Students at James Madison High School in Virginia came together to give Francis Apraku, a beloved Ghanaian custodian at the school, the surprise of a lifetime by raising $22,000 to buy him his dream car—a 2015 Jeep Wrangler.
Francis, who has worked as a janitor at the school for years, was overwhelmed with emotion when the students revealed the surprise in early September. In an interview with CBS’s Steve Hartman, he described the moment with heartfelt joy.
“My leg started shaking. I can’t stand. I was panicking. I had to get myself to the floor and I was crying,” he recalled.
The initiative was sparked by members of the school’s football team, who had formed close friendships with Francis through casual conversations outside their weight room. These moments of connection inspired the students to show their appreciation.
“He is always a nice person,” one student shared. “If we were to have a bad day, he’d be the first guy to say, ‘Are you okay?’ And we said, let’s do something nice for him no one would do.”
Prior to launching the fundraiser, a student asked Francis what his heart’s desire would be if he could buy anything. Without hesitation, he expressed his dream of owning a Jeep Wrangler. Motivated by his humble wish, the students spent the next four months raising $22,000 to make it a reality.
The act of generosity left many social media users in awe.
“God bless these kids with more. Kudos to their parents, for raising these wonderful kids,” a user on Instagram wrote.
Scores of Virginia Commonwealth University students staged a walkout during their graduation ceremony on Saturday, partly in response to remarks made by a speaker, State Governor Glenn Youngkin, regarding campus protests.
This occurs as school officials across the US prepare for potential disruptions of commencement ceremonies amid protests over the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Numerous colleges, which have been rocked by protests, are holding graduation events this weekend.
Since mid-April, over 2,000 individuals have been arrested in connection with the protests.
Social media posts on Saturday depicted Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) students clad in caps and gowns exiting the venue as Governor Glenn Youngkin began his commencement speech.
Criticism arose among students regarding Mr. Youngkin’s selection as the speaker for that year’s event, citing his opposition to VCU’s proposed racial literacy requirement and his stance against allowing encampments on college campuses.
Online videos depict VCU protesters chanting “disclose, divest – we will not stop we will not rest.”
Across the US, many student protesters are advocating for their schools, some of which possess substantial endowments, to sever financial ties with Israel.
According to Sereen Haddad, a second-year VCU student involved in organizing the protest, applause drowned out Mr. Youngkin’s speech to the extent that some audience members couldn’t hear him speak.
Ms. Haddad stated that around 150 individuals, including protesting students who walked out, participated in a march outside the ceremony.
Thirteen people, including six students, were arrested at VCU when the encampment there was cleared by police on 29 April.
Mr Youngkin’s speech went on as planned despite the walk-out. He later posted a message on social media congratulating graduates and did not comment on the protest.
At another commencement on Saturday, the University of California Berkeley Chancellor Carol Christ opened the ceremony by acknowledging the weeks of demonstrations from protesters.
“I’m saddened by how this conflict has divided students, faculty and staff,” she said, according to the LA Times.
The remarks drew some applause as well as chants of: “Hey hey, ho ho, the occupation has got to go”.
Some 20 students stood up and began waving signs, Palestinian flags and chanting, “Free Palestine” as during another speech, the San Francisco Chronicle reported, and they were later joined in chants by more graduates.
In a statement, UC Berkeley said that the event continued despite being “unfortunately disrupted” and that protesters who left the ceremony did so voluntarily. No one was arrested.
The protest came a day after eight students wore shirts spelling out “UC divest” during the law school graduation ceremony.
In the past month, the BBC has counted more than 130 US colleges and universities with protests against the ongoing war in Gaza.
Judge Dontae Bugg from the Fairfax County Circuit Court listened to arguments on Thursday from a divorced couple. They are fighting about whether the ex-wife can use two embryos they made when they were married.
Honeyhline Heidemann says the embryos are her last hope to have a baby that is biologically hers after cancer treatment made her unable to have children. Jason Heidemann does not want to have a child biologically.
