SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan.—Law enforcement are investigating alleged sex crimes and have a suspect in custody.

On Jan. 23, following an investigation into a possible child sex crimes, the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division served a search warrant in the 4400 block of SW 61st Street in response to a report that had been filed regarding sexual crimes against a minor, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

Joseph G. Pittman, 41, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges Sexual exploitation of a child; possess media of a child, Sexual exploitation of a child; promote performance, Aggravated indecent solicitation of a child, Aggravated indecent liberties with a child, Intimidation of a witness or victim,&nbsp;Aggravated criminal sodomy and Rape.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737814373488.png" alt="Pittman-photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Pittman-photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY, Kan.—Law enforcement are investigating alleged sex crimes and have a suspect in custody.On Jan. 23, following an investigation into a possible child sex crimes, the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division served a search warrant in the 4400 block of SW 61st Street in response to a report that had been filed regarding sexual crimes against a minor, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.Joseph G. Pittman, 41, of Topeka, was arrested and booked into the Shawnee County Department of Corrections on requested charges Sexual exploitation of a child; possess media of a child, Sexual exploitation of a child; promote performance, Aggravated indecent solicitation of a child, Aggravated indecent liberties with a child, Intimidation of a witness or victim,&nbsp;Aggravated criminal sodomy and Rape.

Kansas man accused of multiple sex crimes involving a child

BENTON COUNTY, Arkansas —Law enforcement are investigating a deadly shooting and asking for help to locate a teen suspect with connections to Kansas.

On April 13, officers responded to a shots fired call in the 400 block of East Asher Court in Rogers, Arkansas, according to a media release.&nbsp; After investigating, it was determined that a 17-year-old victim by the name Alexus Lien Nguyen had been shot and was found deceased on scene. 

Detectives processed the scene, conducted a thorough investigation, and were able to develop 17-year-old Alejandro Zenon-Reyes as the suspect, which resulted in a warrant being issued for his arrest on the charge of manslaughter.

 During and since the investigation began, it is apparent that Zenon-Reyes has fled the state of Arkansas to avoid apprehension. 

Zenon-Reyes has ties to areas such as; Wichita and Arkansas City Kansas, West Covina California, Phoenix Arizona and Dallas/Fort Worth Texas. 

After a court order was filed allowing the release of Zenon-Reyes’s information due to his juvenile status, the U.S. Marshals are now offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1736368995462.png" alt="ZENON-REYES" />
 <figcaption>ZENON-REYES</figcaption>
 </figure>BENTON COUNTY, Arkansas —Law enforcement are investigating a deadly shooting and asking for help to locate a teen suspect with connections to Kansas.On April 13, officers responded to a shots fired call in the 400 block of East Asher Court in Rogers, Arkansas, according to a media release.&nbsp; After investigating, it was determined that a 17-year-old victim by the name Alexus Lien Nguyen had been shot and was found deceased on scene. Detectives processed the scene, conducted a thorough investigation, and were able to develop 17-year-old Alejandro Zenon-Reyes as the suspect, which resulted in a warrant being issued for his arrest on the charge of manslaughter. During and since the investigation began, it is apparent that Zenon-Reyes has fled the state of Arkansas to avoid apprehension. Zenon-Reyes has ties to areas such as; Wichita and Arkansas City Kansas, West Covina California, Phoenix Arizona and Dallas/Fort Worth Texas. After a court order was filed allowing the release of Zenon-Reyes’s information due to his juvenile status, the U.S. Marshals are now offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.&nbsp;

Search continues for teen murder suspect with ties to Kansas

KANSAS CITY—A suspect is alive and facing multiple charges after an arrest last week in Clay County, Missouri.

Shortly before 6 p.m. Jan. 22, sheriff deputies spotted a stolen vehicle in the Liberty Triangle northeast of Kansas City, according to a media release from the Clay County Sheriff.

 Due to the time of day and traffic, deputies kept an eye on the vehicle but did not pursue it while other law enforcement moved into the area with Stop Sticks. 

The driver spotted the deputy and took off. Missouri State Highway Patrol began pursuit, and the vehicle crashed at 152 Highway and Shoal Creek Parkway. No other cars were involved. The driver then ran into the woods. 

The Kansas City Missouri Police Department's helicopter helped deputies locate and arrest the suspect. Once he was in a deputy's vehicle to be taken to jail, he began to slump over and said he thought he was overdosing. 

He was going in and out of consciousness. The deputy immediately pulled over and administered Narcan, the opioid antidote, and asked for an ambulance. 

The suspect regained consciousness on scene. The suspect was transported to the hospital to be checked out before being booked into the Clay County Detention Center. 

Jorge A. Fraire, Jr., has been charged with aggravated fleeing from a stop, tampering with a motor vehicle and leaving the scene of an accident. He is being held on a $75,000 bond.&nbsp; "He lived to face these consequences." The sheriff's office stated.

KANSAS CITY—A suspect is alive and facing multiple charges after an arrest last week in Clay County, Missouri.Shortly before 6 p.m. Jan. 22, sheriff deputies spotted a stolen vehicle in the Liberty Triangle northeast of Kansas City, according to a media release from the Clay County Sheriff. Due to the time of day and traffic, deputies kept an eye on the vehicle but did not pursue it while other law enforcement moved into the area with Stop Sticks. The driver spotted the deputy and took off. Missouri State Highway Patrol began pursuit, and the vehicle crashed at 152 Highway and Shoal Creek Parkway. No other cars were involved. The driver then ran into the woods. The Kansas City Missouri Police Department's helicopter helped deputies locate and arrest the suspect. Once he was in a deputy's vehicle to be taken to jail, he began to slump over and said he thought he was overdosing. He was going in and out of consciousness. The deputy immediately pulled over and administered Narcan, the opioid antidote, and asked for an ambulance. The suspect regained consciousness on scene. The suspect was transported to the hospital to be checked out before being booked into the Clay County Detention Center. Jorge A. Fraire, Jr., has been charged with aggravated fleeing from a stop, tampering with a motor vehicle and leaving the scene of an accident. He is being held on a $75,000 bond.&nbsp; "He lived to face these consequences." The sheriff's office stated.

Deputy saved stolen vehicle suspect's life after chase, crash

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — The United States and Colombia, long close partners in anti-narcotics efforts, clashed Sunday over the deportation of migrants and imposed tariffs on each other’s goods in a show of what countries could face if they intervene in the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-detention-trump-costs-5c6c59afdb8fa79a7ca74848bd3b7cc8">Trump administration’s crackdown</a>&nbsp;on illegal immigration.

Presidents&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/video/daniel-ortega-joe-biden-ireland-nicaragua-tom-homan-da9c7381d97e4a2db0e49533bfdb379f">Donald Trump</a>&nbsp;and Gustavo Petro, in a series of social media posts, defended their views on migration, with the latter accusing&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/deportation-trump-immigration-ice-border-ba586dc760a5ffab73c0611fbf924df9">Trump</a>&nbsp;of not treating immigrants with dignity during deportation and announcing a retaliatory 25% increase in Colombian tariffs on U.S. goods.

Earlier, the U.S. president had ordered visa restrictions, 25% tariffs on all Colombian incoming goods, which would be raised to 50% in one week, and other retaliatory measures sparked by Petro's decision to reject two Colombia-bound U.S. military aircraft carrying migrants.

Trump said the measures were necessary because Petro's decision “jeopardized” national security in the U.S.

“These measures are just the beginning,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. “We will not allow the Colombian Government to violate its legal obligations with regard to the acceptance and return of the Criminals they forced into the United States.”

Later Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced he was authorizing the visa restrictions on Colombian government officials and their families “who were responsible for the interference of U.S. repatriation flight operations." They were being imposed on top of the State Department's move to suspend the processing of visas at the U.S. Embassy in Colombia’s capital, Bogota.

The restrictions will continue, Rubio said, "until Colombia meets its obligations to accept the return of its own citizens.”

Earlier in the day, Petro said his government would not accept flights carrying migrants deported from the U.S. until the Trump administration creates a protocol that treats them with “dignity.” Petro made the announcement in two X posts, one of which included a news video of migrants reportedly deported to Brazil walking on a tarmac with restraints on their hands and feet.

