Quantcast
Channel: NBC Connecticut
Viewing all 57608 articles
Browse latest View live

Blood Donations Mean Even More to Donors After Vegas Tragedy

$
0
0

 While Lisa Sacks gives blood about every three months, it’s her most recent donation she knows could go to help those in need of blood in Las Vegas.

“I was actually looking into going to that festival so that really hit home,” Lisa Sacks said.

Alberto Encinas said he always gives blood at Wesleyan University’s annual drive but personally knowing some of the concert-goers who were at the mass shooting makes this donation even more meaningful

“Actually had a couple of friends and family members that had went to the concert and were there during the shooting,” Encinas said.

The Red Cross said it has an adequate blood supply to respond to the Las Vegas tragedy and says the donations will go toward the national blood inventory. A supply donors like Encinas are happy to help sustain.

“There are many individuals that just happened to get hit ricocheting bullets and stuff like that so definitely donating blood and helping those individuals out really means a lot,” Encinas said.

The Red Cross said it has provided more than 450 blood products to local Las Vegas hospitals, it says that some of the blood collected in Middletown. could actually go out that way to help replenish the supply there.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Newton Alliance Organizes Las Vegas Shooting Vigil

$
0
0

On Wednesday night, dozens joined in Newtown to attend a vigil for the victims of Las Vegas.

For many who were there, the scene was all too familiar as candles were lit for the victims of another mass shooting.

"Thoughts and prayers are not enough anymore. There are too many people getting gunned down in public spaces," said Po Murray, chairman of the Newtown Action Alliance/The Newtown Foundation.

The Newtown Action Alliance organized Wednesday's vigil and worked with allies across the country which led to a total of 25 events in 15 states that day.

"Initially we're always heartbroken," said Murray. “We know what those families are going through, what the community is going through. And we want to be here for them. We want to send love to Las Vegas to the families and the victims."

The vigil was also a call to action. Murray said there's a reason why they were there outside the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF).

"This group is responsible for rebranding assault weapons as modern sporting rifles," said Murray. "Direct loss of life because of their relentless pursuit to get these weapons in the hands of all civilians."

The NSSF released a statement that reads, "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of all those killed and injured in the criminal attack in Las Vegas. Out of respect for the families of the victims and the law enforcement process, we are not going to comment or participate in media requests made relating to this attack."

Holly Sullivan, a Southbury mom, gun owner, and NRA-certified instructor said those calling for tougher gun laws certainly don't speak for her or many others in Connecticut.

"I just want people to know the other side, that there are law-abiding gun owners here and we care strongly about the victims. And we don’t feel this should be an event that should be politicized out of the wake of the tragedy," said Sullivan.

Sullivan adds that there's still a lot more information that needs to come out of Las Vegas.

"I think it's a little too soon, to be quite honest with you. We have no official release as to what was used, how it was used, how it was obtained, and to be already calling for legislation seems like, in the event of a tragedy, I don't think we're at that point yet," said Sullivan.

Murray and others at Wednesday night's event said they know enough and that change needs to happen now.

"Until we create the legislative changes we need, we're going to continue to see these mass shootings. And it's just unacceptable for us here in Newtown. We don't want to see this anymore," said Murray. "The only way we'll see a change is if Americans demand it."

Murray said there's not one regulation that will solve this. She said it has to be a comprehensive strategy, but she said it certainly includes a federal ban on assault weapons and limiting high-capacity magazines and not making it easier for people to buy gun silencers.

Hartford Rallies for Puerto Rico

$
0
0

About three dozen people rallied in downtown Hartford on Wednesday, demanding relief from the hurricane also of public debt in Puerto Rico.

“All these investors from Wall Street that have been praying on the people of Puerto Rico for a long long time,” said one participant over a bullhorn being used to get the attention of the crowd gathered on Asylum Street.

Before the one-two punch from Mother Nature, a massive debt crisis was already plaguing Puerto Rico. This rally was held in front of the Santander Bank, which has a presence in Puerto Rico. Organizers accuse banks of trying to profit from the country’s financial failures.

