• News

by Niko Mann

December 3, 2022

10-Year-Old Boy Charged As An Adult After Fatally Shooting Mother Over Virtual Reality Headset

---

A 10-year-old boy in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is being charged as an adult after he admitted to fatally shooting his mother, 44-year-old Quiana Mann, on Nov. 21.  

WTMJ News reported that Mann was shot in her eye at close range around 7 a.m. inside her home on 87th and Hemlock by her son. He first told the authorities that he’d shot her accidentally by twirling the gun around his finger.

After the shooting occurred, Mann’s son woke up his 26-year-old sister, Brianna Moore, to tell her what happened, and she dialed 911. 

Because of his age, he was originally allowed to stay with the family. However, the family called the Milwaukee Police Department the following day to advise them of some serious concerns they had regarding the shooting. 

Moore discovered that he’d used his mother’s credit card the day after her death to buy an Oculus Virtual Reality Headset he purchased online.

An aunt also told the authorities that he showed no remorse after his mother’s death and said he admitted to “aiming the gun at his mother” before apologizing and asking if his headset had been delivered.  

Moore also told detectives that her brother has rage issues and hears voices from five imaginary people. Another family member recalled the child swinging a puppy by its tail as a four-year-old. After he was given a “concerning diagnosis” by a therapist, Mann placed cameras inside the home to monitor her son, but they were unplugged by someone two weeks before the shooting. 

His grandmother, Lueritha Mann, confirmed the boy hears voices and told The Daily Beast that her grandson has “psychiatric disturbances.” 

“He’s always said that he hears voices,” she said. “There’s two little girls inside his head telling him to do things. And he has an imaginary friend that will tell him to do really bad things.” 

According to the police, the child removed the gun from Mann’s locked gun safe after stealing the keys. During a second interview, he allegedly said that he’d gotten the gun because he was angry Mann had woken him up 30 minutes early and wouldn’t let him buy the virtual reality headset. 

The police arrested the 10-year-old boy and charged him with first-degree reckless homicide. He is currently housed in a juvenile detention facility and faces up to 60 years in prison if he is found guilty.  

His grandmother said Mann would not want her son charged as an adult. “She would want us to do everything that we could to help him,” she said. 

• News

by Niko Mann

December 3, 2022

Takeoff Murder Suspect Patrick Clark Applied For Emergency Passport Prior To Arrest

---

The suspect arrested for the murder of Migos rapper Takeoff applied for an emergency passport prior to his arrest, according to ABC13 News. Patrick Clark, who was arrested on Dec. 1, is a Houston rapper and strip club promotor known as DJ Pat.

Clark was arrested with a large sum of cash and documents that proved he’d filed for an expedited passport and booked a flight to Mexico. 

DJ Akademiks shared a message on Instagram late Friday evening noting the news as well. He captioned the post, “Some more info on the person they arrested for Takeoff murder.” 

“According to court documents, Takeoff alleged killer, Patrick Clark (DJ Pat) applied for an Emergency Passport days after killing Takeoff and booked a flight to Mexico,” he wrote.  

Akademiks also noted that prosecutors said Clark was a flight risk.  

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by DJ Akademiks (@akademiks)

Takeoff, whose full name is Kirshnik Khari Ball, was shot and killed outside of the 810 Billiards & Bowling on Nov. 1. Ball and his uncle, fellow Migos member Quavo, had rented the venue for a private event. Quavo, whose full name is Quavious Keyate Marshall, was with Ball when he was shot outside the venue. 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Houston after party (@the_flame_htx)

Houston Police Sgt. Michael Burrow said during a press conference that a lucrative dice game going on outside the venue led to several armed males opening fire while noting that Ball was an innocent bystander, ABC News reported.  

“I can tell you Takeoff was not involved in playing the dice game, he was not involved in the argument that happened outside, he was not armed,” said Burrow. “He was an innocent bystander.” 