Last year, a judge named Richard Gardiner made a decision that got a lot of attention. He said that embryos could be seen as property, like things you can buy or sell. He based his decision partly on a law from the 1800s about how to treat slaves.
Gardiner is not working on the case anymore, but it’s not because he mentioned slavery as an example.
There are not many established court decisions in Virginia about how embryos should be treated.
Honeyhline Heidemann’s lawsuit was filed under a law that decides how property is divided between people who are involved.
Jason Heidemann’s lawyer, Carrie Patterson, said there’s no previous example for this because the law isn’t made for dealing with embryos. She said its main job is to control how real estate is divided.
The law about embryos across the country says they are not just something you own. They have special qualities that courts need to consider when deciding who gets them.
When a judge looks at these cases, they have to think about a person’s right to choose to have children. In this situation, Patterson said her client really doesn’t want to have kids without wanting to.
Honeyhline’s Heidemann’s lawyer, Jason Zellman, said the rule about dividing property applies if the embryos are considered as things that can be bought or sold.
The papers that both Heidemanns signed with the IVF provider say that the embryos are like belongings. This means their worth can be measured based on how much it cost to make them.
Because there are two babies, he said, the judge can easily split the property by giving one baby to each person.
Bugg said he will make a decision later. He has concerns about putting a money value on the embryos.
Zellman agreed that the case has some new problems, but he also told the judge that it doesn’t need to be a big deal or set any new rules. He said that the special details of the Heidemanns’ situation, such as the agreement in their divorce papers that the embryos stay frozen until a judge decides, will make their case different from others in the future.
The judge agreed with the idea and said, “I think my decision only affects the Heidemanns. “
A big blast destroyed a house in a Washington DC suburb while police were searching the area, officials said.
Police were asked to go to the house in Arlington, Virginia, at 4:45 PM EST (9:45 PM GMT) on Monday because someone was shooting a flare gun.
When they tried to go in later, they were shot at and there was a big explosion.
Police at the scene said that only a few people were hurt, but they can’t find the person who may have caused the trouble.
The fire department put out the fire.
The trouble began when the person shot a flare gun 30 to 40 times, but no one got hurt and nothing got damaged, the police in Arlington said.
The police got a legal paper to look for things and tried to talk to him on the phone and through a loudspeaker, but the person didn’t answer and stayed locked in the house.
“The police were trying to search the suspect’s house, but the suspect fired a gun inside the house,” the police department said.
The suspect shot a gun around 8:25 pm EST, according to Arlington police.
It is not known what made the explosion happen and people are still looking into it.
We don’t know who the suspect is or how they are doing. Police said it looked like there was nobody else in the house when it exploded.
Some people who live nearby said on social media that they felt their houses shake.
A video on the internet shows a police car driving towards a house while an explosion happens. Other videos on social media are showing debris and smoke flying into the air as the house explodes. The explosion has blown off the roof and walls of the house.
The police moved some people out of their homes, while others were told to stay inside and stay safe.
Before the explosion, a person named Jim Mathews posted on X saying he saw some flares.
“He said it looked like fireworks were being shot into the sky. ” “Will last for 15-20 seconds. ” Several in about 5 minutes or so.
Virginia’s Democratic Representative Don Beyer wrote on X that he was very scared, and he thanked the first responders for keeping everyone safe.
A stray bullet killed a 10-year-old boy in Virginia as he was watching television.
On June 17, just after midnight, a fatal gunshot occurred.
K’Von Morgan, 10, was hit by multiple stray gunshots that slammed through his window while he was watching television in his room at home in Petersburg, Virginia.
He was taken to the hospital in critical condition but passed away there as a result of his wounds.
‘The Petersburg Bureau of Police extend our sincerest condolences to the family and loved ones of K’Von at this time,’ the department said in a news release. They confirmed the 10-year-old was not involved in the shooting in any way.
‘It makes no sense that a child had to lose his life by being inside his bedroom, doing what he was doing, and preparing to go to bed for the night,’ Petersburg Police Chief Travis Christian told NBC 12. ‘It’s ridiculous.’
Investigators are still searching for shooter or shooters responsible. They believe the shots were fired at the Pecan Acres apartment complex, just a few blocks from Morgan’s home.
