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Clarence Thomas warns America: Liberty dies when we choose comfort over courage

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 05:00:04 -0400

Americans will hear a lot of speeches this year marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, but it’s hard to imagine anyone topping the one Justice Clarence Thomas delivered at the University of Texas at Austin. If one is inclined to believe that the majesty of our founding documents, and the ideals enshrined therein, still resonate in the hearts of Americans, then Justice Thomas’s speech was a clarion call to conscience, a summons to the courage and clarity that animated the American Revolution.

Thomas praised Dean Justin Dyer and UT’s new School of Civic Leadership, saying it was his sincere hope that their work "to revitalize the teaching and research of Western civilization and the American constitutional tradition will lead the way in the reform of our nation’s colleges and universities" — a generous note of gratitude for those who labor, often anonymously, in the vineyards of civic virtue.

Thomas’s reverence for the Declaration of Independence was palpable, as he recounted the audacity of Jefferson’s assertion that "all men are created equal." He reminded his audience that the Declaration is not a relic — an obscure, esoteric, academic plaything to be admired from afar — but a living testament to the capacity of men and women to transcend the ordinary. Its words, Thomas insisted, are an invitation to courage, echoing across centuries to challenge each new generation to defy tyranny and embrace liberty.

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Justice Thomas drew upon a pantheon of heroes: the Founders, whose signatures risked lives and fortunes; the soldiers at Valley Forge, whose endurance was measured not only in frozen nights but in the persistence of hope; and leaders of subsequent epochs who refused to yield constitutional principles to expediency. These vignettes, rendered with characteristic sonorous solemnity, served as reminders that the American story is stitched together by acts of bravery seldom celebrated, and courage seldom acknowledged.

Notably, Thomas confronted the failures of the Supreme Court, most pointedly in his critique of Plessy v. Ferguson, the 1896 decision "that endorsed government-enforced racial segregation and validated the Jim Crow South that I grew up in." He lamented the absence of moral fortitude in those who, rather than uphold the promise of equality, succumbed to the temptations of expedience.

"It could not possibly have taken my Court 60 years," Thomas intoned, "to know that Plessy was a hideous wrong." The specter of Plessy hovered as a caution against the abdication of duty—a lesson as relevant today as in 1896.

In a manner reminiscent of William F. Buckley’s skepticism toward progressive utopianism, Thomas issued a warning against Wilsonian progressivism. He traced its lineage to a philosophy that prefers the plasticity of government by experts over the stubbornness of constitutional constraints. "Progressivism," Thomas observed, "seeks to replace the basic premises of the Declaration of Independence, and hence our form of government. It holds that our rights and our dignities come not from God, but from government." This, he suggested, is the perennial threat to republican liberty: the seductive notion that a well-meaning bureaucracy can supplant the wisdom of the Declaration. To Thomas, progressivism is "retrogressive."

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Yet the speech was not a lament, but a prescription. Thomas called for daily courage — a recommitment not merely on ceremonial anniversaries, but in the mundane acts of citizenship and stewardship. It depends upon the willingness of each citizen to defend its ideals, to speak truth, to withstand the easy comforts of silence. There is, Thomas urged, a duty to reject complacency and to embrace the challenge of self-government anew.

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As Thomas’s words settled upon the assembled crowd, one sensed the enduring relevance of his message. The principles of the Declaration remain, in his estimation, both fragile and resilient — fragile if neglected, resilient if cherished. His praise for Dean Dyer and the School for Civic Leadership was not mere ceremony; it was a recognition that the cultivation of civic courage is indispensable to the preservation of liberty.

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Justice Thomas’s address reminded me of Thomas Jefferson’s assertion that "a well-informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny." The speech in Austin was a summons: to honor the boldness of the Founders, to reject the false comforts of progressivism, and to recommit ourselves daily to the ideals that gave birth to the nation.

It was, in sum, a reminder, timely and urgent, that the Declaration of Independence is not merely a historical document, but a living promise — a challenge to each of us to rise to the heights of courage and principle.

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Soros-backed Austin DA faces resignation calls over alleged ‘secret meetings’ in case against cop

Sat, 21 Mar 2026 06:00:40 -0400

A criminal case tied to the 2020 Austin, Texas, George Floyd riots is erupting into a broader controversy, with prominent law enforcement groups calling for the Soros-backed district attorney to resign over accusations of misconduct, political coordination, and withholding key evidence.

Attorneys for Austin Police Department officer Chance Bretches filed a motion in Travis County district court to dismiss the case against him, alleging prosecutors in DA Jose Garza’s office violated the officer’s constitutional rights and compromised the integrity of the case by not disclosing alleged behind-the-scenes communications with Austin officials about potentially holding the city or police leadership criminally responsible for harming injured protesters.

Bretches is facing charges of aggravated assault by a public servant after being deployed as part of a crowd-control response during the 2020 riot, where officers worked to disperse demonstrators and restore order in downtown Austin. His attorneys argue he relied on department-issued "less-lethal" beanbag rounds that were later called into question, contending the equipment itself was defective and contributed to the injuries at issue.

The alleged "secret meetings" with Austin officials about the city being responsible for the defective beanbag rounds that caused more harm than they were designed for, Bretches’s attorney says, were something the prosecution was "required to give us" because it showed the belief and possibility the city had "criminal culpability" in the case.

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The motion bases its claim of "secret meetings" on two sworn declarations: one from a former Austin city manager, who says he personally met multiple times with Garza and prosecutors in 2023 to discuss potential charges against the city, and another from a former city council member, who says she was aware of internal communications indicating the DA’s office was considering such charge.

"Prosecutors can hold meetings with anybody, there’s nothing illegal about that," Bretches’ attorney Doug O’Connell told ӣ��Ƶ Digital. "The problem in this case is the district attorney felt he had enough evidence to indict the city as a corporate entity, which would make the city an alternative suspect or an unindicted co-defendant."

O’Connell argues that Garza triggered disclosure obligations under Brady v. Maryland, which requires prosecutors to turn over potentially exculpatory evidence to the defense.

"If you follow that logic, then the basis of his indictment of the city, which never materialized, is, in fact, Brady," O’Connell said. "Even if he thought he had enough evidence and later determined he didn’t, it’s still Brady. It’s a violation of the Michael Morton Act, a violation of the court’s order, and the defendant’s constitutional rights."

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The Michael Morton Act, a Texas law enacted after a wrongful conviction case, requires prosecutors to turn over most evidence in their possession to the defense, including information that could be favorable to the accused.

O’Connell says that the law mandates that "exculpatory mitigating evidence" must be given to the defense.

"It's clear they didn't turn over the evidence of why they felt they could indict the city and the city was legitimately scared about this enough that the city went out and hired their own criminal defense attorney," O’Connell said. "So one of two things is true, either he had the evidence and he didn't produce it to us, or he didn’t have any basis to indict the city, and he was just threatening them, and that would be official oppression anyway."

Two of the most recognized police organizations in the area, Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT) and the Austin Police Retired Officers Association (APROA), reacted to the motion by calling on Garza, who has long been accused of harboring animosity toward police, to resign from his role as the county’s top prosecutor.

"It's kind of the final straw, everything that's been going on with the continuing political prosecutions of Austin police officers who are out simply doing their job and doing the job the way that we're trained to do their job," Farris told ӣ��Ƶ Digital about the APROA’s official letter calling for Garza to step down, the first time they have done so despite intense criticism of Garza over the years.

Garza has faced public blowback from his critics for years over his treatment of police officers and from families of crime victims who have spoken out against what they view as a lack of willingness to put criminal offenders behind bars.

"His focus has been on the cops and now we're finding out that he did some shady stuff and it's time for him to go," Farris said.

After winning an election following a campaign, backed by liberal megadonor George Soros, that pledged to prosecute police officers, Garza indicted over 20 police officers, including Bretches, for their role in quelling the Black Lives Matter riot. Garza has attempted to prosecute multiple other officers on deadly force-related charges with only one successful conviction that was later overturned.

"There can be no worse violation of the oath taken by a District Attorney than to intentionally deny a defendant a fair trial," Robert Leonard, CLEAT executive director, said about the motion. "It is a direct violation of their Constitutional rights."

Additionally, O’Connell filed a motion requesting a court of inquiry calling on a district judge to investigate whether Garza committed a crime through his actions.

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O’Connell described the move as utilizing an "obscure provision in the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure that allows a district court judge to hold a hearing to determine whether the law has been violated."

"In this case, it would be a hearing to determine if the elected DA and top lieutenants committed an offense of official oppression and tampering with evidence by not producing the mitigating or exculpatory evidence in this case."

While some in local media have cast doubt on the likelihood of the motion being successful, O’Connell says he is optimistic that he will be granted a hearing on his motion, possibly on a previously scheduled court date on April 7.

ӣ��Ƶ Digital reached out to Garza’s office for comment.

"We are not going to litigate this case in the press," Garza’s office said in a statement this week to local media vowing to carry on with their case.

"We remain ready to try this case and expect to start the trial in June as previously agreed with the defense. Justice delayed is justice denied, and four years is too long to wait. It is time for the community to weigh in on whether they believe that the defendant's actions violated the law."

Austin mass shooting suspect avoided felony in 2022 case, misdemeanor later dismissed after plea deal: docs

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 13:17:14 -0400

EXCLUSIVE: The gunman in a shooting in Austin, Texas, now being investigated as a possible terror attack, previously faced a felony charge that was reduced to a misdemeanor and later dismissed, according to documents obtained by ӣ��Ƶ Digital.

Ndiaga Diagne, 53, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Senegal, was identified as the suspect in the March 1 shooting outside Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden shortly before 2 a.m., law enforcement sources told ӣ��Ƶ. According to CBS News, Diagne had pictures of Iranian leaders at his home as well as an Iranian flag. Three people, including the suspect, were killed in the shooting that left an additional 14 people injured, officials said.

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Documents obtained by ӣ��Ƶ Digital through a public records request show that Diagne faced a felony fail to stop and render aid (resulting in bodily injury) charge, also known as hit-and-run, in relation to a Dec. 5, 2022, car crash that he was involved in.

According to a Texas Highway Patrol investigative report, Diagne was allegedly driving a Black Cadillac Escalade in Washington County, Texas, when he merged into another lane and pushed the victim's car into a center median and struck several cable barriers.

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The victim told authorities at the scene that Diagne was "changing lanes a lot," adding that she "looked right at" the suspect, who she said kept driving. Diagne fled the scene and was located through license plate reader technology, the report added.

When a trooper went to Diagne's residence, he denied any involvement in the crash and said he was traveling to Houston to pick someone up from the airport, according to the incident report, which noted that his car in his driveway had damage consistent with the crash.