The police noted it took time for an arrest because around 30 witnesses fled the venue after the shooting. Cell phone footage taken at the venue and ballistics evidence eventually led to Clark’s arrest, but the police are still requesting that anyone who left the scene still come forward. Prosecutors requested a $1 million bond due to Clark’s expedited passport application and booked Mexico flight. 

A Celebration of Life for the recording artist was held in Atlanta on Nov. 11. Ball was 28 years old.  

• News

by Niko Mann

December 3, 2022

Biden Tells Democratic National Committee To Make South Carolina First State To Vote During 2024 Primaries

---

President Joe Biden told Democratic National Committee leaders to make South Carolina the first voting state during the primaries, according to The Washington Post.  

Traditionally, Iowa and New Hampshire vote first in the general election primaries and garner the most media attention. In a letter delivered to members of the Rules and Bylaws Committee at a dinner on Dec. 1, Biden wrote that South Carolina should be the first primary state to ensure minority voters have a voice in the next general election.  

 “We must ensure that voters of color have a voice in choosing our nominee much earlier in the process and throughout the entire early window,” wrote Biden.

“As I said in February 2020, you cannot be the Democratic nominee and win a general election unless you have overwhelming support from voters of color — and that includes Black, Brown and Asian American & Pacific Islander voters.” 

“I got into politics because of civil rights and the possibility to change our imperfect union into something better. For fifty years, the first month of our presidential nominating process has been a treasured part of our democratic process, but it is time to update the process for the 21st century.” 

The president added the party should review the calendar again in 2028 “to ensure that it continues to reflect the values and diversity of our party and our country,” wrote Biden. 

The letter announcing Biden’s decision to change the 2024 presidential nominating calendar is said to have shocked the Democratic leaders in attendance. Biden also noted that he wanted New Hampshire and Nevada elections to be held one week after the South Carolina elections, with Michigan and Georgia to follow.  

Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) called the move “deeply misguided” and New Hampshire state Senator Jeanne Shaheen said the decision was “tremendously disappointing.” New Hampshire’s Republican Governor Chris Sununu said he will still hold the state’s primary one week before any other state.  

Iowa Rules and Bylaws Committee representative Scott Brennan said his state would also vote first. “This is merely a recommendation,” said Brennan. “We’re going to stand up for Iowa’s place in the process.” 

Many Democrats want to make Michigan a primary state partly due to the labor presence in the state and its diverse voter pool. According to The Detroit News, the Michigan State Senate voted on Nov. 29 to move its general election primary from March to February. 

Two Black brothers have reportedly settled a complaint with the Metropolitan Police Department in London following an incident where they were stopped, searched, and handcuffed outside their family home.

According to The Guardian, the incident occurred on April 13, 2020, involving 24-year-old Nicholas Peart and 20-year-old Leon Peart when strict lockdowns were in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.

They report the incident took place on Leon’s 18th birthday. The outlet also reports that documents show police were initially investigating why Nicholas was out of the house. However, no fine was reported as issued.

Another officer reportedly claimed to have seen items linked to drugs, which led to Nicholas being handcuffed and searched, according to the outlet. The outlet states that Leon came out of the house to see his brother in handcuffs. He then reportedly ran inside the house to get his mother.

According to documents, The Guardian reports that police believed this was a possible drug deal in progress with the two brothers at the center of it. But the outlet says the two brothers stated they are Christians who regularly attend church and have never smoked tobacco, let alone taken drugs.

Authorities, however, reportedly denied that claim.

After reportedly expressing themselves while experiencing the humiliation and trauma of being handcuffed, the two brothers were arrested outside 20 minutes later in Chingford, East London.

The Guardian reports that one officer explained Leon was handcuffed because he was “bigger than me and clearly much stronger,” adding, “I was aware that gang nominal and drug dealers regularly carry weapons and have been assaulted doing similar style stops on numerous occasions.”

Nicholas Peart told the outlet, “It was embarrassing to put me in handcuffs in front of my neighbors. Beforehand I had a good view of the police. I always said hi to the local officer. This has diminished my view of the police.”

