said teacher Kelly Matthews was shot by a student outside the rear doors of a building. The student had been inside the school then exited. As Matthews encountered the juvenile, the student started to fire. Police said the suspect fled east toward a residential area.

A blade was also found near the scene. EMS took Matthews to a Hobbs hospital within minutes, and he was later transferred to Lubbock.

Officers established a perimeter around both schools. Statements from the victim helped authorities identify the suspect as a white male wearing a black hoodie, black pants and a long white shirt.

Authorities located him moments later, but he began running from officers.

The middle student has been charged with aggravated assault and battery of a school personnel, unlawful carrying of a deadly weapon and shooting threats, and evading law enforcement, among other charges.

Officials said the motive is still unclear, and they have not determined if Matthews was a pre-identified target. They said, at this time, there has been no established history of criminal offenses with this student.

Officials said they know how the student obtained the firearm but said they are withholding that information at this time. No criminal charges have been pursued against the parents at this time.

Jones said there would be a heightened police presence at the school over the next several days, and Superintendent Gene Strickland said school would resume on Monday.

“We continue to pray for [Kelly’s] recovery,” said Jones.

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 Carson DuRall

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    COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (KETV) — One local mother from Council Bluffs is making sure her child with autism isn’t left out of typical activities this Halloween, and she’s written a book about it.

Nature Decker recently wrote Halloween is for Everyone; it launches Oct. 7 on the Barnes and Noble website, but is available for pre-order now.

Decker said she was inspired to write the book by her son Cash, who has stage three autism; her goal is to make this holiday enjoyable for everyone.

“You know, it’s a scary feeling for them. They don’t know them, you know. And it makes it even worse because they don’t understand them either,” Decker said.

The Central for Disease Control has revealed that approximately one in every 31 children in the U.S. has autism.

In Nebraska, the Autism Family Network said the 2025 Nebraska Kids Count estimated there are more than 15,000 children across the state with autism.

“Be patient and be kind because chances are you are going to have a child with autism coming to your door on Halloween,” Autism Family Network President Cathy Martinez said.

For 3-year-old Cash Decker, Halloween is his favorite day.

“It’s really amazing. You know how much he enjoys the Halloween spirit, you know? But it is nerve-wracking for him at the same time, meeting different people. The crowds are scary for him,” Decker said.

Cash is non-verbal, so on Halloween he can’t say things like “trick or treat” or “thank you.”

“For me as a mother, I just want people to understand him and be able to talk to him,” Decker said.

That’s what inspired his mom to write Halloween is for Everyone.

“I wanted to bring that out for him because that’s what we see a lot for Halloween is, a lot of people are waiting for that, ‘Hey, thank you,’ you know, or, ‘Can you say trick or treat?’ Well, he doesn’t do that,” Decker said.

The hope is that everyone handing out candy this Halloween is prepared for all kids coming to their doorstep.

“Lots of kids with autism; their parents do restrictive diets like gluten-free or milk-free diets. So maybe have some options available for kids that might have those dietary restrictions,” Martinez said.

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 Dacoda Wahpekeche

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    GARVIN COUNTY, Oklahoma (KOCO) — A man accused of trying to carry out a mass shooting at Pauls Valley High School earlier this year has pleaded not guilty due to mental illness.

Victor Hawkins appeared in court Monday in Garvin County, facing multiple charges including shooting with intent to kill. He remains in jail until he faces a jury trial in the spring of 2027.

A judge asked if Hawkins appeared mentally competent, to which the suspect answered yes. The judge also acknowledged that Hawkins has a history of mental illness.

Hawkins did not say anything during his arraignment, but he told his mother that he loved her. After the hearing, Hawkins’ mother and Pauls Valley High School principal Kirk Moore, who stopped the attempted shooting in April, hugged each other.

Learn more about the case below.

Pauls Valley school shooting stopped A video showed Hawkins, a former Pauls Valley High School student, pointing and firing a gun before slowly walking into the school lobby on April 7. Investigators told KOCO 5 that the gun jammed.

The principal then rushed at Hawkins from the side, tackling him, and stopping the planned school shooting. Moore was shot, and he was briefly hospitalized before being released.

Suspect arrest Hawkins was arrested shortly after the shooting and was booked into the Garvin County Jail on two counts of pointing a firearm, one count of shooting with intent to kill, and two counts of unlawful carry.

Court documents state that Hawkins intended to commit a mass shooting at the school and admitted that he was influenced by the Columbine school shooting. During an arraignment earlier this year, Hawkins told a judge he had every intention of going inside the school to shoot students, faculty, and then himself.

No gag order Earlier this year, a Garvin County judge decided against issuing a gag order in Hawkins’ case.

The decision came after a state-appointed attorney argued that the news media’s First Amendment rights could have violated Hawkins’ Sixth Amendment right to a fair trial. The attorney requested the gag order to prevent law enforcement from releasing information about the case.

The judge denied the request but urged law enforcement to limit public comment on the case, saying she did not see any violations of Hawkins’ rights.

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 Christian Bussiere, Avery Everett

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    OSCEOLA COUNTY, Florida (WESH) — The parents of a 2-year-old child were arrested after the toddler was found wandering alone on a road late Saturday, according to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies responded to the area of Jones Road and Talisi Loop at about 11:39 p.m. Sept. 26 after a driver spotted the toddler walking in the middle of Jones Road. The child, who was wearing a diaper and tank top, was taken to safety by the driver before she called 911, deputies say.

The toddler was unharmed but appeared frightened and was crying, the sheriff’s office said.

Deputies canvassed the neighborhood and found the front door open at a home on Talisi Loop. No one was inside. Investigators identified the residence as the child’s home and attempted to contact the people listed as living there, deputies say.

A deputy reached the child’s father, 36-year-old Johnny JeanBaptiste, by phone, but he hung up, authorities said.

JeanBaptiste and the child’s mother, 32-year-old Stacia McMillian, returned to the home shortly after 12:30 a.m. in a Toyota Corolla. The sheriff’s office said they were uncooperative with deputies.

Both parents were arrested and booked into the Osceola County Jail on one count each of child neglect without great bodily harm.

The Florida Department of Children and Families was notified, and the toddler was released to a family member.

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 Alan Shope

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    MOUND CITY, Kansas (KMBC) — Courtney Short and her dog Lilly, separated for more than five years and 900 miles, were reunited earlier this week.

Courtney, who now lives in Boise, Idaho, said the separation began in August 2021 after a breakup with an ex-boyfriend who took the dog. She never thought she would see Lilly again.

“It’s very, very rare. Courtney was diligent in the several times that she had moved over that five-year period of time and remembering to update with the chip data center,” said Janet Jackson of Dirt Road Rescue.

The rescue determined that Lilly had been found as a stray in the Moab Desert area and later driven to Mound City, Kansas, where she became a stray again. They tested her for a microchip.

“Just on the outside chance that maybe we would get a chip read, and we did,” Jackson said.

After locating Courtney, the small rescue group arranged a reunion in Colorado.

“Had I not kept my information up-to-date, I don’t think that you guys would’ve found me,” Courtney said.

“There were tears all around, and Lilly is just the best dog,” she added.

Courtney emphasized the importance of keeping pet microchip information current, saying, “When you’re moving, updating your pet’s chip is probably the last thing you ever think of doing, but she had great hopes of finding out where Lilly was.”

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.