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SEE IT: Couple allegedly caught on video swiping $4K bottle from table in brazen restaurant theft

Wed, 06 May 2026 19:27:31 -0400

A slick pair of alleged thieves pulled off a high-end heist, swiping a $4,000 bottle of rare cognac from a posh Arizona steakhouse, shocking staff who say they’ve never seen anything like it.

Surveillance video from the Three Thirty Three Restaurant in Tempe shows the moment the couple allegedly made their move on May 4, calmly lifting a prized bottle of Louis XIII cognac.

In the video, the woman is seen lifting the bottle of cognac, which retails for $4,000, and sneaking it out in a purse.

"You didn't need to rob us," restaurant veteran John DeVries, who has spent more than four decades in the industry, told KSAZ-TV. "You didn't need to come in and steal. Stealing from me, stealing from this family here, that's not happening. We're on you. We're gonna get you. We're gonna prosecute you."

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According to staff, the duo’s scheme was anything but spontaneous.

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They allegedly booked a table under a fake name and phone number, arrived late, and ordered only appetizers before causing minor complaints.

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The man reportedly blocked the manager’s view while the woman slipped back inside, grabbed the luxury bottle from a rolling service cart and tucked it into her bag.

Moments later, the pair bolted.

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The suspects fled in a black SUV, according to the Kaos Hospitality Group, which owns the restaurant.

Now, the restaurant is asking for the public’s help tracking down the duo behind the heist.

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Police have been notified.

In a statement, the Tempe Police Department said that the investigation remains ongoing and that they have "no additional information" at this time.

Jeffrey Epstein's purported suicide note unsealed by federal judge in cellmate's case

Wed, 06 May 2026 19:20:44 -0400

A federal judge in New York has ordered the release of a purported suicide note written by Jeffrey Epstein to his then-cellmate, Nicholas Tartaglione, siding with The New York Times in a request to unseal the document.

The note had been filed under seal as part of Tartaglione’s case, in which the former police officer was convicted of multiple murders.

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U.S. District Judge Kenneth Karas ruled the document should be made public, finding no sufficient reason to keep it sealed.

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In the handwritten note, Epstein appears to reference past investigations and expresses frustration, writing in part, "They investigated me for months – found nothing!!!" and "Time to say goodbye." Portions of the note are difficult to read.

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

Video shows father fatally shooting illegal immigrant attempting to carjack family of 8: police

Wed, 06 May 2026 18:24:22 -0400

FIRST ON FOX — Shocking video shows an illegal immigrant from Mexico being shot and killed by a Texas father during a carjacking attempt involving his family of eight, including a baby, police confirmed to Fox News.

The Garland Police Department said, at about 3:30 p.m. Sunday, officers responded to a crash involving a car that hit two other vehicles.

Officials said the driver of the car at fault, identified as Jose Ramirez, 30, parked at a nearby gas station and was unsuccessfully attempting to "take several vehicles by force" in the parking lot.

CARJACKING VICTIM ARRESTED AFTER ALLEGEDLY SHOOTING BOY BREAKING INTO HIS CAR DURING ATLANTA CONFRONTATION

He then ran across the road to a convenience store parking lot, where he attempted to forcefully take the father's car, according to police.

Surveillance video obtained by affiliate FOX 4 Dallas showed Ramirez yanking the father out of the driver's side of his car and forcefully trying to get inside.

A small child was seen running from the back seat as the family scrambled to escape.

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Ramirez was then seen closing the doors and sitting inside the driver's side as the father opened fire from the passenger side, police said.

Ramirez was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, authorities said. No other injuries were reported.

Officials said the father stayed at the vehicle and was cooperative with investigators, and no charges were filed against him

Fox News has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to request Ramirez's immigration history and comment.

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While Ramirez was unarmed, authorities said he was "using force," and the father had no way of knowing whether he had a weapon.

Garland Police Lt. Pedro Barineau said the shooting "seemed to be self-defense," noting "it kind of all happened like really fast."

Tatiana Starks, manager of the nearby Garland Smoke and Vape shop, told FOX 4 she saw Ramirez breaking into cars at the gas station and recorded the incident.

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She stopped recording as Ramirez walked toward the family's car, noting she made eye contact with him.

"You could definitely tell that he was not in his right state of mind," Starks said. "I’m just glad that the man was able to protect himself and his family. ... It’s just a blessing that the kids and the family walked away with no injuries."

Florida man allegedly caught going 101 mph gives deputies wild excuse when busted

Wed, 06 May 2026 18:11:49 -0400

A Florida man’s rush to make it to a wedding ended in handcuffs instead after deputies say he was caught speeding more than 100 mph and told officers he was running late for the ceremony.

Christopher Jones, 29, was pulled over around 9 a.m. Saturday in Brevard County during a traffic enforcement effort dubbed "Super Speeder Saturday," where deputies were targeting dangerous drivers.

Deputy Caleb Sanchez was conducting speed enforcement when he spotted Jones coming "in hot," clocking his vehicle at 101 mph in a 70 mph zone, according to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.

Jones, who was dressed in a black suit and white dress shirt, allegedly told deputies he was speeding because he was late to a wedding.

FLORIDA MAN CITES BARBER APPOINTMENT AFTER GETTING CLOCKED GOING MORE THAN 100 MPH

A photo shared by the sheriff’s office shows Jones standing in front of a patrol vehicle in his formal attire, paired with casual slide sandals and socks, a detail that quickly caught the internet’s attention.

Sheriff Wayne Ivey highlighted the arrest in a social media post, calling it "Super Speeder Saturday — Wedding Crashers Edition," and noting that Jones was "dressed to impress" when he was taken into custody.

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But Ivey made clear that in Brevard County, drivers hitting triple-digit speeds shouldn’t expect a warning.

"Unfortunately for him, he didn’t realize that in Brevard County we don’t give you any warnings when it comes to violations," the sheriff said.

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Instead of making it to the ceremony, Jones was taken to the Brevard County Jail — jokingly referred to by Ivey as "Ivey’s Iron Bar Lodge."

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Jones, of Orange Park, was charged with operating a vehicle at 100-plus mph while threatening persons or property, a misdemeanor. He was released later that day on a $500 bond, according to jail records. A court date has not yet been set.

The post quickly drew a wave of reactions online, with some users poking fun at both the situation and Jones’ outfit.

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"Everybody focused on the slides... I wanna know how you're late for a wedding at 9AM???" one commenter wrote.

"Well, the sandals don’t scream ‘dress to impress’ for a wedding," another added.

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Others joked about the circumstances of the event itself, with one person writing, "I gotta know. Was he the groom for said wedding?" while another quipped that if so, "it looked like she got stood up at the altar."

Authorities say the enforcement push is aimed at cracking down on reckless driving and keeping roadways safe and officials suggest there will likely be more high-speed stops to come.

Florida man in 'No Christ No Life' T-shirt caught on video allegedly attacking, robbing woman, 82, at bus stop

Wed, 06 May 2026 18:04:02 -0400

Video footage shows a Florida man wearing a T-shirt reading "No Christ No Life" violently attacking and robbing an 82-year-old Tampa woman at a bus stop, an alleged assault and theft that left her unconscious and led to his arrest days later, police said.

The Tampa Police Department said 56-year-old Joseph Patrick Wren was arrested Tuesday and charged with robbery.

According to police, the attack occurred around 7:45 p.m. on May 1 near the intersection in the Wellswood area of the city.

BLUE CITY BUS ATTACK HEIGHTENS COMMUTERS' FEARS AFTER CHARLOTTE TRAIN STABBING

Authorities said the woman was walking past the suspect when he grabbed her by the hair and threw her to the ground, causing her to lose consciousness.

Investigators said the suspect then took the woman’s bag and fled the scene on a bicycle. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment and has since been released. She is now recovering at home.

Police launched an investigation and asked the public for help identifying the suspect.

The case gained momentum after a community member provided detectives with video footage from his Tesla that captured the attack. In the video, the suspect is seen wearing a white T-shirt bearing the phrase "No Christ No Life," along with a blue hat.

CHARLOTTE BUS STABBING SUSPECT ARRESTED 15 TIMES IN 3 YEARS, FREED WEEKS BEFORE ATTACK

Authorities said the suspect matched the description of a person involved in a bicycle theft earlier the same day, which helped investigators narrow their search.

Officers later spotted Wren near N. Nebraska Avenue and E. Annie Street while patrolling for leads and took him into custody.

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"The outstanding investigation, community assistance, and pro-active policing that led to a quick arrest in this case is a testament to the strength of our city," Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said. "It should be clear that in Tampa we all work together to hold criminals accountable, especially those who would foolishly choose to target our neighbors."

Wren is being held without bond in the Hillsborough County Jail.

Cole Allen's alleged Trump assassination attempt may have been driven by Iran war: intel report

Wed, 06 May 2026 16:47:52 -0400

The man who allegedly attempted to kill President Donald Trump and members of his Cabinet at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner April 25 may have been motivated by the conflict in Iran.

According to a Department of Homeland Security preliminary intelligence report viewed by Reuters, Allen had "multiple social and political grievances," and the report says the war in Iran "may have contributed to his decision to conduct the attack."

The report, labeled a "Critical Incident Note," was originally obtained via a public records request by a nonprofit called Property of the People, according to Reuters. It reportedly cited Allen's social media posts about the Iranian war to justify its conclusion.

WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS' DINNER SHOOTING: TIMELINE TRACES HOW SUSPECT’S ALLEGED CROSS-COUNTRY PLAN UNFOLDED

"DHS shares Critical Incident Notes to quickly communicate information and intelligence to federal, state and local authorities," the agency told Fox News Digital in a statement.

"These reports notify our partners of the latest available information following significant incidents that have impacts to homeland security. DHS does not publicly comment on the information contained in internal law enforcement communications."

Allen's anti-Trump sentiments were expressed in a so-called manifesto, according to authorities.

UNABOMBER INVESTIGATOR REVEALS LIKELY BREAKING POINT OF ALLEGED WOULD-BE TRUMP ASSASSIN

Minutes before the attack, a pre-scheduled email from Allen was sent to his family and friends, explaining his actions, authorities said.

He allegedly acknowledged that his mission would likely severely harm him at the least but never stated that he was willing to die for his cause. His motivations were political, and he painted himself as a savior of those who he thinks have been oppressed by the current administration.