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Diagne accepted a plea deal and pleaded guilty to a lesser misdemeanor charge of accident involving damage to vehicle. Diagne pleaded guilty, and a Texas judge placed him on probation under deferred adjudication on Jan. 10, 2024, meaning no finding of guilt would be entered if he successfully completed the probation terms, the records show.

In July 2024, the misdemeanor was dismissed after Diagne successfully completed his probation.

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Law enforcement sources told ӣ��Ƶ that the shooter was wearing a sweatshirt that read "Property of Allah " as well as an undershirt with an Iranian flag during the March 1 shooting. The sources said a Quran was also found in Diagne's car.

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Savitha Shan, 21, Ryder Harrington, 19, and Jorge Pederson, 30, were killed in the shooting, authorities said during a press conference.

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FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Alex Doran said during a news conference that investigators are looking into a motive, but said they are investigating possible terrorism.

"Obviously, it's still way too early in the process to determine an exact motivation," Doran said. "But there were indicators that on the subject and in his vehicle that indicate potential nexus to terrorism."

ӣ��Ƶ' Bill Melugin contributed to this report.

Texas woman defends guaranteed income as debates continue about implementation

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 06:30:32 -0400

While guaranteed income advocates push to extend pilot programs to permanent government-sponsored cash assistance, one recipient spoke with ӣ��Ƶ Digital about the benefits of the policy.

Austin, Texas native Taniquewa Brewster was financially supported by the city’s guaranteed income program during a critical transition period in her life as she juggled parenthood, long work hours and hoped to finish certification programs.

"It helped me start out — it gave me time to take care of things that I needed to take care of. It's hard when you're working 40 hours a week, and you have five children," Brewster told ӣ��Ƶ Digital. "I have five kids, and I am trying to make time to do other things, fighting for these basic human rights. I didn't have a car at the time. I was using my sister's car. She was making sure that I got from point A to point B, doctor's appointments, helping, looking out, taking care of my children."

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Fortunately, Brewster was told about Austin's guaranteed income pilot program.

"She was like, there are a lot of people that are going to be put in the lottery, so there's no guarantee that you're going to chosen," Brewster said. "I got a call, and they were like, well, you were chosen for the guaranteed income pilot program. You'll get $1,000 for one year … there's no oversight, so, what you choose to do with the money is up to you."

After the Austin City Council launched the measure in 2022, the state capital became the first major city in Texas to use tax dollars to fund guaranteed income programs to help low-income families. The program was facilitated by the city in partnership with an organization called "UpTogether," which advocates for "government and philanthropy" to "provide unrestricted and unconditional cash to communities …"

The guaranteed income program received $1.1 million in taxpayer funding and an additional amount of $500,000 raised in philanthropic donations for the program. The program started out issuing $1,000 monthly checks to 85 households who were at risk of losing their homes.

"I had lost my job. We were at the height of COVID," Brewster told ӣ��Ƶ Digital. "That thousand dollars just came right in time, and it helped me in so many things in so many ways. And so now I'm fully employed."

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The city of Austin states on its website that the guaranteed income programs "act as a springboard for participants to find a way out of poverty to greater economic mobility and housing stability."

"I was able to go back to school–finish an education. I became a certified leasing assistant–became a certified doula," she added.

Brewster said many people in her community were in a similar predicament as her before she enrolled in the program. She described living in an "underserved, low-income, marginalized neighborhood" that was impacted by "gentrification."

"So many people were on fixed incomes. We just needed the resources," Brewster told ӣ��Ƶ Digital. "We were so underserved for so long. And it just helped us to realize that we do deserve things … That money really helped me to make the choices that I needed to make to grow. And I've seen the growth from being a part of the guaranteed income program."

MAYORS FOR A GUARANTEED INCOME PUSH TO SOLVE AFFORDABILITY CRISIS WITH NO-STRINGS ATTACHED CASH ASSISTANCE

Harris County, which comprises the city of Houston in Texas, had their own guaranteed income program in 2024, which was sued by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. The Texas Supreme Court issued a ruling that froze the program.

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Austin suspect unleashed anti-Christian, antisemitic, misogynistic rants on social media before mass shooting

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 21:45:18 -0500

The shooter responsible for Sunday’s mass shooting in Austin reportedly ran an X account where he unleashed numerous anti-Christian, antisemitic and other highly inflammatory comments, including slurs such as "fake jewish wh—" and "monkey looking b—-."

Ndiaga Diagne, a 53-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen born in Senegal, opened fire just before 2 a.m. at a crowded bar, killing three people and wounding 13 others. Authorities say they are investigating the incident as a "potential nexus to terrorism" after he appeared to wear a "Property of Allah" sweatshirt and an undershirt depicting the Iranian flag. A Quran was also later recovered from his vehicle, officials added.

According to an X account believed to belong to Diagne, under @NdiagaDiag88249, the suspect reportedly hurled numerous hateful comments that were flagged as "potentially sensitive content" that may violate X’s rules against hateful conduct.

He joined in October 2024 and began posting derogatory comments almost immediately.

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"THE ISLAMIC REVOLUTION IS ETERNAL AND HERE TO STAY UNTIL THE END OF TIME, you Zionist and islamophobes can be angry all you want but you can’t do a d--- thing about it, no matter what," one post from August 2025 said.

The comment was a reply to Islamic Republic of Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, who criticized President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"So funny Islam is considered an enemy to America? Because Jesus who came out of a vagina can never be GOD, just read Mark 12:29, John 17:3, your lies, propaganda, insults and smear will not stop ISLAM, ISLAM is here to save you in this world and the hereafter," he said in a post from November.

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Separately, Diagne criticized Trump and Netanyahu on multiple occasions, at one point calling Trump "a shameless clown" and Netanyahu "evil."

Several posts were direct replies to Trump supporters and right-wing influencers, including one that said, "you and your Israel first acolytes fake Jews know it, so melt down all you want you ugly b----."

Last October, he also said, "Shut the f--- up, you f---ing Israel-first wh---. Move to Israel, you f---ing b----."

Beyond religion and politics, the account frequently shared misogynistic content.

"No one wants you that’s why you were single for 4 years, look at you, nobody in their own mind would date, what do you have going, you fat and ugly like a pig, women belong to the kitchen and bedroom," he said in November 2024.

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Authorities are investigating whether Sunday’s shooting may have been influenced by recent U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who reportedly died one day before Diagne opened fire in downtown Austin.

No official motive has yet been confirmed.

Waymo autonomous car blocks ambulance crew responding to deadly Austin mass shooting

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 19:44:34 -0500

Footage captured a startling moment when a Waymo self-driving vehicle briefly blocked Austin ambulance crews rushing to the scene of Sunday's deadly mass shooting.

The incident occurred around 2 a.m. at a popular entertainment hub, where a gunman fatally shot three people and wounded 13 more.

In the footage, the Waymo car comes to a sideways stop in the road as an ambulance heads up the street with flashing lights.

As the vehicle appeared slow to react, intermittently moving and stopping, visibly distressed witnesses shouted at it to move.

AUSTIN MASS SHOOTING: TIMELINE TRACES SUSPECT’S RAP SHEET AS TERROR LINK PROBED

Moments later, an Austin police car arrives, and an officer enters the Waymo vehicle, driving it into a nearby garage.

The company told ӣ��Ƶ Digital that, in the wake of the shooting, a Waymo car had been hailed by a rider for pickup when it identified a "road blockage and began executing a U-turn."

As the ambulance appeared mid-turn, the car then "briefly yielded and was assisted by a nearby officer."

TEXAS DEMOCRATIC SENATE CANDIDATES SIDESTEP ISLAMIC TERRORISM CONCERNS FOLLOWING DEADLY AUSTIN ATTACK

The company added that the incident served as a learning opportunity for road safety, particularly in densely populated cities.

The Austin-Travis County EMS (ATCEMS) chief addressed the incident Monday, emphasizing that the blockage likely had little impact on the victims’ outcomes as police still arrived at the scene in less than a minute.

"[ATCEMS], as well as our fellow public safety partners, work very closely with the autonomous vehicle vendors that operate here in the city of Austin," Robert Luckritz said during a press conference. "We had more than 20 assets, resources that responded to this event. As said at an earlier press conference, we were on scene within 57 seconds. So in the grand scheme of the impact on the overall incident, we don't believe it had any impact on patient outcomes."

Luckritz added that ATCEMS has been in contact with Waymo to discuss steps for addressing the issue moving forward.

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Early Sunday, multiple people were shot outside Buford's Backyard Beer Garden on West 6th Street in downtown Austin, Texas.

Sources said the mass shooting is being investigated as a potential terrorism nexus, possibly linked to the recent U.S. and Israel strike on Iran, after the suspect — identified as 53-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen Ndiaga Diagne — was found wearing a "Property of Allah" sweatshirt and an undershirt depicting the Iranian flag.

Texas DA says no charges for police in terror attack response amid criticism of mandatory grand jury review

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 19:20:29 -0500

A progressive Texas district attorney said he will not seek charges against the Austin police officers who fatally shot a gunman who killed three people and injured 13 others in a suspected terror attack amid speculation they could potentially face a grand jury.

Travis County District Attorney José Garza released a statement after Gov. Greg Abbott said he would eventually have the final say on whether the officers should be charged or convicted in court.

"These officers are heroes, and it should go without saying that my office is not seeking any charges and would not seek charges," Garza said. "The accounts to the contrary are false, intentionally false, and are being peddled for obvious political purposes."

Garza's office was the subject of criticism after it became known that the officers could potentially face a grand jury as part of a 2021 policy that all officer-involved shooting cases and serious use-of-force incidents be presented to a grand jury for review.

AUSTIN MASS SHOOTING: TIMELINE TRACES SUSPECT’S RAP SHEET AS TERROR LINK PROBED

Doug O’Connell, whose law firm O’Connell West has been tapped to represent the officers at the behest of the Austin Police Association, said the review is part of a policy instituted by Garza.

Garza, O'Connell said, demanded the policy at the direction of the Wren Collective, a progressive criminal justice reform nonprofit that backs liberal DAs and is mainly composed of former public defenders seeking to overhaul the American justice system.

"It's my belief that the Wren Collective has directed the district attorney to review officer-involved cases this way," O'Connell told ӣ��Ƶ Digital. "It seems they're very anti-law enforcement officers."

The Austin police officers shot and killed Ndiaga Diagne, a 53-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen born in Senegal, early Sunday after he opened fire at a bar, Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden, killing Savitha Shan, 21, Jorge Pederson, 30, and 19-year-old Ryder Harrington.

ӣ��Ƶ Digital has reached out to Garza's office.

In a statement to ӣ��Ƶ Digital, Wren Collective founder Jessica Brand thanked the responding officers for their actions, which she credited for saving more lives.

