洛市地产经纪欺诈1800万救济金 被判入狱逾10年



洛市地产经纪欺诈1800万救济金 被判入狱逾10年

世界新闻网

12/08/2021

房地产经纪人Tamara Dadyan一家欺诈1800万救济金,现被判入狱10年以上。(洛杉矶警察局)

洛杉矶一名房地产经纪人12月6日(周一)因参与家庭欺诈团伙而被判处十年以上监禁,该犯罪团伙在新冠疫情期间,通过申请紧急小型企业援助贷款,共骗取1800万元巨款。

42 岁的 Tamara Dadyan是洛杉矶市恩西诺(Encino)的一名房地产经纪人,她也是家庭欺诈团伙的八名共谋者之一。根据司法部公布的信息,Dadyan所在的家庭犯罪团伙使用非法所得资金购买豪宅、金币、钻石、珠宝、名牌手袋和哈雷摩托车。

检察官表示,该犯罪组织在疫情期间共提交了151份针对小型企业援助的贷款申请,他们创建了一个精心设计的虚假小企业网络,并通过使用被盗身分给企业开设银行账户、伪造工资单和虚假纳税申报表,共窃取 1800 万元的疫情救灾资金。当联邦调查局(FBI)特工突袭Dadyan家时,他们发现了伪造的身分证件、伪造的企业信用卡、欺诈贷款申请人的支票簿、以及属于州和联邦法院的公证章和印章。



美国地方法院法官Stephen V. Wilson对Dadyan的罪行表示遗憾,称她完全无视法律,厚颜无耻,协助家人在政府救助资金用完前匆忙提交虚假贷款申请,甚至还使用死者名字。检察官曾要求对Dadyan判处21年以上的刑期,称她的行为令人震惊地冷酷无情,检察官在法庭备忘录中写道,她偷走的数百万美元是专门为小型企业和工薪家庭准备的,新冠疫情导致不少人陷入经济瘫痪,迫切需要这些救济金来生存。

Dadyan本月6日被判处十年以上监禁,她的丈夫Artur Ayvazyan也因参与骗局,上个月被判处五年徒刑,这对锒铛入狱的夫妇将留下两个未成年的孩子。

Dadyan的姐夫,该犯罪团伙主要成员Richard Ayvazyan,与他的妻子用贷款诈骗所得购买了价值 325 万元的房产,他们在今年6月的一次审判中被判有罪,但夫妇俩在判刑前逃离。主犯Ayvazyan上个月被缺席判处 17年徒刑,他的妻子被判处六年徒刑。联邦调查局现悬赏2万元,以获取相关线索。

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洛市亚裔老板短报商品价格逃税 现被判吐出上亿元

世界新闻网

12/06/2021

洛杉矶联邦检察官办公室。(谷歌地图)

洛杉矶市中心时尚区一家服装批发公司老板,12月6日被联邦法官判处12个月零1天的刑期,罪名是刻意报低进口的服装价格,来避免向美国支付数百万美元的关税,且没有向联邦政府报告大笔的现金交易。这名老板并被责成赔偿政府单位3522万7855美元,与同意被没收款项8156万4856美元。

这家服装批发公司老板叫Sang Bum「Ed」Noh,67岁,住在贝艾尔(Bel-Air),拥有两家公司,分别是Ambiance Apparel – Ambiance USA Inc和Apparel Line USA Inc。被告和他拥有的这两家公司于2020年10月承认八项控罪,包括洗钱和欺骗海关。



联邦检察官办公室指出,被告被判赔偿国税局和联邦海关和边境保护局3522万7855美元,在认罪协议中同意被没收款项8156万4856美元,并额外被没收曾被执法部门扣押的110万4997美元。

联邦检察官办公室称,Noh的其中一个公司Ambiance在不到四年里从联邦海关和边境保护局和国税局共偷税约3522多万美元,他欺骗海关、不提供8300表格,但在贝艾尔地区购买了一套房子、豪华汽车,并在鞋盒和垃圾袋中保存了3500万现金。

他从亚洲国家进口服装,向联邦海关和边境保护局提供假的发票,低估货物的价值,从而避免支付进口商品的全部关税。在Noh的指示下,他的亚洲供应商为其准备的第一张发票通常是实际价格的60%至70%,第二张发票是实际价格的余额,Noh把第一张发票上报用于计算进口关税。



而在店面的销售过程中,他的公司使用两套账簿来记录销售额,其中一套记录现金交易,在报税时并未向会计师报告,此外他还指示会计师少报一些帐面收入。

目前国际麻醉品、洗钱和敲诈勒索科的助理、联邦检察官Scott D. Dubois起诉了此案,资产没收科科长助理、联邦检察官Jonathan S. Galatzan处理了本案的资产没收部分。该案由国土安全调查局、国税局刑事调查局、联邦海关和边境保护局、LA IMPACT、长堤警察局、洛杉矶警察局等执法单位联手调查。

Source



Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney’s Office

Central District of California

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, December 6, 2021

Los Angeles Fashion District Company Owner Sentenced to One Year in Prison for Committing Customs Violations and Tax Offenses

          LOS ANGELES – The owner of a garment wholesaling company in the Fashion District of downtown Los Angeles was sentenced today to 12 months and one day in federal prison for scheming to undervalue imported garments and avoid paying millions of dollars in duties to the United States, failing to report millions of dollars in income on tax returns, and failing to report large cash transactions to the federal government.

