Okaloosa County, FL Sheriff discussing the shooting death of Roger Fortson, 23, an active duty U.S. Airman. The Sheriff is handling this tragic shooting professionally and should be congratulated. It appears that the Sheriff's Dept. is being accountable and is requesting State of Florida authorities to review the shooting.
Roger Fortson Fatally shot by FL deputy
Tragic video of the fatal shooting of Roger Fortson by a FL deputy. Wow...this is a mess. There was no disturbance heard from the unit, Fortson had a gun, but it was pointed downward. Fortson made no aggressive movements, and his hand was up defensively. There does not appear to be an imminent threat to the officer.
Austin Police Officers Collecting Blood Samples for DWI Testing? What Could Go Wrong?
Theoretically, it does not matter who employs the phlebotomist; a police officer trained to be a phlebotomist could do the job. The Austin Police Department (APD) thinks that having officers collecting BAC samples is an innovative idea because an EMT or nurse isn’t always immediately available.
A review of recent history should have guided APD away from this idea.
Not long ago, in 2016, the APD had their forensic lab come under intense scrutiny because there was a backlog of about 4,000 rape kits that needed DNA testing. The Texas Forensics Science Commission audited the lab's procedures and found significant issues with handling and analyzing DNA samples, improper testing, untrained staff, using expired materials, and flawed science. These flaws have real-life consequences. The Texas Observer chronicled the story of Billy Faircloth, who was convicted and sentenced to 60 years in prison for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in 2012, a crime he did not commit. On March 29, 2024, the Court of Criminal Appeals overturned Faircloth’s conviction because “unreliable DNA evidence was used to secure his conviction.”
The APD’s forensics lab was shut down in 2016, and $12 million was taken from the APD’s budget in 2022 to pay for the costs of setting up the new City of Austin lab. APD contracted forensics services through private companies and the Texas Department of Public Safety until the City of Austin opened a lab on October 1, 2022. The new lab will run as an independent city department and not under the control of APD. When interviewed by KXAN, Dr. Dana Kadavy, head of the forensics lab, said, “I think a department like this creates comfort and trust in the forensics services for both victims and survivors. It’s an extra layer of autonomy and independence.”
Austin area defense attorneys are eager for APD to use officers as phlebotomists. We foresee noth
I haven't heard any talk about this, but I find it telling that Katie Proudfoot said, "when I look down, I'm looking a Sebastian."
There is no issue with looking down when answering a question because that action does not mean someone is lying.
However, when she sees Sebastian, my concern is that means he is already gone. When they move out of the home, that again tells me that they do not expect Sebastian to return.
I hope that Sebastian just ran away and is in a better position but
concerned that it has been more than 40 days.
RIP Riley Strain
Keep his amazing family in your prayers
and continue to support these good people.
We would love to talk with Nancy Grace about her interview with Chris and Katie Proudfoot. Did her team not prepare NG for the interview? NG is experienced, respected, and passionate about victims. NG is notorious for having a blunt, accusatory, prosecutor-like demeanor with guests. NG hypes the storyline and often cuts off her experts to pound home her view.
Why was NG not prepared with background on Chris Proudfoot's past marriages and CPS complaints? Was she aware of the CPS complaints against Seth, the "bio dad," and decided not to pursue that line of questions?
“Houston Police Chief Admits His Department Failed to Investigate More than 109,000 Violent Crimes Over the Past Eight Years.”
In a stunning admission that shocked the city of Houston and beyond, on March 7, 2024, Police Chief Troy Finner revealed an internal review has uncovered that over the past eight years, the Houston Police Department "suspended" 264,000 criminal incidents reports due to a stark lack of personnel. Among these, an alarming 109,000 were violent crimes, including 6,500 homicides and over 4,000 sexual assaults.
This revelation raises numerous questions about the efficiency and ethics of the police department's handling of serious crimes. It was discovered that a particular coding classification was used to label files to be dropped because of personnel shortages, a practice Finner thought he put to an end upon learning about it in 2016 before becoming Police Chief in 2021.
Houston's new Mayor, John Whitmire, expressed his concern and the public's demand for answers and accountability. In response, an independent panel will be appointed to scrutinize the investigation's integrity, aiming to ensure justice and prevent a recurrence of such failures.
The instinctive reaction might be to call for Chief Finner's immediate dismissal. However, there's a compelling argument for why Chief Finner's leadership, in the wake of this crisis, could be crucial for the Houston Police Department and the broader community.
The facts are undeniable: what happened under the watch of the Houston PD is inexcusable, and the consequences for those involved, especially the victims and their families, are immeasurable. Legal action against the city and the department is justified, as is the demotion of police management and a stringent reevaluation of the department's practices and priorities.
Yet, dismissing Chief Finner may not be the solution. His reaction to the crisis suggests a potential for leading a transformative change within the department. Leadership, e
“Heroes in Blue: Quick-Thinking Austin Police Officers Save Choking Child”
On February 16, 2024, at approximately 4:20 pm, a 9-1-1 call to the Austin Police Department detailed an urgent call that a child had choked on a piece of candy and was turning blue, unable to breathe.