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"Three people died in a mass shooting last week, more people were harmed, families are grieving and the entire city is in mourning," she said. "The officers did heroic work and stopped what could have been an even bigger tragedy. As an Austin resident, I thank them, and also those people providing support for the many victims and their loved ones now."

O'Connell said Garza ran on a campaign of targeting police officers in an anti-police climate.

The DA instituted the review in 2021 amid calls for greater law enforcement accountability after the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, which also sparked nationwide calls to defund police agencies.

In addition to worrying about violence directed at them, officers now have to worry about potential legal action, O'Connell said.

"Every time an officer is dispatched to a violent criminal call, they've got to be thinking: ‘I could be killed, or, depending on how this goes, I could be indicted,'" O'Connell said.

In a post on X, Abbott praised the officers while noting that Garza's office isn't the end-all should the officers involved be charged or convicted in court.

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"These police officers are heroes who saved lives. Whatever the DA does, I will have the final say in the fate of these police officers," he wrote on X.

ӣ��Ƶ Digital has reached out to Abbott's office for clarity on his remarks.

Texas state Rep. Mitch Little, a Republican who formerly served as the impeachment attorney for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, told ӣ��Ƶ Digital there was no legal justification to have a grand jury for every single officer-involved shooting.

"The only explanation for that is a leftist ideological bent on the part of the district attorney’s office," he said.

Much of the criticism of the mandatory review stems from its lack of transparency, O'Connell said,

"Nothing about it is fair or balanced. The district attorney holds all the power when it comes to grand juries," he said, noting that defense lawyers aren't allowed to be present or present evidence.

"We know that grand juries have been manipulated because we've had to defend officers who have been indicted," he added.

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Michael Bullock, the president of the Austin Police Association, the union that represents rank-and-file officers, said he believed there was already "sufficient information" that publicly shows a grand jury isn't necessary.

"There’s no need to subject these officers to that, especially since it’s taking the DA over a year in almost every case to present these to the grand jury," he wrote Tuesday on X. "That’s way too long and added stress for officers who have already been through a lot."

Texas Democrat who backed police cuts faces criticism after thanking officers for saving lives

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 17:30:55 -0500

Austin Police responded to the deadly shooting at Buford’s bar in downtown Austin, Texas, early Sunday morning, arriving there in under a minute.

Appreciation for the swift response from first responders quickly flooded X. This included praise from Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas, a progressive who advocated for and crafted Austin’s 2020 police budget cuts during his tenure on the city council.

In 2020, after the Black Lives Matter riots, Austin’s city council voted unanimously to cut up to $150 million from its police department budget — about 34% of its current total — and reinvest the funds in other services.

Casar's X post said, in part, "I’m thankful to Austin’s police, EMS, nurses, and doctors who saved lives."

PROGRESSIVE DEM WHO DEFUNDED AUSTIN POLICE RIPPED FOR REQUESTING POLICE PATROLS AT HOME: ‘HEIGHT OF HYPOCRISY’

The post garnered over 690 likes and over 610 replies, and many of the replies highlighted a 2020 post from Casar.

"We did it!!" Casar posted on X in August 2020. "Austin City Council just reduced APD's budget by over $100 million and reinvested resources into our community's safety and well-being."

Adam Loewy, a popular personal injury attorney in Austin, quoted the post from Casar and said, "The guy who tried to defund the Austin Police Department has thoughts on a situation where APD probably saved 20 to 30 lives. #txlege."

Dennis Farris, the president of the Austin Police Retired Officers Association, also responded to Casar's post, saying, "You hypocrite. APD is short staffed because of your actions on council," and pointed to an old post by the congressman in which he celebrated the city council cutting the police budget.

Abraham George, the chairman of the Republican Party of Texas, quoted the post and said, "You consistently advocated to defund Austin PD. They saved dozens of lives without any help from you."

Rep. Casar also called for an end to gun violence in his post.

"We must end America’s gun violence epidemic," he wrote. "Americans should be able to have fun at a bar without it turning into an unspeakable nightmare like this one — and I will redouble my efforts in Congress to prevent the next tragedy like this."

TEXAS DEMOCRATIC SENATE CANDIDATES SIDESTEP ISLAMIC TERRORISM CONCERNS FOLLOWING DEADLY AUSTIN ATTACK

In June 2021, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed House Bill 1900 to encourage cities not to reduce their police budgets.

"The men and women of law enforcement put their lives on the line every day to keep Texans safe, and they deserve our enduring support and gratitude," Abbott said in an emailed statement, according to KUT, a radio station in Austin.

"Efforts to defund the police are downright dangerous, and these laws will prevent cities from making this reckless decision."

Senate Bill 23 was also signed. It requires large counties to hold a vote before cutting police budgets.

The House bill applies to cities with a population of over 250,000. Therefore, if a city funds its police at lower levels than the past two fiscal years, the city is prohibited from raising more property taxes than the year prior.

"The bill is designed to tell municipalities, ‘Do not defund the police,’ and if they do, there are some serious consequences," Republican Texas State Sen. Joan Huffman said during debate on the bill.

Following this, in 2021, the Austin City Council unanimously passed a budget that included an increase in spending on policing.

"We unanimously passed a budget today that tackles the pandemic [and] increases our public safety investments," then-Councilmember Greg Casar said after the vote. "I really appreciate everything my colleagues brought forward and the way we came together in this important budget."

In 2023, the department was on the verge of a staffing collapse after 40 officers filed retirement papers after a 9-2 city council vote to scrap a four-year contract that the city had previously agreed to in principle and instead pursue a one-year contract that the police union’s board had rejected.

The FBI has since revealed the shooting was a possible act of terrorism.

AUSTIN MASS SHOOTING: TIMELINE TRACES SUSPECT’S RAP SHEET AS TERROR LINK PROBED

Rep. Casar's office did not respond to ӣ��Ƶ Digital's request for comment.

"Obviously, it's still way too early in the process to determine an exact motivation, but there were indicators on the subject and in his vehicle that indicate potential nexus to terrorism," Alex Doran, acting special agent in charge of the FBI’s San Antonio Field Office, said at a press conference Sunday.

Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said officers staged nearby for the weekend crowds and responded within about "55-56 seconds." Three victims have been confirmed dead from the shooting as of March 2.

Texas Democratic Senate candidates sidestep Islamic terrorism concerns following deadly Austin attack

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 08:00:05 -0500

Neither of the two frontrunners in the Texas Democratic Senate primary addressed concerns about Islamic terrorism in the wake of a deadly shooting on Sunday morning in Austin that left three dead and more than a dozen others wounded.

Instead, just a day ahead of a competitive Senate primary, James Talarico and Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, focused on the effectiveness of prayer and delivered a warning against stereotyping immigrants.

"I believe in the power of prayer. I believe prayer changes lives. But there is something profoundly cynical in asking God to solve a problem we’re not willing to solve ourselves," Talarico said in an interview with MS Now.

"We prayed, and God sent lawmakers with commonsense gun safety proposals like universal background checks, red flag laws," he added, in comments he's also made on the campaign trail in the wake of the weekend shooting.

DAVID MARCUS: IN DALLAS, VOTERS WEIGH TWO SENATE PRIMARIES AND NOW, A WAR

Crockett, for her part, warned viewers on TikTok against extrapolating conclusions about the violence to minorities and immigrants.

"Listen, every time there’s some crazy situation like this, black folks sit around and say, ‘Oh, I hope they’re not black,’ because we know that’s going to be an additional target on our backs. We know that the immigrant community was probably holding their breath and saying, ‘Oh, I hope it wasn’t an immigrant.’"

But Crockett and Talarico did not address any mention of Islamic terrorism or whether it might pose an additional risk to Americans in light of recent U.S. military action against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

SHARIA LAW VICTIM WHO FLED SOMALIA ISSUES ENDORSEMENT IN CRITICAL SENATE RACE

Their silence on the topic drew condemnation from at least one GOP observer.

"Absolutely disgusting stuff. James Talarico and Jasmine Crockett are blaming hardworking Texans who go to church and lawfully own guns, instead of the radical Islamic terrorist who committed this heinous act," Zach Kraft, an RNC spokesman, said.

Ndiaga Diagne, 53, opened fire at a bar scene in Austin while wearing a hoodie with the words "property of Allah" emblazoned on the front. While his specific motives remain unclear, police searching his home with a warrant later discovered an Iranian flag and photos of Islamic leaders.

AUSTIN SHOOTING SUSPECT WORE IRANIAN FLAG SHIRT DURING ATTACK, SOURCES SAY

Diagne was shot dead by local police.

The shooting comes on the heels of strikes carried out by the U.S. and Israel on Saturday that targeted Iran’s military leadership and killed its supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

In a press event on Monday, Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said local police had invited federal authorities to the scene to investigate the attack as a possible act of terrorism.

JASMINE CROCKETT UNDER FIRE AFTER REPORTEDLY HAVING ARMED GUARDS REMOVE 'WHITE GIRL' REPORTER FROM RALLY

"We’re looking at the totality of this. We see these indicators, we’re thinking about events and what’s occurring in the country as well. The motives – all of those things, that’s what the investigation is about right now," Davis said.

Asked how lawmakers could prevent attacks in the future, Crockett said she believes a majority of shooters in the U.S. are White.

"If I was to give you the facts as to who the shooters have been in these mass shootings, I can guarantee you — the vast majority of them have been White, male and homegrown. But we don’t see them taking any action on that," Crockett said.

BOEBERT JOKES ABOUT ENDORSING CROCKETT IN TEXAS' SENATE RACE TO GIVE HER DEMOCRATIC RIVAL A BOOST

Crockett did not explain how she would use that insight as a senator to prevent shootings in the future.

"We need to actually do something about guns. Don’t sit there and say that it’s the immigrants. Maybe it’s your lax laws when it comes to guns," she added.

Talarico said the U.S. should prevent "dangerous people from entering the country."

"Dangerous people should not be allowed to get guns," Talarico added, doubling down on his red-flag proposals, policies that aim to screen would-be gun buyers against stiffer background checks.

Neither Talarico’s nor Crockett’s campaign replied to a request for comment.

IT'S SHOWDOWN DAY IN TEXAS AS CONTENTIOUS REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRAT SENATE PRIMARIES COME TO A HEAD

It's been a very different take from longtime GOP Sen. John Cornyn, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, and Rep. Wesley Hunt, the top three candidates in the competitive and combustible Republican Senate primary.

"This is what happened when you had four years of an open border. This is what happens when 20 million people enter your country illegally. You have no idea what they are. This is what happens when you have a derelict of duty at the top of the ticket with leadership. And this is why President Trump, quite frankly, got elected. He got elected because he wanted to fix the immigration system," Hunt said Monday night in a ӣ��Ƶ Digital interview in suburban Houston.