“A migrant is not a criminal and must be treated with the dignity that a human being deserves,” Petro said. “That is why I returned the U.S. military planes that were carrying Colombian migrants... In civilian planes, without being treated like criminals, we will receive our fellow citizens."

After Trump's announcement, Petro said in a post on X that he had ordered the “foreign trade minister to raise import tariffs from the U.S. by 25%.”

Colombia has traditionally been the U.S.’s top ally in Latin America. But their relationship has strained since Petro, a former guerrilla, became Colombia’s first leftist president in 2022 and sought distance from the U.S.

Colombia accepted 475 deportation flights from the U.S. from 2020 to 2024, fifth behind Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and El Salvador, according to Witness at the Border, an advocacy group that tracks flight data. It accepted 124 deportation flights in 2024.

Colombia is also among the countries that last year began accepting U.S.-funded deportation flights from Panama.

The U.S. government didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press regarding aircraft and protocols used in deportations to Colombia.

“This is a clear message we are sending that countries have an obligation to accept repatriation flights," a senior administration official told AP. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss issue publicly.

Rubio in a statement said Petro “canceled his authorization” for the flights when the aircraft were in the air.

Colombians emerged in recent years as a major presence on the U.S. border with Mexico, aided in part by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-arizona-united-states-mexico-colombia-fb4f913f2c43c48c0f4ecade8b2c1913">a visa regime</a>&nbsp;that allows them to easily fly to Mexico and avoid trekking though the treacherous Darien Gap. They ranked fourth with 127,604 arrests for illegal crossings during a 12-month period through September, behind Mexicans, Guatemalans and Venezuelans.

Mexico hasn't imposed visa restrictions on Colombians, as&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mexico-peru-visa-immigration-border-asylum-0d4206bbb002318b9e0fd2bbf22ab48c">they have on Venezuelans, Ecuadoreans and Peruvians</a>.

Petro's government in a statement later announced that the South American country's presidential aircraft had been made available to facilitate the return of migrants who were to arrive hours earlier on the U.S. military airplanes and guarantee them “dignified conditions."

As part of a flurry of actions to make good on Trump's campaign promises to crack down on illegal immigration, his government is using active-duty military to help secure the border and carry out deportations.

Two U.S. Air Force C-17 cargo planes carrying migrants removed from the U.S. touched down early Friday in Guatemala. That same day, Honduras received two deportation flights carrying a total of 193 people.

In announcing what he called “urgent and decisive retaliatory measures,” Trump explained that he ordered the tariffs and “A Travel Ban and immediate Visa Revocations” on Colombian government officials, allies and supporters.

“All Party Members, Family Members, and Supporters of the Colombian Government,” Trump wrote will be subject to “Visa Sanctions.” He did not say to which party he was referring to or provide any additional details on the visa and travel restrictions.

Trump added that all Colombians will face enhanced customs inspections.

Trump’s actions would seem to undercut his goal to reduce his country's trade deficit. Unlike Mexico or China, Colombia is one of the few countries with a trade deficit with the U.S., of around $1.4 billion, according to U.S. trade data.

Colombia is the U.S.’s second biggest buyer of corn and corn feed, according to the U.S. grains council, helping boost U.S. commodity exports from farm belt states like Iowa, Indiana and Nebraska to more than $733 million last year.

The U.S. export boom has been driven by a two-decade-old free trade agreement between the two countries, which have for long been close partners in the war on drugs. It is unclear if Trump’s tariffs are allowed under the agreement, which contains a dispute mechanism to resolve trade fights.

Colombia is the U.S.’s fourth-largest overseas supplier of crude oil, shipping about 209,000 barrels of oil per day last year, although booming domestic production has reduced the U.S.’ dependence on foreign oil. The South American country is also the U.S.’s largest supplier of fresh cut flowers.

Regina Garcia Cano reported from Caracas, Venezuela. Jill Colvin in New York, Joshua Goodman in Miami, and Elliot Spagat in San Diego contributed to this report.

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump said Sunday that he was ordering tariffs, visa restrictions and other retaliatory measures to be taken against Colombia after its government rejected two U.S. military flights carrying migrants.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-self-deportation-trump-0a8d8371cf7e22a5809db40ebbecf42d">Trump</a>&nbsp;said the measures were necessary because the decision of Colombian President Gustavo Petro “jeopardized” national security in the U.S.

Earlier Sunday, Petro said his government would not accept flights carrying migrants deported from the U.S. until the Trump administration creates a protocol that treats them with “dignity.” Petro made the announcement in two X posts, one of which included a news video of migrants reportedly deported to Brazil walking on a tarmac with restraints on their hands and feet.

After Trump's announcement, Petro announced in a post on X that he had ordered the “foreign trade minister to raise import tariffs from the U.S. by 25%.”

Colombia accepted 475 deportation flights from the United States from 2020 to 2024, fifth behind Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and El Salvador, according to Witness at the Border, an advocacy group that tracks flight data. It accepted 124 deportation flights in 2024.

Last year, Colombia and other countries began accepting U.S.-funded deportation flights from Panama.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a statement said Petro “canceled his authorization” for the flights when the aircraft were in the air.

No official order had been issued as of Sunday afternoon that would allow for the implementation of the measures Trump announced.

“This is a clear message we are sending that countries have an obligation to accept repatriation flights," a senior administration official told the AP. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss issue publicly.

The government of Petro, a former leftist guerrilla, in a statement later announced that the South American country's presidential aircraft had been made available to facilitate the return of migrants who were to arrive hours earlier on the U.S. military airplanes and guarantee them “dignified conditions."

In announcing what he called “urgent and decisive retaliatory measures,” Trump explained that he ordered “25% tariffs on all goods coming into the United States,” which would be raised to 50% in one week. He said he also ordered “A Travel Ban and immediate Visa Revocations” on Colombian government officials, allies and supporters.

Trump said the measures were necessary because the decision of Colombian President Gustavo Petro “jeopardized” national security in the U.S.

These measures are just the beginning,” Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. “We will not allow the Colombian Government to violate its legal obligations with regard to the acceptance and return of the Criminals they forced into the United States.”

Colombia is the U.S.’s fourth-largest overseas supplier of crude oil, shipping about 209,000 barrels of oil per day last year, although booming domestic production has reduced the U.S.’ dependence on foreign oil. Other imports include coal, coffee and gold.

Colombia is also the U.S.’ largest supplier of fresh cut flowers, and with Valentine’s Day just weeks away, the price of saying “I love you” could be impacted.

Trump, Columbian President fight over military deportation flights

SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect caught driving a stolen SUV.

Just after 11:30p.m. January 21, a sheriff's deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a reported stolen 2020 Chevy Trax near SE 21st Street and SE Hudson Boulevard, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.

The driver, later identified as 20-year-old Braeden J.S. Hill of Topeka refused to stop and initiated a pursuit.&nbsp; A K9 Unit performed a&nbsp; controlled vehicle intervention maneuver, which safely ended the pursuit in the 6300 Block of Se 69th Street.&nbsp; Deputies arrested Hill on requested charges of Flee or Attempt to elude law enforcement, possession of stolen property, reckless driving and other traffic violations.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737659507177.png" alt="Hill photo Shawnee County" />
 <figcaption>Hill photo Shawnee County</figcaption>
 </figure>SHAWNEE COUNTY —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect caught driving a stolen SUV.Just after 11:30p.m. January 21, a sheriff's deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a reported stolen 2020 Chevy Trax near SE 21st Street and SE Hudson Boulevard, according to Deputy Abigail Christian.The driver, later identified as 20-year-old Braeden J.S. Hill of Topeka refused to stop and initiated a pursuit.&nbsp; A K9 Unit performed a&nbsp; controlled vehicle intervention maneuver, which safely ended the pursuit in the 6300 Block of Se 69th Street.&nbsp; Deputies arrested Hill on requested charges of Flee or Attempt to elude law enforcement, possession of stolen property, reckless driving and other traffic violations.

Kansas stolen SUV suspect jailed after police chase

Atchison, Kan. –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred after a hostage incident Friday night and Saturday morning in Atchison, Kansas.

