Featured

California Mass Shooting, 14 Dead and Over Dozen Wounded

Published

9 years ago

December 3, 2015

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (AP) — As many as three gunmen believed to be wearing military-style gear opened fire Wednesday at a Southern California social services center “as if they were on a mission,” killing at least 14 people and wounding more than a dozen others, authorities said.

Hours later, police hunting for the attackers riddled a black SUV with gunfire several miles away, and one person lay motionless in the street – dead or dying – with a gun nearby. Officers appeared to remove a second person from the vehicle.

San Bernardino Police Sgt. Vicki Cervantes said authorities had not immediately confirmed whether those in the SUV were involved in the morning carnage. And the hunt went on, apparently for a possible third gunman. A law officer suffered minor injuries in the afternoon shootout.

It was the nation’s deadliest mass shooting since the Newton, Connecticut, attack in December 2012 that left 26 children and adults dead.

Police shed no light on a motive for Thursday’s massacre, which came just five days after a gunman opened fire at Planned Parenthood in Colorado, killing three.

“They came prepared to do what they did, as if they were on a mission,” San Bernardino Police Chief Jarrod Burguan said, noting the attackers carried long guns – which can mean rifles or shotguns.

Witnesses said several people locked themselves in their offices, desperately waiting to be rescued by police, after gunfire erupted at the Inland Regional Center, which serves people with developmental disabilities. Some people telephoned their loved ones and whispered to them what was going on.

The attack took place in a conference area where the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health was renting space to hold a banquet, said Marybeth Feild, president and CEO of the center. She said the building houses at least 25 employees as well as a library and conference center.

FBI agents and other law enforcement authorities converged on the center and searched room to room for the attacker or attackers, but it was feared that they had escaped.

Ten of the wounded were hospitalized in critical condition, and three were in serious condition, San Bernardino Fire Chief Tom Hannemann said. Police cautioned that the numbers of dead and wounded were early estimates that could change.

No weapons were recovered at the center, though authorities were investigating unidentified items in the building and brought in bomb squads, Burguan said.

San Bernardino police spokesman Sgt. Vicki Cervantes told The Associated Press there were reports from witnesses of one to three gunmen.

As the manhunt went on, stores, office buildings and at least one school were locked down in the city of 214,000 people about 60 miles east of Los Angeles, and roads were blocked off.

Triage units were set up outside the center, and people were seen being wheeled away on stretchers. Others walked quickly from a building with their hands up. They were searched by police before being reunited with loved ones.

President Barack Obama was briefed on the attack by his homeland security adviser.

He said it was too early to know the shooters’ motives, but urged the country to take steps to reduce the frequency of mass shootings. He told CBS that stricter gun laws, including stronger background checks, would make the country safer.

“The one thing we do know is that we have a pattern now of mass shootings in this country that has no parallel anywhere else in the world, and there’s some steps we could take, not to eliminate every one of these mass shootings, but to improve the odds that they don’t happen as frequently,” Obama said.

The shooting sounded like “an organized plot,” and preliminary information seems to indicate that “this is personal, and there seems to suggest some element of revenge and retaliation,” said Erroll G. Southers, director of Homegrown Violent Extremism Studies at the University of Southern California and a former FBI agent.

“What it says to me, it’s someone who’s familiar with the facility, it’s someone who knew exactly what room they were going to go to, they knew exactly which way they needed to escape,” Southers said. “They’ve done their homework, they know what the response time in this jurisdiction.”

Terry Petit said his daughter works at the center, where social workers find jobs, housing, transportation and provide programs for people who have disabilities such as autism, cerebral palsy and epilepsy. He got a text from her saying she was hiding in the building after hearing gunshots.

Petit choked back tears as he read the texts for reporters outside the center. He said she wrote: “People shot. In the office waiting for cops. Pray for us. I am locked in an office.”

Sherry Esquerra was searching for her daughter and son-in-law, both of whom work at the center. She said her daughter helps “very disabled” children and “gets all the services she possibly could for these kids.”

“I just don’t understand why somebody would come in and start shooting,” Esquerra said. She last saw her daughter at Thanksgiving and planned to see her Friday. When she calls her phone now, “Nothing. I just get her message. Straight to voicemail.”

Marcos Aguilera’s wife was in the building when the gunfire erupted. He said a shooter entered the building next to his wife’s office and opened fire.

“They locked themselves in her office. They seen bodies on the floor,” Aguilera told KABC-TV, adding that his wife was able to get out of the building unharmed.

The social services center has two large buildings that require a badge to get in, said Sheela Stark, an Inland Regional Center board member. However, the conference room where many public events take place – including the banquet on Wednesday – is usually left open when visitors are expected.