Hunt, a West Point graduate who flew Apache helicopters in combat and who is a rising MAGA star in his second term in Congress, argued that "we have allowed animals like this man that are arbitrarily murdered my fellow Texans and my fellow Americans. We let them in this country without properly vetting, because we had an open border, and it was a complete utter disaster to fix this problem. That's exactly what President Trump is actively trying to do, and this is why we have to double down on our policies, but to find these people, deport them and get rid of them."

Paxton, speaking with ӣ��Ƶ Digital in Waco a couple of hours earlier, said that authorities "have to do a better job vetting people when they come here."

"There's no system that's perfect. If we have immigration, there's going to be no system that’s perfect. We do need to do a better job of vetting people, and Congress is going to have to figure out how to do that," Paxton emphasized.

"I think that the burden on the system has been all the illegal immigration, which makes it harder for law enforcement to keep track of everyone," Paxton said. "We've got so many people here that are from other countries. It's very difficult for law enforcement, with the resources that we have to keep track of everybody."

TEXAS COLLEGE STUDENT IDENTIFIED AS A VICTIM IN AUSTIN SHOOTING

Asked about the shooting, Cornyn said in a ӣ��Ƶ Digital interview in San Antonio on Sunday, "What it does emphasize to me is the importance of vetting people before they come across the border."

"Part of the problem is that the Biden administration, for four years, had open border policies and let who knows what into the country," Cornyn charged. "This isn't about people continuing to come into the country, because we know President Trump has secured the border. This is about what happens with people already here."

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He said the shooting was an example of "what happens when people become radicalized."

Deadly Austin shooting that killed 3 may be 'act of terrorism,' FBI says

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 13:32:24 -0500

The FBI said a shooting that left three people dead and 14 others wounded in a downtown Austin, Texas, rampage early Sunday was "potentially an act of terrorism."

The suspect, identified as Ndiaga Diagne, was a 53-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen who was born in Senegal and lived in Pflugerville, Texas, multiple federal law enforcement sources told ӣ��Ƶ. The Austin Police Department also confirmed the identification, describing the suspect as a Black male.

According to those sources, the shooter was wearing a sweatshirt that said "Allah" and an undershirt featuring an Iranian flag. ӣ��Ƶ has obtained a photo of the alleged mass shooter, armed with a rifle and in a sweater that says "property of Allah." Multiple federal sources tell ӣ��Ƶ that the suspect was naturalized in 2013 during the Obama administration.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that President Donald Trump has been briefed on the Austin shooting.

SHOOTING OUTSIDE SALT LAKE CITY LDS CHURCH LEAVES AT LEAST 2 DEAD, 6 INJURED: POLICE

The gunfire erupted just before 2 a.m. outside Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden on West Sixth Street, a packed entertainment district, after the suspect in a large SUV drove around the block several times before opening fire, police said.

"Obviously, it's still way too early in the process to determine an exact motivation, but there were indicators on the subject and in his vehicle that indicate potential nexus to terrorism," Alex Dorn, acting special agent in charge of the FBI’s San Antonio Field Office, said at a Sunday press conference.

"Again, it's still too early to make a determination on that. That's why we are investigating it very closely with our partners with Austin police department," Dorn added.

Diagne entered the U.S. on March 12, 2000, on a B-2 short-term tourist visa, according to multiple sources. In June 2006, he reportedly obtained lawful permanent residency through IR-6 after marrying an American citizen. He later became a naturalized citizen on April 5, 2013, during the Obama administration.

Sources added that in 2022, Diagne was arrested in Texas in connection with a car accident that caused vehicle damage.

Sources say at least one search warrant involving Federal Bureau of Investigation agents is currently being executed in Pflugerville.

Jason Pack, a retired FBI supervisory special agent with more than two decades of service, said investigators believe Diagne may have acted alone rather than as part of a coordinated group, adding that mental illness is also being examined.

"My sourcing suggests he was not part of an organized cell," he said. "This looks like a lone actor who may have been inspired rather than directed."

The search warrant will likely cover Diagne’s digital footprint, including his devices, social media accounts and communications, Pack added.

"That is where investigators will look for a radicalization pathway or any contact with extremist networks," he said. "Associates, family, neighbors, and coworkers will be interviewed to build a behavioral baseline and identify any missed warning signs. ATF will trace the pistol and rifle to establish how and when he acquired them."

NEW ORLEANS TOURISTS SHOT WHEN MAN FLEEING GUNFIRE DUCKS INTO FAMED RESTAURANT

When pressed by a reporter on whether the case involved domestic or international terrorism, Dorn said the Joint Terrorism Task Force is engaged.

"We're just at this point prepared to say that it was potentially an act of terrorism," he added.

Asked about the shooting, Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas on Sunday said in a ӣ��Ƶ Digital interview, "What it does emphasize to me is the importance of vetting people before they come across the border."

Police Chief Lisa Davis said the gunman "put his flashers on, rolled down his window and began using a pistol shooting out of his car windows, striking patrons of the bar that were on the patio and that were in front of the Bar."

The suspect then drove westbound on Sixth Street to Wood Street, parked, exited the vehicle with a rifle and continued shooting at pedestrians, Davis said.

"He never entered the bar," she added.

SHOOTING AT CROWDED SOUTH CAROLINA BAR LEAVES AT LEAST 4 DEAD, 20 OTHERS INJURED

Officers staged nearby for weekend crowds responded within about "55-56 seconds," Davis said. Police shot and killed the suspect at an intersection.

The shooting comes amid ongoing safety concerns along Austin’s Sixth Street entertainment strip, which has seen multiple violent incidents in recent years as police and business owners work to improve crowd-control measures, according to local KVUE.

"There is chaos in front of that bar every weekend, OK? This is not a new thing," Hugo Mendez, owner of Blindside Tattoos and Blindside Lounge, told the outlet. "It's not necessarily Sixth Street. It's certain bars… that don't carry the standard."

Authorities have set up a Victim Services Unit hotline for families seeking information.

Austin police kill armed gunman after 3 die, 14 wounded in bar shooting

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 09:55:48 -0500

Three people are dead and 14 others injured after a shooting at a busy bar in Austin, Texas, early Sunday morning, authorities said.

The gunfire erupted just before 2 a.m. at Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden on West Sixth Street, a packed entertainment district downtown.

When officers arrived, they encountered an armed male. Three officers opened fire, killing the suspect.

Austin-Travis County EMS Chief Robert Luckritz pointed to how quickly first responders got to the scene.

FLORIDA MAN KILLS 2, WOUNDS DEPUTY AND 1 OTHER IN VEHICULAR ATTACK, SHOOTING SPREE: POLICE

"We received a call at 1:39 a.m. and within 57 seconds, the first paramedics and officers were on scene actively treating the patients," Luckritz said.

City officials, including Austin Mayor Kirk Watson, praised the rapid police and EMS response, saying it "definitely saved lives."

Luckritz said three of the injured were listed in critical condition and taken to area hospitals.

CAR BARRELS INTO CROWD OUTSIDE CALIFORNIA BAR, GUNFIRE ERUPTS IN CHAOTIC SCENE CAUGHT ON VIDEO

MULTIPLE PEOPLE SHOT AT RHODE ISLAND ICE RINK, SUSPECT DEAD: REPORT

Authorities have set up a Victim Services Unit hotline for families seeking information.

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The investigation remains active. Officials said more details are expected later Sunday.

Texas judge declares yogurt shop murder suspects innocent after 34 years

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 19:10:13 -0500

A Texas judge formally declared four men innocent Thursday in the 1991 Austin yogurt shop murders, closing a decades-long legal nightmare that nearly sent one to execution and left families branded as killers for years.

District Judge Dayna Blazey delivered the ruling before a packed courtroom, closing a dark chapter for the men, their families and a city long haunted by the brutality of the crime.

"You are innocent," Blazey said.

She called the order "an obligation to the rule of law and the obligation to the dignity of the individual."

DNA BREAKTHROUGH CLOSES 30-YEAR-OLD COLD CASE IN BRUTAL 1993 RAPE AND MURDER

Blazey’s ruling comes months after cold case detectives announced they had linked the killings to Robert Eugene Brashers, a serial offender who died during a 1999 standoff with police in Missouri.

Two of the four original suspects — Michael Scott and Forrest Welborn — sat in the packed courtroom alongside family members as prosecutors told the judge they are innocent. Robert Springsteen, who was convicted and spent years on death row, did not attend. Maurice Pierce died in 2010 after a confrontation with police after a traffic stop.

"Over 25 years ago, the state prosecuted four innocent men ... (for) one of the worst crimes Austin has ever seen," Travis County First Assistant District Attorney Trudy Strassburger said at the opening of the hearing. "We could not have been more wrong."

LOS ANGELES DA ANNOUNCES CHARGES AFTER BREAKTHROUGH IN 30-YEAR-OLD MURDER COLD CASE

An official finding of "actual innocence" may open the door for the men and their families to seek restitution for the years lost to prison and the lasting toll of being publicly labeled killers.

"My son’s name has finally been cleared after more than 25 years of being called the monster, the murderer and everything else," Scott’s father, Phil Scott, said. "Son, be proud."

When firefighters arrived at the I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt shop Dec. 6, 1991, to battle a blaze, they instead uncovered a gruesome scene, the bodies of Eliza Thomas, 17; sisters Jennifer Harison, 17, and Sarah Harbison, 15; and Sarah’s best friend, Amy Ayers, 13.

JONBENET RAMSEY CASE COULD BENEFIT FROM NEW DNA TECHNOLOGY AS POLICE RENEW COMMITMENT

Each girl was shot in the head. Investigators believe they were bound, some were sexually assaulted and that the fire was deliberately set in an attempt to destroy evidence.

After chasing thousands of leads and pursuing several false confessions, investigators arrested the four men in 1999. They were teenagers when the girls were killed.

Springsteen and Scott were sent to prison after juries relied heavily on confessions they long maintained were extracted under pressure from investigators. Appellate courts later threw out both convictions in the mid-2000s.

DNA INNOVATION CREDITED IN IDAHO, RACHEL MORIN CASES SIGNALS SHIFT IN RACE TO CATCH KILLERS, LAB FOUNDER SAYS

Welborn was arrested and charged but never stood trial after two separate grand juries declined to indict him. Pierce spent three years behind bars before prosecutors dismissed the charges, and he was released.

Authorities later sought to retry Springsteen and Scott, but, in 2009, a judge dismissed the charges after advances in DNA testing, technology unavailable at the time of the murders, identified another male suspect.