“Santander is one of the ones that benefiting right, from the debt crisis on the island? They are one of those banks so that is why they chose this location and that’s why we’re here. I think it sends a stronger message,” Rep. Juan Candelaria said.

Representatives of the Santander Bank had no comment on Wednesday’s rally.

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump’s efforts to assure the people of Puerto Rico during a visit yesterday aren’t going over well.

After visiting the ravaged region he said Puerto Rico only lost 16 people at the time of his speech compared to the thousands lost after Katrina. 

“How can you compare two crisis. Both are crisis, we shouldn’t be comparing, we should be empathetic and supportive of the island,” remarked Candelaria.

“He just went to Puerto Rico just to bash my people and to humiliate my people,” said Rep. Angel Arce.

Arce, a state representative in Hartford, said he still hasn’t heard from all of his family on the south side of the island.

“I don’t know if some of my relatives are still alive or dead,” he explained.

He said he has 19 truck-loads of donations but no way to get them to the island. He’s hoping the state will help.

“I’m pleading with the governor to give us one of those C-130’s that is sitting over at Bradley Airport,” Arce said.

As they pleaded more federal aid they also asked the White House and Wall Street to give Puerto Rico on its $72-billion debt.

More Americans Killed by Guns Since '68 Than in All US Wars

$
0
0

More Americans have died from gunshots since 1968 that in all of the wars in American history, NBC News reported.

More than 1.5 million people have died in gun-related incidents in the United States in the last 50 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. By comparison, about 1.2 million service members have been killed in every war in U.S. history, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs and iCasualties.org.

At least 58 people, and the gunman, died in Sunday's mass shooting in Las Vegas, and hundreds were injured. It was the deadliest mass shooting in modern American history.

"What we've seen in Las Vegas is an uniquely American scene," former FBI agent Ali Soufan said on MSNBC. "The aftermath of such traumatic events have become an all too familiar scene in our society and in our politics."



Photo Credit: AP Photo/Rick Bowmer

Silver Alert Issued for Missing 9-Year-Old From New Milford

$
0
0

A Silver Alert has been issued for a missing 9-year-old boy from New Milford.

Roy Bilbruck has been missing since September 27. A Silver Alert was issued late Wednesday. No other details were immediately available.

Bilbruck has brown hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts should contact New Milford Police at 860-355-3133.



Photo Credit: Connecticut State Police

New Haven Police Host Annual Community Basketball Tournament

$
0
0

Police and members of the communities they serve laced up their sneakers in New Haven Wednesday for the second annual “Cops and Ballers” 3-on-3 basketball tournament.

Hosted by New Haven Police Department and the office of Connecticut US Attorney Deirdre Daly, the annual event was started in 2016 to help New Haven residents to get to know local law enforcement in positive ways to build stronger relationships. This year’s tournament happened at Goffe Street Park near Hillhouse High School.

“When the civilian or community member sees the officer at a call, the interaction I think is just overall is more positive than before because they see them as a human being and not a police officer,” said Lt. Manmeet Colon of NHPD.

At the event, the US Attorney praised the police department’s efforts at community policing, calling it perhaps the best at the practice in the state. Daly believes building bridges between police and community in good times can help to eliminate distrust.

“If you know someone, If you have a relationship with them, if you trust them and something bad happens, you’re going to listen to them. You’re going to reach out to them and you try to make a connection,” she said.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Dashboard Devices Causing More Distracted Driving: AAA

$
0
0

A new study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that infotainment centers included in the dashboards of our cars are causing more distracted driving.

The AAA study found that the technology built into the car including voice or touch screen navigation can distract drivers from the road for more than 40 seconds.

Out of the 30 new 2017 models that were tested, 2/3 of them had built-in technology systems that were rated as "highly" distracting.

Here in Connecticut, AAA found men admitted to being distracted far more often than women, and men tend to use technology more often for directions than women.

