(INDIANAPOLIS) — One person was killed and five others were injured in a mass shooting at a Waffle House in Indianapolis early Monday, police said.
Officers were dispatched to the scene around 12:40 a.m. and found five people with gunshot wounds, according to Indianapolis police.
Those five victims — three men in stable condition, one woman in stable condition and one woman in critical condition — were taken to hospitals, police said.
The woman in critical condition later died at the hospital, police said.
Officers were also notified of a sixth gunshot victim — a man in critical condition — who either took himself or was taken by someone else to a local hospital, according to police.
Preliminary information indicates the “incident started with a disturbance between two groups that escalated to gunfire,” police said.
“It is not clear at this point if any of the people injured were also individuals who fired shots. That will be part of what detectives will attempt to determine,” police said in a statement. “Detectives are also working to review any video surveillance footage that may be available as the business did have surveillance cameras.”
Waffle House said it’s cooperating fully with the investigation.
(COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.) — Classes at the University of Colorado were canceled for a “day of healing” Monday as investigators continued to work to identify a suspect in the fatal shooting of two people on Friday in a dorm room on the Colorado Springs campus, authorities said.
The victims of the double homicide were identified Sunday afternoon as 26-year-old Celie Rain Montgomery of Pueblo, Colorado, and 24-year-old Samuel Knopp of Parker, Colorado, according to the Colorado Springs Police Department. Kopp was a registered student at the school while Montgomery was not currently registered, police said.
“Since the beginning of this investigation, the primary focus has been on the victims of this tragic incident and pursuing justice for them and their families,” Colorado Springs police said in a statement. “This remains an active investigation, which includes detectives continuing to develop additional investigative leads and suspect information.”
The El Paso County Coroner’s Office conducted autopsies on Montgomery and Kopp on Saturday, but the results have not been made public.
“While the Coroner’s Office will determine the cause and manner of death, Celie Montgomery and Samual Knopp’s deaths are being investigated as homicides,” according to the police statement.
Few details have been released about the killings by police, who cited the “fluid nature” of the investigation.
“While acknowledging the difficulty of the situation and the withholding of information in the initial stages of the investigation, we owe it to the victims and their families to deliver accountability and justice for this horrific act,” police said.
The campus dispatch center received a call of shots fired just before 6 a.m. Friday, Colorado Springs police said. Campus officers responded to a room at Crestone House, a campus dormitory, and found two people dead from gunshot wounds, police said.
“This incident does not appear to be a murder-suicide and both deaths are being investigated as homicides,” police said Friday evening. “We are continuing to develop and follow investigative leads and will provide additional information when it becomes available.”
Colorado Springs police still believe it is an isolated incident “between parties that were known to one another and not a random attack against the school or other students at the university.”
The campus was initially put on lockdown for several hours Friday, a university spokesperson said, however, classes were canceled through Monday, but the campus would be open for a “Day of Healing.”
“We are in shock as we process this tragic loss of two lives,” university Chancellor Jennifer Sobanet said at a news conference. “My heart is broken for the victims of today’s senseless violence.”
The killings marked the third and fourth homicides in Colorado Springs this year, according to police. At this time last year, the city had recorded two homicides.
ABC News’ Amanda Morris contributed to this report.
(NEW YORK) — A New Jersey woman is on a mission to bring the HBCU experience to students who might not know about or realize the many historically Black colleges and universities serving students today.
Eleise Richards, an alumna of Howard University, started in 2016 with a college fair in her hometown of Irvington, New Jersey, which has now grown into the nonprofit Experience the Legacy.
She drew on her personal experience as a first-generation college student and the daughter of Jamaican immigrants who weren’t familiar with the American college process.
“I didn’t know about HBCUs. I didn’t grow up in a school system that taught us or encouraged us to attend HBCUs. I only knew about Howard because my best friend told me she wanted to go,” Richards told “Good Morning America.”
Richards said she had “the very best time” when she attended Howard, often regarded as one of the top historically Black universities in the U.S., and wanted to introduce what she had and more to students who might not be able to afford to visit an HBCU in person.
“I wanted to make sure students from neighborhoods and communities that look like mine, have the real information, have the resources, have the access to recruiters, to alumni, to learn more about these schools and truly assess whether it’s a good fit for them and consider them when they’re thinking about their future college journey,” Richards said.
But after running her hometown college fair for two years, she realized she didn’t know much about many of the HBCUs that sent representatives to showcase their schools.
“I realized it feels a little disingenuous to me, to host and encourage kids to attend these schools when I don’t really know much about a lot of them myself. I knew a good amount, but I didn’t know many of them still and I know that’s pretty common,” she said.