"Let us not forget that Robert Springsteen could be dead right now, executed at the hands of the state of Texas," Springsteen attorney Amber Farrelly said at the start of the hearing, where several family members described lives upended by incarceration and years of scrutiny from investigators.

LOUISIANA DEATH ROW INMATE FREED AFTER NEARLY 30 YEARS AS OVERTURNED CONVICTION UPENDS CASE

Welborn’s attorney read a statement saying his client lost friends, struggled to keep jobs and, at one point, was homeless.

Scott told the court that the years he spent fighting the charges cost him his marriage and the life he had just begun building.

"I lost my family. I lost my youth. My daughter was 3 years old when I was arrested. We had just celebrated our first wedding anniversary. I lost the chance to build a family," Scott said. "Every day I have carried the weight of a crime I did not commit."

NOTORIOUS 'TORSO KILLER' CONFESSES TO ANOTHER KILLING

Pierce’s daughter, Marisa Pierce, directed her remarks at former investigators and prosecutors, accusing them of continuing to pursue and pressure her father even after his release, scrutiny she said preceded the confrontation in which he was killed.

"Daddy, you have your name back," she said. "The world knows what you were trying to say all along."

Once Scott and Springsteen were released from prison, the case went cold until renewed attention in 2025 brought fresh scrutiny to the unsolved killings.

'TIMES SQUARE KILLER' USED FAKE POLICE BADGE TO MURDER 18-YEAR-OLD NURSING STUDENT: DEATHBED CONFESSION

In September, the Austin Police Department announced that new DNA testing and a review of ballistics evidence linked Brashers to the murders of the four teenage girls.

"After 34 years, the Austin Police have made a significant breakthrough in one of the most devastating cases in our city’s history," Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said at the time. "This unthinkable crime has weighed heavily on the hearts of our community, the families of the victims and our detectives who have tirelessly pursued justice."

Authorities said advanced forensic testing determined that DNA recovered from beneath Ayers’ fingernails matched Brashers, directly tying him to the 1991 killings.

FBI SOLVES 'COLONIAL PARKWAY' MURDERS THANKS TO NEW TECHNOLOGY, BUREAU SAYS

Brashers, who died by suicide during the 1999 Missouri standoff, had already been linked through DNA evidence to the 1990 strangulation of a woman in South Carolina, the 1997 rape of a 14-year-old girl in Tennessee and the 1998 fatal shootings of a mother and daughter in Missouri.

Investigators also reexamined ballistics evidence from the Austin crime scene, submitting data from a .380-caliber shell casing into a federal database. The entry matched an unsolved 1998 case in Kentucky that authorities said shared similarities with the Austin murders, though additional details were not disclosed.

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Police are still working to determine why Brashers was in Austin the night of the killings, but records show he was stopped near El Paso two days later while driving a stolen truck from Georgia to Arizona. A .380-caliber handgun recovered during that stop was confiscated and later returned to his father. Investigators said the weapon was the same make and model Brashers used when he died by suicide in Missouri.

ӣ��Ƶ Digital’s Stepheny Price and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Medical examiner determines Texas A&M student's manner of death as family attorney disputes finding: 'Flawed'

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 19:21:55 -0500

This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

The Travis County Medical Examiner has determined Texas A&M student Brianna Aguilera died by suicide after falling from an Austin high-rise in November, a ruling that aligns with police findings but is being forcefully challenged by the teen’s family, whose attorney called the conclusion "flawed."

Aguilera, 19, died after falling from a high-rise apartment after a Texas A&M vs. University of Texas football tailgate at about 1 a.m. Nov. 29, according to police.

"Austin Police (APD) is aware that the Travis County Medical Examiner's Office has concluded its final autopsy report regarding the death of Brianna Aguilera and ruled it a suicide," authorities wrote in a statement to affiliate FOX 7 Austin. "The investigation remains open, and until it is closed, Austin Police will not be providing any additional information."

Attorneys representing Aguilera's family previously claimed she was killed despite the discovery of an alleged suicide note and suicidal texts to her friends on the night of her death.

COPS RULE COLLEGE FRESHMAN’S DEADLY DORM FALL AN ACCIDENT, BUT DA DELAYS CLOSURE AS FAMILY FIGHTS FOR ANSWERS

After the release of the medical examiner's findings, Tony Buzbee, the attorney for Aguilera's family, issued a statement criticizing the investigation.

"Since Brianna Aguilera tragically lost her life, there has been an overwhelming amount of love and support for Brianna and her family. There has also been an overwhelming amount of criticism concerning the authorities for their handling of the investigation surrounding her death," Buzbee wrote in the statement, obtained by FOX 7.

"Specifically, the Austin Police Department, without a legitimate investigation, quickly concluded that Brianna’s death was a suicide. This effort was far from what’s expected of law enforcement.

"As an example, the Austin Police Department and those involved in the investigation failed to review phone records of Brianna and those immediately connected to her or those at the scene," he continued.

"They failed to interview all witnesses, failed to take statements under oath, failed to put together an accurate timeline, failed to secure video footage, and, most importantly, failed to follow through and interview witnesses, even the ones that we identified for them."

COLLEGE FRESHMAN DIED AFTER FRATERNITY HAZING LED TO 'HORRIFIC' ABUSE, FAMILY SAYS

Buzbee described the medical examiner's ruling as "expected," alleging the finding was "made in large part based on the shoddy work of the Austin Police Department."

"To be clear. The Austin Police Department’s ‘investigation’ fell woefully short," he wrote. "Brianna deserved better. Her family deserves better."

The Buzbee Law Firm filed a lawsuit Jan. 5 related to Aguilera's death.

Attorneys said the legal action will allow the family to put witnesses under oath, subpoena records and compel cooperation of potential witnesses.

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"We will do what the police and other authorities have failed to do," Buzbee wrote. "We will perform a complete and thorough investigation and get the answers that Brianna and her family deserves. The medical examiner’s flawed conclusion changes nothing."

Family of Brianna Aguilera sues over alcohol service ahead of death

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 13:59:27 -0500

The family of Brianna Aguilera, the Texas A&M student who fell to her death from a high-rise apartment in November, is suing two organizations for allegedly overserving alcohol ahead of the 19-year-old's death.

Attorney Tony Buzbee on Tuesday announced a $1 million wrongful death lawsuit was filed in Travis County against the Austin Blacks Rugby Club and the UT Economics and Business Association.

"It is illegal to serve minors any amount of alcohol in the State of Texas. It is reckless and irresponsible to grossly over-serve a group of minors at a University of Texas football tailgate to the point where those minors lose their physical faculties and ability to control themselves," the lawsuit states.

Aguilera died when she fell from an Austin high-rise apartment following a Texas A&M vs. University of Texas football tailgate at around 1 a.m. Nov. 29, according to police.

POLICE SHOULD BE TAKING 'CLOSER LOOK' AT COLLEGE STUDENT'S DEATH AFTER MOTHER'S ALLEGATIONS: FORMER PROSECUTOR

A police investigation later determined Aguilera died by suicide despite her family’s claims that she was killed.

According to the filing, the alleged "egregious over-serving of minors" led to Aguilera’s death. Witnesses described her behavior over several hours as "shifting from upbeat to disoriented and ultimately grossly intoxicated," the suit says.

TEXAS A&M STUDENT BRIANNA AGUILERA’S FALL DEATH SPARKS POLICE RESPONSE TO FAMILY’S EXPLOSIVE CLAIMS: REPORT

Buzbee said the lawsuit is also intended to support the ongoing investigation into the events of that night by allowing the firm to seek phone and text records, documents and data and to compel witness testimony.

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The lawsuit requests a jury trial.

ӣ��Ƶ Digital’s Julia Bonavita contributed to this report.

Off-duty deputy shot and killed while working security job in Texas, suspect apprehended

Sun, 04 Jan 2026 17:47:45 -0500

The Austin Police Department announced that officials have apprehended a suspect after an off-duty deputy from a nearby agency was shot and killed overnight Sunday.

Officials identified the deputy as a member of the Caldwell County Precinct 3 Constable’s Office, located roughly 45 minutes south of Austin.

According to the Caldwell County Constable’s Office, the off-duty deputy was working at a north Austin establishment when the shooting happened. Austin police said the shooting took place at Club Rodeo.

"One of our Deputies, while working an off-duty security position at an Austin establishment, was involved in a shooting," the Caldwell County precinct said in a post on Facebook.

VIDEO: DEPUTY HEROICALLY SAVES YOUNG BOY HELD HOSTAGE, TAKES DOWN KNIFE-WIELDING BROTHER WITH SINGLE HEADSHOT

Authorities said a suspect was apprehended later in the afternoon by multiple law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force, with assistance from APD Air Support and K-9 units, and the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Austin police said officers first responded to the scene just after 2 a.m. and found the Caldwell County deputy in the parking lot "with trauma to his body."

Caldwell officials added that he was transported to a local hospital, where he "succumbed to his injuries."

CALIFORNIA OFFICER, 28, KILLED IN VIOLENT CRASH DURING PURSUIT: ‘DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVANT’

The investigation remains ongoing. Detectives are asking for the public’s help in identifying any witnesses or suspects who may have been at Club Rodeo around the time of the shooting, Austin police said.

Caldwell County officials said the agency will not yet release the victim’s identity out of respect for his family’s privacy.

"Out of respect for our Deputy and his family, we ask that their privacy be honored," the agency said. "Additional information will be provided if appropriate."

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"Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of a Caldwell County Constable’s Deputy," Caldwell County Precinct 2 said in a Facebook post.

"Please keep this Deputy’s family, loved ones, and our fellow deputies in your prayers as they navigate this heartbreaking loss."

Repeat offender freed after SWAT standoff tied to three shootings in one month: report

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 10:10:40 -0500

A Texas repeat offender is back behind bars following his alleged involvement in three separate shootings spanning the course of just one month.

Abraham Herrera, 21, is facing several charges stemming from his alleged role in two drive-by shootings and a standoff with SWAT in Hays County – located roughly 15 miles from Austin – last month, according to FOX 7.

The first shooting reportedly unfolded on Nov. 3, after authorities were called to the scene after receiving reports of shots fired in the 500 block of Santa Fe Run in Kyle.

Hays County deputies found a homeowner who had been seriously injured after multiple rounds were fired into the home, FOX 7 reported. The shooting was determined to be a random act of violence, with authorities finding no clear motive.

FUGITIVE REPEAT OFFENDER KEEPS WALKING FREE AS COURTS LET HIM LOOSE TO HURT PEOPLE, EXPERTS WARN

While no arrests were initially made, authorities reportedly released a photo of an SUV believed to be involved in the alleged incident.

Just nine days later, on Nov. 12, Hays County SWAT was called to the scene of a barricade incident in Buda after deputies responded to reports of shots being fired in the area, FOX 7 reported.

