Canadian man killed in Greenhall shootout, suspect on the run

GRASSADELLIA CITY--Metropolitan Police are trying to piece together what happened in the early hours of Friday morning that led to a shooting altercation between two men on the upper-west side of downtown Grassadellia City.

The shooting, which happened in the Greenhall business district of Middleboro, ended in the death of a 29-year-old Canadian man and with the suspect on the run.

Few details are known, but the Grassadellia City Metropolitan Police (GCMP) have confirmed they received several 911 calls about shots fired along north Capernaum Street in Greenhall, near the intersection with 5th Avenue, around 1:30 am Eastern Time.

Despite receiving several 911 calls, police say only a few people they've talked to actually witnessed the shooting, and most from a distance.

When officers first arrived, they found a Caucasian male laying on a sidewalk, bleeding profusely from the chest.

The victim was still conscious, and told officers the suspect was a Black male in his late 20's or early 30's, and that the suspect fled on foot heading north.

The man was rushed to St. Clare's Hospital in New Upton, but was pronounced dead upon arrival.

GCMP have identified the victim as 29-year-old Isaac Yocum, from Winnipeg, Manitoba.

He was reportedly visiting friends in Grassadellia City when he was killed.

Police have stitched together a tentative timeline of the shooting.

They believe Yocum was walking south on Capernaum Street when he encountered the suspect.

The two men are believed to have gotten into some kind of argument and altercation.

The suspect then stole the victim's wallet and shot him multiple times in the chest, neck, and back, and then fled the scene.

Several witnesses identified the suspect as a Black male but did not know his name or any other details about him.

Police set up a perimeter, but were unable to locate the suspect.

Authorities say the victim and suspect did not know each other, and they believe the attack was random and unprovoked.

Investigators are working on creating a composite sketch of the suspect to release to the media and public.

GCMP Police Chief Barry Whitemore spoke with local media Friday morning, and asked for the public's help in locating the killer.

"From what we've determined, this was a random encounter on the street, late at night, and it resulted in the death of a young man. We take these crimes very seriously, and we are asking for your help, the public's help, in finding the man who killed Mr. Yocum," said Whitemore.

Back in Canada, the victim's family has been notified, and are making arrangements to fly to Grassadellia City.

A friend of the family told the National Press Federation they were "heart-broken" at the loss of a beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend.

"Isaac was so many things to so many people. He was an outgoing, bright-spirited young man with a great future ahead of him and a huge heart. We are sad beyond belief at his senseless death," family friend Kate Ashton said.

The shooting of Mr. Yocum is the latest in a string of recent shootings in the nation's largest city. Since January 1, 2013, there have been 298 shootings in the city alone (not all deadly).

Since the first of the year, there have been 114 murders.

Those numbers aren't abnormal for a city of Grassadellia City's size and population. But a spate of recent deadly shootings across the city has led to a heightened concern about gun violence.

There have been 12 shooting deaths in the last month in Grassadellia City, and in five of those cases, police have yet to apprehend suspects.

GCMP are attributing the spike in gun-related deaths to gang violence.

"We have seen gang numbers rise in the city, and with that comes an increase in all sorts of crime, but especially gun violence," Whitemore said. " We are working actively to combat this type of violence. We are working around the clock to weaken the gangs, to prevent them from using deadly violence, to put their members behind bars, and most of all, we want to tell these thugs: 'you are not welcome in this city.'"

Grassadellia City Mayor Kellan Kastol announced Friday he would have a special meeting next week with Chief Whitemore and other law enforcement leaders.

"I, too, am very concerned [about recent violence]," said Kastol. "I want our city to be known as a place where people can thrive and grow and live without having to fear for their safety."

2 children die in hot car, mother arrested

PROVINCETOWN, Wilkonshire--A Provincetown mother is facing child neglect charges after leaving her two young children in an over-heated vehicle for more than two hours in the heat of southeastern Wilkonshire.

Teresa Gutierrez-Aguirre, 39, was arrested by Provincetown police after a passerby noticed the two boys inside the vehicle and called 911. That same passerby broke out the driver's seat window in an attempt to rescue the children, but they were already deceased.