And you may not even realize how distracted you are, even if you feel you're a safe driver.

When driving at 25 miles per hour, you can travel the length of four football fields during the time it could take to enter a destination into the navigation system.

Out of the 30 cars tested, none of them received an acceptable score, meaning, all of the systems demanded the driver's attention away from the road for an extensive amount of time.

The tested cars and their demand levels on drivers’ attention are as follows. are as follows:


  • Audi Q7 QPP – Very High Demand
  • Cadillac XT5 – High Demand
  • Chevrolet Equinox LT – Moderate Demand
  • Chevrolet Traverse LT – High Demand
  • Dodge Durango GT – Very High Demand
  • Dodge Ram 1500 – High Demand
  • Ford F250 XLT – Moderate Demand
  • Ford Fusion Titanium – High Demand
  • Ford Mustang GT – Very High Demand
  • GMC Yukon SLT – Very High Demand
  • Honda Civic Touring – Very High Demand
  • Honda Ridgeline RTL-E – Very High Demand
  • Hyundai Santa Fe Sport – Moderate Demand
  • Hyundai Santa Fe Sport – High Demand
  • Hyundai Sonata Base – High Demand
  • Infiniti Q50 Premium – High Demand
  • Jeep Compass Sport – High Demand
  • Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited – High Demand
  • Kia Sorento LX – High Demand
  • Lincoln MKC Premiere – Moderate Demand
  • Mazda3 Touring – Very High Demand
  • Nissan Armada SV – Very High Demand
  • Nissan Maxima SV - High Demand
  • Subaru Crosstrek Premium – Very High Demand
  • Tesla Model S – Very High Demand
  • Toyota Camry SE – Moderate Demand
  • Toyota Corolla SE – Moderate Demand
  • Toyota Rav 4 XLE – High Demand
  • Toyota Sienna XLE – Moderate Demand
  • Volvo XC60 T5 Inscription – Very High Demand


To read the full report on each vehicle, click here. 



Photo Credit: AAA

Tropical Storm Nate to Drench Nicaragua, Threaten Gulf Coast

$
0
0

Tropical Storm Nate, the latest named storm of the 2017 season, formed off the Central American coast Thursday morning and is expected to bring heavy rainfall to the region as it nears the Nicaraguan coast — with the chance of becoming a hurricane before moving toward the U.S. Gulf Coast.

The National Hurricane Center said the storm system has winds of 40 mph is moving northwest at 7 mph. On the forecast track, it should near Nicaragua's coast early Thursday and move across into eastern Honduras later in the day.

On Friday, it should emerge into the northwestern Caribbean Sea. Tropical storm warnings were in effect for parts of Nicaragua and Honduras.

The forecast suggests the storm will track west of South Florida, but rain chances will remain elevated into the weekend as this system works north. South Florida is not in the forecast cone but part of North Florida and the Florida Panhandle are included.



Photo Credit: NBC Miami

In Puerto Rico, 'the Hospitals Are Still in Crisis'

$
0
0

It's been two weeks since Hurricane Maria raked Puerto Rico, but the island's doctors and nurses remain in nonstop triage in hospitals dealing with power outages, evacuations, dwindling supplies and nearby crime, NBC News reported.

"The hospitals are still in crisis," said Dr. Ubaldo Santiago, who directs emergency services at several San Juan hospitals and clinics. "Many are still working on generators. It's tough, and the doctors are giving their maximum."

And San Juan's hospitals are faring far better than those in less populated areas, Santiago said: "What you are seeing around here, it's heaven compared to some people in the inland, in the mountains."

Hurricane Maria exacerbated old problems for Puerto Rico's health care system. A longstanding economic crisis had doctors already stretched thin.



Photo Credit: Brock Stoneham / NBC News

Bicyclist Hit by Car in Hartford

$
0
0

Connecticut State Police are investigating after a bicyclist was injured in an accident on the Whitehead Highway in Hartford Wednesday.

