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- This Week in Crime: July 13 - 19, 2024
This Week in Crime: July 13 - 19, 2024
Top Stories of the Week
Former Pennsylvania Volunteer Fire Chief Killed in Sniper Attack at Trump Rally
Buffalo Township, Pennsylvania - A tragic incident unfolded at a rally for former President Donald Trump, as a sniper attack claimed the life of Corey Comperatore, a former volunteer fire chief. The assailant, identified as Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, opened fire during Trump’s speech, injuring the former president and two others. Comperatore, 50, bravely attempted to shield his daughter from the gunfire but tragically lost his life in the process.
According to local reports, Comperatore’s sister, Dawn Comperatore Schafer, expressed her grief and anger on Facebook, stating that her brother’s life was taken due to the hatred directed towards one man. She described Comperatore as a hero who selflessly protected his daughters. The unimaginable loss has left his wife and children devastated.
Cyanide Poisoning Suspected in the Deaths of Six Foreigners at Bangkok Hotel
Bangkok, Thailand - Thai police suspect that cyanide poisoning caused the death of six foreigners whose bodies were found in an upmarket Bangkok hotel. Traces of the deadly poison were discovered in the room at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Hotel, where the bodies were found. The victims have been identified as two United States citizens with Vietnamese roots and four Vietnamese nationals.
Authorities have emphasized that the crime is of a “private” nature and that there is no security threat to Thailand’s key tourist sector. It is believed that one of the deceased individuals laced tea with cyanide, possibly due to a dispute over money. The police forensic division commander, Trirong Phiwpan, confirmed that cyanide was found in all six teacups.
Mass suicide is considered unlikely as some of the victims had made arrangements for guides and drivers for later in their Thai trip. Additionally, the bodies were found in different areas of the hotel room, suggesting that they did not knowingly consume the poison together.
Thai police are convinced that one of the six individuals found dead committed this crime. An autopsy is expected to provide further insights into the cause of death within the next day. The Vietnamese government has been coordinating closely with Thai authorities, while the US State Department is monitoring the situation.
40th Anniversary of San Ysidro Massacre Brings Reflection and Hope for Change
San Ysidro, California—Thursday marked the 40th anniversary of the San Ysidro massacre. This tragic event unfolded on July 18, 1984, when a heavily armed gunman entered a McDonald’s restaurant and opened fire, resulting in the loss of 21 lives. This incident is widely regarded as one of the country’s first modern-day mass shootings.
Wendy Flanagan, a survivor of the massacre, still carries the emotional scars from that fateful day. The sound of fireworks on the Fourth of July continues to unsettle her, reminding her of the constant onslaught of bullets she experienced. Flanagan, now a Chula Vista resident, often chooses solitude, finding solace in the company of her two chihuahuas.
Flanagan believes that raising awareness about the details and impact of the massacre may lead to meaningful change. As part of this effort, she will be making in-person appearances at local screenings of the documentary “77 Minutes,” directed by Charlie Minn. The film takes a victim-driven approach, deliberately omitting the shooter’s name, and aims to inform, educate, and raise awareness about the tragic event.
Despite such efforts, mass shootings continue to plague the nation. According to the nonprofit Gun Violence Archive, there have already been over 280 shootings with four or more victims this year, including more than 400 children under the age of 12 among the victims.
In Other Crime News
Miami, Florida - Real Estate Mogul Found Dead in Mansion During FBI Raid Connected to Murder-for-Hire Probe. Read More.
Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts - Massachusetts Air National Guard Member to Face Court-Martial for Leaking Classified Documents. Read More.
Yekaterinburg, Russia- American Journalist Evan Gershkovich’s Espionage Trial Resumes in Russian Court. Read More.
Madison, New Jersey - Senator Bob Menendez Convicted of Corruption, Faces Uncertain Political Future. Read More.
Granton, Tasmania - Massive Collection of 3,404 Eggs Seized in Illegal Bird Trade Operation. Read More.
Sacramento, California - Wrongfully Convicted Men Awarded Compensation for Years of Incarceration. Read More.
Crime History
July 19, 1952 - The Crater Lake Murders
Detroit General Motors executives Charles Culhane and Al Jones went missing in Oregon’s Crater Lake National Park on July 19, 1952. Business associates planned to meet up with them at a nearby fishing spot, but the men never showed. Their bodies were discovered nearby two days later, about half a mile away from their car. Each man was gagged and fatally shot once. The pair’s valuables had been stolen. Investigators found no evidence at the scene. In the following years, police had a few leads but no real suspects. The murders remain unsolved.
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