So in 2020, Richards embarked on a bucket list trip to visit as many HBCUs as she could, splitting her journey into three legs.
“We just started with all the East Coast schools down from New Jersey to North Carolina and that’s how this trip began,” Richards explained.
In the fall of 2023, Richards was able to complete her goal of visiting all the four-year HBCUs and a few community colleges within the contiguous states, from schools like Alabama State University in Montgomery, Alabama and Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas to Elizabeth City State University in Elizabeth City, North Carolina.
“In total, it ended up being 93 schools, every four-year degree-granting HBCU in North America,” the 35-year-old said.
“It’s very diverse. It’s not made up of just Black and brown students,” she said of the schools she visited. “There are students from all walks of life, all types of different countries. There’s just a lot of misconceptions out there.”
Experience the Legacy’s next college fair, free for students, parents, and community members, will be held in September.
Audrii Cunningham is seen in this undated photo released by Texas Police following her disappearance. — Polk County Sheriff’s Office via Facebook
(LIVINGSTON, Texas) — Authorities are searching for an 11-year-old Texas girl who vanished Thursday and police say a person of interest in the case has been taken into custody.
Audrii Cunningham was last seen on the morning of Feb. 15 near her father’s home in Livingston, Texas, at about 7 a.m., the time neighbors say they usually see the girl walking to her school bus stop, according to authorities. But Audrii didn’t board the school bus.
“She did not make it to school. That was the reason why the father, the family, became very concerned when she did not get off the bus,” Lt. Craig Cummings, a spokesperson for the Texas Department of Public Safety, said. “We are looking at this as a criminal investigation.”
A statewide Amber Alert was issued on Feb. 15 and is currently still active.
Officials say they are looking into a person of interest, Audrii’s father’s roommate, Don Steven McDougal of Livingston, Texas. McDougal was arrested on an unrelated aggravated assault charge Friday and is in custody, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. He has an extensive criminal history, including enticing a minor in 2008.
Investigators are also searching for a 2003 blue Chevy Suburban in connection to Audrii’s disappearance and are offering a $7,000 reward for any information that leads to an arrest in the case.
“That is McDougal’s vehicle. So anyone that saw that vehicle on Thursday or Friday, we’re asking that you call the Polk County Sheriff’s Office,” Cummings said.
Multiple law enforcement agencies and volunteers have teamed up to search for Audrii in the Livingston area and have since located her backpack near Lake Livingston Dam.
“There were other items that were found,” Cummings said. “But we’re not getting into what those items were. That’s all part of the investigative effort.”
Audrii is described as being 4-foot-1 with blond hair, blue eyes and weighing about 75 pounds. She was last seen wearing a black hoodie with white lettering, a camouflage backpack, black pants and black high-top tennis shoes.
Audrii’s mother, Cassie Matthews, is desperate to bring her daughter home and is searching for answers.
“There’s not words for it,” Matthews told Houston ABC station KTRK. “You’re broken, you’re mad, you’re lost, you’re empty. And right now, I’m empty.”
Officials have not said if Audrii was last seen with McDougal but they said there are multiple people of interest and additional information they are not yet releasing to the public.
Anyone with any information to report is being urged to call the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at 936-327-6810.
(NEW YORK) — Some 37 million people remain on alert for flooding in California, spanning the coast from the cities of Eureka to San Diego.
An area just northwest of Santa Barbara is under a flash flood warning until at least 10:30 a.m. PT on Monday, due to back-to-back winter storms bringing up to 4 inches of rainfall with another 3 to 4 inches expected. Flash flooding, mud and debris flows, as well as landslides and rockslides will likely occur there.
More than 2.5 inches of rain had already fallen in Santa Barbara before dawn on Monday.
San Francisco has gotten less than 1 inch so far, but higher elevations north of the city have reported 2 to 4 inches of rain from the weekend.
Meanwhile, the Redding area has seen around 2 inches of rain.
Severe storms could hit the Sacramento region on Monday, with a risk of brief tornadoes, damaging winds, large amounts of small hail, lightning and heavy rainfall rates. The period between Noon and 8 p.m. PT will be the greatest threat for storm in this area.
There is a moderate risk for excessive rainfall over the Santa Barbara area on Monday. This area will continue to see heavy rainfall, especially in the morning, with flash flooding likely and mudslides and rockslides as the main risk.
There is also a slight risk for excessive rainfall from Los Angeles to the San Francisco Bay Area, as well as over Redding, Sacramento and Fresno on Monday.
Much of the areas under flood watches are also on alert for high winds. Gusts could reach 40 to 60 miles per hour on Monday, especially in the morning.