Meanwhile, the Petersburg Bureau of Police are requesting the public’s help to identify the gunmen.
‘We’re looking for those individuals, not only those who did it, but we’re really looking for the individuals who know what happened,’ Chief Christian said.
According to an an online obituary, Morgan loved to play football and Fortnite, collect Pokémon cards, breakdance, and beatbox.
Morgan had recently finished fourth grade at Pleasant Lane Elementary School in Petersburg and was preparing to start fifth grade in the fall, his family said.
Family members have also started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money in his memory.
A candlelight vigil was held for Morgan on Tuesday night, and a memorial service is scheduled for Thursday, June 29.
During a graduation ceremony in Richmond, Virginia, a gunshot left two men dead and numerous more wounded.
On Thursday afternoon, a shooting took place in front of the Altria Theatre, where Huguenot High School was celebrating its graduation.
According to WTVR, two men, ages 18 and 36, were shot and killed. Their identities weren’t right away made public.
According to authorities, a victim, 31, was hospitalised with injuries that may have been fatal. A 14-year-old kid, a 32-year-old guy, a 55-year-old man, and a 58-year-old male also had non-life-threatening wounds.
Another injury involved a 9-year-old who was struck by a car, said Interim Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards. The child was rushed to a hospital and is expected to survive.
Two suspects were taken into custody after the rampage. One of them was charged with two counts of second-degree murder, while the other individual was released.
Police said the suspect did not appear to be a high school student.
‘At this point, we do not believe there is a threat ongoing threat to the community,’ said Edwards on Tuesday night. ‘We are in the very early stages of this investigation.’
Virginia Commonwealth University Police issued an alert of a shooting at or near Monroe Park shortly after 5pm. The theater is located at the university campus at a section of the park.
School board members were on lockdown in the Altria building and said they heard more than a dozen bangs and that people were taken out in stretchers, CBS 6 reported.
Photos and footage from the scene showed numerous police vehicles outside the theater.
Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney called the shooting both tragic and traumatic.
‘Children were involved here… this is their graduation day,’ said Stoney.
‘The question that comes to my mind right now is, is nothing sacred any longer? Is nothing sacred any longer?’
A shooting incident at a graduation ceremony in Virginia has resulted in the tragic deaths of two individuals, with five others sustaining injuries.
The incident occurred outside the Altria Theater in Richmond on Tuesday evening, causing panic among the attendees, many of whom were wearing graduation gowns. Police Chief of the city described the scene as chaotic, with people scattering in fear.
A 19-year-old suspect attempted to flee the scene on foot but was subsequently apprehended. Police have indicated that he will face charges of at least two counts of second-degree murder.
The suspect, whose identity has not been disclosed, is believed to have had a connection with at least one of the victims. Law enforcement officials managed to make the arrest without resorting to the use of firearms, and multiple guns were recovered from the scene.
We grieve for the victims and the families who lost loved ones tonight. I'm also ANGRY. I'm angry that families attending a graduation celebration can't do so safely. When do we say Enough is enough and lock up the criminals responsible for terrorizing our communities? pic.twitter.com/4NrAZVE53u
— Lt. Governor of Virginia – Winsome Earle-Sears (@WinsomeSears) June 7, 2023
While the identities of the victims have not been released, it has been disclosed that the deceased include an 18-year-old male who was part of the graduating class and his 36-year-old father.
Additionally, a 31-year-old individual sustained life-threatening injuries and remains in critical condition, while four males aged 14, 32, 55, and 58 suffered injuries but are currently in stable condition.
The shooting took place in Monroe Park, which is situated directly across from the theater.
The incident occurred shortly after the graduation ceremony for Huguenot High School had concluded at approximately 5:15 PM (21:15 GMT). As families and graduates were leaving the venue, gunshots rang out, causing a rush of people seeking safety.
Some individuals were seen carrying young children and babies, while others sought refuge in nearby buildings. Emotional reunions and tears were shared among the graduates following the distressing attack.