At around 5:45 p.m., the Atchison Police Department responded to a call about a person with a gun and a second call of a subject breaking into an apartment. As officers arrived at 508 N 9th&nbsp;St. in Atchison, an officer exited his vehicle and shots were fired at him, striking his police vehicle multiple times. The officer was not struck. The man,&nbsp;identified as Bryson McCray, 36, of St. Joseph, Mo., then fled back into a&nbsp;residence. Additional officers from the Atchison PD were called to the scene.

Officers learned that a woman known to McCray was being held inside of the residence. Atchison PD requested Kansas Highway Patrol’s (KHP) Special Response Team’s assistance. They also requested assistance from the&nbsp;KBI High Risk Warrant Team. Law enforcement attempted to peacefully negotiate throughout the night with McCray insisting he release the woman inside the residence. The subject did not cooperate with the negotiations and fired multiple shots at law enforcement officials throughout the incident.&nbsp;

Preliminary information indicates&nbsp;that at around 2:30 a.m., an attempt was made to rescue the female hostage. During the rescue attempt, McCray and the hostage were separated momentarily, and a KHP trooper fired at McCray striking him. At that time, the hostage was safely rescued. Life-saving measures were made on McCray at the scene and at an area hospital. McCray was subsequently transported to a Kansas City hospital and remains in critical condition. No law enforcement officers were injured during the rescue attempt or during the interactions with McCray.

KBI Agent Investigators and the KBI Crime Scene Response Team responded to investigate the incident.

The KBI will be offering victim support services to the rescued hostage.

This independent investigation aims to discover all events leading up to the officer-involved shooting. In police use of force cases, the KBI releases details to the public as soon as possible. This information is preliminary in nature, and is based on evidence collected and early statements of the parties involved, witnesses, medical personnel and others. It does not represent final or thorough findings which take several weeks to complete.

When this investigation concludes, case findings will be presented to the Atchison County Attorney.

ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating after a standoff and gunfight in Atchison that sent a suspect to the hospital.

Just before 6 p.m. on Friday police responded to 508 North 9th Street in Atchison at what was first reported as a person with a gun and a second call reporting a person breaking into an apartment, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.

The first police officer arrived on the scene and as he exited his patrol vehicle, shots were fired at him, striking his vehicle multiple times. The officer was not struck. The person who fired those shots immediately went into an apartment at that location.

Additional officers arrived and secured a perimeter. As officers gathered information, it was determined that another person, known to the suspect, was being held hostage inside the residence where the suspect had fled.

Special Response Teams from Atchison Police, the Kansas Highway Patrol, and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation responded to the scene.

Efforts continued throughout the evening to communicate with the suspect inside the apartment as the female hostage remained inside the residence with the suspect.

At 2:30a.m. the standoff came to an end when officers were able to get the female hostage safely out of the residence. The 36-year-old suspect, who was shot during the confrontation with officers, was taken to Amberwell Hospital and later transported to a Kansas City hospital. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is handling the investigation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/10/1666119705831.png" alt="McCray photo from an earlier arrest in Buchanan County" />
 <figcaption>McCray photo from an earlier arrest in Buchanan County</figcaption>
 </figure>Atchison, Kan. –&nbsp;The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred after a hostage incident Friday night and Saturday morning in Atchison, Kansas.At around 5:45 p.m., the Atchison Police Department responded to a call about a person with a gun and a second call of a subject breaking into an apartment. As officers arrived at 508 N 9th&nbsp;St. in Atchison, an officer exited his vehicle and shots were fired at him, striking his police vehicle multiple times. The officer was not struck. The man,&nbsp;identified as Bryson McCray, 36, of St. Joseph, Mo., then fled back into a&nbsp;residence. Additional officers from the Atchison PD were called to the scene.Officers learned that a woman known to McCray was being held inside of the residence. Atchison PD requested Kansas Highway Patrol’s (KHP) Special Response Team’s assistance. They also requested assistance from the&nbsp;KBI High Risk Warrant Team. Law enforcement attempted to peacefully negotiate throughout the night with McCray insisting he release the woman inside the residence. The subject did not cooperate with the negotiations and fired multiple shots at law enforcement officials throughout the incident.&nbsp;Preliminary information indicates&nbsp;that at around 2:30 a.m., an attempt was made to rescue the female hostage. During the rescue attempt, McCray and the hostage were separated momentarily, and a KHP trooper fired at McCray striking him. At that time, the hostage was safely rescued. Life-saving measures were made on McCray at the scene and at an area hospital. McCray was subsequently transported to a Kansas City hospital and remains in critical condition. No law enforcement officers were injured during the rescue attempt or during the interactions with McCray.KBI Agent Investigators and the KBI Crime Scene Response Team responded to investigate the incident.The KBI will be offering victim support services to the rescued hostage.This independent investigation aims to discover all events leading up to the officer-involved shooting. In police use of force cases, the KBI releases details to the public as soon as possible. This information is preliminary in nature, and is based on evidence collected and early statements of the parties involved, witnesses, medical personnel and others. It does not represent final or thorough findings which take several weeks to complete.When this investigation concludes, case findings will be presented to the Atchison County Attorney.--------------ATCHISON COUNTY—Law enforcement are investigating after a standoff and gunfight in Atchison that sent a suspect to the hospital.Just before 6 p.m. on Friday police responded to 508 North 9th Street in Atchison at what was first reported as a person with a gun and a second call reporting a person breaking into an apartment, according to Police Chief Mike Wilson.The first police officer arrived on the scene and as he exited his patrol vehicle, shots were fired at him, striking his vehicle multiple times. The officer was not struck. The person who fired those shots immediately went into an apartment at that location.Additional officers arrived and secured a perimeter. As officers gathered information, it was determined that another person, known to the suspect, was being held hostage inside the residence where the suspect had fled.Special Response Teams from Atchison Police, the Kansas Highway Patrol, and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation responded to the scene.Efforts continued throughout the evening to communicate with the suspect inside the apartment as the female hostage remained inside the residence with the suspect.At 2:30a.m. the standoff came to an end when officers were able to get the female hostage safely out of the residence. The 36-year-old suspect, who was shot during the confrontation with officers, was taken to Amberwell Hospital and later transported to a Kansas City hospital. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is handling the investigation.

Police ID suspect injured in gunfight, standoff with Kansas officers

The Geary County Sheriff's Department has confirmed the arrest of Junction City Commissioner Alovence "Al"Gordon on a requested charge of Domestic Battery. 

Junction City police were called to the 1700 block of Clover Drive just before 5 p.m. Thursday and the Geary County Sheriff's Department was called into investigate the incident. Also arrested at the same location on a requested charge of Domestic Battery was Corieyonna Trice.

The Sheriff's Department confirmed both are free on bond.

The Geary County Sheriff's Department has confirmed the arrest of Junction City Commissioner Alovence "Al"Gordon on a requested charge of Domestic Battery. Junction City police were called to the 1700 block of Clover Drive just before 5 p.m. Thursday and the Geary County Sheriff's Department was called into investigate the incident. Also arrested at the same location on a requested charge of Domestic Battery was Corieyonna Trice.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737757141297.jpeg" alt="Alovencce "Al " Gordon" />
 <figcaption>Alovencce "Al " Gordon</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737757177729.jpeg" alt="Corrieyonna Trice" />
 <figcaption>Corrieyonna Trice</figcaption>
 </figure>The Sheriff's Department confirmed both are free on bond.

Authorities confirm the arrest of a Junction City Commissioner

Recent Booking Activity for the Geary County Detention Center. All persons included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law.

Bonds have been posted. Photos are unavailable.