While officers initially confronted Herrera, he allegedly fled into a nearby wooded area and refused to surrender.

Following a standoff with SWAT, Herrera was reportedly taken into custody and authorities recovered an AR-15-style firearm and ammunition at the scene.

CALIFORNIA JUDGE FREES SECOND MURDER SUSPECT WITHOUT BAIL AS DA WARNS 'PEOPLE'S LIVES' ARE AT RISK

Herrera was subsequently charged with evading arrest or detention, unlawful carrying of weapons, disorderly conduct, and tampering or fabricating with evidence, according to the outlet.

Despite the charges, court records obtained by FOX 7 indicate Herrera was released from jail just two days after his standoff with SWAT.

On Dec. 1, investigators were reportedly made aware of a second drive-by shooting in Martindale that occurred the weekend of Thanksgiving, with evidence allegedly pointing to Herrera.

On Dec. 19, Herrera was taken into custody on an outstanding warrant issued by the Texas Rangers, FOX 7 reported.

BLUE CITY MAN WITH NEARLY 100 ARRESTS ACCUSED OF STABBING ELDERLY VICTIM HAS NEVER SERVED PRISON TIME

Three days later, investigators reportedly linked shell casings found at the scene of the November shooting in Kyle to the firearm seized from Herrera during his standoff with SWAT.

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He is now facing additional charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, stemming from the first drive-by shooting, along with disorderly conduct with a firearm, tampering with physical evidence, and evading arrest, with his total combined bond amount set at $409,500, FOX 7 reported.

The Hays County Sheriff’s Office and Hays County District Attorney's Office did not immediately respond to ӣ��Ƶ Digital’s request for comment.

Two riders trapped more than 100 feet in air after Texas roller coaster malfunctions

Sat, 20 Dec 2025 21:52:58 -0500

Two theme parkgoers were trapped more than 100 feet in the air for more than 30 minutes this week after a roller coaster in Texas malfunctioned.

The Circuit Breaker roller coaster at the Circuit of the Americas near Austin unexpectedly stopped at the first drop, leaving Matthew Cantu, 24, and Nicholas Sanchez, 20, dangling at a 90-degree angle Wednesday night, KXAN-TV reported, citing a publicist representing the two men.

"For more than 30 minutes after the ride stopped, family members reported receiving no clear updates, while witnesses said staff provided conflicting explanations, including comments that the riders ‘weren’t strapped in currently,’" the publicist's news release said, People magazine reported.

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"A sensor triggered a ride delay," the Circuit of the Americas told ӣ��Ƶ Digital in a statement Saturday. "It was resolved, and the ride proceeded without incident.

"As with all amusement attractions of this sort, delays occasionally occur. We regret the inconvenience and are glad that out of the 25,000 people that have ridden the coaster, only two have this badge of courage."

The Circuit Breaker is Texas’ first "tilt" roller coaster, which means the track tilts 90 degrees for a nearly vertical drop during the ride.

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The ride opened as a preview in October and will officially open next year, according to KVUE-TV.

Austin-Travis County EMS responded to the incident before 10 p.m. Wednesday, evaluating one of the men who refused medical attention, KVUE reported.

ӣ��Ƶ Digital has reached out to the Austin-Travis County EMS for comment.

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Another tilt roller coaster, known as the Siren's Curse at Cedar Point in Ohio, has similarly malfunctioned multiple times since it opened this summer.

Invasive pest never before seen in North America threatens Texas food supply, officials warn

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 02:07:29 -0500

Texas agriculture officials issued an urgent alert this week after confirming that a newly identified invasive pest is spreading quickly across more than 20 counties, threatening grazing lands, hay production and livestock operations across the state.

The insect, Helicococcus summervillei – known as the pasture mealybug – has never before been reported in North America. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller said the pest is already causing visible damage in multiple regions.

"This is a completely new pest to our continent, and Texas is once again on the front lines," Miller said. "If the pasture mealybug spreads across Texas grazing lands like it has in eastern Australia, it could cost Texas agriculture dearly in lost productivity and reduced livestock capacity."

The Texas Department of Agriculture says it is working with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to evaluate how far it is spreading and to determine the best emergency response strategy.

BIRD FLU CASES ON THE RISE, AS ILLNESS CONFIRMED AT GEORGIA COMMERCIAL POULTRY FARM

The pasture mealybug was first described in Australia in 1928, according to AgriLife Extension publications, and was known to be responsible for millions of acres of lost pasture due to "pasture dieback." The publication describes the condition as when the insect feeds at the soil level and within plant tissues, weakening and eventually killing grass essential for grazing and hay production.

While the species is believed to be new to North America, researchers suspect the insect has been present since before 2022.

So far, state and extension experts have documented the following 20 counties as being infected, with possibly more: Brazoria, Galveston, Wharton, Matagorda, Colorado, Austin, Washington, Cameron, Hidalgo, Willacy, Refugio, Calhoun, Victoria, Goliad, Dewitt, Lavaca, Fayette, Jackson, Burleson, Brazos and Robertson.

COLORADO UTILIZING GRAZING CATTLE TO HELP PREVENT WILDFIRES IN AT-RISK AREAS

According to a Pest Incident Worksheet from AgriLife entomologists, the most significant pasture losses are in Victoria County.

It’s also noted that the most susceptible grasses to infestation are Bermudagrass, Bahia grass, Johnsongrass, haygrazer (sorghum–sudangrass), St. Augustine grass, bluestem varieties and other tropical or subtropical grasses.

Damage can be difficult to detect early because the insects feed low on the plant and beneath surface debris. Warning signs include yellowing within a week of infestation, purpling or reddening of leaves, stunting despite adequate moisture, weakening root systems and patchy areas of thinning or dead grass. The bugs appear as small white fuzzy clusters on grass or plant matter.

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As of now, there are no insecticides labeled for the control of the pest in the U.S.

Anyone who believes they are affected and notices symptoms or insect clusters resembling mealybugs is being asked to contact the Texas Department of Agriculture at 1-800-TELL-TDA. State and federal officials say ongoing reporting will be essential to mapping the pest’s spread and preventing widespread economic losses.

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"We need every producer’s eyes on the ground," Miller emphasized.

TDA, AgriLife Extension and USDA APHIS are continuing to jointly investigate the pest and develop response strategies to safeguard Texas livestock and hay industries.

Texas A&M student Brianna Aguilera’s fall death sparks police response to family’s explosive claims: report

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 12:38:53 -0500

Texas police said the investigation into the death of Texas A&M student Brianna Aguilera remains open as they defended their handling of the case, which her family’s lawyer demanded be turned over to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Aguilera, 19, died when she fell from an Austin high-rise apartment following a Texas A&M vs. University of Texas football tailgate at around 1 a.m. on Nov. 29, according to police.

Last week, the Austin Police Department held a news conference to announce that their investigation determined Aguilera died by suicide, despite her family’s claims that she was killed.

"It is not common for a police department to speak publicly about a death by suicide," Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said during a news conference Thursday. "But inaccurate information has circulated and been reported. And that has led to additional harm of innocent people, bullying included, and their families."

TEXAS A&M STUDENT BRIANNA AGUILERA HAD DELETED SUICIDE NOTE ON PHONE, POLICE SAY

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, police previously revealed they had uncovered a deleted suicide note from earlier in the week on Aguilera’s phone, along with suicidal texts sent the evening of her death to friends. The investigation also found that Aguilera had made comments to friends indicating she may be suicidal, police said.

However, at a news conference on Friday, Aguilera's family attorney, Tony Buzbee, condemned the investigation’s findings, while pointing to the autopsy and toxicology reports not being completed, according to The Daily Mail.

Buzbee also looked to cast doubt on the validity of the suicide note found on Aguilera’s phone by investigators.

"Then [Det. Robert Marshall] gets into her phone and he sees an essay that she wrote and he calls it a suicide note," Buzbee said, according to The Mail. "She took creative writing the semester before. The suggestion is that she left ‘a suicide note’ – total malarkey."

POLICE SHOULD BE TAKING 'CLOSER LOOK' AT COLLEGE STUDENT'S DEATH AFTER MOTHER'S ALLEGATIONS: FORMER PROSECUTOR

Buzbee reportedly pointed to a TikTok video posted by a resident of the same apartment complex claiming to have heard two women arguing minutes before Aguilera’s fatal fall.

"A young man posted on TikTok that he could hear up above, at around the 17th floor in that general area, fighting [and ] screaming – somebody saying, ‘Get off of me,’ and then a muffled sound," Buzbee said.

APD previously revealed that Aguilera was fighting on the phone with her boyfriend just two minutes before the first 911 call reporting an unconscious person was placed.

In light of the attorney’s allegations, APD is reportedly continuing to stand by their investigation’s findings.

DEAD TEXAS COLLEGE STUDENT'S PHONE WAS 'THROWN IN THE WOODS,' GRIEVING MOTHER SAYS

"The Austin Police stands by the information that we provided [Thursday] during our news conference regarding the tragic death of Brianna Aguilera," the department said in a statement to The Daily Mail.

The department also seemingly contradicted Buzbee’s claims that the investigation into Aguilera’s death had been closed, with officials asserting authorities are still looking into the case.

"We would like to reiterate a couple key points," APD said in a statement, according to The Daily Mail. "The Travis County Medical Examiner determines the cause and manner of death, and APD has never made a determination in this case. Our role is to conduct an investigation and follow the evidence. This investigation remains open, and at no point has APD stated otherwise."

TEACHER'S 23-STAB-WOUND DEATH RULED SUICIDE AGAIN DESPITE EXPERT CLAIMS OF HOMICIDE

In addition to alleging missteps in APD’s investigation, Buzbee reportedly called for Det. Robert Marshall to be removed as the lead authority in the case and revealed he would be asking Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to bring in the Texas Department of Public Safety to continue the investigation.

However, Austin Police Association President Michael Bullock told The Daily Mail that there is no legal precedent for a case to be reassigned due to the family not being happy with the investigation.

"It's nothing I have ever seen happen," Bullock reportedly said. "It's our jurisdiction and it's our case."

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"Could the governor order it? Probably not, but the department could invite Texas DPS in. Other than that, it's all APD."

APD, Buzbee, Texas DPS and Abbott's office did not immediately respond to ӣ��Ƶ Digital’s request for comment.

ӣ��Ƶ Digital's Adam Sabes contributed to this report.

Police should be taking 'closer look' at college student's death after mother's allegations: Former prosecutor

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 07:00:45 -0500

A former federal prosecutor said police in Austin, Texas, should be taking a closer look into the death of a Texas A&M University student who was found dead after a rivalry football game.