The boys, ages 7 months and 13 months, had been in the car for almost two hours while Gutierrez-Aguirre shopped at a discount store and an adjoining tobacco shop.

Police say the temperature inside the vehicle likely reached more than 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

The bodies of the children were taken to the Dutchess County Medical Examiner's office for official autopsies.

Gutierrez-Aguirre was taken to the Dutchess County jail. She is facing two 1st degree charges of child neglect.

Her husband, Mark Aguirre, who was at work at the time of the incident, was interviewed by police but released.

The 7-month-old boy was the couple's only child together. The 13-month-old boy, as well as a 4-year-old, 7-year-old and 8-year-old, were all Mark Aguirre's children from a previous marriage.

Mark Aguirre's other three children have been handed over to their mother's family after State Welfare Services revoked his parental custody rights.

Provincetown Police Corporal John Akins told the local media that parents must be responsible for their children to avert tragedies.

"What happened today was an absolute tragedy, but it was completely preventable," said Akins. "Sometimes parents forget their children in the car, which is also a tragedy. But when a parent knowingly leaves a child in a hot vehicle, it is not only a tragedy but it is also a criminal act."

On average, about 15 children die each year from heatstroke after being left inside a hot vehicle.

Most cases are accidental, with parents unaware their child is inside a hot car.

The Grassadellian Center for Children's Safety (GCCS) reminds parents to never leave a child in a hot car, even if just for a few minutes.

The GCCS also reminds parents to put their briefcase or purse in the back seat of the car, so they won't forget their child.

Another suggestion is to put a teddy bear in the front seat, as a reminder of the youngster seated behind the driver.

Menuhaeo visits front lines at wildfires in Monomi, Onakiah

ANDRUM, Monomi--President Brenton Menuhaeo braved the heavy smoke Friday and toured the front lines of the wildfires burning in southern Monomi and Onakiah Friday.

The president also viewed the damage from the air.

He was joined by Monomi Gov. John Densy and Sens. Cathy De Beers and Brad Fiodora.

The day began early at 7:00 am Western time, with the delegation visiting firefighters on the eastern front of the Moran Hill fire in southwestern Monomi, about 120 miles northeast of Treeton.

Menuhaeo personally shook hands with all the firefighters present at the morning press conference.

Calling them "heroes" and "some of the hardest workers I've met," he thanked them for their service.

"Not only is firefighting one of the most demanding, physically tolling jobs out there, it's also extraordinarily dangerous. Every day you come out here and put on your fire gear and go to battle against a force that is very strong and very deadly. You endure the hellish conditions and you work on despite the grave risk. And our nation thanks you for protecting our homes and our lives," said Menuhaeo.

Gov. Densy also thanked the firefighters and said the fire would "not defeat our spirits."

"Living in Monomi is not always easy. Mother Nature is very tough and we live in a rugged state. But the spirit of our people is stronger than any natural disaster," Densy said.

Sens. De Beers told the media she would stand with the president in his pledge to provide federal aid.

"We will make sure Monomi gets the help it needs," De Beers said.

The Moran Hill fire currently stands at more than 60 square miles, and is about 40% contained.

About three-dozen homes and outbuildings have been burned in the sparsely populated eastern slopes of the Coral Mountains, although steady winds Friday were hampering firefighters' efforts.

One woman, who lost everything to the wildfire, was comforted by the president in a poignant moment caught on camera.

"My house, my car, my horses, my possessions, my family picture books...they're all gone," the woman said through tears.

The woman, identified as 65-year-old Bonnie Clarey, buried her head in the president's chest as the two embraced.

"I know, I know. It's very hard. I'm so sorry for your loss," Menuhaeo said. "But we will help you get back on your feet. We're not going to let this fire destroy you."

After nearly four hours at the Moran Hill fire, Menuhaeo flew back to Teedra, where he then boarded a flight for Tenea, Onakiah.

There, the president met up with Gov. Paula Tulane and Sens. Bobby Hafen and Deacon Busby.

Another 40-minute helicopter ride later, the group was on-site of another large wildfire burning in southeastern Onakiah, the Quail Creek fire, which has charred more than 50 square miles in another sparsely populated region, about 130 miles southeast of Tenea.