Joe Roman, Failure to appear, arrested 01/22

Mashaun Baker, Outside warrant, arrested 01/22

Vincent Holman, Driving while suspended, arrested 01/22

Kiara Wooldridge, Operate a motor vehicle without a valid license, Possession of opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, Possession of marijuana, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body, arrested 01/23

Dexter Johnson, Failure to appear, arrested 01/23

Zachary Caron, Failure to appear, arrested 01/23

Melvin Sanford,&nbsp;Failure to appear, arrested 01/23

Ricky Smith, Theft-Pocket picking,&nbsp;Failure to appear, arrested 01/23

Chrystal Gibson, Unlawful damage to property, arrested 01/23

Recent Booking Activity for the Geary County Detention Center. All persons included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737753222942.jpeg" alt="Jalen Clark, Domestic battery, Unlawful damage to property, arrested 01//23" />
 <figcaption>Jalen Clark, Domestic battery, Unlawful damage to property, arrested 01//23</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737753270056.jpeg" alt="Luis Vasquez Gonsalez, Criminal trespass, arrested 01/23" />
 <figcaption>Luis Vasquez Gonsalez, Criminal trespass, arrested 01/23</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737753342407.jpeg" alt="Thomas Ariaz, Criminal threat, arrested 01/23" />
 <figcaption>Thomas Ariaz, Criminal threat, arrested 01/23</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737753459296.jpeg" alt="Darien Manning, Aggravated kidnapping, Aggravated burglary, Locked dwelling for felony, Theft, Domestic violence, sexually motivated, Rape, Sexual intercourse without consent and use of force, arrested 01/23" />
 <figcaption>Darien Manning, Aggravated kidnapping, Aggravated burglary, Locked dwelling for felony, Theft, Domestic violence, sexually motivated, Rape, Sexual intercourse without consent and use of force, arrested 01/23</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737753547036.jpeg" alt="Christopher Olmstead, Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, arrested 01/23" />
 <figcaption>Christopher Olmstead, Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, arrested 01/23</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737753585186.jpeg" alt="Alovence Gordon, Domestic battery, Knowing rude physical contact with family member or dating relationship, arrested 01/23" />
 <figcaption>Alovence Gordon, Domestic battery, Knowing rude physical contact with family member or dating relationship, arrested 01/23</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737753641628.jpeg" alt="James Gayle, Failure to appear, Probation violation, arrested 01/23" />
 <figcaption>James Gayle, Failure to appear, Probation violation, arrested 01/23</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737753680992.jpeg" alt="Corrieyonna Trice,&nbsp;Domestic battery, Knowing rude physical contact with family member or dating relationship, arrested 01/23" />
 <figcaption>Corrieyonna Trice,&nbsp;Domestic battery, Knowing rude physical contact with family member or dating relationship, arrested 01/23</figcaption>
 </figure><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737753755424.jpeg" alt="Anthony Martinez-Flores, Criminal damage to property,&nbsp; felony, Criminal restraint, Aggravated domestic battery, Impede breath, Blocking nose/mouth of family/dating relationship, arrested 01/24" />
 <figcaption>Anthony Martinez-Flores, Criminal damage to property,&nbsp; felony, Criminal restraint, Aggravated domestic battery, Impede breath, Blocking nose/mouth of family/dating relationship, arrested 01/24</figcaption>
 </figure>Bonds have been posted. Photos are unavailable.Joe Roman, Failure to appear, arrested 01/22Mashaun Baker, Outside warrant, arrested 01/22Vincent Holman, Driving while suspended, arrested 01/22Kiara Wooldridge, Operate a motor vehicle without a valid license, Possession of opiate, opium, narcotic or certain stimulant, Possession of marijuana, Use/possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia into human body, arrested 01/23Dexter Johnson, Failure to appear, arrested 01/23Zachary Caron, Failure to appear, arrested 01/23Melvin Sanford,&nbsp;Failure to appear, arrested 01/23Ricky Smith, Theft-Pocket picking,&nbsp;Failure to appear, arrested 01/23Chrystal Gibson, Unlawful damage to property, arrested 01/23Recent Booking Activity for the Geary County Detention Center. All persons included in this post are innocent of crimes until proven guilty in a court of law.

Geary County Booking Photos Jan. 23-24

BY&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/mike-catalini">MIKE CATALINI</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/rebecca-santana">REBECCA SANTANA</a>

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration announced Friday that it is expanding a fast-track&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-us-news-ap-top-news-az-state-wire-arrests-fbbdebf6e4aa4024873105dcbe570446">deportation authority</a>&nbsp;nationwide, allowing immigration officers to deport migrants without appearing before a judge as President Donald Trump seeks to make good on a sweeping agenda of removing everyone who is in the U.S. illegally.

The administration said it is expanding the use of “expedited removal” authority so it can be used across the country.

“The effect of this change will be to enhance national security and public safety — while reducing government costs — by facilitating prompt immigration determinations,” the administration said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/24/2025-01720/designating-aliens-for-expedited-removal?utm_campaign=subscription+mailing+list&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=federalregister.gov" target="_blank">notice in the Federal Register</a>&nbsp;on Friday outlining the new rules.

In Trump’s first week in office, his administration has taken action on a number of different fronts on his signature campaign promise of cracking down on illegal immigration.

After declaring a national emergency and describing immigration at the southern border as an invasion, he sent military troops to the border; lifted longtime rules restricting immigration enforcement&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-enforcement-sensitive-locations-trump-ab0d2d2652e9df696f14410ebb52a1fc">near schools and churches</a>; indefinitely&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/refugees-flights-trump-immigration-border-resettlement-33ebaa34bc4d0c069a22ee7aa5f8ff6d">suspended the refugee program</a>; and halted key Biden-era immigration pathways.

In executive orders signed Monday, Trump also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-deportation-immigration-homan-asylum-inauguration-ac10480dc636b758ab3c435b974aeb19">laid out a vision for future actions</a>&nbsp;designed to dramatically boost immigration enforcement in the interior of the country while ratcheting down access at the southern border.

Friday’s news of the expanded use of expedited removal comes as Newark, N.J., officials are lashing out over what they say were illegal arrests by federal immigration officers at a local business. About half of the city’s population of 305,000 is Black and nearly 40% is Hispanic, according to census figures.

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, a Democrat who is seeking the party’s nomination for governor this year, said Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detained “undocumented residents” along with U.S. citizens on Thursday. City officials are slated to have a news conference Friday.

“Expedited removal” gives enforcement agencies broad authority to deport people without requiring them to appear before an immigration judge. There are limited exceptions, including if they express fear of returning home and pass an initial screening interview for asylum.

<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-lawsuits-us-news-tx-state-wire-fl-state-wire-60cd287465724b10a6a70d300d8e9b55">Critics have said there’s</a>&nbsp;too much risk that people who have the right to be in the country will be mistakenly swept up by agents and officers and that not enough is done to protect migrants who have genuine reason to fear being sent home.

The powers were created under a 1996 law. But these powers weren’t really widely used until 2004, when Homeland Security said they would use expedited removal authority for people arrested within two weeks of entering the U.S. by land and caught within 100 miles (160 kilometers) of the border. That meant it was used mostly against migrants recently arrived in the country.