Police said the 54-year-old cyclist was riding on Whitehead Highway to access Interstate 91 when he was struck by a car traveling the same direction. The cyclist was taken to Hartford Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

State police are investigating the accident. Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to contact Trooper Bernier at Troop H at 860-534-1000.



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

81-Year-Old Branford Man Tried to Kill Wife With Knife: PD

$
0
0

Branford police have arrested a man accused of trying to stab his wife with a kitchen knife.

Police said officers responded to the home at 26 Turtle Bay Drive around 5 a.m. Thursday when neighbors called 911 to report a domestic incident. When officers arrived, they found the suspect, identified as 81-year-old Anthony Delucia, struggling with his 74-year-old wife over a knife.

Officers were able to stop Delucia and took him into custody.

The victim suffered cuts on her hands and was taken to a local medical facility for treatment.

Delucia was charged with criminal attempt to commit murder, second-degree assault on an elderly victim and breach of peace. He was held on a $500,000 bond and is due in court Thursday.



Photo Credit: Branford Police Department

Deadline Day for DACA Recipients to Renew Applications

$
0
0

Thursday marks the deadline for some 154,000 recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program to renew their applications.

DACA protects undocumented immigrants who were brought into the United States illegally from being deported and allows them to participate in work programs, but the Trump administration announced last month that the program would be phasing out.

Calls have been made to extend the renewal deadline, and President Donald Trump has called on Congress to take action on the DACA issue.

Thursday's deadline impacts DACA recipients whose status expires on or before March 5, 2018. As of Tuesday, just over 106,000 eligible recipients had submitted requests to renew, according to the Department of Homeland Security, a rate of about seven in 10.

"For individuals who are still eligible to request renewal of their deferred action under DACA, but have not yet done so, I urge you to make this a priority. The renewal process is quicker than an initial request and requires minimal documentation, so take the time now to fill out and properly file your renewal request," said Acting Secretary Elaine Duke in a statement on Tuesday.

NBC Bay Area has reached out to the department for updated figures.

Additionally, Duke said fewer than 20 DACA recipients from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands had filed to renew, and directed her department to consider requests there on a case-by-case basis given the immense destruction and subsequent communications blackout in the islands caused by Hurricane Maria.

Immigration attorney Isabel Soto Wagner believes it is still worth it for DACA recipients to renew their applications if they have not done so in the wake of uncertainty surrounding the program.

"There is a lot of fear sometimes in the community, but it’s important to remember, yes, the government knows about your personal information, but I think it’s worth it to have those two other years of, lets say semi-protection and authorization to work in the United States," she said.

The Trump administration's announcement sparked several protests across the country as DACA recipients took to the streets criticizing the administration for going against protections put in place by former President Barack Obama.



Photo Credit: Spencer Platt/Getty Images, File

Proposal Opens CSCU Classes to Hurricane Victims

$
0
0

Thousands of students in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands have had their education interrupted as a result of Hurricane Maria. Now, Connecticut State Colleges and Universities are offering to open their classrooms to these students. It may not be the vision students on the islands may have had, but it may become their reality.

President Mark Ojakian of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities submitted a proposal that would allow students from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands impacted by hurricane Maria to continue their studies at CSCU.

“I think it’s a good idea,” said CCSU freshman Devyn Rockefeller. “Give them more opportunity to educate themselves while their homes are being repaired.”

If the proposal is passed, displaced full-time and part-time students from the University of Puerto Rico and the University of the Virgin Islands can attend one of the four CSCU universities, or 12 community colleges. Students would pay in-state tuition rates.

How many students could come to Connecticut, however, is up in the air according to CSCU spokeswoman Maribel La Luz.

“We haven’t gotten a specific request yet,” said La Luz “And probably because communication right now is really difficult. It’s logistically difficult to communicate with actual universities and colleges.”