Dry brush and high temperatures have allowed the fire to spread aggressively. It is only 20% contained at this time, according to Assistant Fire Chief of Operations Bradley Whitfield.

"This fire is especially dangerous because it is advancing quite rapidly," Whitfield said.

Menuhaeo said he was "very worried" about the worsening fire conditions, but pledged the federal government would do "whatever we need to" to bring help to the victims.

"I want every person that lost their home or lost their property to these fires to know that we will do whatever we need to to provide help and assistance and help these families that lost everything to get back on their feet," the president said.

Gov. Tulane said this was the worst wildfire season she'd seen.

"No question about it, this is the worst year for fires I've seen in Onakiah," Tulane said.

Sen. Hafen told reporters he was moved by the devastation.

"Coming up over that ridge and seeing the smoke filling the sky and a huge orange glow, it really hits home when you see your state on fire," Hafen said.

Busby, who grew up in rural southeastern Onakiah, said the fire was very personal to him.

"A lot of us are removed from these fires, until it's in our own backyard, and we see the devastation and the homes that are destroyed and the people that lose everything. Then it really becomes very personal."

President Menuhaeo also vowed to give firefighters every resource they needed.

"We have dispatched air tankers, choppers, more ground support and brought in firefighters from across the country to assist with these fires," Menuhaeo said. "This is a battle and one that we will win."

All together, there are more than two dozen wildfires burning in the vast areas of Monomi and Onakiah.

Twenty-six other major fires are burning in Remmington, the Ceonas, Deschire, East Deschire, Wellington and Biereland, according to the Federal Department of Public Lands.

Red Cross shelters are being established to help families that have lost their homes to the flames.

"So far, we've been very fortunate this year, in the number of homes and the relatively low loss of life and property we've experienced," Sarah Goler, Deputy Director for the Red Cross of Grassadellia's fire assistance program, told the GBC. "I say that with reservations, because any loss of life is awful and sad. But statistically speaking, this has been a fairly good fire season thus far. But we could see things take a bad turn if Mother nature does not provide the relief we need."

The Red Cross is asking for donations. To contribute, go to www.redcrossgrassadellia.com

Senator apologizes for royal family insult

MAVOCKE--A senator's off-the-cuff insult about the British royal family may have caused a diplomatic row between Grassadellia and its close friend, the United Kingdom.

Trinton Sen. Bruce Kellney (N) apologized Monday, after making an offensive remark last week about the newly-born Prince George, son of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

The comment came during a press conference in southern Trinton, where the senator was among a delegation of government officials touring a newly-added expansion at the Port of Ocean City.

A reporter asked if Kellney had been following the royal birth in the news, to which he responded:

"Of course. It's very exciting, I'm very happy for [William and Kate]."

"I just hope the little chap gets the genes from his mother's side because, let's face it, she's smoking hot.

And let's hope he doesn't end up looking like his paternal grandfather," Kellney added, chuckling.

Kellney's comments created a strong buzz on Twitter and Facebook, and in Grassadellian media, with many asking how a prominent political figure could make such a rude comment in front of television cameras.

"Any politician knows that everything they say will be recorded and published in the news media. Bruce Kellney actually had a group of reporters with microphones and cameras in front of him. And he had the audacity to say something like this with the cameras rolling. It really calls into question his judgment as a politician," Greg Summers, a media expert with the public relations firm Osten and Gosnell in Mavocke, told GNN.

For his part, Kellney apologized later that day, saying his comments were an "attempt at a joke."

"I never meant to insult the royal family or the Prince of Wales or the beautiful new baby, Prince George. It was just a joke that went terribly wrong and an attempt at humor, and I apologize unreservedly for any offense I caused. That was not my intention," Kellney wrote on his Facebook page.

He then tweeted, "Should stick to being a senator and not try to be a comedian. #EpicFail"

Critics in both Grassadellia and the UK slammed Kellney's comments as rude and demeaning.

"Not only did a sitting senator just insult a foreign dignitary, but he also made inappropriate comments about the Duchess of Cambridge that could be considered demeaning and sexist in nature," Adrian Cummings, Deputy Vice-Chair of the National Council for Women (NCW), told the Grassadellia City Times.