Allen apologized profusely to family, friends and everyone he had come in contact with on his cross-country trek. He noted that there were certain people he hoped wouldn't be caught in the crossfire and described himself as "friendly."

COLE ALLEN IDENTIFIED AS SUSPECT IN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS' DINNER SHOOTING

Allen entered a lobby outside the ballroom at the Washington Hilton at 8:36 p.m. April 25 after descending from his 10th-floor hotel room.

Security footage allegedly shows him charging through a magnetometer before firing one shot from a 12-gauge shotgun. A pellet from the buckshot struck a Secret Service agent's ballistic vest. The agent did not suffer serious injuries.

One agent fired five rounds at Allen but did not hit him. Allen fell to the ground and was apprehended.

He is incarcerated inside a Washington, D.C., jail.

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He is scheduled to be arraigned May 11.

Fox News Digital reached out to Allen's attorney.

DHS blasts Minnesota board for unanimously pardoning illegal immigrant convicted of 3 assaults

Wed, 06 May 2026 16:32:18 -0400

FOX FIRST: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is blasting Minnesota officials after the state’s Board of Pardons unanimously voted to pardon a Laotian national with multiple assault convictions, a move DHS warned could block his long-standing deportation order.

Xayasounethone Chandee, an illegal immigrant from Laos, was convicted of assault in 1992. Following the jury's decision, an immigration judge issued Chandee a final order of removal in 1995.

Despite the order, Chandee was not deported and was convicted again in 2008 of two felony counts of aggravated assault with a weapon.

DHS said the Minnesota Board of Pardons’ decision to pardon Chandee could now thwart his removal from the U.S.

ILLEGAL ALIEN WITH 24 CONVICTIONS AMONG ‘WORST OF THE WORST’ ARRESTED IN MINNESOTA ICE OPERATION: DHS

"The Minnesota Board of Pardons’ unanimous decision pardoning an illegal alien convicted of three violent assaults is absolute INSANITY," DHS acting assistant secretary Lauren Bis told Fox News Digital.

"Chandee lost his green card following his convictions for aggravated assault with a weapon. Following his criminal convictions, he was placed in removal proceedings and issued a final order of removal by a judge."

"Minnesota's sanctuary politicians' pardon took away this violent thug’s qualifying convictions that made him removable from the U.S.," she continued.

Chandee entered the country as a legal permanent resident when he was a minor. However, visas and green cards can be revoked when a holder breaks the law.

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"It is a privilege to be granted a visa or green card to live in the United States of America," DHS wrote in a statement. "When you break our laws, that privilege should be revoked, and you should not be in this country."

Special Forces vet accused of trying to kill wife found dead, ending massive Tennessee manhunt

Wed, 06 May 2026 15:36:20 -0400

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 retired Army Special Forces Veteran accused of trying to kill his wife is dead after the incident sparked a massive multi-agency manhunt, according to an official.

Deputy United States Marshal Christian A. Marrero told Fox News Digital that Craig Berry is dead and "no longer a threat to the public." The Stewart County Sheriff's Office in Tennessee said initial indications show Berry died due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Berry allegedly shot his wife during a domestic incident at the couple's house in Dover, Tennessee early Friday morning before he fled the area. He was wanted on charges of attempted second-degree murder, aggravated assault, domestic assault and leaving the scene of an accident.

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Stewart County Sheriff Frankie Gray told NBC News that Berry's wife, who isn't being named by authorities, tried to get away from the area in her car before her husband fired a shot at her.

She drove away, Gray said, and Berry tried to follow her until he crashed the car, leaving it totaled.

Berry's wife was taken to a hospital and has been released, the sheriff said. Gray described her injuries as "life-threatening."

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Investigators have spoken with Berry's wife several times, according to the report.

The sheriff said there was a possible "financial situation" with the couple but declined to speculate on "problems" between the couple.

ARKANSAS MOM FOUND SHOT TO DEATH WITH TWO CHILDREN WROTE CRYPTIC FACEBOOK POST MONTHS BEFORE KILLINGS

One family member spoke with Berry on the phone just after the incident, according to Gray, who said they believe the attempted murder suspect destroyed his phone.

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Gray said the search for Berry was "urgent" and had warned residents in the area should "lock all your doors."

He was concerned that Berry would try to steal a car in his attempt to flee.

SEARCH UNDERWAY FOR MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING HIS PREGNANT WIFE WHILE ON PAROLE FOR MURDER

In a statement to Fox News Digital, the Tennessee Highway Patrol said it was continuing to assist the Stewart County Sheriff's Office, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Marshals Service with helicopters and troopers, as needed, in the hunt for Berry.

The U.S. Marshals were offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information that helped lead to his capture.

Berry had been added to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation's Most Wanted list, according to an X post from the agency.

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An Army spokesperson told Fox News Digital that Berry was an infantryman and Special Forces medical sergeant in the Army from 1992 to 2016, leaving the Army as a sergeant first class. He deployed to Iraq four times between 2003 and 2014, according to the spokesperson.

In the hours after the shooting, troopers from the Tennessee Highway Patrol and deputies and investigators from the Stewart County Sheriff's Office searched through a densely wooded area for Berry, according to a video released by the state agency.

DANGEROUS 'DEVIL IN THE OZARKS' FORMER POLICE CHIEF ON THE RUN AS EXPERT WARNS OUTDOORSMEN TO STAY AWAY

In an earlier social media post, the sheriff's office warned that Berry was considered "armed and dangerous."

Deputies added that Berry was an "excellent swimmer and diver" and was believed to be in "good physical shape," stating he had "extensive training" in survival tactics.

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Stewart County Schools said in a statement on Facebook that Berry's wife is a schoolteacher.

"We are aware of a serious incident involving one of our staff members. We understand this news may be upsetting to students, staff, and families. Please know that this incident did not occur on school grounds, and there is no ongoing threat to our schools," the school district said.

"Our thoughts are with our staff member and her loved ones during this time. We will continue to respect her privacy."

California businessman found guilty of selling faulty COVID tests, defrauding customers

Wed, 06 May 2026 15:42:27 -0400

A federal jury has found a California man tied to a controversial underground biolab guilty of orchestrating a multimillion-dollar COVID-19 test fraud scheme, prosecutors said.

Jia Bei Zhu, 64, a Chinese national, was convicted on all 12 counts following a two-week trial in Sacramento, including conspiracy, wire fraud, distributing misbranded medical devices and lying to the Food and Drug Administration, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Prosecutors say Zhu used his Fresno-based company, Universal Meditech Inc. (UMI), to sell more than one million faulty COVID-19 test kits across the United States, raking in nearly $4 million at the height of the pandemic.

"This verdict holds the defendant accountable for actions that exploited a public health crisis for his own gain," U.S. Attorney Eric Grant said in a statement. "He … deliberately deceived the public by repackaging low-quality, foreign-made test kits at a time when accuracy and reliability were critical."

FORMER TV ANCHOR HEADS TO SAME PRISON AS GHISLAINE MAXWELL AFTER $63M COVID FRAUD CONVICTION

Authorities say the tests were falsely marketed as FDA-approved, made in the USA and produced in certified laboratories — claims that prosecutors say were entirely fabricated.

According to evidence presented at trial, Zhu and his associates imported cheap COVID-19 tests from China, then repackaged and resold them under false pretenses. Many of the kits were missing basic components and, in some cases, did not work at all, victims testified.

Employees told jurors they were instructed to lie to customers and feared retaliation if they refused. Many of those workers had no medical or scientific background and were recruited from unrelated jobs, including retail and childcare.

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Federal investigators say the operation was driven by deception at nearly every level, from misleading online marketing to false claims made directly to regulators.

"The defendant’s scheme … undermined public health during a critical time," said FDA Special Agent in Charge Robert Iwanicki.

Zhu had previously drawn national scrutiny over his connection to a now-shuttered warehouse in Reedley, California, described by officials as an illegal, makeshift biolab that raised alarms about potential biohazards.

CHINESE-LINKED BIOLAB DISCOVERED IN LAS VEGAS HOME SPARKS FEDERAL INVESTIGATION WITH SWAT RESPONSE

The Reedley facility previously drew scrutiny after local and federal officials found lab materials, mice and improperly stored substances, though officials later said the materials tied to this case did not pose a risk to humans.

However, authorities emphasized that the criminal charges in this case were not directly tied to the biological materials found at that site. Federal agencies, including the FDA, CDC and FBI, ultimately determined the materials were part of a failed attempt to manufacture COVID-19 tests and did not pose a threat to the public.

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Prosecutors said UMI’s Fresno facility itself lacked the ability to manufacture COVID-19 tests and was described as an unsanitary warehouse that fell far below established standards.

DOJ CHARGES 2 CHINESE NATIONALS WHO ALLEGEDLY RAN OVERSEAS CRYPTOCURRENCY SCAM CENTER TARGETING AMERICANS

Zhu’s alleged romantic and business partner, Zhaoyan Wang, was also charged but fled the United States before his arrest and remains a fugitive believed to be in China.

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Prosecutors say the pair attempted to dodge scrutiny by relocating their operation and rebranding the company under a new name, but the effort failed as federal investigators closed in.

In one instance, Zhu allegedly lied to federal agents about his identity, claiming to be a different person who had recently arrived in the U.S.

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Zhu is scheduled to be sentenced in August and faces decades in prison if given the maximum penalties. Each wire fraud charge alone carries up to 20 years.

Federal officials say the case underscores their commitment to cracking down on pandemic-related fraud.

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"Our office remains committed to prosecuting those who endanger the public through fraud," Grant said.

Fox News' Lee Ross and Bradford Betz contributed to this report.

Fetterman calls NYC protesters 'pro-Hezbollah/Hamas,' puts own Democratic Party on blast

Wed, 06 May 2026 14:40:02 -0400

Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., described protesters who demonstrated in New York City on Tuesday as "Pro-Hezbollah / Hamas s[---]heads," and indicated that the Democratic Party should speak out against them.

"Mob of Pro-Hezbollah / Hamas s[---]heads raging against law enforcement and terrorizing the NYC Jewish community near a synagogue and day care," Fetterman wrote in a Wednesday post on X.

"Where’s my party’s condemnation?"

ANTI-ISRAEL AGITATORS CLASH WITH NYPD OFFICERS NEAR SYNAGOGUE

Fetterman made the comments when sharing a post on X that featured video footage in which people could be heard engaging in what sounded like an anti-Zionist chant.