In the notice Friday the administration said the authority could be used across the country and would go into effect immediately.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737727787494.png" alt="A C-17 Military Transport with the 301st Airlift Squadron of the 60th Air Mobility Wing from Travis Air Force Base loading Illegal Aliens from Guatemala on a deportation flight Photo White House" />
 <figcaption>A C-17 Military Transport with the 301st Airlift Squadron of the 60th Air Mobility Wing from Travis Air Force Base loading Illegal Aliens from Guatemala on a deportation flight Photo White House</figcaption>
 </figure>BY&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/mike-catalini">MIKE CATALINI</a>&nbsp;AND&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/author/rebecca-santana">REBECCA SANTANA</a>WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration announced Friday that it is expanding a fast-track&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-us-news-ap-top-news-az-state-wire-arrests-fbbdebf6e4aa4024873105dcbe570446">deportation authority</a>&nbsp;nationwide, allowing immigration officers to deport migrants without appearing before a judge as President Donald Trump seeks to make good on a sweeping agenda of removing everyone who is in the U.S. illegally.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://t.co/ZdvukddhtA">pic.twitter.com/ZdvukddhtA</a>&mdash; ICE (@ICEgov) <a href="https://twitter.com/ICEgov/status/1882591102684758226?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>The administration said it is expanding the use of “expedited removal” authority so it can be used across the country.“The effect of this change will be to enhance national security and public safety — while reducing government costs — by facilitating prompt immigration determinations,” the administration said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/24/2025-01720/designating-aliens-for-expedited-removal?utm_campaign=subscription+mailing+list&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=federalregister.gov" target="_blank">notice in the Federal Register</a>&nbsp;on Friday outlining the new rules.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">The US Marine Corps Is On The Border Assisting CBP With The Mission To Secure America Promise Made --&gt; Promise KEPT! <a href="https://t.co/t384DH1FDl">pic.twitter.com/t384DH1FDl</a>&mdash; The White House (@WhiteHouse) <a href="https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1882842972150288732?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>In Trump’s first week in office, his administration has taken action on a number of different fronts on his signature campaign promise of cracking down on illegal immigration.After declaring a national emergency and describing immigration at the southern border as an invasion, he sent military troops to the border; lifted longtime rules restricting immigration enforcement&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-enforcement-sensitive-locations-trump-ab0d2d2652e9df696f14410ebb52a1fc">near schools and churches</a>; indefinitely&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/refugees-flights-trump-immigration-border-resettlement-33ebaa34bc4d0c069a22ee7aa5f8ff6d">suspended the refugee program</a>; and halted key Biden-era immigration pathways.In executive orders signed Monday, Trump also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-deportation-immigration-homan-asylum-inauguration-ac10480dc636b758ab3c435b974aeb19">laid out a vision for future actions</a>&nbsp;designed to dramatically boost immigration enforcement in the interior of the country while ratcheting down access at the southern border.Friday’s news of the expanded use of expedited removal comes as Newark, N.J., officials are lashing out over what they say were illegal arrests by federal immigration officers at a local business. About half of the city’s population of 305,000 is Black and nearly 40% is Hispanic, according to census figures.Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, a Democrat who is seeking the party’s nomination for governor this year, said Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detained “undocumented residents” along with U.S. citizens on Thursday. City officials are slated to have a news conference Friday.“Expedited removal” gives enforcement agencies broad authority to deport people without requiring them to appear before an immigration judge. There are limited exceptions, including if they express fear of returning home and pass an initial screening interview for asylum.<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-lawsuits-us-news-tx-state-wire-fl-state-wire-60cd287465724b10a6a70d300d8e9b55">Critics have said there’s</a>&nbsp;too much risk that people who have the right to be in the country will be mistakenly swept up by agents and officers and that not enough is done to protect migrants who have genuine reason to fear being sent home.The powers were created under a 1996 law. But these powers weren’t really widely used until 2004, when Homeland Security said they would use expedited removal authority for people arrested within two weeks of entering the U.S. by land and caught within 100 miles (160 kilometers) of the border. That meant it was used mostly against migrants recently arrived in the country.In the notice Friday the administration said the authority could be used across the country and would go into effect immediately.

U.S. begins migrant deportation flights using military aircraft 

WASHINGTON —A Capitol Police officer has been suspended after a man with a gun was able to get past a security check at the Capitol Visitor Center.

“On Tuesday, the United States Capitol Police (USCP) received a lookout for a man with reported mental health issues and suicidal thoughts who was believed to be armed and in the area, according to a media release.

Just after 1p.m. Capitol Police officers spotted the man’s car on First Street, near East Capitol Street, NE. Officers conducted a canvass of the area and discovered that the man had recently entered the Capitol Visitor Center&nbsp; and taken a Capitol tour.

At 2:15 p.m., the man identified as 27-year-old James A. Faber of Massachusetts, was found leaving the Library of Congress, after the tour, and walking towards his car. He was stopped, searched, and arrested. 

Officers discovered a small 9mm handgun concealed in his waistband. 

Faber is being held on requested charges of Unlawful Activities, Carrying a Pistol Without a License, Possession of an Unregistered Firearm, Unlawful Possession of Ammunition, and Resisting Arrest. 

The case is currently with the U.S. Attorney’s Office. 

USCP security video shows Faber entered through the south Capitol Visitors Center checkpoint. After the magnetometers sounded, an officer performed a secondary hand search, and Faber was let into the building.&nbsp; The officer is suspended while the USCP’s Office of Professional Responsibility is conducting an administrative investigation into the officer’s performance of that search. 

At this time, there is no indication that the man was coming to harm the Congress. Nobody was hurt. The USCP demands the highest standards when it comes to screening visitors, so a full review of this incident has already been ordered, as well as mandatory refresher training on security screening, so this never happens again.”

WASHINGTON —A Capitol Police officer has been suspended after a man with a gun was able to get past a security check at the Capitol Visitor Center.“On Tuesday, the United States Capitol Police (USCP) received a lookout for a man with reported mental health issues and suicidal thoughts who was believed to be armed and in the area, according to a media release.Just after 1p.m. Capitol Police officers spotted the man’s car on First Street, near East Capitol Street, NE. Officers conducted a canvass of the area and discovered that the man had recently entered the Capitol Visitor Center&nbsp; and taken a Capitol tour.At 2:15 p.m., the man identified as 27-year-old James A. Faber of Massachusetts, was found leaving the Library of Congress, after the tour, and walking towards his car. He was stopped, searched, and arrested. Officers discovered a small 9mm handgun concealed in his waistband. Faber is being held on requested charges of Unlawful Activities, Carrying a Pistol Without a License, Possession of an Unregistered Firearm, Unlawful Possession of Ammunition, and Resisting Arrest. The case is currently with the U.S. Attorney’s Office. USCP security video shows Faber entered through the south Capitol Visitors Center checkpoint. After the magnetometers sounded, an officer performed a secondary hand search, and Faber was let into the building.&nbsp; The officer is suspended while the USCP’s Office of Professional Responsibility is conducting an administrative investigation into the officer’s performance of that search. At this time, there is no indication that the man was coming to harm the Congress. Nobody was hurt. The USCP demands the highest standards when it comes to screening visitors, so a full review of this incident has already been ordered, as well as mandatory refresher training on security screening, so this never happens again.”

Man with a loaded gun got past security at U.S. Capitol

Kansas State Department of Education

TOPEKA — The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) on Thursday issued a statement in response to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security directive issued Tuesday, Jan. 21, to rescind previously issued guidelines for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) enforcement actions that limit law enforcement in or near “sensitive” areas, which include schools and churches.&nbsp;

The Kansas State Department of Education is aware of concerns raised because of the recent announcement that certain policies of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security have changed.&nbsp;Specifically, the federal government revoked the directive issued in 2021 that limited conducting immigration enforcement actions in or near protected areas such as schools, hospitals, and places of worship, except in specific limited circumstances.&nbsp;Tuesday’s action did not change the law, nor did it increase the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s authority.&nbsp;To that end, we remind school personnel that their ultimate responsibility is the education and protection of all students.&nbsp;All students have a constitutionally protected right to receive an education.&nbsp;Schools are advised to continue to follow the law and abide by their board-approved policies regarding investigations and/or arrests on school grounds. KSDE wishes to assure school personnel, parents, and the students of Kansas that we will not share any student data without a warrant, subpoena, or other lawfully issued court order.

At this time, we believe the best thing schools can provide to their respective communities is an assurance that they will continue to comply with all state and federal laws protecting student information and student safety.&nbsp;We also suggest schools update emergency contact information for all families.

Kansas State Department of EducationTOPEKA — The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) on Thursday issued a statement in response to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security directive issued Tuesday, Jan. 21, to rescind previously issued guidelines for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) enforcement actions that limit law enforcement in or near “sensitive” areas, which include schools and churches.&nbsp;The Kansas State Department of Education is aware of concerns raised because of the recent announcement that certain policies of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security have changed.&nbsp;Specifically, the federal government revoked the directive issued in 2021 that limited conducting immigration enforcement actions in or near protected areas such as schools, hospitals, and places of worship, except in specific limited circumstances.&nbsp;Tuesday’s action did not change the law, nor did it increase the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s authority.&nbsp;To that end, we remind school personnel that their ultimate responsibility is the education and protection of all students.&nbsp;All students have a constitutionally protected right to receive an education.&nbsp;Schools are advised to continue to follow the law and abide by their board-approved policies regarding investigations and/or arrests on school grounds. KSDE wishes to assure school personnel, parents, and the students of Kansas that we will not share any student data without a warrant, subpoena, or other lawfully issued court order.At this time, we believe the best thing schools can provide to their respective communities is an assurance that they will continue to comply with all state and federal laws protecting student information and student safety.&nbsp;We also suggest schools update emergency contact information for all families.KSDE recommendations:<ul>
 <li>Schools should ensure emergency contact information is updated for all families.</li><li>Ensure all school personnel follow the district’s board-approved policies regarding investigations and/or arrests on school grounds.</li><li>Schools should issue a reminder that no student information can be shared without parental consent or a warrant, subpoena, or other lawfully issued court order.</li>
 </ul>

Kansas Dept. of Education statement on immigration raids

JOHNSON COUNTY —A former Kansas high school Choir Director accused of sex crimes made a court appearance Friday.