Paul Hefford, one officer involved in the stops, was reportedly a key player in a hate message group and was dismissed from the Metropolitan Police Department in July 2022, two years after the stop, reports The Guardian.

Solicitor Carolynn Gallwey, who represented the brothers, stated, “The bigger problem here is that their experience is at least in part the result of a toxic culture within the Met which sees Black Londoners disproportionately stopped and searched by police on the street every day. This is what the commissioner should be tackling.”

The Guardian reports that Waltham Forest council members have requested an urgent meeting with the police department about stop and search.

• News

by Eric Moody

December 3, 2022

Officials: Public School Teacher Shot, Killed While Driving In Southside Chicago

---

Family and friends are mourning the death of an Illinois public school teacher who was fatally shot while reportedly driving on the south side of Chicago.

According to ABC 7 Chicago, relatives say that 49-year-old Quentine Carradine was the soul of his family.

“My baby has been working since he was 16 years old. He held down two jobs to make sure he take care of his family, so they never want for nothing,” Quentine’s mother Carmel Carradine told the news station.

Shakiyla Carradine, Quentine’s daughter, added, “He was a teacher. He looked after the kids. He was a coach, somebody that they looked up to. A mentor.”

According to Chicago officials, Quentine of the city’s Alsip section was traveling westbound on the 400 block of East 87th Street on Monday, Nov. 28, around 4:07 p.m. when he was shot in the head, Fox 32 reported.

Quentine was taken to a hospital in critical condition and later died, officials said.

According to ABC 7, the 49-year-old was shot a few blocks from his mother Carmel’s home.

“Whoever did this to him is wrong. They shouldn’t have did him like — killed him like he was a dog in the street. He was a very good person,” Carmel told ABC 7.

The outlet reports that officials have not confirmed if Quentine was caught in the crossfire of a shooting or who was involved.

Chicago Public Schools issued a statement that reads: 

“The Chicago Public Schools community is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Quentine Carradine. Mr. Carradine was an integral part of New Sullivan, impacting many students’ lives through his incredible work in Special Education and on the basketball court as a coach in our Elementary Sports Programming. 

Our thoughts are with the Carradine family, their friends, and the entire New Sullivan and CPS community during this difficult time.”

After a police raid failed to turn up any drugs or illegal paraphernalia from the home of Joseph Foreman, also known as Afroman, an investigation has been launched after $400 was discovered missing from evidence.

According to WXIX, evidence was confiscated during an August raid of the recording artist’s home. There were accusations that drugs and paraphernalia were on the premises and that trafficking and kidnapping had occurred there. However, no drugs or paraphernalia were reported to be found.

Investigators took $5,031 in cash during the search, believing that the cash was proceeds of drug trafficking. Afroman said the money was payment from shows at music venues that paid in cash.

The Adams County Prosecutor’s Office acknowledged that the raid failed to turn up probative criminal evidence, and no charges were filed against Afroman. Yet, during a count of the money taken during the raid, $400 was missing.

Adams County Sheriff Kimmy Rogers stated that he has asked the BCI (Bureau of Criminal Investigation of Ohio) to investigate. He confirmed that $400 was missing from the sealed evidence bags.

WXIX confirmed that the count was $400 short several times, as they also recorded the count with police officers.

Afroman recorded police officers approaching his house and posted the video on his Instagram account in August.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by O.G. Afroman (@ogafroman)

On Wednesday, Afroman also appeared on TMZ Live to speak about being in the room when the cash was counted. He stated that he lost potential gigs due to a report saying that there were kidnapping charges when they were none.

The I Got High rapper posted the latest news from TMZ that he has been vindicated and is filing a lawsuit against The Adams County Police Department because of the $400 theft.

“The state of Ohio is now investigating the Adams County Sheriff’s Department for tampering with evidence !” he shared.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by O.G. Afroman (@ogafroman)

by Eric Moody

December 3, 2022

California Supervisors Board Votes To Allow Police To Deploy Robots To Kill

---

A California supervisors’ board voted 8-3 Tuesday night to approve a policy that has been viewed as controversial.