Brianna Aguilera, 19, was found dead at 12:47 a.m. on Saturday at 21 Rio Apartments in Austin after the Texas A&M University vs. University of Texas football game. Police in Austin said her death isn't being investigated as a homicide and said no foul play was suspected, but her mother, Stephanie Rodriguez, believes someone killed her.

While she said detectives told her that Aguilera fell from a 17th floor balcony, and her death was accidental or a suicide, she doesn't believe that.

"This was not accidental. Someone killed my Brie and gave all the group of friends a lot of time to come up with the same story," Rodriguez wrote on Facebook. "My daughter would not jump 17 stories from a building and to be labeling this as a suicide is insane."

FATHER PRESSES FOR ANSWERS IN COLLEGE FRESHMAN DAUGHTER’S DEATH AFTER FALL FROM DORM: 'SHE WAS OUR WORLD'

Rodriguez told KSAT that there was a fight between Aguilera and another girl before her daughter's death.

"There was a fight that happened between my daughter and another girl, and they were all staying in the same apartment that I have actual text messages of, and the detective just disregarded them," Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez, who said her daughter was drinking that night, said she became suspicious after she saw her daughter's phone was on "Do Not Disturb," according to KGNS.

MISSING AMERICAN COLLEGE STUDENT SEEN IN NEW HOTEL SECURITY FOOTAGE BEFORE DISAPPEARANCE

"No one reached out to me, I was the one who had to place several calls to Austin PD because I couldn’t locate her," Rodriguez said. "What was weird to me and skeptical was her phone was on Do Not Disturb. We always had this rule that if she was going to go out, she had to have her phone on ‘location on’ and answer her text to at least let me know she was OK. That stopped happening around 6 p.m."

Rodriguez told "Fox & Friends" on Wednesday: "They found my daughter's phone eventually in her friend's purse that was thrown in the woods."

Houston attorney Tony Buzbee announced Wednesday that the Buzbee Law Firm, along with the Gamez Law Firm, has been retained by Aguilera’s parents. Buzbee recently faced scrutiny for withdrawing as an attorney in an ongoing lawsuit against Sean "Diddy" Combs after it was revealed he is not admitted to practice in the federal jurisdiction where the case was filed.

"This is an unimaginable and very suspicious tragedy," Buzbee wrote in a social media announcement. "Brianna’s parents firmly believe there is much more information that needs to be discovered regarding their daughter’s death. They feel certain this was not an accident. This was certainly not a suicide. This family deserves straight answers. We hope we can help them get those answers."

The law firm said it will hold a news conference Friday at 1 p.m. in Houston to discuss the case. Both parents are expected to attend. Attorneys are also asking anyone with information about Aguilera’s whereabouts or activities on Nov. 28 to come forward.

Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani told ӣ��Ƶ Digital that Austin police should be giving Aguilera's death a "closer look," saying that some elements don't add up.

"Police should be giving this case a closer look," Rahmani said. "Either Brianna fell accidentally, she committed suicide, or this was a homicide. Any of them are possibilities."

"And the fact that there are reports that her phone was on Do Not Disturb, was in a friend's purse, and that purse was inside the woods, that's not typical or consistent with just an accident," he added.

Rodriguez told People she thinks someone threw her over the balcony.

"I'm thinking either someone shoved her over the balcony, or when my daughter does drink, she has the tendency [to fall asleep], and she's so thin and frail, she cannot handle alcohol," Rodriguez said. "And I think that maybe either it might've been that, and they probably got scared and threw her over the balcony, or they shoved her off."

The Austin Police Department, in a statement on Tuesday, said "there is no evidence to suggest or support any suspicious or criminal circumstances surrounding Ms. Aguilera’s passing."

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"Every loss in our community is taken seriously, and every life is deserving of care, dignity, and a complete investigative process. Austin Police extends our heartfelt condolences to Brianna Aguilera’s family, friends, and all who are grieving her loss," the Austin Police Department wrote.

While a death investigation remains open, a staffer at the Travis County Medical Examiners office, where her body was sent, said that an autopsy takes 90 days or longer.

ӣ��Ƶ Digital reached out to the Austin Police Department for comment.

Texas mother demands answers after 19-year-old daughter found dead hours after college tailgate

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 09:57:04 -0500

The mother of Texas A&M sophomore Brianna Aguilera said "someone killed" her daughter as she fights for answers about how the 19-year-old died outside a college town apartment building.

Police have publicly maintained that the circumstances surrounding the discovery of Aguilera’s body at an Austin, Texas, apartment just hours after she attended a college tailgate show "no indications of suspicious circumstances."

The Austin Police Department said officers responded to reports of an unconscious person at an apartment in the 2100 block of Rio Grande Street around 12:50 a.m. Saturday.

Aguilera "was pronounced deceased on scene," according to police.

NO CAUSE OF DEATH FOR CHEERLEADER FOUND DEAD ON CRUISE SHIP AS REPORT REVEALS REMAINS FOUND HIDDEN UNDER BED

"At this time, the incident is not being investigated as a homicide, and there are no indications of suspicious circumstances," APD said in a statement to ӣ��Ƶ Digital. "The cause of death will be determined by the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office. The investigation remains ongoing."

Although APD’s story has not wavered, Aguilera’s mother, Stephanie Rodriguez, has publicly signaled that she believes the circumstances surrounding her daughter’s final hours do not add up.

"My daughter loved life and was excited to graduate and pursue her career in Law. Austin PD and Detective Marshall are not doing their jobs! How is it that certain friends left immediately and the person who was living at the apartment complex vacated her apartment ASAP?"

Rodriguez told KSAT that there was a fight between Aguilera and another girl before her daughter's death.

The mother told KGNS she became suspicious after she saw her daughter's phone was on "Do Not Disturb."

A GoFundMe page set up for the family states that Aguilera attended the UT vs. Texas A&M tailgate on Friday and that "the details surrounding what happened next remain unclear, and her mother is still awaiting answers."

CRUISE TRAGEDY: ‘I AM NOT OKAY,’ SAYS MOTHER OF 18-YEAR-OLD FOUND DEAD ABOARD CARNIVAL SHIP

Although Rodriguez has not accused anyone directly, her public comments make clear she does not feel she has been given an adequate explanation of how her daughter went from attending a college tailgate to being found dead at an Austin apartment within hours.

In her emotional message posted to the fundraiser, Rodriguez writes that the sudden loss of her daughter left her devastated and questioning the events of the night.

"I’m so grateful for your love and support at this moment," she said. "The unexpected loss of my brie brie has been a tremendous challenge… I’ve experienced every parent’s worst fear."

She also states that she is leaning on the strength of her community but is still processing the limited information she has received. She goes on to say that her daughter "touched so many hearts" and that supporters will be notified once funeral arrangements are finalized.

Fundraiser organizer Amabelii Fernandez says the family is struggling as they wait for clarity.

"Our hearts are shattered," the GoFundMe states.

After donations passed the goal, Fernandez wrote, "I will leave the donations open so that my aunt can comfortably grieve through this unimaginable loss."

Aguilera is described on the page as a driven student who graduated magna cum laude from United High School in Laredo and was studying at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M.

As of Tuesday, police have not released any additional investigative findings.

In a follow-up statement to ӣ��Ƶ Digital, the Austin Police Department said Tuesday evening that the case involving Aguilera's death "remains open, active, and under thorough investigation."

"Multiple detectives continue to interview witnesses, gather evidence, and work carefully through the details of the incident," the statement continued. "At this stage in the investigation, the facts obtained do not indicate that this is a homicide. This case continues to be treated strictly as a death investigation, and there is no evidence to suggest or support any suspicious or criminal circumstances surrounding Ms. Aguilera’s passing."

Reiterating that the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the cause of death, the department added, "Every loss in our community is taken seriously, and every life is deserving of care, dignity, and a complete investigative process."

"Austin Police extends our heartfelt condolences to Brianna Aguilera’s family, friends, and all who are grieving her loss," the statement said. "We recognize the deep pain that accompanies the unexpected passing of a loved one, and our thoughts remain with those who are navigating this difficult time. Our detectives remain committed to investigating the full details surrounding the death of Ms. Aguilera."

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ӣ��Ƶ Digital also reached out to the organizer through the GoFundMe fundraiser for comment but has not immediately heard back.

The case remains open pending the medical examiner’s report.

College freshman died after fraternity hazing led to 'horrific' abuse, family says

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 07:00:47 -0500

The family of a Texas college freshman has filed a wrongful death lawsuit stemming from allegations that fraternity hazing drove him into a mental health crisis that led him to take his own life.

Sawyer Updike, an 18-year-old from Pearland, accepted a bid to pledge the Sigma Chi fraternity through the University of Texas at Austin’s Alpha Nu Chapter in August 2023, according to FOX 7.

Throughout his time as a member of the chapter’s pledge class, Updike was allegedly subjected to months of "horrific hazing" that ultimately drove him to suicide, the lawsuit states.

"This was just an outstanding young man," Ted Lyon, an attorney representing Updike’s family, told ӣ��Ƶ Digital. "He scored 1410 on the SATs. He was a straight A student in high school."

FRATERNITY HAZING DEATHS HAPPEN TO 'GOOD KIDS FROM GOOD FAMILIES,' VICTIM'S FATHER WARNS AMID RUSH SEASON

The 6-foot-6 freshman had just made the school’s skeet shooting team and "had the whole world ahead of him," according to Lyon.

The alleged hazing took place at the Alpha Nu fraternity house in Austin, Lyon said.

"The culture that uses this type of, I call it depraved activity, is not the kind of culture that any major university ought to condone," Lyon told ӣ��Ƶ Digital.

OHIO HS FACES FEDERAL CIVIL RIGHTS LAWSUIT OVER HAZING, SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS FROM FORMER FOOTBALL PLAYER

According to the lawsuit, Updike was allegedly subjected to various methods of brutal hazing by members of the fraternity. The acts reportedly consisted of spearing a large fishhook through Updike’s leg, puncturing his hip with a staple gun and pressuring him through fear of punishment to ingest illegal substances, such as cocaine, according to FOX 7.

Additionally, the lawsuit alleges members of the fraternity forced Updike to consume harmful amounts of alcohol, repeatedly burned him with lit cigarettes, and subjected the freshman to physical whippings and beatings, the outlet reported.

"We have a picture of the kid that stapled them before he did it," Bill Johnston, an attorney representing the family, told FOX 7. "I mean, again, they were in some sick way, they were proud of it. They were proud enough to record it."

FRAT HOUSE WHERE STUDENT WAS ELECTROCUTED IN ALLEGED HAZING HAD LAUNDRY LIST OF KNOWN RED FLAGS: REPORT

The psychological damage from the alleged hazing was noticeable to Updike’s parents when he returned home for holiday break in 2023, according to Lyon.