A hurdle they’ll face until the power is restored on the island. Until then, La Luz said, “We just want to be ready and prepared if and when we get that request, because it’s an issue that’s close to home for a lot of our faculty, a lot of our staff, a lot of our students, and just the surrounding communities.”

NBC Connecticut spoke with CCSU students who look forward to the potential campus addition. Freshman Chloe Chance says it’s a good opportunity to expand campus diversity.

“Usually just people from Connecticut come here, so it’d be great to have people from other places beside Connecticut,” she said.

CCSU junior James Simpson agrees. “They’re the territories. I think because of the hurricanes and everything, I think it’s a great idea – help everybody out.”

The Finance Committee will review the proposal Wednesday, Oct. 11. If passed, a resolution will go before the full Board of Regents for a vote on Thursday, Oct. 19.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

Victim Struck with Baseball Bat During Groton Home Invasion

$
0
0

A woman was hit with a baseball bat during a violent home invasion in Groton Wednesday, and now police are looking for two suspects.

The incident occurred at 91 Buddington Road Lot 16 shortly before 10 p.m. According to police, two masked men in dark clothing came into the home with a gun and a baseball bat.

A female victim was hit multiple times with the bat and taken to Lawrence an Memorial Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. Other people inside the home were held at gunpoint during the incident.

The victim told police one of the suspects called another by the name of “Alec” or “Alex.” The suspects stole gaming systems, cash, and cell phones form the home.

The suspects are described as males with thin builds wearing dark clothing. The suspects fled on foot

Anyone with information on this crime or who saw something suspicious in the area around that time should contact the Groton Town Police Detective Division at 860-441-6712.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

NRA Silent After Vegas Shooting, Other Gun Groups Watch GOP

$
0
0

The National Rifle Association has gone dark following the shooting massacre in Las Vegas, but other pro-gun groups are warning Republicans against moving on new gun violence legislation.

"Given the spinelessness of so many of the Republican caucus, the best thing would be to get the leadership not to let it come up," Larry Pratt, co-founder and executive director emeritus of the Gun Owners of America, told NBC News. "If it comes to a vote, they are going to be held accountable."

The gun-rights advocates view regulations like a bill that would ban "bump stocks" as a slippery slope to more firearm restrictions.

Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy, of Connecticut, predicted that after the NRA stays out the debate for a few days the organization would rain "fire and brimstone" on any wavering allies.

The NRA did not respond to a request for comment.



Photo Credit: AP Photo/Rick Bowmer

Mom Speaks on 'Disgusting' Dad Accused of Leaving Tot to Die

$
0
0

Mackenzy Trievel was supposed to be picking up her son Tuesday after he spent four days with his dad. Instead, she went to the hospital to identify the body of her 2-year-old child.

“When he walked into a room, people would smile,” Trievel told NBC10 Philadelphia. “He was a good boy. He was a perfect child.”

Qaden Trievel was sitting in a Walmart shopping cart when his father, Christopher Kuhn, stole $228 speakers from the Levittown, Pennsylvania, store Tuesday afternoon, police said.

Kuhn allegedly got into his car and then sped away on Route 13. His Jeep crashed, rolling over several times and ejecting the young boy, who was not strapped into his seat.

Kuhn ran away from the crash, leaving his dying son in the middle of the street, officials said.

“He’s a disgusting human being,” Trievel said of her ex-boyfriend. “He was only worried about himself.”

Trievel told NBC she suffered years of abuse during her relationship with Kuhn, who was charged with third-degree murder, homicide by vehicle, accidents involving death or injury while not properly licensed, retail theft, endangering the welfare of children, recklessly endangering another person, reckless driving, driving on a suspended license and running a red light.

His bail was set at $5 million cash, and did not respond to reporters' questions.

Sources told NBC10 Kuhn had previously been arrested for credit card fraud, which cost him a job as a substitute teacher in New Jersey. 


Trievel, who was never married to Kuhn, attempted several times to get sole custody of her son with no success, she said. On Facebook, the grieving mother accused Kuhn of using drugs and the courts of not listening to her concerns.