🚨#BREAKING: Mass shooting at Virginia Commonwealth University's during high school graduation ceremony⁰ 📌#Richmond | #Virginia
Currently multiple law enforcements are on scene of a mass shooting that took place during a high school graduation ceremony in Monroe Park on the… pic.twitter.com/18sEoB973z
As well as those who were shot, police said another 12 people were injured in the rush or treated for anxiety due to the chaos.
“This should have been a safe space. People should have felt safe at a graduation,” Interim Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards said at a news conference.
“It’s just incredibly tragic that someone decided to bring a gun to this incident and rain terror on our community,” he said.
Superintendent of Richmond Public Schools Jason Kamras said the attack occurred on what was “supposed to be a joyous day when our kids walk the stage and get their diploma”.
“I don’t have any more words on this, I’m tired of seeing people get shot, our kids get shot and I beg the entire community to stop,” he said.
A former Virginiastate trooper died in a shootout with police after he allegedly murdered the family of a teenage girl he catfished.
According to CNN, Austin Lee Edwards, 28, was killed by police Friday in Southern California after he reportedly drove across the country to meet a 15-year-old girl he’d duped online. Edwards is accused of murdering 69-year-old Mark Winek, Sharie Winek, 65, and Brooke Winek, 38, at a home in Riverside’s La Sierra neighborhood, and setting the house on fire.
After deceptively developing a relationship with the 15-year-old online, Edwards drove from Virginia to California. He’s accused of killing the teen’s grandfather, grandmother, and mother before abducting the girl and leaving the scene.
Police were summoned to the home after a neighbor called about a girl who appeared distressed while getting into a car with a man, who was identified as Edwards.
Several hours later, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department deputies were able to track Edwards’ vehicle down. When they caught up with him, Edwards opened fire before getting fatally shot. He was pronounced dead on the scene.
Edwards’ death comes just 10 days after he’d been hired by the Washington County, Virginia Sheriff’s Office.
“It is shocking and sad to the entire law enforcement community that such an evil and wicked person could infiltrate law enforcement while concealing his true identity as a computer predator and murderer,” Washington County Sheriff Blake Andis said in a news release.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the Winek family, their friends, officers, and all of those affected by this heinous crime.”
A Walmart employee shot and killed six people inside a Virginialocation of the retail chain, local police said during a press conference early Wednesday.
In an initial statement shared to Twitter by Chesapeake city officials on Tuesday night, it was confirmed that Chesapeake Police Department officers were responding to what was then described as an “active shooter incident” at the Walmart located on Sam’s Circle.
Mark G. Solesky, chief of police, later confirmed (as seen in the ABC News-streamed video below) that the first emergency call came in to the city’s local 911 dispatch center at 10:12 p.m. local time. A little over an hour later, according to Solesky, the scene was “declared safe” by responding officers.
While the investigation into the shooting will continue in the days ahead, Solesky confirmed on Wednesday that six victims had died. Another four victims were confirmed to have been hospitalized, although details on their conditions were not immediately shared. The suspect, meanwhile, died from what police believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
At the time of this writing, the identity of the shooter had not been publicly released. During Wednesday’s press conference, Solesky confirmed only that he was used a pistol in the attack. Furthermore, Solesky responded to a question from a reporter about the employment status of the suspect, confirming that the unnamed individual was (as had been reported prior to the presser) an employee of Walmart.
When reached for comment by Complex on Wednesday, a Walmart spokesperson shared the following:
“We are shocked at this tragic event at our Chesapeake, Virginia store. We’re praying for those impacted, the community and our associates. We’re working closely with law enforcement, and we are focused on supporting our associates.”
Complex has also reached out to reps with the Chesapeake Police Department for additional comment. This story may be updated.
Chesapeake Mayor Rick West called the shooting a “senseless act of violence,” adding that he was “grateful” for the work of first responders.
In an interview on Good Morning America on Wednesday, one witness to the fatal shooting said the attack had occurred in the store’s break room area.
“I looked up and my manager just opened the door and he just opened fire,” the witness, identified as Briana Tyler, said.