"When he came home at Christmas, his mother and father knew something was wrong," Lyon told ӣ��Ƶ Digital. "He weighed 192 pounds and looked emaciated, but they didn't really know what it was. They didn't know that he was being serially hazed and abused."

The lawsuit reportedly states that Updike’s mental state was already deteriorating when he was provided with cocaine and psilocybin mushrooms on Jan. 16, 2024, the first day of the second semester of Updike’s freshman year, according to FOX 7.

FRATERNITY SUSPENDED AFTER POSSIBLE HAZING LEAVES UNIVERSITY STUDENT IN CRITICAL CONDITION: REPORT

Shortly after he was allegedly provided drugs, Updike drove to a local gas station parking lot and took his own life.

"He committed suicide in January 2024 and, of course, the parents wondered why," Johnston said. "The mother was able to access his phone, talk to some people, and learn that he had been subjected to extreme hazing."

While it does not appear Updike personally reported the instances of alleged hazing, at least one complaint regarding the fraternity was lodged with UT that fall semester, FOX 7 reported.

DEADLY WAKE-UP CALL: ALLEGED FRAT HAZING ELECTROCUTION HIGHLIGHTS STUDENT DANGERS IN OFF-CAMPUS HOMES

Following Updike’s death, the university decided to close the Sigma Chi chapter, which had already been placed on deferred suspension due to a separate alleged hazing incident from the previous year, according to FOX 7. Hazing is illegal under Texas law and prohibited by university policy.

"There's something wrong frankly with someone that would think this is a rite of passage that can be applied to another young person," Johnston said, FOX 7 reported.

The wrongful death lawsuit names Sigma Chi International Fraternity, Alpha Nu Chapter of Sigma Chi Fraternity at the University of Texas at Austin, the Alpha Nu House Corporation and five fraternity members, according to FOX 7.

"UT Austin is committed to providing a safe educational environment for everyone and does not tolerate hazing by any group or individual affiliated with the University," the University of Texas at Austin said in a statement to FOX 7. "All such allegations receive the utmost attention and thorough investigation."

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The National Sigma Chi Chapter and UT Austin did not immediately respond to ӣ��Ƶ Digital’s request for comment.

"I live every day with the weight of his absence," Sawyer’s mother, Sheryl Roberts-Updike, said in a news release, according to FOX 7. "No parent should ever lose a child, and certainly not because of hazing disguised as ‘brotherhood.’ What happened to Sawyer was cruel, senseless, and preventable. It is unbearable to know that a young man with so much promise was put through something so dangerous in the name of belonging."

Texas man accused of child sex crimes avoids jail in plea deal with Soros-backed prosecutor: report

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 22:16:22 -0500

A Texas man accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting a child will avoid prosecution on nine felony counts after striking a plea deal with a George Soros-backed Travis County prosecutor, according to a report.

Austin’s ABC affiliate KVUE reported that Richard Leigh Bell, 37, was indicted on nine felony charges — including one count of continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, six counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child, and two counts of indecency with a child. Those charges were dropped as part of a plea deal that allowed Bell to plead guilty to one count of injury to a child, a third-degree felony.

Under the deal, Bell was sentenced to five years of deferred probation. He must register as a sex offender and is barred from contacting the victim, her family or any minors, KVUE reported. The plea included no jail time.

Outside the courtroom on Monday, the victim’s father told KVUE he was blindsided by the decision and said prosecutors Efrain De La Fuente and Lorraine Garcia failed to include him in discussions about the plea.

FAMILIES OUTRAGED AFTER HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT IN VIOLENT SEX ASSAULT CASES AVOIDS PRISON AS YOUTHFUL OFFENDER

"I was outraged to find out that this was not only our first and last plea deal, but this was our deal whether I liked it or not," he said.

The father, who was not named to protect the victim’s identity, said he had expected a prison sentence for Bell.

"I think any parent would expect somebody to rot in jail for doing something like this," he told KVUE. "As time went on, I expected a realistic plea deal to be years at least—long enough to serve some time in prison where you belong if you have successfully carried out pedophilic acts."

FURY ERUPTS AFTER ACCUSED TEEN SEX PREDATOR DODGES PRISON; FAMILIES SWARM COURTHOUSE DEMANDING JUDGE’S HEAD

In Texas, deferred adjudication lets defendants avoid a conviction if they complete probation successfully, though any violation can trigger sentencing on the original charge. Bell’s probation conditions — including mandatory sex offender registration and no-contact restrictions — will remain in place for the entire five-year term.

ӣ��Ƶ Digital has reached out to Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza’s office and has not received a response.

‘MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE’: SOROS DA RIPPED BY POLICE FOR ‘WAR’ ON COPS AFTER OFFICER SENTENCED TO PRISON

Garza, who took office in deep-blue Travis County in 2021 after a campaign backed by progressive billionaire Soros, pledged to "reimagine" criminal justice and prosecute police officers. He has defended his record as district attorney, saying he is "doing exactly what Travis County voters elected him to do — fixing our broken criminal justice system by standing with survivors, working to end the excessive use of force by police, and prioritizing treatment over incarceration for nonviolent drug offenses."

Critics have argued that Garza’s office has failed to advocate for victims and has promoted policies that make the city less safe.

He has also faced scrutiny for aggressively prosecuting police officers in a city still divided over the council’s 2020 decision to cut police funding.

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That tension came to a head in 2023, when Garza sparked outrage for appearing at the funeral of a fallen police officer — a move some called "a slap in the face."

One hospitalized after suspected shooting at Austin public library, prompting massive police response

Sat, 25 Oct 2025 14:28:59 -0400

One person was taken to a hospital after a "critical incident" Saturday afternoon at the Austin Central Library in Texas.

The Austin Police Department (APD) confirmed one victim has serious injuries but remains in stable condition.

Just after 12:05 p.m., police responded to reports of a shooting at the library, with a 911 caller noting the sound of a gunshot, according to officials.

The suspect, described by authorities as a thin Black male carrying two black bags, was arrested just before 1:30 p.m. in South Austin.

ACTIVE SHOOTER REPORT PROMPTS MASSIVE POLICE RESPONSE IN MIDTOWN MANHATTAN BUSINESS DISTRICT

Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) had their first unit on scene within three minutes and 50 seconds, police said.

"Immediately, first responders from the Austin Police Department, Austin Fire Department and Austin-Travis County EMS responded to the scene," Austin Police Department Assistant Chief Lee Rogers said at a media briefing Saturday.

"Early indications — it was a confusing scene. There were just so many callers, as we can expect."

12-YEAR-OLD MINNEAPOLIS CHURCH SHOOTING SURVIVOR SHOT IN HEAD RELEASED FROM HOSPITAL

A shelter in place warning was issued but has since been lifted, police said.

"This was NOT an active shooter incident, but rather an isolated incident with one suspect and one victim," APD officials wrote in an X post.

When asked whether witnesses reported how many shots were fired, APD Assistant Chief Rogers said he did not yet have specific details about the shooting.

MICHIGAN CHURCH SHOOTER'S FAMILY REACTS TO VIRAL FUNDRAISING EFFORT BY LATTER-DAY SAINT MEMBERS

"I'm grateful to our Austin Public Library employees and our first responders for their immediate action to the shooting at our Central Library," Austin Mayor Kirk Watson posted to X.

"Public spaces and city-owned facilities should be a safe place for everyone. My office has been in regular communication with Austin Police and the City Manager’s office. A suspect has been apprehended. The investigation remains active and ongoing."

The Austin Fire Department confirmed to ӣ��Ƶ Digital it responded with EMS.

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Watson, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and the APD did not immediately respond to inquiries from ӣ��Ƶ Digital.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Houston police discover 16 bodies in bayous this year as mayor dismisses serial killer speculation

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 10:28:45 -0400

Texas police have found at least 16 bodies in the bayous around Houston so far this year, according to authorities and local reports, sparking concerns of a serial killer which city leaders are working to dispel.

Houston's mayor has said police have no evidence of a serial killer, but experts are calling for an extensive investigation into the deaths.

"Something is afoot," said Joseph Giacalone, a retired NYPD sergeant and criminal justice professor, at Penn State-Lehigh Valley. "A coincidence? Unlikely. A careful inspection of each case is warranted, including the 48 hours prior to the discovery of their disappearance."

The spate of apparent drownings is reminiscent of another concerning number of deaths in the waters of Lady Bird Lake in Austin, Texas.

SERIAL KILLER FEARS GRIP AUSTIN AFTER DOZENS OF BODIES PULLED FROM LAKE

Five of the bodies were discovered in a five-day span last month, according to Houston Police Chief Noe Diaz.

"There is no evidence, and I repeat no evidence, to suggest that any of these incidents are connected," Diaz told reporters.

Capt. Salam Zia, commander of the Houston Police Department's homicide division, said the youngest victim was 20. Authorities later revealed the bodies belonged to both males and females, and ranged in age from their 20s to their 60s.

"Rumors stir fear and anxiety in our communities," the chief said. "It's important to rely on verified information and investigations."

However, authorities have discovered at least two more bodies since authorities made those remarks, according to Chron, Houston's local news site.

NEW ENGLAND SERIAL KILLER FEARS GRIP COASTAL TOWN AFTER PADDLEBOARDER’S ‘TERRIFYING’ MURDER

Houston Mayor John Whitmire slammed misinformation and "wild speculation" online and from political candidates surrounding the cases at a news briefing on Sept. 23.

"We do not have any evidence that there is a serial killer loose in Houston, Texas," he said. "Let me say that again, there is no evidence that there is a serial killer loose in the streets of Houston."

TEEN'S BODY FOUND UNDER SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES AT DETROIT AREA CEMETERY PROMPTS INVESTIGATION

He called the number of deaths "alarming" and asked for patience as city police investigate.

"I grew up in Houston," he told reporters. "Unfortunately, drowning in our bayous is not a new phenomenon."

There are 2,500 miles of waterways around the city, he said, as well as a homeless population living outdoors.

MISSING NEW ORLEANS BOY, 12, DIED AFTER ALLIGATOR ATTACK, DROWNING: AUTHORITIES

Whitmire suggested that when homeless people die, their friends often throw them in the water.

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"Unfortunately the homeless, when they pass, often end up in the bayou," he said.

He also pointed to alcohol use and mental health problems as potential factors in the deaths.

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College freshman died after fraternity hazing led to 'horrific' abuse, family says

Texas man accused of child sex crimes avoids jail in plea deal with Soros-backed prosecutor: report

One hospitalized after suspected shooting at Austin public library, prompting massive police response

Houston police discover 16 bodies in bayous this year as mayor dismisses serial killer speculation

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