According to CNN, the policy, voted by The San Francisco Board of Supervisors, would allow police to deploy robots capable of using lethal force in extraordinary circumstances.

The news outlet reports that the vote came after a heated debate on a policy allowing officers to use ground-based robots to kill.

According to the ordinance text, the measure would reportedly only apply “when risk of loss of life to members of the public or officers is imminent, and officers cannot subdue the threat after using alternative force options or de-escalation tactics.”

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors office told CNN that a second vote expected to take place next week is still required to pass, including the mayor’s approval.

During the board meeting, CNN reports that supervisor Aaron Peskin stated, “There could be an extraordinary circumstance where, in a virtually unimaginable emergency, they might want to deploy lethal force to render, in some horrific situation, somebody from being able to cause further harm.”

But others, like supervisors Dean Preston, Hillary Ronen, and Shamann Walton, reportedly voted against the attempted measures.

“There is serious potential for misuse and abuse of this military-grade technology, and zero showing of necessity,” Preston reportedly stated at the meeting.

Two high-ranking San Francisco Police Department leaders would be required to authorize any such lethal force of a robot, according to an amendment reportedly adopted during the meeting.

In an interview with the Washington Post, spokesperson Robert Rueca stated that while the San Francisco Police Department has a fleet of robots, they do not plan to outfit them with firearms.

Instead, explosive charges could be added to the robots to breach fortified structures, the Washington Post reported.

In addition, robots could be deployed to “contact, incapacitate, or disorient” a dangerous suspect without risking the life of an officer.

CNN has also requested a copy of the meeting after reportedly reaching out to the Board of Supervisors.

The ladies of Xscape took to the radio to clear the air on all the chatter and hearsay surrounding their rumored rift with LaTocha Scott.

The Xscape trio of Kandi Burruss, Tamika “Tiny” Harris, and Tamika Scott all appeared on Atlanta-based V-103’s The Big Tigger Show Thursday where they were asked about everything from the Soul Train Awards dress mishap to allegations of LaTocha’s husband, Rocky Bivens, impregnating Unykue Foucha.

When it comes to the cheating rumors, which the ladies addressed first, Harris confirmed the trio has no say on Scott and Bivens’ “personal business.”

“We don’t really know what’s going on in they bedroom in they personal business,” harris said, with Kandi adding, “That ain’t got nothing to do with us.”

When it comes to the group’s current status with Scott, they confirmed she’s working on a “gospel solo project” and hasn’t been around to keep up with group appearances. Burruss went on to reveal the status of her personal relationship with Scott.

“I’m going to be honest and say that she and I never really communicate,” she revealed. “We haven’t communicated in months.”

Burruss also confirmed all the “arguing” that took place while they were filming their reality show over the summer. Tamika Scott, LaTocha’s sister, jumped in, noting how “it shouldn’t have been” as dramatic as it turned out. She also confirmed the “real life” drama is no “gimmick” and is not to reel in viewers for their reality show.

They also discussed the dress difference at the Soul Train Awards and said they initially had no issue because Scott looked “beautiful.” But they did note the disagreement on the red carpet outfits ahead of the award show.

Burruss said her personal family issues with Scott should’ve never been spoken on publicly. Tamika also said her sister started “alienating” herself from the group after signing a solo deal ahead of filming the group’s reality show.

When it comes to the group’s feelings for Scott, they will always have love for their “sister” and are hoping to mend broken fences.

“At the end of the day, we love Tocha, and we don’t want to be going back and forth on the internet, trying to bash each other,” harris said.

As Xscape group drama saga continue, fans are waiting to watch this now-highly anticipated reality show.

• News

by Niko Mann

December 3, 2022

Black Vietnam Veteran Col. Paris Davis May Receive Medal of Honor Nearly 60 Years Later

---

A Vietnam veteran whose nominations for the Medal of Honor twice disappeared during the civil rights movement may receive his medal nearly 60 years later. Retired Col. Paris Davis sat down with CBS News last year to tell his story.