“I looked up and my manager just opened the door and he just opened fire,” Briana Tyler, an employee at the Walmart in Chesapeake, told @ABC News’ @GStephanopoulos.
Police say a seventh person who died is the suspected gunman. Officers were called to the store in Chesapeake just after 10pm on Tuesday after the shooting took place inside the large store.
Six people have been killed after a Walmart manager allegedly opened fire at a store in Virginia, witnesses have said.
Police said a seventh person who died is believed to have been the gunman.
It happened in the city of Chesapeake, with police called shortly after 10pm local time, spokesman officer Leo Kosinski said.
“Chesapeake Police confirm an active shooter incident with fatalities at the Walmart on Sam’s Circle. The shooter is deceased,” the City of Chesapeake tweeted.
Several dead at Walmart shooting
A witness in a Walmart uniform, called Kevin Harper, claimed he left a staffroom which the suspect, who he said was a manager at the store, then entered and opened fire in.
“It was wild. It was a manager – one of the managers,” he said in a Facebook Live from the scene.
“Sadly, though, we lost a few of our associates, I don’t know how many.”
One woman told WAVY-TV that her brother, a 20-year-old employee, was shot just 10 minutes after arriving at work.
Senator Louise Lucas tweeted: “I am absolutely heartbroken that America’s latest mass shooting took place in a Walmart in my district in Chesapeake, Virginia tonight.
“I will not rest until we find the solutions to end this gun violence epidemic in our country that has taken so many lives.”
A number of people were also injured and Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, in the nearby city of Norfolk, was reported to be treating five victims.
Mr Kosinski said police believe the shooting happened inside the store but one person was found dead outside the building.
Mr Kosinski added that no shots were fired by police “to his knowledge”.
He added that the store was very large and that there were lots of places for people to hide from a shooter.
The City of Chesapeake Twitter account tweeted: “A family reunification site is set up at the Chesapeake Conference Center (700 Conference Center Drive). This site is only for immediate family members or the emergency contact of those who may have been in the building.”
Image: Pic: Kendall Warner/The Virginian-Pilot via AP
Senator Mark Warner tweeted: “Sickened by reports of yet another mass shooting, this time at a Walmart in Chesapeake. I’ll be monitoring developments closely.”
Walmart Inc said it was “shocked” at the events in its store.
The company tweeted: “We are shocked at this tragic event at our Chesapeake, Virginia store. We’re praying for those impacted, the community and our associates.”
We are shocked at this tragic event at our Chesapeake, Virginia store. We’re praying for those impacted, the community and our associates. We’re working closely with law enforcement, and we are focused on supporting our associates.
The Walmart in Chesapeake is a “supercenter”, which means it sells groceries and other products. There are more than 3,500 Walmart supercenters in the US.
The Virginia shooting comes three days after a person opened fire at a gay nightclub in Colorado, killing five people and wounding 17.
The alleged attacker, who is nonbinary, was arrested after patrons at the club tackled and beat them.
A gunman has killed up to 10 people in a Walmart supermarket in Chesapeake, in the US state of Virginia, police say.
A man believed to be the store manager opened fire then turned the gun on himself, and is now dead.
The City of Chesapeake tweeted “police confirm an active shooter incident with fatalities at the Walmart”.
There are few details, but a police officer spoke of no more than 10 people killed and multiple injured. No motive has emerged.
Police told reporters that the attack happened at 22:12 local time (03:12 GMT).
Pictures on social media showed a heavy police presence at the scene.
Spokesperson Leo Kosinski said the shooting was believed to have happened inside the store, and that the suspect acted alone.
Walmart said it was “shocked at this tragic event” and that it was “working closely with law enforcement”.
Following the incident, footage appeared online which appeared to show an eyewitness – wearing Walmart uniform – describing what happened.
He said he had left a staff room, which a manager then entered and opened fire.
“Sadly we lost a few of our associates,” the man said, clarifying that he did not know how many of his colleagues were shot.
A woman named Joetta Jeffery told CNN that her mother had been inside the building when the attack took place, and had managed to send text messages.
Ms Jeffrey said her mother was not hurt but was in shock.