High surf advisories are in effect from San Francisco to San Diego. Large breaking waves from 18 to 28 feet are possible through Tuesday. Coastal flooding is also possible, especially during high tide.
Total rainfall amounts of 2 to 5 inches are expected over the lower elevations, with 4 to 8 inches over the foothills and mountains with local amounts to 10 inches.
Rainfall rates of 1 inch per hour are possible, however, thunderstorms that develop — possible in southern California in addition to northern California — will induce higher rainfall rates over localized areas.
Downtown Los Angeles only needs 3 inches of rain to have the rainiest February on record.
In the mountains, 2 to 5 feet of snow is generally expected in higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada, along with gusty winds making travel impossible at times.
In the San Bernardino mountains, up to 8 inches of snow is possible, accumulation beginning Monday night and ending Wednesday morning.
The storm system is forecast to continue impacting California through Tuesday before it moves out of the region on Wednesday.
(NEW YORK) — Some 37 million people are on alert for flooding from Sacramento in Northern California to San Diego in Southern California.
The Santa Barbara Airport closed Monday morning due to flooding. More than 2.5 inches of rain fell in Santa Barbara before dawn and more is expected.
Flash flooding, mud and debris flows, as well as landslides and rockslides, are likely.
Severe storms could hit the Sacramento region on Monday with a risk of brief tornadoes, damaging winds, large amounts of small hail, lightning and heavy rainfall rates. The greatest threat for storms in this area comes between noon and 8 p.m. PT.
Areas north of San Francisco reported 2 to 4 inches of rain from the weekend, and now there’s a slight risk for excessive rainfall from Los Angeles to the San Francisco Bay area to Sacramento on Monday.
Much of the areas under flood watches are also on alert for high winds. Gusts could reach 40 to 60 mph on Monday, especially in the morning.
High surf advisories are in effect from San Francisco to San Diego. Large breaking waves from 18 to 28 feet are possible through Tuesday. Coastal flooding is also possible, especially during high tide.
Total rainfall amounts of 2 to 5 inches are expected over the lower elevations, with 4 to 8 inches over the foothills and mountains with local amounts to 10 inches.
Rainfall rates of 1 inch per hour are possible.
Downtown Los Angeles only needs 3 inches of rain to have the rainiest February on record.
In the mountains, 2 to 5 feet of snow is generally expected in higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada, along with gusty winds making travel impossible at times.
In the San Bernardino Mountains, up to 8 inches of snow is possible, with accumulation beginning Monday night and ending Wednesday morning.
The storm system is forecast to continue impacting California through Tuesday before it moves out of the region on Wednesday.
(INDIANAPOLIS) — At least one person was killed and five others were injured in a shooting at a Waffle House in Indianapolis, Indiana, early Monday, police said.
Authorities said they were dispatched to the scene at approximately 12:40 a.m. ET and, upon arrival, they found five people with gunshot wounds.
Those five victims — three men in stable condition, one woman in stable condition and one woman in critical condition — were transported via ambulances to area hospitals, according to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.
The woman in critical condition later died at the hospital, police said. The Marion County Coroner’s Office said it will release the woman’s name once her next of kin has been notified.
Officers were also notified of a sixth gunshot victim — a man in critical condition — who either took himself or was taken by someone else to a local hospital, according to police.
Preliminary information indicates the “incident started with a disturbance between two groups that escalated to gunfire,” police said.
“It is not clear at this point if any of the people injured were also individuals who fired shots. That will be part of what detectives will attempt to determine,” police said in a statement. “Detectives are also working to review any video surveillance footage that may be available as the business did have surveillance cameras.”
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
(BURNSVILLE, Minn.)– Two police officers and one firefighter were shot and killed in Burnsville, Minnesota, on Sunday after responding to a “call of a family in danger,” according to Gov. Tim Walz.
“Horrific news from Burnsville,” Walz began his statement on X. “While responding to a call of a family in danger, two police officers and one firefighter lost their lives, and other officers were injured.”
“We must never take for granted the bravery and sacrifices our police officers and first responders make every day,” Walz continued. “My heart is with their families today and the entire State of Minnesota stands with Burnsville.”
Burnsville police officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge along with firefighter Adam Finseth died Sunday, according to a press release from Burnsville PD.
The officers and Finseth, who was working as an EMT, responded to the 12600 block of 33rd Avenue South on Sunday around 1:50 a.m., local time, for a call of a domestic situation where a man reported to be armed was barricaded with family members, according to the release.
After arriving, the situation escalated into gunfire with responders and Elmstrand, Ruge and Finseth were killed by the gunman, according to the release.
The man who shot and killed the responding officers and EMT was reported dead at approximately 8:00 a.m., local time, and the other family members left the home and are safe, according to the release.
The Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association confirmed that a shooting took place Sunday morning after officers responded to a domestic abuse call, according to a statement posted to Facebook.
“We are heartbroken. Our law enforcement community is heartbroken. We’re just devastated at the horrific loss,” the statement said.
Burnsville is a Minnesota suburb located about 15 miles south of Minneapolis.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said in a post on X that agents had responded to the scene.
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar shared a statement on X Sunday morning after being alerted to the fatal shooting by police.
“They were doing their jobs. They were protecting our community,” Klobuchar said, noting that she and her husband, John, are “praying for them and their families and the Burnsville P.D. this morning.”
Minnesota Rep. Angie Craig, who represents Burnsville, released a statement Sunday, saying, “My heart is broken for the brave officers and first responder lost in the line of duty. Craig noted she’s been in contact with the White House to “marshal any additional federal resources that may be available.”
“I’m horrified to see this kind of violence in our community,” Craig continued. “Today serves as another solemn reminder that those who protect our communities do so at great personal risk. We must do everything in our power to prevent tragedies like these before they happen and hold violent criminals accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
(BURNSVILLE, Minn.)– Two police officers and one firefighter were shot and killed in Burnsville, Minnesota, on Sunday after responding to a “call of a family in danger,” according to Gov. Tim Walz.
“Horrific news from Burnsville,” Walz began his statement on X. “While responding to a call of a family in danger, two police officers and one firefighter lost their lives, and other officers were injured.”
“We must never take for granted the bravery and sacrifices our police officers and first responders make every day,” Waltz continued. “My heart is with their families today and the entire State of Minnesota stands with Burnsville.”
Officers gathered near the intersection of 33rd Avenue and East Burnsville Parkway around 5:30 a.m. local time, a witness told ABC affiliate KSTP-TV.
The witness said they heard shots fired and a shelter-in-place order was sent to residents’ cellphones. KSTP-TV reported that the order has since been lifted.
The Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association confirmed that a shooting took place Sunday morning after officers responded to a domestic abuse call, according to a statement posted to Facebook.
“We are heartbroken. Our law enforcement community is heartbroken. We’re just devastated at the horrific loss,” the statement said.
Burnsville is a Minnesota suburb located about 15 miles south of Minneapolis.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said in a post on X that agents had responded to the scene.
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar shared a statement on X Sunday morning after being alerted to the fatal shooting by police.
“They were doing their jobs. They were protecting our community,” Klobuchar said, noting that she and her husband, John, are “praying for them and their families and the Burnsville P.D. this morning.”
(NEW YORK)– An already drenched California is bracing for a second storm as a multiday atmospheric river is projected to bring rainfall, wind and snowfall to the Golden state Sunday and extend through Wednesday.
The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for nearly the entire coast of California — from Redding to San Diego and the Mexico border — putting about 37 million residents on alert.
The first storm hit central California on Saturday, dumping less than half an inch of rain at lower elevations and around an inch at higher elevations.
The next storm starts Sunday afternoon, bringing stronger rainfall, wind and snowfall across the state.
The flood watch includes Northern California cities such as San Francisco, Monterey, Chico and Fresno; Central California cities including Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and Temecula; and San Diego in Southern California.
Total rainfall throughout the flood watch area includes two to five inches in the lower elevations and up to eight inches in the higher elevations.
Santa Barbara County has the highest threat of flash flooding, mudslides and rockslides, according to officials.
“Be prepared to sustain yourself and your household for multiple days if you choose not to evacuate, as you may not be able to leave the area and emergency responders may not be able to access your property in the event of road damage, flooding or debris,” Santa Barbara County officials said in a press release Saturday.
The coastal city is still recovering from the barrage of rain that hit the region less than two weeks ago.
Wind alerts are in effect for millions of California residents, including those in San Francisco and Santa Barbara, with wind gusts projected to be between 50 mph and 60 mph.
The strongest winds will be felt Sunday and Monday morning.
A few feet of snow is possible in the San Gabriel Mountains outside Los Angeles, with areas including Big Bear Lake seeing up to 8 inches of snow.
Gusty winds will also make travel difficult in these snow areas.
Back-to-back atmospheric river storms have soaked California this month. Atmospheric rivers are essentially rivers in the sky that collect moisture from tropical areas and redistribute the water to higher latitudes, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
“More of [California’s] precipitation, so rain and snowfall, will be coming from atmospheric rivers, according to the model projections,” Julie Kalansky, a climate scientist and deputy director of operations at the Center for Western Weather and Water Extremes at the University of California, San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography, told ABC News earlier this month.
Experts say that this shift in precipitation type could be accompanied by more frequent and intense extreme rainfall events.