Davis was one of the first Black officers in the Army and was an Army captain in June of 1965 when he led a raid northeast of Saigon. He described the event that led to his nomination for the medal.

During the nearly 19-hour-long raid, soldiers Robert Brown and Billy Waugh were gravely injured when they were hit with bullets and grenades. Brown had been shot in the head, and Davis would not leave his men.

“We were stacking bodies the way you do canned goods in a grocery store,” said Davis. “I could actually see his brain pulsating. It was that big. He said, ‘Am I gonna die?’ And I said, ‘Not before me.'”

Davis was ordered to leave twice by his commanding officer but refused. Waugh, now 91, confirmed the story last April to CBS News and said he was unable to walk because he’d been shot multiple times in the legs.

“We ended up in an open area together. He grabbed me, and he drug me,” said Waugh.

Waugh also said that he personally submitted Davis for the Medal of Honor while recovering at the 5th Special Forces Headquarters in Nha Trang Vietnam. Davis’ commanding officer, Billy Cole, also recommended him for the Medal of Honor.

UPDATE: Military official says Medal of Honor packet for retired Col Paris Davis has reached @SecDef office.  After nearly 6 decades, Davis may finally be recognized for his actions in Vietnam. Davis’ first TV interview @CBSMornings on renewed MoH effort. pic.twitter.com/K9uUIKG0AN

— Catherine Herridge (@C__Herridge) December 1, 2022

“I just described the action and tried to describe it best I could,” said Waugh. “And I wrote what I had seen and what I participated in and made him look good, as he had done. I can’t describe where he was part of the time, because I was not with him. We were split (by gunfire), then we came back together.”

However, Davis never received the medal and his file disappeared in 1965. A military review in 1969 revealed that the Defense Department had no Medal of Honor file on Davis. Another file was ordered for submission ASAP, but no file was found. Waugh wrote a personal statement in 1981 to find out why Davis never received the award. “I only have to close my eyes to vividly recall the gallantry of this individual,” he wrote.

Neil Thorne volunteers to help overlooked veterans receive their medals and said every soldier who served under Davis admired him.

“Everybody I’ve talked to that served under him says that he’s the best officer they’ve ever served under,” he said.

Art Basel, the international art fair, will feature eight Black-owned art galleries in its 2022 art fair in Miami Beach, according to Axios.

Art Basel hosts fairs in Basel, Switzerland; Miami Beach.; Hong Kong, and Paris every year, and according to the outlet, the organization began efforts to diversify the art world two years ago during the George Floyd protests. The fair only featured four Black-owned galleries in 2021, and no galleries in 2020.

Art Basel Miami Beach opened Dec. 1 and features several African galleries, including the Afriart Gallery of Kampala, Uganda and the Rele Gallery of Lagos, Nigeria and Los Angeles. The organization also has more minorities on the selection committee than in past years to improve diversity efforts.

The art fair can be quite lucrative for artists as wealthy patrons attend parties and live music festivals at the event for several days. Patrons regularly spend millions of dollars on artwork during the fair, according to CNN. Owner of the Jenkins Johnson Gallery, Karen Jenkins-Johnson, is exhibiting work by artists Enrico Riley and Aubrey Williams at the fair, which ends Saturday. A portrait by the late artist Jean-Michel Basquiat is also featured.

Art Basel’s global director, Marc Spiegler, told Axios that marginalized communities lack resources and despite the fair’s attempt to diversify the art world, there still aren’t enough eligible minority-run galleries to join because of structural racism.

“There are not enough people within the marginalized communities of America who have the access to capital and social networks to make the art world look like the rest of America,” said Spiegler.

Jenkins-Johnson noted that those who aren’t admitted to the fairs like Art Basel miss out on opportunities to sell their work.

“If you’re not admitted to those fairs and the high-level curators and decision-makers and museums, you get overlooked,” she said.

Art Basel is celebrating its 20th year in Miami Beach and includes art from 283 galleries worldwide.