Micah Horton, 35, the former Choir Director at Olathe North High School pleaded guilty to three counts of unlawful sexual relations.

After an investigation in March of 2024, Olathe Police arrested Horton. He is scheduled for sentencing on March 28, according to the District Attorney's office.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/3/1710373305440.png" alt="Horton-photo Johnson" />
 <figcaption>Horton-photo Johnson</figcaption>
 </figure>JOHNSON COUNTY —A former Kansas high school Choir Director accused of sex crimes made a court appearance Friday.Micah Horton, 35, the former Choir Director at Olathe North High School pleaded guilty to three counts of unlawful sexual relations.After an investigation in March of 2024, Olathe Police arrested Horton. He is scheduled for sentencing on March 28, according to the District Attorney's office.

Former Kan. school choir director admits to sex crimes with student

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A shooting in a Nashville high school cafeteria Wednesday left a female student dead and another student wounded, nearly two years after another deadly school shooting in the city that ignited an emotional debate about gun control in Tennessee.

The 17-year-old shooter, who was also a student at Antioch High School, later shot and killed himself with a handgun, Metro Nashville Police spokesperson Don Aaron said during a news conference. Police identified him as Solomon Henderson.

Police Chief John Drake said the shooter “confronted” student Josselin Corea Escalante, 16, in the cafeteria and opened fire, killing her.

The wounded student was grazed by a bullet. He was treated and released from the hospital, Drake said. Another student was taken to a hospital for treatment of a facial injury that happened during a fall, Aaron said.

Metro Nashville Police, federal and state agencies are examining “very concerning online writings and social media posts connected to 17-year-old Solomon Henderson” as they work to establish a motive, police said in a statement Wednesday evening.

Investigators at this point have not established a connection between Henderson and the victims, and police said the gunfire may have been random, according to the statement.

Two school resource officers were in the building when the shooting happened around 11 a.m., Aaron said. They were not in the immediate vicinity of the cafeteria and by the time they got down there the shooting was over and the gunman had killed himself, Aaron said.

The school has about 2,000 students and is in Antioch, a neighborhood about 10 miles (16 kilometers) southeast of downtown Nashville.

The children were bussed from the school to a medical center where officials helped shocked parents reunite with their children.

Dajuan Bernard was waiting at a Mapco service station to reunite with his son, a 10th grader, who was being held in the auditorium with other students Wednesday afternoon. He first heard of the shooting from his son, who “was a little startled,” Bernard said. His son was upstairs from the cafeteria but said he heard the gunfire.

“He was OK and let me know that everything was OK,” Bernard said.

“This world is so crazy, it could happen anywhere," he said. "We’ve just got to protect the kids, and raise the kids right to prevent them from even doing this. That’s the hardest part.”

Fonda Abner said her granddaughter had called her a couple of times but that she only heard commotion and thought it was a pocket dial. They spoke briefly before being cut off.

“It’s nerve-racking waiting out here,” Abner said.

United Family Fellowship, a church in Antioch, was hosting a vigil Wednesday night “for anyone in the community who needs a space to pray, process, and find comfort,” the church said on Facebook.

Adrienne Battle, superintendent of Nashville schools, said earlier Wednesday that public schools have implemented a “range of safety measures," including partnerships with police for school resource officers, security cameras with weapon-detection software, shatter-resistant film for glass, and security vestibules that are a barrier between outside visitors and the main entrance.

“Unfortunately, these measures were not enough to stop this tragedy,” Battle said.

She said there are questions about whether stationary metal detectors should be considered.

“While past research has shown they have had limitations and unintended consequences, we will continue to explore emerging technologies and strategies to strengthen school safety,” Battle said.

In October, a 16-year-old Antioch High School student was arrested after school resource officers and school officials discovered through social media that he had taken a gun to school the day prior. When he was stopped the following morning, officials found a loaded gun in his pants, police said.

Wednesday’s school shooting comes nearly two years after a shooter opened fire at a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nashville-school-shooting-covenant-school-03aa394109a5e682877403c0c3e52aa7">separate Nashville private elementary school</a>&nbsp;and killed six people, including three children.

The tragedy prompted a monthslong effort among hundreds of community organizers, families, protesters and others pleading with lawmakers to consider passing gun control measures.

GOP lawmakers in the Republican-dominant state refused to do so. With the Republican supermajority intact after November’s election, it’s unlikely attitudes have changed enough to consider any meaningful bills that would address gun control.

Instead, lawmakers have been more open to adding more security to schools — including passing a bill last year that would allow some teachers and staff to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tennessee-arming-teachers-guns-2d7d80fa1f54f8f9585a6d2e98fec9fd">carry concealed handguns</a>&nbsp;on public school grounds, and bar parents and other teachers from knowing who was armed.

Antioch, a growing and diverse area of Nashville, has endured other prominent shootings in recent years. A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/f56b445a4e54468caff28c1844c55aa4">2017 fatal shooting</a>&nbsp;at Burnette Chapel Church of Christ killed one woman and wounded seven people. And in 2018, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/b0da52acd5374c28a2495291b0819387">shooter killed four people at a Waffle House</a>.

State Rep. Shaundelle Brooks ran for office in large part due to her son’s death in the Waffle House shooting and was elected last year after the Covenant shooting. She said the Antioch High shooting reinforces the need for gun control reforms. “We must do better,” she said.

“Ever since I lost my son, Akilah, in a mass shooting in 2018, I have been fighting to ensure this never happens again,” the Nashville Democrat said in a statement. “Here we are almost 7 years later, and our communities are still being impacted by gun violence.”

Samantha Dickerson had taken her 14-year-old son’s phone away as a punishment, so when she got a message from his school about the shooting, she had no way to reach him.

“I was nervous,” she said. “I really was about to break down.”

After about three hours of waiting, she finally got a call from his English teacher and spoke with her son.

“When I heard his voice, I just broke down and started crying,” she said.