APD Officers Dalton Schroeder and Jason Wright raced to the Mueller Apartments, where they located four-year-old William Romero in distress. The officers responded with flawless coordination. Shroeder immediately retrieved an emergency anti-chocking device from the rear of the patrol vehicle while Wright located the child and assessed the medical emergency.
The body-cam video shows the tense scene as Officer Wright lays the child down on the top of a utility box. Officer Schroeder employs the anti-choking device, and Officer Wright administers back blows until the obstruction is cleared from the throat of the young child and breathing returns to normal.
These two humble officers credited their APD training with helping them immediately analyze the situation and work quickly, calmly, and skillfully to provide life-saving measures. The officers were prepared for this emergency and even purchased the specialized medical device with their own money.
The officers' heroic actions serve as a reminder of the challenges police officers face daily and the profound impact they can have on the lives they touch.
#CourtTV #austintexas #truecrimecommunity #truecrimejunkie #truecrime Spotting a “Suicide by Cop” Incident: Should Konrad Khorshahian Have Died at the Hands of APD Officers?
It was the day after Christmas in 2023, which Austin Police Department 9–1–1 operators hoped would be a “slow day.” Everyone should be happy and content after spending Christmas basking in the warmth of renewed connections with family and friends.
At about 1:20 pm, the phone rang in the APD 9–1–1 center, which would crush the idealistic hope of a peaceful day in the city.
The 9–1–1 caller stated that a “man with a rifle was shooting in the parking lot at Harris Ridge Apartment Complex at 1501 East Howard Lane near Dessau Road in Austin, Texas.”
Upon arriving at the scene, building security video shows the suspect pointing a gun at the vehicles of APD officers Andrew Horne and Brian Epps. The officers exit their respective vehicles to the sound of the suspect yelling, “Shoot me, shoot me mother f — -ers.”
Officer Horne contacted dispatch and said, “A man pointed a gun at them, and the rifle “may be a BB gun.” The suspect, Konrad Farad Khorshahian, 63, continued to yell at the officers to shoot him while refusing to obey commands to drop the weapon. The suspect continued to point the gun at the officers, creating a tense and dangerous situation. It’s fair to say that the officers were focused on eliminating the threat to themselves and other people in the parking lot.
The video shows Officer Horne getting into a position to see the suspect hidden behind a white van. The suspect pointed his rifle in the direction of the officer, and the officer reacted by firing his rifle, striking and killing Khorshahian.
Looking at a video after the incident from the unstressed comfort of my home with the knowledge that the suspect, himself, called 9–1–1 and had a BB gun, facts that the officers did not have, it’s clear that this was a textbook scenario of Suicid
Outside of the Soho Lounge on East Sixth Street in downtown Austin, Texas, the suspect, Trei Michael Adrien Hernandez, has a gun in his pocket and is attempting to enter the bar.
The Tragic Officer-Involved Shooting of Rajan Moonesinghe and His Families Quest for Justice
On November 15, 2022, an affluent South Austin neighborhood was shattered by a tragic incident that would spark widespread debate and lead to a grand jury indictment of Austin Police Department (APD) Officer Daniel Sanchez.
Rajan "Raj" Moonesinghe, a 33-year-old tech entrepreneur and co-founder of InKind, was fatally shot by APD Officer Daniel Sanchez.
The incident unfolded as Moonesinghe, fearing a burglar was inside his home after a two-week trip, fired into his own house from the porch, calling for the intruder to leave. This action, aimed at protecting himself and his property amidst a spate of local break-ins, tragically led to his death.
The tension in the neighborhood had been palpable, with residents on edge due to recent burglaries. In response to these fears, Moonesinghe had purchased an AR-15 rifle for protection—a decision that would have fatal consequences. The grand jury's decision to indict Officer Sanchez on one count of deadly conduct, a third-degree felony, marks a critical juncture in the family's quest for justice, highlighting the complexities of self-defense, police response, and the use of deadly force.
APD's statement supporting Officer Sanchez, asserting that his actions were "consistent with his training against a deadly threat," has ignited controversy. Contrasting sharply with this stance, Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza criticized the department's response, underscoring a commitment to the rule of law and the importance of accountability, even in the face of challenging circumstances.
The Moonesinghe family's grief is compounded by what they perceive as a failure by the responding officer to give Raj a chance to disarm or identify himself as the homeowner. They argue that the lack of lights and sirens, the failure to identify, and the immediate use of deadly force reflect a deeply concerning approach to law enforcement—one th
Bravery in the Face of Danger: How Austin Police Responded to Midnight Stabbing Emergency
On January 21, 2024, at 12:29 a.m., Austin 9-1-1 received an emergency EMS call reporting a victim was in the front yard of 12310 Uttimer Lane in Austin, Texas, bleeding profusely from multiple stabbed wounds. The caller said the male suspect was still in the residence and holding the knife to a female victim.