—

Contributing to this report were Brian Melley, John Antczak, Christopher Weber, John Rogers, Christine Armario, Gillian Flaccus and Sue Manning in Los Angeles; Amy Taxin in San Bernardino; Tami Abdollah in Washington; Alina Hartounian in Phoenix; Michael Sisak in Philadelphia; and Hannah Cushman in Chicago.

Up Next

“Sinatra 100 — An All-Star Grammy® Concert” Airs This Sunday, December 6 on CBS

Don't Miss

Haiti Opposition Says Transitional Gov’t May Be Needed

Click to comment

Featured

Multiple Deaths and Injuries in Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL) Shooting

Published

8 years ago

January 6, 2017

Mellissa Thomas

FORT LAUDERDALE: 26-year-old Esteban Santiago opened fire at Fort Lauderdale International Airport Friday afternoon, killing 5 and injuring 8. Photo: Getty Images.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — A gunman opened fire in Fort Lauderdale International Airport’s baggage claim area Friday afternoon. At present, there are five confirmed dead and eight injured.

After only a few hours, the Broward County Sheriff’s Office and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has released the following information:

The gunman, who was carrying military ID, has been arrested and publicly identified by U.S. Senator of Florida Bill Nelson as 26-year-old Esteban Santiago. According to eyewitnesses, he was wearing a Star Wars t-shirt and the attack was unprovoked. Witnesses say he said nothing before opening fire.
The eight injured victims have been transferred to a nearby hospital.
Broward County Commissioner Chip LaMarca explained that Santiago was a passenger and had the gun in his checked luggage, which he retrieved and took out when he went into the restroom.
Santiago was reportedly arrived on a flight from Anchorage, Alaska.
Santiago served in the Puerto Rico National Guard.
Broward Sheriff’s Office urges anyone with any information about the shooting to call 954-831-4000 or 311 instead of 911.
Associated Press reports that the gunman’s brother noted Santiago has previously received psychological treatment in Alaska.

On another note, while this is a national security threat and would normally require a phone call to the incumbent President, Florida Governor Rick Scott did not contact President Obama at all and instead called President-elect Donald Trump. The Associated Press reports he chose to call Trump because he already has a relationship with the Republicans. When asked why he didn’t contact President Obama, he said: “It’s not the time to be political. It’s a time to mourn those who lost their lives, finish the investigation and pray for everybody that’s still fighting for their lives.”

Stay tuned to www.FloridaNationalNews.com for more updates.

Featured

Hispanic Heritage Month Spotlight: Supervisor Daisy Morales

Published

9 years ago

October 15, 2016

FNN NEWS

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) – Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

On the final day of Hispanic Heritage Month; we spotlight the Honorable Daisy Morales, a Puerto Rican elected official representing the citizens of Orange County, Florida.

US Congressman Officiates Supervisor Morales’ Oath of Office Ceremony

Supervisor Daisy Morales was sworn in by United States Congressman Alan Grayson as Orange County Soil & Water Conservation District Supervisor, seat 2 member of the Board of Supervisors on December 30, 2014.

Supervisor Morales made history by becoming the first Soil & Water Supervisor to be sworn in by a sitting member of the U.S. Congress. Congressman Grayson is currently the highest ranking elected official to swear in a Supervisor in the history of Orange County Soil & Water Conservation District, a governmental subdivision of the State of Florida.

Supervisor Daisy Morales

“We are a stronger, more diverse, more vibrant county thanks to the influence and hard work of Hispanic Americans over generations—whether in the arts and sciences, business, government, education or the military,” expressed Soil & Water Supervisor Daisy Morales.

When Supervisor Morales took office on January 6, 2015, she became the only Hispanic (Puerto Rican) elected to countywide office in Orange County.

Prior to becoming Supervisor she served with the Orange County Soil & Water District as an Associate Supervisor, a position appointed by the Board of Supervisors.

Before that, Supervisor Morales retired from the U.S. Government after 23 years of service as a federal employee working for both the United States Department of Homeland Security and the United States Department of State.

Supervisor Morales’ Priorities

(l-r): Hispanic Federation Director Zoe Colon, State Representative Victor Torres, Jr., State Soil & Water Conservation District Supervisor Daisy Morales and State Senator Darren Soto (all of Puerto Rican origin) held a press conference on the Puerto Rico debt crisis.

Supervisor Morales’ priorities includes protecting the environment, building partnerships with local, state, and federal officials, educating the public on soil & water conservation programs, and improving the lives of Orange County residents.