Associated Press writers Kimberlee Kruesi in Nashville and Adrian Sainz in Memphis, Tennessee, contributed.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/1/1737571189477.png" alt="Photo Metro Nashville Police" />
 <figcaption>Photo Metro Nashville Police</figcaption>
 </figure>NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A shooting in a Nashville high school cafeteria Wednesday left a female student dead and another student wounded, nearly two years after another deadly school shooting in the city that ignited an emotional debate about gun control in Tennessee.The 17-year-old shooter, who was also a student at Antioch High School, later shot and killed himself with a handgun, Metro Nashville Police spokesperson Don Aaron said during a news conference. Police identified him as Solomon Henderson.Police Chief John Drake said the shooter “confronted” student Josselin Corea Escalante, 16, in the cafeteria and opened fire, killing her.The wounded student was grazed by a bullet. He was treated and released from the hospital, Drake said. Another student was taken to a hospital for treatment of a facial injury that happened during a fall, Aaron said.Metro Nashville Police, federal and state agencies are examining “very concerning online writings and social media posts connected to 17-year-old Solomon Henderson” as they work to establish a motive, police said in a statement Wednesday evening.Investigators at this point have not established a connection between Henderson and the victims, and police said the gunfire may have been random, according to the statement.Two school resource officers were in the building when the shooting happened around 11 a.m., Aaron said. They were not in the immediate vicinity of the cafeteria and by the time they got down there the shooting was over and the gunman had killed himself, Aaron said.The school has about 2,000 students and is in Antioch, a neighborhood about 10 miles (16 kilometers) southeast of downtown Nashville.The children were bussed from the school to a medical center where officials helped shocked parents reunite with their children.Dajuan Bernard was waiting at a Mapco service station to reunite with his son, a 10th grader, who was being held in the auditorium with other students Wednesday afternoon. He first heard of the shooting from his son, who “was a little startled,” Bernard said. His son was upstairs from the cafeteria but said he heard the gunfire.“He was OK and let me know that everything was OK,” Bernard said.“This world is so crazy, it could happen anywhere," he said. "We’ve just got to protect the kids, and raise the kids right to prevent them from even doing this. That’s the hardest part.”Fonda Abner said her granddaughter had called her a couple of times but that she only heard commotion and thought it was a pocket dial. They spoke briefly before being cut off.“It’s nerve-racking waiting out here,” Abner said.United Family Fellowship, a church in Antioch, was hosting a vigil Wednesday night “for anyone in the community who needs a space to pray, process, and find comfort,” the church said on Facebook.Adrienne Battle, superintendent of Nashville schools, said earlier Wednesday that public schools have implemented a “range of safety measures," including partnerships with police for school resource officers, security cameras with weapon-detection software, shatter-resistant film for glass, and security vestibules that are a barrier between outside visitors and the main entrance.“Unfortunately, these measures were not enough to stop this tragedy,” Battle said.She said there are questions about whether stationary metal detectors should be considered.“While past research has shown they have had limitations and unintended consequences, we will continue to explore emerging technologies and strategies to strengthen school safety,” Battle said.In October, a 16-year-old Antioch High School student was arrested after school resource officers and school officials discovered through social media that he had taken a gun to school the day prior. When he was stopped the following morning, officials found a loaded gun in his pants, police said.Wednesday’s school shooting comes nearly two years after a shooter opened fire at a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/nashville-school-shooting-covenant-school-03aa394109a5e682877403c0c3e52aa7">separate Nashville private elementary school</a>&nbsp;and killed six people, including three children.The tragedy prompted a monthslong effort among hundreds of community organizers, families, protesters and others pleading with lawmakers to consider passing gun control measures.GOP lawmakers in the Republican-dominant state refused to do so. With the Republican supermajority intact after November’s election, it’s unlikely attitudes have changed enough to consider any meaningful bills that would address gun control.Instead, lawmakers have been more open to adding more security to schools — including passing a bill last year that would allow some teachers and staff to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/tennessee-arming-teachers-guns-2d7d80fa1f54f8f9585a6d2e98fec9fd">carry concealed handguns</a>&nbsp;on public school grounds, and bar parents and other teachers from knowing who was armed.Antioch, a growing and diverse area of Nashville, has endured other prominent shootings in recent years. A&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/f56b445a4e54468caff28c1844c55aa4">2017 fatal shooting</a>&nbsp;at Burnette Chapel Church of Christ killed one woman and wounded seven people. And in 2018, a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/b0da52acd5374c28a2495291b0819387">shooter killed four people at a Waffle House</a>.State Rep. Shaundelle Brooks ran for office in large part due to her son’s death in the Waffle House shooting and was elected last year after the Covenant shooting. She said the Antioch High shooting reinforces the need for gun control reforms. “We must do better,” she said.“Ever since I lost my son, Akilah, in a mass shooting in 2018, I have been fighting to ensure this never happens again,” the Nashville Democrat said in a statement. “Here we are almost 7 years later, and our communities are still being impacted by gun violence.”Samantha Dickerson had taken her 14-year-old son’s phone away as a punishment, so when she got a message from his school about the shooting, she had no way to reach him.“I was nervous,” she said. “I really was about to break down.”After about three hours of waiting, she finally got a call from his English teacher and spoke with her son.“When I heard his voice, I just broke down and started crying,” she said.___Associated Press writers Kimberlee Kruesi in Nashville and Adrian Sainz in Memphis, Tennessee, contributed.

Police ID 16-year-old killed in shooting at Tennessee high school

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House on Wednesday gave final approval to a bill that requires the detainment of unauthorized migrants accused of theft and violent crimes, marking the first legislation that President Donald Trump can sign as Congress, with some bipartisan support, swiftly moved in line with his plans to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-day-1-priorities-deportations-drilling-ukraine-6747c6e64b0440978f59450b928f61d1">crackdown on illegal immigration</a>.

Passage of the Laken Riley Act, which was named after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-trump-riley-immigrants-crime-63181cbc7a89fe9fe28b1d0cf84c8b9a">a Georgia nursing student</a>&nbsp;who was murdered last year by a Venezuelan man, shows just how sharply the political debate over immigration has shifted to the right following Trump's election victory. Immigration policy has often been one of the most entrenched issues in Congress, but a crucial faction of 46 politically vulnerable Democrats joined with Republicans to lift the strict proposal to passage on a 263-156 vote tally. All members of the Kansas House delegation including Democrat Sharice Davids voted with the majority. Kansas U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall voted in favor of the bill on Monday.

“For decades, it has been almost impossible for our government to agree on solutions for the problems at our border and within our country,” said Sen. Katie Britt, an Alabama Republican. She called the legislation “perhaps the most significant immigration enforcement bill” to be passed by Congress in nearly three decades.

Still, the bill would require a massive ramp up in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's capabilities, but does not include any new funding.

Meanwhile, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-deportation-immigration-homan-asylum-inauguration-ac10480dc636b758ab3c435b974aeb19">new president has launched</a>&nbsp;a slew of executive orders intended to seal off the border of Mexico to immigration and ultimately deport millions of migrants without permanent legal status in the U.S. On Wednesday, Trump also canceled refugee resettlement and his administration has signaled intentions to prosecute local law enforcement officials who do not enforce his new immigration policies.

Republican congressional leaders have made it clear they intend to follow suit, though their toughest challenge will be finding a way to approve the funding to actually implement Trump’s hardline plans.

“What he’s doing is kickstarting what will ultimately be our legislative agenda,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.

House Republicans initially passed the legislation last year with support from 37 Democrats in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-laken-riley-immigration-ibarra-georgia-34b06b0829772900eb55c123fe151845">move that was intended</a>&nbsp;to deliver a political rebuke to then-President Joe Biden’s handling of the southern border. It then languished in the Democratic-controlled Senate.

This year, Republicans, now with control of both congressional chambers, have made it their top priority. When it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-immigration-laken-riley-trump-4011a282775d58d509d953a9830aa367">came before the Senate</a>, 12 Democrats voted in favor of passage, and when the House voted on a version of the bill earlier this month, 48 Democrats supported it.

The vast majority of U.S. adults favor deporting immigrants convicted of violent crimes, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-poll-deportation-trump-border-security-40b2a28e34f8d0c76b4a6589f3db1ba3">recent survey</a>&nbsp;from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnorc.org/">The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research</a>. However, only about 37% of U.S. adults are in favor of deporting immigrants in the U.S. illegally who have not been convicted of a crime.

“While the bill is not perfect, it sends a clear message that we think that criminals should be deported,” said Rep. Tom Suozzi, a New York Democrat who has called on his party to support tougher immigration enforcement.

Under the legislation, federal authorities would be required to detain any migrant arrested or charged with crimes like shoplifting. The scope of the proposal was widened in the Senate to also include those accused of assaulting a police officer or crimes that injure or kill someone.

The bill also gives legal standing to state attorneys general to sue the federal government for harm caused by federal immigration decisions. That gives states new power in setting immigration policy when they have already been trying to push back against presidential decisions under both the Trump and Biden administrations. Democrats unsuccessfully pushed to have that provision stripped from the bill in the Senate, saying it would inject even more uncertainty and partisanship into immigration policy.

Ultimately, even the Trump administration is likely to struggle to implement the new requirements unless Congress follows up later this year with funding. Republicans are currently strategizing how to push their priorities through Congress through a party-line process known as budget reconciliation. They have put the cost of funding Trump’s border and deportation priorities at roughly $100 billion.

Trump has “laid out the largest domestic logistical undertaking of our lifetimes -- that being the deportation of the vast majority of illegal aliens present in the United States," Ken Cuccinelli, who directed U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services during Trump’s first presidency, told a Senate panel recently.