Qaden "needs some justice," Trievel wrote. "The courts need to step up."

She also posted about the overwhelming pain of losing a child:

“He saved my life and I wish I could have saved his I would give anything to hold him again. He was the light to my life and I’ll never forget all the laughs and smiles we shared I just can't believe this happened to you. I love you with all my heart I hope your laughing and having the best time. all I ever wanted was for you to be happy. Mommy misses you so much and loves you with all my heart.”



Photo Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com, Family photo
This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

Vegas Gunman Eyed Chicago, Boston Locations: Sources

$
0
0

The gunman who opened fire on concertgoers in Las Vegas researched Chicago's Lollapalooza in the months before the massacre, senior law enforcement officials briefed on the investigation told NBC News Thursday

The sources said Paddock researched the Chicago festival and hotels around Boston's Fenway Park. 

The motive behind the shooting remained unclear and officials could not immediately comment on why Paddock looked into the two locations. 

Chicago police said they were looking into reports that Paddock booked rooms at a hotel overlooking Grant Park, where Lollapalooza was held Aug. 3 through 6, drawing major celebrity acts and fans, including former first daughter Malia Obama. 

"We are aware of recent media reports concerning Chicago and the Blackstone hotel," CPD spokesman Anthony Guglielmi tweeted Thursday morning.

In a statement, the department said it has "been in communication with our federal partners."

"As you saw earlier this week the city conducts extensive public safety planning and training around major events, in close coordination with our law enforcement partners, to ensure public safety," the statement read. 

The statement is in reseponse to a TMZ report, citing unnamed sources, that Stephen Paddock booked two rooms at the Blackstone Hotel overlooking Grant Park during the city's massive Lollapalooza festival. 

A law enforcement source confirmed Paddock booked two adjoining rooms at the Blackstone Hotel from Aug. 1-3, but never showed up. 

The hotel did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the matter. 

The weekend before the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history, Paddock rented a high-rise condo in a building that overlooked the Life is Beautiful alternative music festival, according to Clark County Sheriff Joseph Lombardo, who offered no other details about what led Paddock there. 

The event featured performances by Chance the Rapper, Muse, Lorde and Blink-182. 

Those seeking to know the motive of the Las Vegas gunman have had little more to chase than hints and shadows.

Paddock led such a low-key, private life that no one seemed to know him well, and those who did had no sense he was capable of the deadliest mass shooting in modern American history.

Where other mass killers have left behind a trail of plain-sight clues that help investigators quickly understand what drove them to violence, Paddock, 64, had nearly no close friends, social media presence or other clear connections to the broader world.

Even the No. 2 official in the FBI said Wednesday he was surprised investigators have not uncovered more about why a man with no obvious criminal record would cause so much bloodshed.

"There's all kinds of things that surprise us in each one of these events. That's the one in this one, and we are not there yet," FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe said. "We have a lot of work to do."

Working with what little they know, investigators have zeroed in on a weapon-buying binge Paddock went on one year before he gunned down 58 people Sunday at a country music festival from a 32nd-floor room at the Mandalay Bay casino resort before killing himself.

They wonder if he had some sort of mental break at the time that drove him to start making plans for mass murder.

They also know he rented an apartment in a Las Vegas high-rise over another music festival the weekend before the massacre, though not why.

They know he was a major gambler and are looking at related records, though even in very public casinos he played the very private game of video poker.

They know he had a plan to survive the shooting and try to escape, though would not say how.

"This individual and this attack didn't leave the sort of immediately accessible thumbprints that you find on some mass casualty attacks," McCabe said. "Putting aside the somewhat dubious claims of responsibility that we see in each one of these instances, we look for actual indicators of affiliation, of motive, of intent, and so far we're not there. We don't have those sort of indicators."

Lombardo said at a news conference Wednesday night that Paddock must have had some help along the way given his huge arsenal the explosive materials found in his car, and his meticulous plan, but they don't know who that might be.