"His comments are especially intriguing, given that Mr. Kellney is no looker himself, so whom is he to judge?" wrote British commentator George Emereth in a Liverpool newspaper.

Some were even calling for Kellney to resign.

"Someone that spews that sort of disrespect without reservation needs to go," wrote columnist Penny Alguino, who writes for the Clothen Dispatch.

Kellney's Senate colleagues criticized his words, but stopped short of calling for his resignation.

"It was stupid, but it's really being blown out of proportion," Armana Sen. Chuck Danbury (C) told the Grassadellia City Times. "This is not a resignation-level offense."

A frustrated Senate Majority Leader John Morandi (N-Lial) dismissed the issue Tuesday at a Mavocke press conference.

"Look, the senator from Trinton made some--I'll be frank, here--dumb comments last week. It was rude, it was inappropriate, it was incredibly poor judgment. I don't believe his intent was to be offensive, but it was perceived to be so by some. He apologized, he's been humiliated in the press and all over Facebook and Twitter. I think this issue is a dead issue," Morandi said.

Adrian Cummings of the National Council for Women, told the Mavocke Capitol Kellney should apologize personally to the royal family and undergo sensitivity and gender awareness training.

"People often say they're just joking when they say something offensive. But that doesn't negate the fact that their words were offensive. Someone like this, who clearly does not know how to control his words and does not know how to speak to or about women, should undergo some appropriate training on how to be more sensitive to cultural and gender differences," Cummings said.

Kellney's office would not say if the senator would seek sensitivity training, as Cummings suggested.

A spokeswoman at the British embassy in Mavocke declined to comment on the matter.

CNS senators have secret meeting in mountains of Marchenay

NEW CASTLE, Marchenay--Eight Conservative senators gathered secretly over the weekend at a lodge in the mountains of western Marchenay to discuss the upcoming 2014 elections and come up with a strategy that will help their party claw its way back to relevance in the upper chamber.

The eight included the two co-chairs of the Conservative Senate Campaign Committee (CSCC), Biereland Sen. Jhana Schueler and Wilkonshire's John Agnew; and Senate Minority Leader Jay Burns (Deschire) and Assistant Minority Leader Shannon McCann (Kalnier).

The other four were hand-selected by Schueler, Agnew, Burns and McCann.

They include Niles Gilcrest (Ver.), Chuck Danbury (Ara.), Isaak Slooter (Nwp.) and Megan Sellious (March.).

The eight members and their staff met at a large, secluded mountain lodge owned by Sellious' parents.

A spokesperson for Sellious told the National Press Federation that no money was paid to her family for the weekend's event.

All together, about 30 people were at the lodge for the weekend of strategizing.

And all in attendance are being tight-lipped about just what was discussed.

Burns acknowledged the group met to discuss the upcoming campaign, but he would only discuss generalities with the press.

"We did meet to fine-tune our game plan for 2014. We have some areas where we are doing very well in and we are strong in, and obviously we have some areas where we are weaker and more vulnerable. We're looking to shore up those weak spots. But we are confident that we can gain seats in the next election and add to the Conservative caucus," said Burns.

Schueler talked with reporters in passing, while walking down a corridor in the capitol building. The Biereland senator said she was encouraged after this weekend's summit.

"I'm very encouraged about our position going into 2014," she said.

Nationalists have been plotting for 2014 as well.

Senate Majority Leader John Morandi (Lial) told the GBC that his caucus will meet sometime next week to discuss the 2014 campaign, before members leave for the August recess.

Morandi and Assistant Majority Leader Nadan Saralo (Wellington) have also been meeting one-on-one privately with members who are up for re-election in 2014.

The NAT is going into 2014 in a very strong position, having an almost 20-seat advantage over the CNS. It's almost impossible that Conservatives would be able to overturn the NAT's majority. Most analysts believe the CNS will only pick up a handful of seats at best.

But there is some concern in the NAT. At least a few of their own members are vulnerable going into the elections.

At the top of the list are Kalnier Sen. Kallie Murray, Monomi's Nathan Lister and South Ceona Sen. Vic Chambers. All three seats will be prime targets for the CNS.

Conservatives are also targeting the seats of retiring Nationalists Hanna Gorbachy (Monomi) and John Warner-Patterson (Wilkonshire).