Cuccinelli said it would require a surge of immigration judges, prosecutors and other staff, but Trump has also paved the way to use military troops, bases and other resources to carry out the mass deportations.

The Department of Homeland Security has estimated the Laken Riley Act would cost $26.9 billion in the first year to implement, including an increase of 110,00 ICE detention beds.

Most Democrats criticized the lack of funding in the bill as proof that it is a piecemeal approach that would do little to fix problems in the immigration system, but saddle federal authorities with new requirements.

“The bill’s authors claimed it’s going to result in the arrest and detention of serious criminals, but it will not do that because it’s a totally unfunded mandate,” said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn.

Others raised concerns that the bill would strip due process rights for migrants, including minors or recipients of the Deferred Action for Unaccompanied Minors program. Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., said that federal authorities would now be forced to prioritize detention of migrants arrested for low-level crimes like shoplifting, rather than those who commit violent felonies.

On the whole, there is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-violent-crime-trump-republican-convention-bd40d14546bc7eb9a1dbbadfcb190950">no evidence</a>&nbsp;that immigrants are more prone to violent crime. Several studies have found immigrants commit lower rates of crime than those born in the U.S. Groups that advocate for restrictive immigration policies dispute or dismiss those findings.

But Republicans pointed to the bill’s namesake, Laken Riley, and how she was killed by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/georgia-nursing-student-laken-riley-immigrant-d8d75ccc6d81e7a88eb7890829d9fc9c">a Venezuelan migrant</a>&nbsp;who had previously been arrested by local authorities but released as he pursued his immigration case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2024/11/1732127765713.png" alt="Laken Riley photo courtesy Poole Funeral Home" />
 <figcaption>Laken Riley photo courtesy Poole Funeral Home</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — The House on Wednesday gave final approval to a bill that requires the detainment of unauthorized migrants accused of theft and violent crimes, marking the first legislation that President Donald Trump can sign as Congress, with some bipartisan support, swiftly moved in line with his plans to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-day-1-priorities-deportations-drilling-ukraine-6747c6e64b0440978f59450b928f61d1">crackdown on illegal immigration</a>.Passage of the Laken Riley Act, which was named after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/biden-trump-riley-immigrants-crime-63181cbc7a89fe9fe28b1d0cf84c8b9a">a Georgia nursing student</a>&nbsp;who was murdered last year by a Venezuelan man, shows just how sharply the political debate over immigration has shifted to the right following Trump's election victory. Immigration policy has often been one of the most entrenched issues in Congress, but a crucial faction of 46 politically vulnerable Democrats joined with Republicans to lift the strict proposal to passage on a 263-156 vote tally. All members of the Kansas House delegation including Democrat Sharice Davids voted with the majority. Kansas U.S. Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall voted in favor of the bill on Monday.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Today, Congress passed the Laken Riley Act, which will make communities in Kansas and across the country safer by requiring the detention and deportation of illegal immigrants who commit offenses including theft, assaults on law enforcement, and violent crimes. <a href="https://t.co/8CtZHwjV6R">pic.twitter.com/8CtZHwjV6R</a>&mdash; Rep. Derek Schmidt Press (@RepDerekSchmidt) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepDerekSchmidt/status/1882208422973866441?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>“For decades, it has been almost impossible for our government to agree on solutions for the problems at our border and within our country,” said Sen. Katie Britt, an Alabama Republican. She called the legislation “perhaps the most significant immigration enforcement bill” to be passed by Congress in nearly three decades.Still, the bill would require a massive ramp up in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's capabilities, but does not include any new funding.Meanwhile, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/trump-deportation-immigration-homan-asylum-inauguration-ac10480dc636b758ab3c435b974aeb19">new president has launched</a>&nbsp;a slew of executive orders intended to seal off the border of Mexico to immigration and ultimately deport millions of migrants without permanent legal status in the U.S. On Wednesday, Trump also canceled refugee resettlement and his administration has signaled intentions to prosecute local law enforcement officials who do not enforce his new immigration policies.Republican congressional leaders have made it clear they intend to follow suit, though their toughest challenge will be finding a way to approve the funding to actually implement Trump’s hardline plans.“What he’s doing is kickstarting what will ultimately be our legislative agenda,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.House Republicans initially passed the legislation last year with support from 37 Democrats in a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-laken-riley-immigration-ibarra-georgia-34b06b0829772900eb55c123fe151845">move that was intended</a>&nbsp;to deliver a political rebuke to then-President Joe Biden’s handling of the southern border. It then languished in the Democratic-controlled Senate.This year, Republicans, now with control of both congressional chambers, have made it their top priority. When it&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-immigration-laken-riley-trump-4011a282775d58d509d953a9830aa367">came before the Senate</a>, 12 Democrats voted in favor of passage, and when the House voted on a version of the bill earlier this month, 48 Democrats supported it.The vast majority of U.S. adults favor deporting immigrants convicted of violent crimes, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-poll-deportation-trump-border-security-40b2a28e34f8d0c76b4a6589f3db1ba3">recent survey</a>&nbsp;from&nbsp;<a href="https://apnorc.org/">The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research</a>. However, only about 37% of U.S. adults are in favor of deporting immigrants in the U.S. illegally who have not been convicted of a crime.“While the bill is not perfect, it sends a clear message that we think that criminals should be deported,” said Rep. Tom Suozzi, a New York Democrat who has called on his party to support tougher immigration enforcement.Under the legislation, federal authorities would be required to detain any migrant arrested or charged with crimes like shoplifting. The scope of the proposal was widened in the Senate to also include those accused of assaulting a police officer or crimes that injure or kill someone.The bill also gives legal standing to state attorneys general to sue the federal government for harm caused by federal immigration decisions. That gives states new power in setting immigration policy when they have already been trying to push back against presidential decisions under both the Trump and Biden administrations. Democrats unsuccessfully pushed to have that provision stripped from the bill in the Senate, saying it would inject even more uncertainty and partisanship into immigration policy.Ultimately, even the Trump administration is likely to struggle to implement the new requirements unless Congress follows up later this year with funding. Republicans are currently strategizing how to push their priorities through Congress through a party-line process known as budget reconciliation. They have put the cost of funding Trump’s border and deportation priorities at roughly $100 billion.Trump has “laid out the largest domestic logistical undertaking of our lifetimes -- that being the deportation of the vast majority of illegal aliens present in the United States," Ken Cuccinelli, who directed U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services during Trump’s first presidency, told a Senate panel recently.Cuccinelli said it would require a surge of immigration judges, prosecutors and other staff, but Trump has also paved the way to use military troops, bases and other resources to carry out the mass deportations.The Department of Homeland Security has estimated the Laken Riley Act would cost $26.9 billion in the first year to implement, including an increase of 110,00 ICE detention beds.Most Democrats criticized the lack of funding in the bill as proof that it is a piecemeal approach that would do little to fix problems in the immigration system, but saddle federal authorities with new requirements.“The bill’s authors claimed it’s going to result in the arrest and detention of serious criminals, but it will not do that because it’s a totally unfunded mandate,” said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn.Others raised concerns that the bill would strip due process rights for migrants, including minors or recipients of the Deferred Action for Unaccompanied Minors program. Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., said that federal authorities would now be forced to prioritize detention of migrants arrested for low-level crimes like shoplifting, rather than those who commit violent felonies.On the whole, there is&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/immigration-violent-crime-trump-republican-convention-bd40d14546bc7eb9a1dbbadfcb190950">no evidence</a>&nbsp;that immigrants are more prone to violent crime. Several studies have found immigrants commit lower rates of crime than those born in the U.S. Groups that advocate for restrictive immigration policies dispute or dismiss those findings.But Republicans pointed to the bill’s namesake, Laken Riley, and how she was killed by&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/georgia-nursing-student-laken-riley-immigrant-d8d75ccc6d81e7a88eb7890829d9fc9c">a Venezuelan migrant</a>&nbsp;who had previously been arrested by local authorities but released as he pursued his immigration case.“If this act had been the law of the land, he never would have had the opportunity to kill her,” said Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga.___