The Forward reported that a spokesperson for Park East indicated that the synagogue had rented space for the Great Israeli Real Estate Event.

"Park East Synagogue remains steadfast in our commitment to peaceful worship, and we are grateful for the NYPD's tireless efforts in protecting the community of our historic landmark synagogue," a Park East Synagogue spokesperson said in a statement obtained by Fox News Digital.

JOHN FETTERMAN BREAKS WITH PARTY OVER 'ORGY OF SOCIALISM' MAY DAY PROTESTS

Fetterman is a staunch supporter of Israel.

"In the face of consistent attacks, past and present, our special ally and its people have shown true strength and resilience," he declared in a post on X last month.

"Israel: I’m proud to stand on the right side of history, and this voice and vote will never waver. Happy Independence Day!"

ANTISEMITIC VIOLENCE ESCALATES AS DEADLY WEAPON ATTACKS SURGE IN 2025: REPORT

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In a March post, the senator declared, "As a Democrat, I’m deeply proud to stand with Israel through the horror of 10/07. I’m deeply proud of our military and what they’ve accomplished in Epic Fury. Picking country over party is never wrong."

Pirro reveals what suspect in Secret Service shootout allegedly shouted before opening fire by White House

Wed, 06 May 2026 14:34:42 -0400

The Texas man who allegedly shot a civilian while exchanging gunfire with the Secret Service near the Washington Monument on Monday shouted "F--- the White House" while being transported to the hospital, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro revealed Tuesday.

"One of the things that he said on the way to the hospital was 'F the White House' and 'kill me, kill me, kill me' three times, but he was very clear, ‘F the White House,’" Pirro told ABC News in an interview Tuesday night.

Officials charged 45-year-old Michael Marx with three criminal charges after he allegedly engaged in a shootout with the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) near the Washington Monument on Monday, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia announced Wednesday.

SECRET SERVICE OFFICERS SHOOT ARMED INDIVIDUAL NEAR WHITE HOUSE

Authorities say Marx fired a weapon at Secret Service officers after one agent noticed him concealing a firearm and began a pursuit. After officers issued verbal commands to Marx, he allegedly began to flee before turning and discharging his firearm.

His shot missed the Secret Service officers and struck a civilian witness in the leg, the U.S. attorney's office said. That civilian was a child, according to Secret Service Deputy Director Matt Quinn.

Secret Service returned fire, striking Marx in the hand, left arm and upper abdomen, according to prosecutors.

Officers rendered aid, and he was transported to the hospital, officials said.

Marx, a Texas native, faces charges of assaulting federal officers with a dangerous weapon, using and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, Pirro's office announced.

"We will prove this defendant carried an illegal firearm into the heart of Washington, D.C., opened fire at Secret Service officers near a crowded intersection, and shot an innocent bystander who was simply crossing the street with his family," Pirro said in a statement.

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The dramatic exchange occurred at the same moment that Vice President JD Vance was departing the White House in a motorcade running down the same street where officers first spotted Marx.

"My office will pursue the most serious charges available against anyone who brings gun violence to our streets, particularly when that violence unfolds steps from the seat of our government and the path of the Vice President of the United States.," Pirro concluded.

Investigators said they recovered a Sig Sauer P365 handgun loaded with 9mm ammunition from the scene.

Marx is not licensed to carry a firearm in Washington, D.C., according to the U.S. attorney's office. Investigators also discovered at least two aliases Marx allegedly goes by: Patrick Michael and Michael Zavici.

Fox News Digital contacted Pirro's office, Vance's office and the U.S. Secret Service for comment.

American cruise ship passenger dies during stop at island vacation hot spot

Wed, 06 May 2026 14:33:07 -0400

A trip to Bahamian paradise ended in tragedy for an American cruise ship passenger.

Police confirmed that an 83-year-old American tourist has died in an apparent drowning. Preliminary reports suggest it happened when the man was snorkeling in the Bahamas.

According to a release from the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the incident happened Sunday afternoon on Norwegian Cruise Line's private island, Great Stirrup Cay.

CARNIVAL CRUISE PASSENGER, 67, FOUND DEAD WHILE SNORKELING OFF THE COAST OF AUSTRALIA DURING EXCURSION

The Norwegian Getaway ship docked on the island at 8 a.m. on May 3, and disembarked later that day at 5 p.m. as part of a three-day round-trip cruise, according to CruiseMapper.

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The victim's son told police he separated from his father as the pair were in the water. He called for help when he saw his father was no longer moving — and was without his snorkel mask, according to police.

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In a statement sent to Fox News Digital, Norwegian said, "We are saddened by the passing of one of our guests who became unresponsive while snorkeling in the ocean. Our medical team and local emergency responders provided immediate assistance. Unfortunately, the guest was unable to be revived. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family during this difficult time."

Anti-war protester hauled down from 168-foot DC bridge after 6-day stunt, police file multiple charges

Wed, 06 May 2026 14:21:12 -0400

An anti-war and anti-AI protester who ascended one of the tallest bridges in Washington, D.C., was arrested by authorities Wednesday after camping out atop the landmark for nearly a week.

Guido Reichstadter was safely removed from the bridge and is charged with crowding, obstructing or incommoding, unlawful entry and failing to obey an officer, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) told Fox News Digital.

Reichstadter, 45, a former jeweler and math student, climbed the 168-foot bridge Friday night and previously told Fox News Digital he planned to stay there "until the war is ended."

'PRO-LIFE SPIDERMAN' SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR CLIMBING LAS VEGAS SPHERE

However, on Tuesday, he posted on X that his water ran out Sunday and he planned on returning to the ground Wednesday morning.

"I'll probably be going to jail for a while when I get down," Reichstadter wrote in the post. "I hope that this action has offered something to motivate and inspire you, and that it can serve as fuel for greater commitment and action in the cause of peace and in the fight for our future."

FOX 5 D.C. reported he began his dismount at about 9 a.m. local time, with firefighters and emergency crews using equipment to assist.

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He appeared to use an internal passageway inside the bridge during his dismount, the outlet reported.

Video showed Reichstadter traveling back to the ground in the basket of a fire department ladder truck before he was ushered into an ambulance.

MPD declined Fox News Digital's request for the total cost and amount of resources expended during the six-day incident.

FBI RAIDS TEXAS HOME OF SUSPECT ACCUSED OF THROWING MOLOTOV COCKTAIL AT SAM ALTMAN'S SAN FRANCISCO HOUSE

The activist, who was protesting the war with Iran and AI development, told Fox News Digital he quit his job to protest because he has two children.

"I've lived a full life. I've been married, I've been in love, I've had a career. I don't know if they're gonna have that," he said. "And that's the most important thing in the world to me, is their future and the future of the whole human race."

Reichstadter described the state of AI development as "dire," saying he believes the goal of frontier AI companies is "to create AI systems which vastly outperform human cognitive capabilities in every respect."

ASRA NOMANI: IRAN’S IDEOLOGICAL FOOT SOLDIERS WAGE PROXY WAR IN AMERICA

He also condemned Congress for its alleged inaction in relation to the war with Iran, though he noted he does not believe the U.S. or any other country should have nuclear weapons.

"I'm not making excuses, or under any illusions that it is not an autocratic regime which has committed atrocities on its own people, but the path to a safe future does not involve nuclear weapons held by any state," he said.

Though Reichstadter's protest coincided with "May Day" protests," he said he is not involved in the movement.

He was previously arrested on charges related to AI protests in California. He was twice arrested for protesting on OpenAI’s San Francisco campus, and arrested again in 2025 for violating a judge’s order not to return.

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Court records show he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor unlawful entry charge, receiving a suspended 90‑day sentence, 18 months of probation and a $50 fine, FOX 5 reported.

Fox News Digital's Robert McGreevy contributed to this report.

Rideshare driver arrested in alleged scheme targeting Ivy League students for sex: prosecutors

Wed, 06 May 2026 14:08:54 -0400

A New Jersey rideshare driver has landed behind bars after authorities say he allegedly harassed Princeton University students and attempted to lure them into his car for sex.

Dimario Wynter, 28, of Spotswood, is charged with two counts of harassment and luring, and one count of disorderly conduct, according to a press release from the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office.

The first alleged incident occurred around noon on April 16, after a Princeton University student told authorities she was walking on Prospect Avenue when an individual driving a black Jeep Patriot pulled over to ask for directions, prosecutors said.

As the pair was talking, the individual allegedly handed the student a $100 bill and exited the vehicle before he "walked quickly toward her and demanded a sexual act," according to authorities.

LYFT DRIVER ACCUSED OF BRUTAL BACKSEAT ATTACK, THREATENING TO KILL PASSENGER DURING RIDE

The student subsequently dropped the money and fled the area.

One day later, on April 17, a second Princeton University student was walking on Ivy Lane around 9:30 a.m. when an individual driving a dark van or SUV pulled over to ask for directions, the press release said.

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The individual then allegedly handed the student a $100 bill and asked her to leave with him, causing the victim to return the money. The suspect subsequently fled the area, according to prosecutors.

An investigation into the two incidents led authorities to name Wynter as a suspect, while also revealing that he is employed as a driver for Lyft.

"We take reports like this extremely seriously, and the driver has been permanently removed from the platform," a Lyft spokesperson said in a statement to Fox News Digital. "We stand ready to assist law enforcement with their investigation."

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Wynter was taken into custody on April 30, and later released pending future court appearances, prosecutors said.

Fox News Digital reached out to Lyft, the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office and Princeton University for comment.

Family identifies 18-year-old killed in Oklahoma Arcadia Lake mass shooting: 'Loving caring person'

Wed, 06 May 2026 12:35:12 -0400

Family has identified the 18-year-old woman killed in the Oklahoma's Arcadia Lake mass shooting that left nearly two dozen others injured.

A GoFundMe her family created Tuesday night establishes Avianna Smith-Gray as "a victim of a mass shooting (Arcadia lake Shooting)" and states she was "a Loving caring person."

The GoFundMe also shared that Smith-Gray was an avid dancer, good with children and a talented singer and hairstylist.

"Avianna was so full of life and loved spending time with her family, friends, her boyfriend, & etc. she was 18 years old just graduated and was waiting to walk that stage! I can go on and on about her but know she was loved by many!" the GoFundMe message concluded.

SHOOTING DURING PARTY AT OKLAHOMA'S ARCADIA LAKE LEAVES AT LEAST 10 WOUNDED, POLICE SAY

Local police did not confirm her identity but did confirm that an 18-year-old died as a result of injuries suffered in the mass shooting.