Some who thought they knew him intimately could provide no help.

"He never said anything to me or took any action that I was aware of that I understood in any way to be a warning that something horrible like this was going to happen," Marilou Danley, 62, said in a statement read by her lawyer outside FBI headquarters in Los Angeles.

Danley returned Tuesday from the Philippines, where Paddock had sent her before the attack, and was being interviewed by the FBI.

Analyzing Paddock's computer, cellphone and other electronic devices, Investigators have found no obvious ideological motive, no clear connection to extremists or activist groups or outward display of mental illness.

Paddock wired $100,000 to the Philippines days before the shooting, said a U.S. official who was not authorized to speak publicly because of the continuing investigation. Investigators are trying to trace that money.

Danley, who was overseas for more than two weeks, said she was initially pleased when she was wired money from Paddock to buy a house for her family in the Philippines. But she later feared it was a way to break up with her.

She said she loved Paddock as a "kind, caring, quiet man" and hoped they would have a future together. She said she was devastated by the carnage and would cooperate with authorities as they struggle to get inside Paddock's mind.

On Sept. 28, the 64-year-old high-stakes gambler and real estate investor checked into Mandalay Bay and specifically requested an upper-floor room with a view of the Route 91 Harvest music festival, according to a person who has seen hotel records turned over to investigators.

Paddock wasn't able to move into the room until Saturday, said the person, who was not authorized to speak publicly and disclosed the information to the AP on condition of anonymity.

The room, which goes for $590 a night, was given to Paddock for free because he was a good customer who wagered tens of thousands of dollars each time he visited the casino, the person said.

Authorities are looking for hints in those details of the kind of life he lived, and the kind of victims and venue he targeted, said David Gomez, a former FBI national security and criminal profiler.

"We may never know to 100 percent certainty," he said. "But they will find out."



Photo Credit: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images; Paul Nagaro
This story uses functionality that may not work in our app. Click here to open the story in your web browser.

I-84W Reopens in Farmington After Motorcycle Crash

$
0
0

Interstate 84 westbound in Farmington has reopened after a motorcycle crash, according to Connecticut State Police.

Police said a car and motorcycle collided near exit 39 and at least one person was taken to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The road was partially closed for about two hours but has since reopened.

No other details were immediately available.



Photo Credit: NBC Connecticut

This Veteran's Invention Turns a Gun Into a Machine Gun

$
0
0

An Air Force veteran who wanted a fast-shooting rifle but couldn't afford one that was fully automatic invented the "bump stocks" now gaining unwanted attention for their possible role in the Las Vegas concert massacre, NBC News reported.

"We weren't able to fire as fast as we wanted," Jeremiah Cottle recalled in a 2011 interview with a local newspaper, The Albany News in Texas. "We couldn't afford what we wanted ─ a fully automatic rifle ─ so I started to think about how I could make something that would work and be affordable."

Having just recovered from a brain injury, his tinkering produced a prototype of the Slide Fire, a line of now-popular "bump-fire stocks" that let a semi-automatic rifle's recoil quickly re-engage the trigger, simulating automatic fire.

Such devices were found on 12 rifles in the hotel room from which Stephen Paddock laid waste to a music festival this weekend, and now there's talk even among Republicans in Congress of a ban on the devices.

Cottle did not respond to a request for comment and hasn't offered any public remarks on Paddock's attack.



Photo Credit: Allen Breed/AP, File

South Windsor Police Arrest Suspect in August Arson Case

$
0
0

South Windsor police arrested a Manchester man on arson and burglary charges Wednesday.

Police said 53-year-old Pierce Holcomb is suspected of setting a camper parked on Foster Road on fire in August. The victim was an acquaintance of Holcomb, according to police.

Holcomb was charged with third-degree arson, first-degree criminal mischief, third-degree burglary and first-degree criminal trespass. He was released on a $75,000 bond and is due in court on Oct. 12.



Photo Credit: NBC10
Viewing all 57608 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images