Annual Earth Day Forum and Awareness Tour

The Honorable Daisy Morales, Supervisor with the Orange Soil and Water Conservation District, held the 2nd annual Earth Day Forum and Awareness Tour at the Orange County Extension Center in Orlando, Friday, April 22, 2016. Photo by Mellissa Thomas/Florida National News

A recognized leader on the environment, Supervisor Morales hosted annual Earth Day events, workshops, environmental tours, community forums and healthy food distribution across Orange County. In carrying out these events, Supervisor Morales worked closely with United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Office of Agriculture Water Policy (OAWP), The University of Florida/IFAS Extension in Orange County, Orange County Government, and other government agencies.

Role of Supervisor Daisy Morales’s Office

Orlando City Commissioner Robert Stuart speaks with Florida Soil & Water Conservation District Supervisor Daisy Morales before breaking-ground on the new Orlando Police Department Headquarters. Photo by Willie David, Florida National News

Supervisor Morales represents Orange County, one of the most dynamic and diverse counties in Florida, which includes 14 cities, towns, and county area: Apopka, Bay Lake, Belle Isle, Eatonville, Edgewood, Lake Buena Vista, Maitland, Oakland, Ocoee, Orange County, Orlando, Windermere, Winter Garden, and Winter Park. Her office provides assistance to landowners, land users, land planners, groups, and organizations in the planning and implementing practices, programs, projects and other activities that serve to promote the conservation of our natural resources in Orange County, Florida.

Supervisor Daisy Morales held her 2015 Earth Day Forum and Awareness Tour in Apopka in partnership with USDA and Apopka City Commissioner Diane Velazquez

Supervisor Morales’ office is non partisan, which makes it a great opportunity for Democrats, Republicans, and independents to work together to solve problems impacting our environment in Orange County. Supervisor Morales was elected to public office November 2014 for a four year term, ending January 2019.

___________

website: Office of Supervisor Daisy Morales | email: supervisordaisymorales@gmail.com

Consumer

Universal’s Volcano Bay Revealed: Universal Orlando Resort’s Highly-Anticipated Water Theme Park To Open In 2017

Published

9 years ago

June 22, 2016

FNN NEWS

ORLANDO, Fla., (FNN NEWS) — A lush, tropical oasis unfolds before you, instantly transporting you to a little-known Pacific isle. In the distance, a colossal volcano rises above a sparkling beach, boasting majestic waterfalls by day and blazing lava by night.

Welcome to Universal’s Volcano Bay – a radically-innovative water theme park opening next year at Universal Orlando Resort. Spanning 28 fully immersive acres, Universal Orlando’s third theme park will be an entirely new kind of water theme park experience, giving guests even more to enjoy on their vacation.

At Volcano Bay, guests will discover a place like no other, filled with incredible thrills and relaxing indulgences. This one-of-a-kind park will combine exhilarating experiences with hassle-free convenience so families can get the most out of their vacation together. They won’t have to stand in long lines or wrestle with tubes before diving into the unique attractions found throughout the park. They can enjoy a variety of experiences, ranging from winding rivers and private, two-story cabanas to family raft rides and twisting body slides that launch guests above the water.

Here’s what you need to know about Volcano Bay:

An Innovative Water Theme Park Experience:
Volcano Bay will redefine the queue experience so guests can focus entirely on having fun and spending time together. Guests won’t even have to carry their own rafts up the slides.
18 Unique Attractions in Four Imaginatively-Themed Areas:
Volcano Bay will offer 18 unique attractions ranging from daring to serene. They’ll be divided across four primary park areas where there’s something for everyone, including a multi-directional wave pool with sandy beaches, peaceful winding river, twisting multi-rider raft rides, speeding body slides that drop from the top of the volcano into the waters below – and a state-of-the-art marquee attraction that will be revealed at a later date. Additional details on the park’s attractions can be found on the last page.
An Award-Winning Team of Creators:
A place like this could only be brought to life by Universal Creative – the same team behind ground-breaking theme park experiences like The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man and Despicable Me Minion Mayhem. The team researched water parks and tropical resorts around the world to help redefine the water park experience and shape their vision for Volcano Bay.

Easy-to-Access, Resort-Like Amenities Throughout the Park:
Each area of the park will offer its own easy-to-access, resort-like amenities, such as concierge locations and lockers, so guests won’t have to stroll out of their way to get what they need. There will also be highly-themed restaurants and bars located throughout the park offering signature food and beverage options and impressive volcano views. Even more unique features of the park will be announced later.
Convenient Location On-Site at Universal Orlando:
Volcano Bay will be located within Universal Orlando, adjacent to Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort. The water theme park is just a short walk or ride away from Universal Orlando’s two additional theme parks – Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure, on-site hotels and Universal CityWalk.
International Tickets On Sale Soon:
Universal Orlando will soon introduce a brand-new, 3-Park Explorer ticket for guests where they can plan to experience the highly-anticipated Volcano Bay for travel dates beginning June 1, 2017. Tickets will soon be available through international web sites and travel professionals, and additional ticket options will be announced later.