"We are saddened to confirm that an 18-year-old young woman has passed away from injuries sustained in the Arcadia Lake shooting on Sunday night," the Edmond Police Department (EPD) wrote in a Tuesday night X post.

The Arcadia Lake shooting occurred shortly after 9 p.m. Sunday, according to EPD. At least 23 victims suffered gunshot-related injuries and at least 10 were taken to local area hospitals, according to a statement from EPD.

SHOOTING AT OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY RESIDENCE HALL LEAVES MULTIPLE VICTIMS

"The incident occurred during an unsanctioned party that began after dark and was advertised across multiple social media platforms, drawing a large crowd of young adults from across the metro area," EPD's statement read.

EPD responded to multiple 911 calls reporting shots fired.

Oklahoma City Police and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol also responded, according to EPD.

The trouble reportedly started when some of the party attendees started arguing with each other about their boyfriends, witness Jeremiah Braxton told The Associated Press.

"Everybody got scared, dudes was panicking, women was panicking, people seeing their friends fight," Braxton said.

Another witness, Michael Triplet, was shot in the rear. He told the AP it was a "scary situation."

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At this time, the police have not released any information on a possible subject and say "investigators are actively working the case."

Fox News Digital contacted EPD for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Idaho murders evidence leak triggers criminal investigation for insider who spilled secrets: report

Wed, 06 May 2026 10:03:37 -0400

A criminal investigation regarding leaks that violated a gag order in the murder case against Bryan Kohberger was opened and remains ongoing after it was referred to law enforcement, according to a report.

The criminal investigation is focusing on the possible source of an alleged leak to NBC's "Dateline," which produced an episode on the murders with information that was not known to the public, sources told the Idaho Statesman. An investigator with the Ada County Sheriff's Office, the agency probing the source of the leak, asked for interviews with people who had access to digital files that appeared in a May 2025 episode about the murders, the outlet reported.

Brent Turvey, a forensic scientist who was working with Kohberger's defense team, told Fox News Digital he has been asked twice for an interview by investigators.

"A detective with the Ada County sheriff’s office reached out to me twice for an interview — stating that he was tasked with investigating the NBC leak. Anne Taylor also gave me permission via email to speak with law enforcement just over a month after they first reached out to me — by phone and email," Turvey said. "So yes, they are investigating her office for related criminal charges."

BRYAN KOHBERGER COULD ESCAPE DEATH PENALTY BECAUSE OF LEAKED EVIDENCE AIRED DURING TV EPISODE: FMR PROSECUTOR

Sy Ray, a digital forensics expert and former police officer who also worked for Kohberger's defense team, told the Statesman he has spoken with investigators looking into the alleged leak more than once.

"It’s probably the most expensive misdemeanor case in the history of Ada County," Ray said. "Trying to investigate this was probably tough."

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One Sheriff’s Office investigator reached out in April to an attorney for two of the victims' families, according to the Statesman.

An administrative investigation by the court into the leaks was conducted last summer.

UNSEALED RECORDS IN IDAHO STUDENT MURDERS DETAIL VICTIMS' INJURIES, FINAL MOVEMENTS

Timeline of Nov. 13, 2022:

4 a.m.: Suspect arrives at house
Between 4 and 4:17: Time of murders
4:19: Roommate calls three victims; no one answers
4:22 to 4:24: Surviving roommates text each other from inside house
4:27: Roommate calls victims again; no one answers
4:32: Roommate texts Kaylee Goncalves, "Pls answer"
10:23: Surviving roommate texts victims; no one answers
11:39: Roommate calls her father
12 p.m.: 911 call placed from roommate's phone

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The May 2025 "Dateline" episode included surveillance video from near the home where four University of Idaho students were killed, pictures from Kohberger's phone and specifics about the crime.

FBI cellphone tower data obtained by "Dateline" allegedly showed that Kohberger's cellphone pinged nearly a dozen times to a tower that provides coverage to an area within 100 feet of 1122 King Road, where the four University of Idaho students were killed. The alleged late-night drives took place starting in July 2022 and continued through mid-August 2022.

EMAILS REVEAL HOW CAMPUS POLICE TRACKED DOWN BRYAN KOHBERGER'S CAR WEEKS BEFORE HE BECAME A SUSPECT

The "Dateline" special also reported that a white Hyundai Elantra resembling Kohberger's was seen turning onto King Road several times in the early morning hours of Nov. 13, 2022, when the murders occurred.

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Kohberger pleaded guilty to the murders of Ethan Chapin, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Kaylee Goncalves in a July 2, 2025, in a deal that took the death penalty off the table. The four University of Idaho students were found dead Nov. 13, 2022, at their house in Moscow, Idaho, located near campus.

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Steve Goncalves, the father of Kaylee Goncalves, said the "Dateline" leaks helped the move toward a plea deal, which he was against, and supports the criminal investigation.

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"They’re working on figuring this out, and hopefully they have more than they’re letting on," he told the Statesman. "I think it did cost us. It definitely took the focus off the trial and seating a jury."

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Fox News Digital reached out to Taylor, the Ada County Sheriff's Office and the Latah County Prosecutor's Office for comment.

Lynette Hooker missing in Bahamas: Timeline of Michigan woman’s disappearance, husband’s arrest

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 15:16:07 -0400

HOPE TOWN, Bahamas — Bahamian police are searching for missing American Lynette Hooker, five days after her husband says she fell out of a dinghy and was swept away by a strong current near Elbow Cay in the Caribbean country.

Her husband, Brian Hooker, has been arrested in her disappearance, according to his attorney.

The case is unfolding more than three years after the couple bought their boat in Texas, worked together on repairing it and sailed along the southern coast before ending up in the Bahamas.

Here's what we know about the Hookers' journey from buying their boat to Lynette's disappearance and Brian's arrest.

HUSBAND ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH DISAPPEARANCE OF AMERICAN WOMAN IN THE BAHAMAS

Jan. 10, 2023

Lynette, 55, and Brian, 58, documented their experience buying and cleaning up their boat in Rockport, Texas, in a video posted on YouTube Jan. 10, 2023, on their account called "The Sailing Hookers."

She said the couple had spent years looking for a sailboat to buy before finding a Morgan 461 sailboat in Texas, a 1980 charter boat from the Virgin Islands.

She said it was "a little rough on the edges."

"But we knew we were up for the task," she added in the video, which showed photos and footage of the couple repairing the boat.

March 17, 2023

The Hookers posted a video on their YouTube channel showing them sailing from the Industrial Canal Lock and navigating the Mississippi River toward Lake Pontchartrain near New Orleans.

March 26, 2023

Lynette and Brian shared a video of their first attempt at crossing the Gulf of America. Gale force winds forced them to stop in Morgan City, Louisiana.

April 24, 2023

The couple posted a video of Walmart supplies being delivered to them while they were in New Orleans.

Aug. 13, 2025

The next video on the Hookers' YouTube channel was more than two years later, when they said they were in Fernandina Beach, Florida.

Sept. 29, 2025

The couple posted a 13-second video from a bridge over a creek in Coloma, California.

March 9, 2026

Lynette and Brian shared a video of them paddleboarding in Marsh Harbour in the Bahamas.

Saturday, April 4, 2026, 7:30 p.m.

Local authorities say the couple left Hope Town's Abaco Inn on a dinghy headed toward their anchored yacht. According to Brian, Lynette fell overboard from the small boat and into the water. He said Lynette had the ignition key to the dinghy when she fell, causing it to shut off, and that despite attempts to save her, she was swept away.

Brian then paddled to the shore in Marsh Harbour.

Sunday, April 5, 2026, 4 a.m.

Brian reported Lynette missing.

Sunday, April 5, 2026, 5:51 p.m.

The Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) announced an investigation into Lynette's fall was underway.

That U.S. Coast Guard briefly participated in the search Sunday.

HUSBAND TAKEN INTO CUSTODY IN CONNECTION WITH MISSING AMERICAN WOMAN LAST SEEN IN BAHAMAS

"The Royal Bahamas Defense Force (RBDF) is the lead agency for this search," the agency told Fox News Digital. "On Sunday, the U.S. Coast Guard provided support for approximately one hour using an HC-144 aircraft, but the search yielded no results. Since then, the RBDF has not requested additional assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard."

WATCH: Lynette Hooker, husband document boating life

Tuesday morning, April 7, 2026

Lynette Hooker's daughter, Karli Aylesworth, called for a thorough investigation in a statement to Fox News Digital. Aylesworth is not Brian's biological daughter.

"There have been prior issues brought to my attention, which may be important for any thorough investigation. If this truly was an accident, I can understand and live with it," Aylesworth said. "However, there needs to be an intensive review of the facts and circumstances of this tragic incident before that can be determined."

She said she has been "privy to very little information," adding her "sole concern is to find out what happened to my mother and make sure a full and complete investigation is performed into her disappearance."

Tuesday afternoon, April 7, 2026

Richard Cook, a team leader with Hope Town Volunteer Fire and Rescue, told People officials "don't suspect foul play at the moment."

"It was just a lot of bad decisions," he added. "Night time, very windy, no moon out yet. So, it was pitch dark and very rough conditions for the small boat they were in."

He also told the magazine search efforts have transitioned to a recovery effort.

WATCH: Lynette and Brian Hooker share scenes from boating life

Tuesday, April 7, 2026, 7:12 p.m.

RBDF released a second statement informing the public that "search operations and investigative efforts remain active."

The law enforcement entity said that it, along with the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, local fire and rescue teams and the Bahamas Air Sea Rescue Association, are investigating.

The U.S. State Department also confirmed to Fox News Digital that it is working with the Bahamian government.

HUSBAND OF AMERICAN WOMAN MISSING IN THE BAHAMAS SPEAKS OUT FOR FIRST TIME, SAYS HE IS 'HEARTBROKEN'

Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 6:42 a.m.

Aylesworth joined Griff Jenkins on "Fox & Friends" and said she has seen Brian become physically violent toward one of his own children.

"I've seen him choke out one of his daughters before. And we had to go to court for that," Aylesworth said. "So, he's just repeating patterns."

She described her mother as a "very fit person" who wouldn't lose her balance on a boat.

"I'm confused why she has the keys because she never drove the dinghy. It was always Brian. So, the story just doesn't add up right now," Aylesworth said.

Aylesworth also said Brian Hooker left a voicemail message telling her authorities found Lynette's flotation device.

