TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — A Tampa teen faces multiple charges after police say he fatally shot a 17-year-old and injured a 14-year-old boy during an argument over stolen property yesterday evening in Ybor City. 18-year-old Ronnie Thornton is charged with second-degree murder with a firearm, aggravated battery involving great bodily harm and shooting into an occupied vehicle. Police say Corey Gordon died and Christopher Vilbreana was shot in the foot. Thornton, who turned 18 on June 9, is being held without bond at the Hillsborough County Jail.
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ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The names of groups and people to whom the Orlando gunman Omar Mateen pledged allegiance are no longer being omitted by the FBI from transcripts of his conversations with authorities during the shooting. Authorities released a more complete transcript Monday afternoon, saying their earlier decision to withhold the names caused an unnecessary distraction.
Orlando gunman Omar Mateen identified himself as an Islamic soldier in calls with authorities during his rampage and warned a crisis negotiator that in coming days “you’re going to see more of this type of action going on,” according to transcripts released by the FBI on Monday. Mateen had three conversations with the police crisis negotiators during the shooting. Those communications, along with Facebook posts and searches Mateen made around the time of the shootings, add to the public understanding of the final hours of Mateen’s life and to the possible motivations behind the rampage.
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ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Attorney General Loretta Lynch is visiting Orlando to meet with prosecutors, first responders and victims of the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. Lynch’s trip comes as the Justice Department continues investigating the June 12 massacre at the Pulse nightclub, in which 49 people died and dozens were wounded. Federal investigators say they’re still working to determine why Omar Mateen, who died in a gun battle with police, picked as his target a popular gay nightclub.
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According to a statement from Governor Scott’s office, a request to the federal government to declare an emergency for the state of Florida following the Pulse nightclub shooting was denied yesterday. Scott said the money would have been used to cover the expense of provisions for health and safety measures and managing, controlling and reducing the immediate threat to public health and safety. Despite the denial, the federal government will allocate $253,000 to pay for overtime for the first responders who assisted the victims of the Pulse shooting. Scott’s office has 30 days to appeal the denial.
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NEWTOWN, Conn. (AP) — The death of the Orlando gunman deprived victims’ families of a trial that could have helped to channel grief, offer a sense of justice or provide answers. But some touched by other shootings in which the killers have died say they are grateful to be spared the emotionally grueling proceedings of the kind for killers like the Aurora, Colorado, theater shooter. The parent of a child killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012 says the gunman’s survival would have made grieving more difficult.
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A Florida Congressional candidate has announced an AR-15 giveaway. Greg Evers said Monday that he is giving away an AR-15, because terrorist incidents are on the rise. The Republican candidate has served in the Florida Legislature since 2001. A statement says he has never felt stronger about the importance of the Second Amendment.
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A bit of a shakeup yesterday with the Trump campaign. The billionaire businessman fired his campaign manager, Corey Lewandowski less than a month before the convention that begins July 18th in Cleveland.
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Hillary Clinton’s search for a Vice Presidential running mate is intensifying. Those under consideration include Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine and HUD Secretary Julian Castro.
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PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (AP) — A jail guard has been fired after authorities say he assaulted and injured an inmate. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office reports in a news release that former Deputy Matthew Stanfield was terminated Monday.
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(Tallahassee, FL) — Monday marked day one of election qualifying for candidates. Democratic consultant Screvin Watson says the election cycle is one of the craziest he’s seen. David Johnson filed the paperwork for two republican State Senate candidates Monday. Candidates have until Friday to enter races.
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(Tallahassee, FL) — A law that bars doctors from talking to patients about gun ownership goes to a federal appeals court Tuesday. Dr. Louis St. Petery is part of a group that’s been fighting the law since 2011. National Rifle Association lobbyist Marion Hammer says doctors can’t say whatever they want to patients. The case could head to the U.S. Supreme Court depending on the ruling.