The following sequence of events highlights the bravery and quick action of the Austin Police Department (APD), acting rapidly to prevent further harm and save lives. This article delves into the harrowing incident, highlighting the courage displayed by officers and the tragic outcome of this emergency.
The Emergency Dispatch
At 12:33, Austin's 9-1-1 dispatched the call to APD. A victim was bleeding profusely in the front yard of the residence from multiple stab wounds, and the armed assailant remained in the house, posing an imminent threat to other victims.
APD's Swift Response
At 12:36, the assigned APD units arrived at the scene. Officers Jacob Porter, Valerie Machado, and Cody Crumplar quickly assessed the situation, gathering crucial information from individuals outside the residence. The urgency was palpable as one victim, bearing the visible marks of the attack, indicated that others were still at risk inside the house.
The Tense Confrontation
As officers approached the residence, hearing screams from within the house heightened the need for immediate intervention.
At 12:37 a.m., officers made entry through the front door, seeing the suspect, Jose Reynaldo Martinez-Argueta, 26, who was armed with a knife and holding a female victim with multiple stab wounds. Martinez-Argueta presented a clear and present danger, requiring the officers to take decisive action to neutralize the threat.
The officers fired multiple rounds, striking Martinez-Argueta to end the threat.
Tragic Outcomes and Heroic Efforts
The aftermath of the confrontation revealed the depth of
Hi everyone! 🌟 You can support Austin Crime Daily by sending Stars - they help us earn money to keep making content you love.
Whenever you see the Stars icon, you can send me Stars!
#StarsEverywhere
The Murder of Javier Ambler and the Cover-Up that Ended “Live PD.”
More than a year before the death of George Floyd sparked global outrage regarding police brutality and the lack of accountability, Javier Ambler II died at the hands of two Williamson County Deputies in Austin, Texas.
Javier Ambler, 40, was driving in Williamson County, Texas, on March 28, 2019, when he failed to dim his headlights for on-coming traffic. Williamson County Deputies attempted a traffic stop, leading to a 22-minute police chase that ended with Ambler’s SUV crashing in Austin, Texas.
During the arrest that followed, Ambler, a 400-pound black man, was unarmed and exited his vehicle with his hands raised. Deputies forced Ambler to the ground and tased him at least four times while he was on the ground, saying: "I can't breathe, I'm not resisting, I have congestive heart failure, and please save me" before dying.
There were no bystanders making pleas for the deputies to stop tasing Javier Ambler or taking videos with cell phones, yet a "Live PD" television crew was filming. However, A&E Networks claimed it had destroyed the tape.
Police Report and Internal Investigation
According to the police report of the incident, Deputy Johnson stated that he 'ordered Ambler to "get down" five or six times before he fired his Taser and that Ambler partially fell but tried to stand again before Deputy Camden tased him in the upper back. Ambler further resisted and was tased again by Johnson.'
A Willaimson County Sheriff's Department internal investigation concluded that the arrest of Ambler by the two deputies, Camden Zachary and James Johnson, did not violate departmental policy, and the officers did nothing wrong.
Media Breaks Story
In February 2020, KVUE-ABC Austin's Journalist Tony Plohetski learned of Ambler's death after being contacted by frustrated investigators who were suspicious by the Williamson County Sheriff's Office's outright refusal to provide any information.
For mo
More than a year before the death of George Floyd sparked global outrage regarding police brutality and the lack of accountability, Javier Ambler II died at the hands of two Williamson County Deputies in Austin, Texas.
Javier Ambler, 40, was driving in Williamson County, Texas, on March 28, 2019, when he failed to dim his headlights for on-coming traffic. Williamson County Deputies attempted a traffic stop, leading to a 22-minute police chase that ended with Ambler’s SUV crashing in Austin, Texas.
During the arrest that followed, Ambler, a 400-pound black man, was unarmed and exited his vehicle with his hands raised. Deputies forced Ambler to the ground and tased him at least four times while he was on the ground, saying: "I can't breathe, I'm not resisting, I have congestive heart failure, and please save me" before dying.
There were no bystanders making pleas for the deputies to stop tasing Javier Ambler or taking videos with cell phones, yet a "Live PD" television crew was filming. However, A&E Networks claimed it had destroyed the tape.
Police Report and Internal Investigation
According to the police report of the incident, Deputy Johnson stated that he 'ordered Ambler to "get down" five or six times before he fired his Taser and that Ambler partially fell but tried to stand again before Deputy Camden tased him in the upper back. Ambler further resisted and was tased again by Johnson.'
A Willaimson County Sheriff's Department internal investigation concluded that the arrest of Ambler by the two deputies, Camden Zachary and James Johnson, did not violate departmental policy, and the officers did nothing wrong.
Media Breaks Story
In February 2020, KVUE-ABC Austin's Journalist Tony Plohetski learned of Ambler's death after being contacted by frustrated investigators who were suspicious by the Williamson County Sheriff's Office's outright refusal to provide any information.
For months, the Austin-Statesman and KVUE filed requests with law enforcement