"Hello, honey, it's Dad. I just got a call from Hope Town Search and Rescue, and they found the flotation device that I threw to mom when she fell overboard," Brian Hooker said in the voicemail, according to CBS News.

AMERICAN COUPLE CHASING RETIREMENT DREAM IN BAHAMAS BOATING MYSTERY WERE 'INEXPERIENCED': FRIEND

Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 10:04 a.m.

10:04 a.m.: Brian spoke out for the first time since the incident.

"I am heartbroken over the recent boat accident in unpredictable seas and high winds that caused my beloved Lynette to fall from our small dinghy near Elbow Cay in the Bahamas. Despite desperate attempts to reach her, the winds and currents drove us further apart. We continue to search for her and that is my sole focus," Brian Hooker said in a Facebook post.

"Our family is deeply grateful for the Bahamian people's assistance, especially that of the Hopetown Volunteer Fire & Rescue team, Royal Bahamas police force, Royal Bahamas Defense Force, and the U.S. Coast Guard, who have worked tirelessly in an ongoing effort to bring Lynette back to us. Thank you to everyone for keeping Lynette in your thoughts and for your support of our family during this difficult time."

WATCH: Private investigator TJ Ward reacts to Brian Hooker's arrest

Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 6:30 p.m.

A vessel operated by the Royal Bahamas Police Force approached Brian's yacht, which was positioned between two land masses, to inspect it.

Two officers appeared to secure an item, possibly a rope, to the side of the boat, according to ground source AJ Skuy. One officer was also seen looking through a window before the crew departed the vessel minutes later.

No further activity was observed around the yacht.

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Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 7:34 p.m.

The U.S. Coast Guard launched an investigation into Lynette's case, Fox News Digital confirmed.

WATCH: Donna Rotunno breaks down Brian Hooker's arrest

Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 8:33 p.m.

The RBPF announced on Facebook that a 59-year old man had been arrested in Marsh Harbour in the incident. The police force did not name the suspect but said he was being questioned.

Thursday, April 9, 2026, 3 a.m.

Attorney Terrel Butler confirmed to Fox News Digital that Brian Hooker was taken into custody Wednesday in the disappearance of his wife. He has not been charged with any crime.

Butler said Brian has been cooperating with relevant authorities and "categorically and unequivocally denies any wrongdoing" in Lynette's disappearance, specifically allegations of his potential involvement made by her daughter, Aylesworth.

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Thursday, April 9, 2026, morning

Lynette's mother said she wants to hear what her son-in-law has to say after his arrest in her daughter’s disappearance in the Bahamas, according to The Associated Press.

"I’m going to be interested in what he says, because I haven’t heard from him in almost two days," Darlene Hamlett told the AP.

Hamlett, who was driving home from the Bahamian Consulate in Miami after securing a passport to travel to the islands, also told the AP that her daughter was experienced on the water, having grown up around lakes, boats, sailing and swimming.

"Our family grew up on water, and, so, Lynette her whole life has been near lakes, on boats, sailing and swimming," Hamlett said. "It would be a miracle if (she’s rescued), but I’m still counting on one."

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Aylesworth that her stepfather’s arrest appears to be bringing the case "the attention it deserves" as investigators work to determine what happened in the Bahamas.

She was interviewed for about two hours Wednesday by the U.S. Coast Guard’s Detroit sector, her attorney, Ron Marienfeld, confirmed to CNN.

In a statement after Brian's arrest, Marienfeld told Fox News Digital the family’s goal had been to get answers after they had "not hearing anything in the beginning."

"After learning of the arrest last night, it appears this matter is getting the attention it deserves," Marienfeld said.

He said Aylesworth’s efforts, along with those of Lynette's mother, helped intensify scrutiny on the case by drawing media attention. Marienfeld added that the family felt better once it learned the U.S. Coast Guard was involved in the investigation.

"The events as initially reported just did not seem to add up," he said.

Marienfeld called the case "nothing short of a tragedy" and said the family is now waiting to see where the evidence leads. He also thanked the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the Coast Guard, the media and others who have worked on the case.

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Aylesworth told the "Today" show that Brian gave her the same account he later shared with authorities during a brief phone call Sunday after Lynette vanished during a dinghy ride from Hope Town to Elbow Cay, according to local authorities.

She said her stepfather sounded "monotone and relaxed" when he told her what allegedly happened the night her mother disappeared in the Bahamas.

Aylesworth said she was "in shock" by both the news and his tone.

"I was in shock," she said. "I was like, my mom’s missing? Like, what?"

Since the incident, Fox News Digital has spoken with two people who said the Hookers retired and began traveling in their boat full time.

John Waters, a freind of the couple, told Fox News Digital he met Lynette at an oyster bar in Panama City Beach, Florida, in 2023. He said the couple was on a journey around the Gulf of America.

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"Their new lifestyle was this boat that they picked up in Texas. They spent a year working on it," Waters said.

One of Lynette's former neighbors in Kentwood, Michigan, told Fox News Digital the same and described Lynette as "just so freaking nice."

"She was just a sweetheart. She was always the nicest lady," the former neighbor told Fox News Digital. "She was — I don’t want to say she was like a hippie — but she kind of gave off this free spirit vibe, this ‘let’s go with the flow’ vibe."

He described Lynette as outgoing and said she would wave whenever she saw him. He also socialized with Lynette and Brian, recalling memories of drinking alcohol with them by the pool when the weather was nice. He told Fox News Digital she gave him motherly advice, adding that she spoke simply but that her words had a big impact, like when she gave him advice about choosing the right partner before he got engaged.

Friday, April 10, 2026, night

Brian Hooker’s attorney, Terrel Butler, said Friday night that officials decided to keep Hooker in custody for up to another 72 hours. The deadline for his release is now Monday at around 7:30 p.m., but he could be released at any time if authorities decide not to charge him.

Saturday, April 11, 2026

Edward Smith, overnight security guard at a boatyard on a Bahamian island, told Fox News Digital on Saturday that he encountered Brian Hooker when he washed ashore about eight hours after his wife disappeared into a dark and stormy sea last weekend.

"He said he was on a cay, like at a bar, having something to eat or drink, and they came out to go to another place or back to their boat, but somehow they got out in the rough weather, and they had that incident, the lady [went] overboard, or whatever," said Smith, who works at Marsh Harbour Boatyards, a boat storage and repair facility in the tourist destination.

Smith said Hooker did not appear suspicious when the pair met, adding that he "was more exhausted than anything else" and was asking for water.

Smith said he called the police to assist Hooker. He said the police arrived at about 5 a.m., and Hooker was still talking to them when Smith’s shift ended at 7 a.m.

Sunday, April 12, 2026

New details emerged about Brian Hooker's side of the disappearance story

In a recording of a phone call Brian made to a friend on April 7 obtained by CBS, Brian gave the most detailed account yet about what he says is an accident that led to Lynette's disappearance.

"She basically just bounced off the dinghy in the middle of a little blow, like 20-something knot winds that popped up," he said on the call, adding that he and his wife were not wearing life jackets.

"It was sun down, and the sun set like basically 10 minutes after she fell over," he said. "The dinghy key went over with he because it wasn't clipped to anything or anybody, and she had the spare dinghy key in her dry bag, which was with her."

Brian continued, saying the wind rapidly blew the couple apart and that he thinks Lynette tried to swim back to the yacht, which he said was about 1,000 yards or so from where the incident occurred.

"I yelled to her that I lost an oar, and then I threw the anchor out, anchored the dinghy, and just, yeah, I yelled. I couldn't see her anymore because the moon had not risen yet," he said.

Later, he said he threw a flotation cushion toward Lynette right after she went into the water, but he couldn't tell whether she was able to grab it. He said he yelled for her for about an hour.

"By the time I got the anchor set, I was probably a quarter to a half a mile away from her, and I decided that I had to go get help," he said, "but I could not get to the island, so I paddled."

"And it was a cascade of failures, and it's something I'm never going to forgive myself for," he said. "We stayed to long, we left too dark, all kinds of s---. No life jackets. I f---ing threw the dinghy out last— the anchor out last — instead of first. Can't really explain it, you know?"

Fox News Digital rode along the route taken by the Hookers when they left The Abaco Inn before the incident. Charter captain Mo Monestime, who has 15 years of experience boating in the Great Abaco Island area, said it was odd that Lynette's body has not been found.

"Not being found, that’s the mystery," Monestime told Fox News Digital.

"It is very hard to disappear, because, again, we’re so close to land," Monestime told Fox News Digital. "So if you do fall overboard [and] drown, somebody will see you the next day. Again, we can see bottom, you know? I’ll be driving the boat, I will see stingrays, I will see turtles, so I would see a human body. Somebody would see something. Somebody would say something, like, ‘Hey, we just saw something strange in the water.'"

Monday, April 13, 2026

Butler arrived in Freeport Monday for a second official interrogation with her client inside the Central Police Station.

She confirmed that Hooker still maintains his innocence, but declined to give specific details about the questions asked due to attorney/client privilege.

Hooker must be released by 7:20 p.m. or charged with a crime.

"We're close to the wire. Close to a decision," she said. "Even if they decided to charge him, it's highly unlikely that he would go to court today. So we will know by 7:20 p.m. today what their decision will be."

She added that the decision to charge Hooker will not be made by investigators, but rather by the attorney general's office.

"So, as soon as [the investigator] receives his instructions, then he will know how to proceed from there," she said.

Butler said Hooker feels "a bit drained and tired from this whole ordeal," and that he's "just hoping to have closure to be released so that he can continue to search to find out what has happened to his wife."

She also said that Hooker could get rearrested.

"It is possible that when a person has completed their time, that when they walk out, they can be re-arrested and time starts again," she said.

Monday, April 13, 2026 at 8:00 p.m.

Hooker is released from the Central Police Station after authorities decided not to charge him with a crime.

The Royal Bahamas Police Force said the decision followed consultation with the Department of Public Prosecutions, which recommended that Hooker be released pending the outcome of further investigations.

Hooker, wearing a collared white shirt, made phone calls in the jail's lobby before he walked out the front entrance with Butler, smiling briefly at cameras as the pair hurried into a taxi.

Butler told Fox News Digital that she did not know whether he still has his passport and said she would need to "discuss that further with him and the police" when asked if he is free to leave the Bahamas.

Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Hooker left the Pelican Bay Hotel in Freeport at about 9:00 a.m. He stayed there overnight after his release from custody.