Mark Warner, a Democratic senator for the state of Virginia, tweeted that he was “sickened by reports of yet another mass shooting”.
Virginia state Senator L. Louise Lucas, also a Democrat, added that she was “absolutely heartbroken”.
She wrote on Twitter: “I will not rest until we find the solutions to end this gun violence epidemic in our country.”
Tuesday evening’s attack comes just days after a gunman opened fire at a LGBT nightclub in the US state of Colorado, killing five people and injuring 17 others.
In 2019, a mass shooting at a Walmart in the city of El Paso in Texas left 23 dead.
The award, presented after his keynote presentation at the Official Opening Dinner of the 2nd 500 CEO Summit, is to celebrate President Mahama for governing wisely, “advocating and achieving a consistent track record on economic development, women’s participation in education, and enhancing economic growth.”
Dean of the Liberty University School of Business Dr. Dave Brat says, “President Mahamawas chosen for this award because he demonstrates all of the successful traits of Christian leadership under the greatest pressure and responsibility of governing and being the Chief Executive for a Nation, Ghana.”
Amidst applause from the audience of global CEOs attending the Networking the Nations CEO Summit, Dr Brat said, President Mahamaexhibited a warmth and joy that resonated with everyone at the summit.
Under Mahama’s presidential oversight, the School of Business Dean noted, Ghana saw massive infrastructure development drive in all sectors of its economy, including education, health, ports and harbors, rail, oil, and gas.
Liberty University, the world’s largest Christian university is hosting over 600 chief executives, political leaders, athletes, and faith leaders at the 2nd 500 CEO Summit.
President Mahamaand the Lt. Governor of Virginia on Wednesday addressed a Convocation of the student body.
The former President also took part in an Africa Orientation panel and interacted with with students from Africa.
On Thursday, President Mahama participated in a Doing Business with Africa panel together with the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo HE Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde Kyenge, Finance Minister of the DRC Nicolas Kazadi Kadima Nzuji, US Congressman, The Build Act Ted Yoho, and USAID’s former Acting COO Max Primoric.
Bishop Gerald Glenn, the pastor of New Deliverance Evangelistic Church in Virginia has died, the church announced on Sunday.
Glenn had tested positive for coronavirus, according to a video posted by his daughter Mar-Gerie Crawley.
Despite warnings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to avoid mass gatherings and maintain social distancing, Glenn said in a sermon on March 22, “I firmly believe that God is larger than this dreaded virus,” and announced he was not afraid to die.
It was the next day that Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam issued his executive order banning all public and private gatherings of 10 people or more.
On April 4, Glenn’s daughter posted a video, announcing that both he and his wife, Marcietia Glenn, had tested positive for coronavirus.
The church’s post announcing Gerald Glenn’s death, asked that others would allow the “First Family to grieve in their own way.”
“While they are mourning the heartbreaking earthly absence of their family patriarch & spiritual father, they also have family members who are struggling to survive this dreaded pandemic,” the church’s Facebook post read.
Final arrangements for Glenn are expected to be made within the next few days, the church said.
Bishop Gerald Glenn, the pastor of New Deliverance Evangelistic Church in Virginia has died, the church announced on Sunday. Glenn had tested positive for coronavirus, according to a video posted by his daughter Mar-Gerie Crawley.
Despite warnings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to avoid mass gatherings and maintain social distancing, Glenn said in a sermon on March 22, “I firmly believe that God is larger than this dreaded virus,” and announced he was not afraid to die.
It was the next day that Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam issued his executive order banning all public and private gatherings of 10 people or more.
On April 4, Glenn’s daughter posted a video, announcing that both he and his wife, Marcietia Glenn, had tested positive for coronavirus.
The church’s post announcing Gerald Glenn’s death, asked that others would allow the “First Family to grieve in their own way.”
“While they are mourning the heartbreaking earthly absence of their family patriarch & spiritual father, they also have family members who are struggling to survive this dreaded pandemic,” the church’s Facebook post read.
Final arrangements for Glenn are expected to be made within the next few days, the church said.