He spoke briefly with the media before leaving the property.

Butler told Fox News Digital that Hooker's immediate goal was to retrieve electronics confiscated from him by police during the investigation, but that he planned to stay in the Bahamas and continue searching for his missing wife.

"He wants to continue with the search for his wife, because that is his main focus," she said. "So as long as he can remain in the Bahamas, he'll remain in the Bahamas."

She later issued a press release saying he would not be conducting further media interviews.

Property records indicate that Brian and Lynette sold their home in the town of Kentwood, Michigan, in 2020. Fox News Digital was not able to verify any further property records related to the Hookers.

The U.S. State Department has issued a level 2 travel advisory for the Bahamas. Americans are urged to "exercise increased caution" due to crime, beach safety, as well as jet ski and boating dangers.

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Fox News Digital has reached out to Brian multiple times for comment, but has not heard back.

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

The U.S. Coast Guard asks for the public's help in identifying a sailboat whose occupants may have seen the Hooker's on the night Lynette disappeared.

"#CGIS [Coast Guard Investigative Service] is asking the public for info about the disappearance of Lynette Hooker w/in Aunt Pat’s Bay, BAH, [April. 4]," the Coast Guard said in a post on X, attaching grainy images of a nondescript sailboat. "CGIS is looking for the owner of the sailboat below moored near the SV Soulmate."

Fox News Digital's Sarah Rumpf-Whitten contributed to this report.

Fiancé of influencer who died on safari getaway breaks silence after passport seized: 'Total devastation'

Wed, 06 May 2026 11:25:36 -0400

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

The fiancé of a popular New Jersey social media influencer is breaking his silence after having his passport seized by authorities amid an investigation into her apparent suicide while the pair was vacationing off the coast of Africa last month.

Ashly Robinson, who was also known as Ashlee Jenae, died while on a trip to Zanzibar celebrating her 31st birthday just days after getting engaged to her boyfriend, Joe McCann, according to her family members.

McCann, who initially had his passport seized by Zanzibar authorities amid the investigation into Robinson’s death, spoke out for the first time in a lengthy statement posted to social media.

MEDICAL EXAMINER DETERMINES TEXAS A&M STUDENT'S MANNER OF DEATH AS FAMILY ATTORNEY DISPUTES FINDING: 'FLAWED'

"There are no adequate words to describe the total devastation, emptiness, and shock I feel after losing my best friend, confidante and fiancé, Ashly Jenae Robinson," McCann said. "As a father myself, I am also heartbroken for Ashly's parents, Yolanda Endres and Harry Robinson. Ashly's death is an incomprehensible tragedy."

The grieving fiancé went on to remember Robinson’s creativity as an influencer, as well as her love of music and hosting gatherings with her friends.

"Devoted fans knew Ashly through her charismatic online persona Ashlee, but the person I loved was Ashly, a woman who embodied the virtues of compassion, empathy, kindness, generosity, and love," McCann continued. "A nurturing presence, Ashly cared deeply for the people closest to her, which to my eternal gratitude included me."

FITNESS INFLUENCER STEPHANIE BUTTERMORE DEAD AT 36, FIANCÉ CONFIRMS IN HEARTBREAKING POST

McCann finished the post with an emotional tribute to Robinson, signed "Joe."

"Ashly was an angel who shined her light on everyone fortunate enough to be in her presence. There is no way to fill the unfillable void left by Ashly's passing and no way to make sense of this unfathomable loss," McCann said. "All we can do is carry on Ashly's legacy of helping other people and strive to live up to her virtues every single day."

The post comes on the same day Robinson’s family laid her to rest in New Jersey, with sources telling TMZ that McCann was not invited to the content creator’s funeral.

Robinson’s death was ruled a suicide after she attempted to hang herself from her door in her hotel room on April 9, local authorities said. She was subsequently transported to a local hospital, where she died from her injuries one day later.

HAUNTING NOTE ON VEGAS HOTEL DOOR HINTED AT TRAGEDY BEFORE CHEER MOM, DAUGHTER FOUND DEAD

Tanzania Police previously revealed Robinson’s death is "attributed to a misunderstanding" between the influencer and McCann, while adding that the incident forced hotel staff to separate the newly engaged couple by placing McCann in another room "for their safety."

Shortly after her death, local authorities said McCann "continues to be questioned by the Police Force and his passport has been suspended," but did not elaborate on the nature of the investigation.

Sources told the BBC that McCann was being interviewed as a witness in the case and is not accused of any wrongdoing.

Robinson’s remains were returned to her family last month, though her personal belongings — including her engagement ring — have yet to be handed over by authorities, her father, Harry Robinson, told TMZ.

MICA MILLER CASE: FBI CONDUCTS SEARCH OF SOUTH CAROLINA PASTOR HUSBAND'S HOME

Her father reportedly said he believes the items are being held by authorities as the investigation remains ongoing.

In the immediate aftermath of Robinson’s death, her family spoke out to dispute authorities’ ruling that the 31-year-old influencer died by suicide.

In a previous interview with TMZ, Robinson’s parents, Harry and Yolanda Robinson, rejected authorities’ ruling that their daughter would take her own life, adding, "She was a beacon of light. A happy, go-lucky girl. Very excited to go on this birthday trip which later turned into a proposal."

Her family also reportedly said that McCann waited 11 hours after Robinson was transported to the hospital before he contacted them, and only reached back out again to inform them she had passed.

Robinson’s parents told TMZ they have not heard from McCann since she died, a development that they find "very very odd," FOX 29 reported.

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"The sadness, the unanswered questions, and the distance from home have made this tragedy even more overwhelming for our family," Robinson’s parents said in a previous statement shared to social media.

"At this time, there is an active investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ashly’s suspicious passing," they added.

Robinson, a popular social media influencer, had 145,000 followers on Instagram and regularly posted lifestyle content.

Details regarding the status of McCann’s passport and whether he has since returned to the United States remain unclear.

Fox News Digital reached out to McCann's attorney, Zanzibar Police and the U.S. Department of State.

Coast Guard asks public to identify sailboat moored near vessel where Lynette Hooker vanished in Bahamas

Wed, 06 May 2026 10:58:40 -0400

The U.S. Coast Guard is asking the public for help identifying a sailboat that it says may have been moored next to the one owned by Brian and Lynette Hooker the night Lynette disappeared in the Bahamas.

More than a month after 55-year-old Lynette's April 4 disappearance, the Coast Guard is still investigating the case. Brian said that his wife fell overboard from their eight-foot dinghy while the couple motored back to their yacht, Soulmate, off the coast of Elbow Cay around dusk. Soulmate was moored in Aunt Pat's Bay off the island.

The couple had been drinking at the Abaco Inn and attempted to return to the yacht despite high winds and choppy seas, which Brian said caused Lynette to fall overboard.

LYNETTE HOOKER MISSING IN BAHAMAS: TIMELINE OF MICHIGAN WOMAN’S DISAPPEARANCE, HUSBAND’S ARREST

The Coast Guard asked those with information to submit tips through their phone application.

CBS reported that it obtained a Coast Guard memo on the search update.

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"The owners/occupants of the sailing vessel may have information relevant to the CGIS investigation," that memo said, according to CBS.

The Coast Guard declined to comment further, citing the ongoing investigation.

Brian, 58, was detained for five days by Bahamian police following his wife's disappearance. Ultimately, he was not charged with a crime and was released from custody. He has denied wrongdoing in the case.

Upon his April 13 release from custody at the Central Police Station in Freeport, Grand Bahama, he told reporters he would remain in the Bahamas to search for his wife. The next day, he returned to the U.S.

LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST

If he is charged with a crime, he could be extradited back to the Bahamas.

The Hookers lived in Michigan until they retired to their boat and lived out their dream of sailing in the tropics.

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Brian's Michigan-based attorney, Crystal Houser, hung up the phone when reached by Fox News Digital on Wednesday morning.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Royal Bahamian Police Force.

Washington driver chases boy on dirt bike down sidewalk, gets hit with multiple charges

Wed, 06 May 2026 09:53:29 -0400

A Washington state driver allegedly chased a boy on a dirt bike onto a sidewalk and tried to run him down before later attempting to enter a stranger’s home — only to be released from jail the next day.

Wendy A. Clemente, 56, drove onto a sidewalk on a residential street and tried to hit the boy during a reckless outburst around 5:05 p.m. Monday, the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office said. The child was not injured.

A witness captured video of the silver sedan chasing the child down a sidewalk. Deputies quickly identified Clemente as the suspect and began searching for her.

About an hour later, deputies responded to a second call just a mile away for a suspected burglary. A homeowner monitoring his security cameras reported a woman trying door handles at his property.

REPEAT OFFENDER WITH 19 FELONIES BUSTED AFTER WILD CAUGHT-ON-CAMERA CHASE: POLICE

Deputies arrived and found Clemente in the driveway, where they took her into custody.

Investigators said Clemente initially denied wrongdoing and claimed she had simply stopped at the property to find other dogs for her dog to socialize with. She told deputies that she didn’t know the homeowner and that she didn’t remember the earlier incident involving the child.

Deputies noted signs of impairment. Clemente first denied drinking but later admitted to consuming alcohol. When officers attempted to place her in a patrol car, authorities said she resisted and tried to kick a deputy.

BLUE STATE JUDGE RELEASES MURDER SUSPECT WITHOUT MAKING HIM PAY A CENT IN BAIL, DESPITE GANG ALLEGATIONS

Authorities obtained a search warrant for a blood sample as part of the DUI investigation.

Clemente was booked into the Spokane County Jail on charges including attempted first-degree assault, DUI and first-degree criminal trespass.

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The sheriff's office said a court commissioner ordered her released the following day on her own recognizance without needing to post bond.

No injuries were reported in either incident.

Bakery truck driver struck by United jet thought he would be killed, father says

Wed, 06 May 2026 08:59:24 -0400

The driver of a bakery truck that got clipped by a United Airlines plane while driving on the New Jersey Turnpike believed he would be decapitated moments before the collision, his father revealed in a Tuesday news conference.

Warren Boardly Jr. was driving a truck for Baltimore's H&S Bakery on the New Jersey Turnpike on Sunday when United Flight 169 dipped down and scraped his 18-wheeler with its landing gear.

"He said he seen a flash and it made him duck and put up his hands," his father, Warren Boardly Sr., said Tuesday.

Dashcam video recording in Boardly Jr.'s car shows the moments before and during the collision. The video shows him hitting his head on the top of his truck during the impact, which Boardly Sr. and Boardly's lawyer J. Wyndal Gordon say led to an acute head injury.

WATCH: HARROWING FOOTAGE CAPTURES MOMENT UNITED FLIGHT'S LANDING GEAR STRIKES TRACTOR-TRAILER

"He described fear, total fear that he wouldn’t walk away from it, he thought that he would be decapitated. That’s what he thought," Boardly Sr. said Tuesday.

Boardly Jr. is still recovering at home from his injuries. "He's doing the best he can under the circumstances. He has a lot of pain, a lot of emotional distress that's just not gonna heal overnight," Gordon told the news conference.

"His mental and emotional status is... you know, it's coming. We have to get him looked at because that was a traumatic experience. I've never known anyone to walk away from something like that. So, you know, he feels the same way. He's struggling with that part of that," Boardly Sr. added.

GRIEVING FATHER OF DC PLANE CRASH PILOT CALLS OUT GOVERNMENT ON AIR REGULATIONS: 'WRITTEN IN BLOOD'

"Today could have been a day where we are mourning his loss," Boardly Sr. also said.

"Had he been going one mile per hour faster, or one mile per hour slower, it would have more than likely killed him," Boardly Sr. said, adding that watching the video "shook me to my core."

Gordon explained that while the Boardlys are open to potential litigation, right now they're focused on finding out what happened.

VIDEO SHOWS WING OF UNITED AIRLINES PLANE CATCHING FIRE DURING TAKEOFF AT HOUSTON AIRPORT

"We expect that there's some negligence there because planes just don't drop out of the sky and they just don't ordinarily and routinely hit 18-wheelers traveling along the New Jersey Turnpike, Gordon said.

"We're not just going to file a lawsuit without having all the facts or having enough facts that we believe that we can reasonably prove our case. So, in terms of litigation, we're nowhere near there. We're in the fact finding process right now just to get enough information to if we needed to file a lawsuit," Gordon concluded.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration are conducting investigations into the incident.

"The agency has directed United Airlines to secure and provide both the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder to support the investigation. A preliminary report outlining the facts and circumstances of the event is expected within 30 days," the NTSB previously told FOX Business.

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"Upon its final approach into Newark International Airport, United flight 169 came into contact with a light pole," United also said in a statement to FOX Business. "The aircraft landed safely, taxied to the gate normally and no passengers or crew were injured."

Fox News Digital contacted the NTSB, FAA, United and J. Wyndal Gordon for additional comment.

NYPD releases footage of 4 suspects wanted in hate-fueled graffiti spree defacing homes, Holocaust memorial

Wed, 06 May 2026 08:28:49 -0400

The NYPD has released new surveillance footage of four people wanted in connection with an antisemitic graffiti spree plaguing New York City’s Jewish community.

The incident unfolded Monday, after swastikas were spray-painted across multiple locations throughout Queens overnight, according to New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin.

On Tuesday, the NYPD shared new surveillance footage showing four suspects being sought in connection with the alleged antisemitic graffiti, adding that the group is wanted for "hate criminal mischief" spanning five separate occasions.

Additional footage obtained by Fox News from Shmira Public Safety also shows a group of individuals near one of the homes that police say was targeted after the homeowner discovered a swastika painted on their garage the next morning.

NYPD SEARCHES FOR SCOOTER-RIDING SUSPECT WHO LEFT BRICK WITH SWASTIKA ON TESLA CYBERTRUCK IN JEWISH COMMUNITY

The symbols were found plastered on several synagogues, private homes, cars and a Jewish community center — with one instance involving a swastika being painted over a plaque honoring victims of the Holocaust.

"When rabbis and congregants arrived to pray this morning, they expected to be met with their usual loving community," Menin said in a social media post. "When a family woke up, they were prepared to begin an otherwise normal week. Instead, they were met with terrifying signals of hatred and threats of violence."

Menin added the graffiti will be removed once authorities have completed their investigation.

HOCHUL, AOC, MAMDANI SLAM ‘WE SUPPORT HAMAS’ CHANTS AT QUEENS PROTEST: ‘DISGUSTING AND ANTISEMITIC’

In a statement posted to X, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned the blatant act of antisemitism and vowed to hold those responsible accountable for the graffiti.

"I am horrified and angered by the swastikas painted on homes and synagogues in Queens, including on a plaque honoring survivors of Kristallnacht," Mamdani said. "This is not just vandalism — it is a deliberate act of antisemitic hatred meant to instill fear. There is no place for antisemitism in Queens or anywhere in our city."

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The incident is under investigation by the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force, according to Mamdani.

Fox News Digital reached out to the NYPD and Mamdani’s office for comment.

Fox News' Adriana James-Rodil and Alexis McAdams contributed to this report.

Anti-Israel agitators clash with NYPD officers near synagogue

Wed, 06 May 2026 07:38:27 -0400

Anti-Israel agitators clashed with law enforcement outside a Manhattan synagogue on Tuesday night as pro-Israel demonstrators waved Israeli and American flags nearby.

Footage from the protest shows New York City police officers shoving the anti-Israel group back to create a street-wide separation between the two groups. The group waving Palestinian flags and wearing kaffiyehs numbered roughly 100 and could be heard repeatedly shouting, "Israel should not exist."

The anti-Israel group, gathered less than a block from the Park East Synagogue, chanted, "Palestine will never die," and, "Stop the sale of stolen land."

The organizer of the protest was the anti-Israel group Pal-Awda NY/NJ, which previously organized a similar demonstration outside the same synagogue in November, according to the New York Post.

JEWISH SAFETY IN NEW YORK DEPENDS ON CLEAR LINES AND MORAL COURAGE FROM MAMDANI

It was in response to that protest that the New York City Council passed legislation allowing the NYPD to place barriers around synagogues to protect congregants from protesters. Police at Tuesday night's clash were seen enforcing that barrier.

The council passed the legislation with a veto-proof 44-5 majority, but NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani refused to sign the legislation, instead dragging it out until an April 25 deadline when it automatically became law, the Post reported.

The Anti-Defamation League released an annual report on Wednesday morning that found 2025 "marked one of the most violent periods for American Jews."

ANTISEMITIC INCIDENTS BREAK RECORD FOR 4TH STRAIGHT YEAR, ADL FINDS

Assaults against Jews rose to 203 from 196 compared to the year before, and assaults with deadly weapons rose from 23 to 32.

The group did find that non-violent antisemitic incidents, including incidents of harassment and vandalism, were down 39% and 21% since 2024 respectively.

"Our 2025 Audit, which shows it was one of the most violent years for American Jews on record is a reminder of how dramatically the threat landscape has shifted. Numbers that would have shocked us five years ago are now our floor," said ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt.

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The ADL audit includes both criminal and non-criminal acts of harassment, vandalism and assault against individuals and groups as reported to ADL by victims, law enforcement, the media and partner organizations, and evaluated by ADL's experts, the group says.

Trump announces temporary pause of 'Project Freedom' amid progress toward Iran deal and more top headlines

Wed, 06 May 2026 06:46:42 -0400

Good morning and welcome to Fox News' morning newsletter, Fox News First. And here's what you need to know to start your day ...

TOP 3

1. Trump announces temporary pause of 'Project Freedom' amid progress toward Iran deal

2. Former Dem senator ousted in 2024 wins primary in rebound bid that could flip majority

3. Patel accuses FBI of lying to obtain warrants to illegally spy on Trump's 2016 campaign

MAJOR HEADLINES

UNINVITED GUEST — Family finds homeless man secretly living in their basement after things go missing. Continue reading …

WHEELS OF JUSTICE — Cops deploy drones to help trap dozens of bikers in massive bridge takeover. Continue reading …

BEHIND CLOSED DOORS — Babysitter’s grim discovery exposes deadly family secret inside luxury home. Continue reading …

BELLY OF THE BEAST — Crocodile suspected of eating local man airlifted in daring mission to retrieve remains. Continue reading …

LETHAL FORCE — US military kills 3 in strike on suspected drug-trafficking vessel in Eastern Pacific. Continue reading …

POLITICS

VIVEK'S VICTORY — Trump-backed Ramaswamy wins Ohio GOP gubernatorial primary, set to face Dem doctor. Continue reading …

TRIPLE THREAT — AOC-backed plan to 3X the federal minimum wage faces backlash over job loss fears. Continue reading …

IN THE HOT SEAT — Howard Lutnick forced to face Jeffrey Epstein ties during House Oversight hearing. Continue reading …

COMMAND CRISIS — Washington's top brass manipulated reports to hide violent offenses, feds allege. Continue reading …

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MEDIA

TABLES TURNED — Ken Griffin vows to 'double down' on Miami move, says NYC 'doesn't welcome success.' Continue reading …

SCHOOL SHAKEUP — Smith College 'makes a mockery' of all-women status by admitting transgender students, education watchdog says. Continue reading …

GAME OVER — LA 2028 Olympics' safety plan relies 'too much on police' and Homeland Security, left-wing activists say. Continue reading …

REMOTE CONTROL — California bill would let illegal immigrant professors keep teaching US students remotely. Continue reading …

OPINION

SEN DAVE MCCORMICK — Prediction markets are booming — Washington must catch up. Continue reading …

SARA CARTER — President Trump’s drug control strategy sets the path to end the drug crisis for good. Continue reading …

IN OTHER NEWS

RED CARPET PLAY — Blake Lively's Met Gala stunt after Justin Baldoni settlement was a ‘deliberately calculated tactic.’ Continue reading …

HIDDEN TOLL — Sleep apnea may be linked to a surprising physical ‘disconnect,’ researchers say. Continue reading …

AMERICAN CULTURE QUIZ — Test yourself on remarkable road trips and cool coin collections. Take the quiz here …

LESS IS MORE — Weight-loss drugs are reshaping how Americans eat out, top chef reveals. Continue reading …

GRILL, BABY, GRILL — Train passenger cooks fresh steak with surprising device. See video ...

WATCH

MIKE WALTZ — Iran is truly desperate for a deal. See video …

LARA TRUMP — Met Gala attendees are the biggest group of hypocrites. See video …

LISTEN

Tune in for a look at what rising gas prices, Iran tensions, and shifting global oil alliances could mean for America’s energy future. Check it out ...

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Who is Judge Zia Faruqui? What we know about the federal magistrate who apologized to Cole Allen

Wed, 06 May 2026 06:00:53 -0400

The magistrate judge who apologized to suspected would-be Trump assassin Cole Allen for his treatment inside a Washington, D.C., jail during a Monday emergency motion hearing has been criticized for his standoffishness with the Trump administration over the city's crime crackdown, and praised for his career-long commitment to DEI.

"To me, it’s extremely disturbing that he was put in five-point restraints, a person with no criminal history," Magistrate Judge Zia Faruqui, who devoted much of his career to diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, said during the hearing, adding that Allen is presumed innocent.

He then compared Allen, who is accused of trying to kill President Donald Trump, with suspected Capitol rioters from Jan. 6, 2021.

"It’s troubling. I never heard of one Jan. 6 defendant who was put in five-point restraints or in a safe cell," he said. "If the only way to keep him safe is the most punitive thing, that’s a problem."

NEW VIDEO SHOWS WHCD SUSPECT INSIDE HOTEL BEFORE RUSHING SECURITY CHECKPOINT WITH WEAPON

"Pardons may erase convictions, but they don’t erase history," he said. "They were hanging gallows outside."

"What am I to say to Allen that this is going to be a fair process if we’re putting him in a safe cell when he’s not supposed to be in there?" Faruqui asked. "At a minimum, I should be apologizing to him. We are obligated to make sure he’s taken care of. Mr. Allen, I’m sorry that things have not been the way they are supposed to."

WATCH: DOJ releases video of alleged WHCA dinner shooter

Allen's defense on Sunday filed a motion for an emergency hearing on his jail treatment, which was scheduled for Monday. Later on Sunday, they withdrew the motion when they learned that Allen was no longer in the jail's suicide protocol, which dictated his placement in the safe cell.

COLE ALLEN'S CROSS-COUNTRY TRAIN MUSINGS SHOW 'SCATTERED' MINDSET OF ACCUSED WOULD-BE TRUMP KILLER: EXPERT

Despite the withdrawal, Faruqui hauled the defense, prosecution and a Department of Corrections (DOC) attorney into court for the emergency hearing where he decried Allen's treatment.

Faruqui has been involved in multiple spats with the Trump administration and has a long history of spewing left-wing talking points from the bench and beyond. Here's what we know:

Praised for commitment to DEI

The Washington Council of Lawyers wrote a letter in support of Faruqui for a potential 2023 appointment to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.

"Judge Faruqui’s record demonstrates a deep commitment to pro bono representation, public interest law, fairness, and diversity—as well as keen analytical skills and sound judicial decision-making," the letter says.

It later adds that he has "devoted much of his career to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts," and twice cites his commitment to "criminal justice reform."

WHCD SHOOTING SUSPECT PLANNED TO TARGET TRUMP OFFICIALS, MANIFESTO REVEALS

Anti-ICE sentiment

After a Venezuelan illegal alien was arrested by masked federal agents in D.C., Faruqui slammed the Trump administration.

"I’d say we live in a surreal world right now," Faruqui said at a court hearing for Christian Enrique Carías Torres last year, according to The Washington Post.

"This is not consistent with what I understand the United States of America to be," he continued. "You should be treated with basic human dignity. We don’t have a secret police."

Carías Torres crossed into the country illegally under the Biden administration in 2023 and was subject to a final order of removal, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

Resistance to Trump's crime crackdown

Last August, Trump sent federal law enforcement to D.C. to assist local authorities in combatting crime. That move was met with opposition from federal grand juries, some of whom declined to prosecute cases brought before them.

The DOJ then brought the same cases in front of local grand juries. Faruqui refused to accept the local indictments in at least seven cases, and trashed the Trump administration in the process, WOUB Public Media reported.

He called Trump's crackdown a "constitutional crisis" and said, "the rule of law is being flushed down the toilet," according to The Washington Post.

WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS' DINNER SHOOTING: TIMELINE TRACES HOW SUSPECT’S ALLEGED CROSS-COUNTRY PLAN UNFOLDED

"I am afraid right now, and that’s not what this country is founded on," he said at the time. "What makes America great is the rule of law. … It will not, on any of the judges in this courthouse, be broken down."

In relation to another one of the cases, Faruqui said, "it feels like some sort of bizarre nightmare," according to Newsweek.

Trump appointee and U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro has often responded in kind to Faruqui's claims.

"This judge has a long history of bending over backwards to release dangerous felons in possession of firearms and on frequent occasions he has downplayed the seriousness of felons who possess illegal firearms and the danger they pose to our community," she said last August in reference to Faruqui.

Shortly after, she said he "has allowed his politics to consistently cloud his judgment."

In a news conference from last September, Pirro slammed Faruqui again, after he said her office has no credibility.

"It’s not fair to say they’re losing credibility. We’re past that now," Faruqui said, later adding, "There’s no credibility left."

UNABOMBER INVESTIGATOR REVEALS LIKELY BREAKING POINT OF ALLEGED WOULD-BE TRUMP ASSASSIN

"Judge Faruqui has never really met someone with an illegal gun that he hasn't found some compassion for," Pirro said in a response to a reporter who asked about Faruqui's assertion that her office has lost all credibility.

"I'm not into going back and forth with judges," she said. "I was a judge. That's not what I did as a judge. So, we need to leave politics out of it. I'll do my job. He should do his job as a judge and leave politics out of it.

Relaxed bail policies

In 2022, Faruqui joined the D.C. Rotary Club via Zoom where he told the audience about himself and his background, and participated in a brief question-and-answer session.

His personal biography was replete with references to his minority status and growing up in Baltimore as the son of Pakistani immigrants.

During the question-and-answer session, he was asked whether cash bonds should be eliminated, a pet cause of the political left.

"We try not — we should not — incarcerate poverty, right?" he said. "We incarcerate based on the presumption, in certain cases of detention when there is a crime for which someone is presumed to be detained, but they still have an opportunity to show not."

He described the fact that there is no cash bond in the federal system as "frustrating."

"For better or for worse, we do not have cash bond [in the federal system]," he said. "I think the idea again, is that someone who's presumed innocent, we do not want to bring into that — we've already appointed them counsel if they can't afford it — we don't want to make a barrier to their release when the law directs release based on income issues and concerns about income equity."

He continued, saying that in D.C. and most other federal courts they focus on conditioned releases.

WHCD SHOOTING SHOWS DEMS ARE 'PLAYING' WITH AMERICANS' SAFETY BY WITHHOLDING DHS FUNDING, GOP LAWMAKER SAYS

"So, removing internet access is something that we do. Having a third-party custodian there 24/7, you know, using Ring cameras to see who's coming into the house, you know, removing bedroom doors so someone doesn't have any privacy in the house. Finding ways to incarcerate people at home and home incarceration instead of having direct financial burdens and other ways to make sure they are still keeping the community safe but allowing them to be outside of incarceration while presumed innocent."

Faruqui also supports community justice.

He explained that often, he'll bring family members and neighbors of a suspect to ask how they'll support the suspect if the suspect is released on bail.

"It's not as simple as a sort of mathematical equation, two plus two is four," he said. "We're not getting that. We're getting art, right, and we're trying to see that and everyone views art differently, and I bring my life experiences to bear when I am trying to make predictive decisions," he said.

"I've been constantly amazed by the sacrifices people are willing to make for not just their immediate family, but for friends and neighbors as well," he said.

Faruqui was appointed to be a federal magistrate judge on Sept. 14, 2020, after 12 years as a federal prosecutor in St. Louis and D.C. Before that, he was a litigation associate at a private law firm. He graduated from Georgetown University Law.

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Typically, magistrate judges do not try felony cases, but will handle pre-trial matters brought before the court.

Faruqui's office did not return a request for comment.

Latest Us News | Fox News

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Cole Allen's alleged Trump assassination attempt may have been driven by Iran war: intel report

DHS blasts Minnesota board for unanimously pardoning illegal immigrant convicted of 3 assaults

Special Forces vet accused of trying to kill wife found dead, ending massive Tennessee manhunt

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Fetterman calls NYC protesters 'pro-Hezbollah/Hamas,' puts own Democratic Party on blast

Pirro reveals what suspect in Secret Service shootout allegedly shouted before opening fire by White House

American cruise ship passenger dies during stop at island vacation hot spot

Anti-war protester hauled down from 168-foot DC bridge after 6-day stunt, police file multiple charges

Rideshare driver arrested in alleged scheme targeting Ivy League students for sex: prosecutors

Family identifies 18-year-old killed in Oklahoma Arcadia Lake mass shooting: 'Loving caring person'

Idaho murders evidence leak triggers criminal investigation for insider who spilled secrets: report

Timeline of Nov. 13, 2022:

Lynette Hooker missing in Bahamas: Timeline of Michigan woman’s disappearance, husband’s arrest

Jan. 10, 2023

March 17, 2023

March 26, 2023

April 24, 2023

Aug. 13, 2025

Sept. 29, 2025

March 9, 2026

Saturday, April 4, 2026, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 5, 2026, 4 a.m.

Sunday, April 5, 2026, 5:51 p.m.

Tuesday morning, April 7, 2026

Tuesday afternoon, April 7, 2026

Tuesday, April 7, 2026, 7:12 p.m.

Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 6:42 a.m.

Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 10:04 a.m.

Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 7:34 p.m.

Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 8:33 p.m.

Thursday, April 9, 2026, 3 a.m.

Thursday, April 9, 2026, morning

Friday, April 10, 2026, night

Saturday, April 11, 2026

Sunday, April 12, 2026

Monday, April 13, 2026

Monday, April 13, 2026 at 8:00 p.m.

Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Fiancé of influencer who died on safari getaway breaks silence after passport seized: 'Total devastation'

Coast Guard asks public to identify sailboat moored near vessel where Lynette Hooker vanished in Bahamas

Washington driver chases boy on dirt bike down sidewalk, gets hit with multiple charges

Bakery truck driver struck by United jet thought he would be killed, father says

NYPD releases footage of 4 suspects wanted in hate-fueled graffiti spree defacing homes, Holocaust memorial

Anti-Israel agitators clash with NYPD officers near synagogue

Trump announces temporary pause of 'Project Freedom' amid progress toward Iran deal and more top headlines

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Who is Judge Zia Faruqui? What we know about the federal magistrate who apologized to Cole Allen

Praised for commitment to DEI

Anti-ICE sentiment

Resistance to Trump's crime crackdown

Relaxed bail policies