          Sang Bum “Ed” Noh, 67, of Bel-Air, who owns Ambiance Apparel, was sentenced by United States District Judge Virginia A. Phillips.

          Ambiance Apparel – the operating name for two corporations, Ambiance U.S.A. Inc. and Apparel Line U.S.A. Inc. – pleaded guilty in October 2020 to eight criminal counts, including conspiracy, money laundering and customs offenses, was sentenced to a term of five years’ probation and has been ordered to implement an effective anti-money laundering compliance and ethics program with an outside compliance monitor. There is a restitution order in this case for $35,227,855, a forfeiture money judgment of $81,564,856, and the additional forfeiture of $1,104,997 previously seized by law enforcement.



          Court documents outline separate schemes involving Ambiance and Noh, which came to an end in September 2014 when law enforcement authorities executed dozens of search warrants as part of an investigation into money laundering and other crimes at Fashion District businesses.

          Noh “made defrauding the United States a significant revenue stream for Ambiance, appropriating approximately $35,227,855.45 from U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Internal Revenue Service in less than four years,” prosecutors argued in a sentencing memorandum. “While [Noh] was cheating the United States and facilitating money laundering [by failing to file Forms 8300], he enjoyed a house in Bel Air, bought luxury cars, and squirreled away bundles of cash worth $35 million in shoeboxes and garbage bags.”

          In the customs fraud scheme, Ambiance imported clothing from Asian countries and submitted fraudulent invoices to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that undervalued the shipments and allowed Ambiance to avoid paying the full amount of tariffs owed on the imports.



          At Noh’s direction, the Asian manufacturers prepared two invoices for the clothing ordered by Ambiance – one that usually reflected 60 to 70 percent of the actual price and was paid by letter of credit, and one that reflected the balance of the actual price and was paid by wire transfer.

          The first invoice, which stated only 60 to 70 percent of the shipment’s value, was fraudulently submitted to CBP and was used to calculate the tariffs due on the imports. As a result of this scheme, over the course of just over 4½ years, Ambiance undervalued imports by about $82.6 million and failed to pay more than $17.1 million in tariffs.

          Ambiance also failed to file reports with the Secretary of the Treasury that documented cash transactions of more than $10,000. Ambiance employees received approximately 364 payments of more than $10,000 over a two-year period – which totaled more than $11.1 million – and the company failed to file a single Form 8300 to alert federal authorities to the cash transactions.



          In conjunction with transactions made at Ambiance’s storefront, Ambiance used two sets of books to record sales, one of which documented only cash transactions and was not reported to Ambiance’s outside accountants. Noh also directed some of the second set of transactions to be underreported to the accountants. The lower sales figures were reported on 2011 and 2012 tax returns filed by Noh. Noh failed to report income for those two years and owed the IRS a total more than $16.8 million, which includes unpaid taxes, penalties and interest.

          The $16,806,412 Noh owed to the IRS and the $18,421,443 he owed to CBP have been provided to the court from seized funds.



          The case against Ambiance and Noh was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, LA IMPACT, the Long Beach Police Department, the Los Angeles Police Department, the Gardena Police Department, and the West Covina Police Department.

          Assistant United States Attorney Scott D. Dubois of the International Narcotics, Money Laundering and Racketeering Section prosecuted this case. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan S. Galatzan, Chief of the Asset Forfeiture Section, handled the asset forfeiture portion of this case.

Source



这个厉害了: 枪顶在后脑勺上 仍然自卫成功

11/18/2021

详细描述自卫全过程,非常值得一读。

https://americanhandgunner.com/our-experts/with-a-gun-to-your-head-the-larry-goldstein-incident/

内容大致提要:时间: 2015年5月15, 地点: 密西西比Jackson郊区 。

1. 主人公Larry Goldstein是医生,家住富人区以为安全。可罪犯想的是,就你们富人区才有油水可以抢 。
2.  主人公是USPSA射击赛爱好者,以为好区不需要随身带枪,但在皮卡车门边藏了上膛的手枪 。
3.  回家没有留心周围,被两个劫匪用枪顶在后脑,命令打开保险柜,抢走若干枪支 。
4.  然后被逼迫开车去取钱机取钱。整个过程中医生都老老实实照办,慢慢等待机会 。
5. 取钱之后命令开车回去绑架医生妻子,准备把两口子关进trunk。 这时医生意识到劫匪的计划是谋杀 。
6. 两个劫匪在车后座用枪顶着医生后脑,医生偷偷把门边的抢取出来。
7.  被命令在树林停车,下车。医生在下车瞬间后脑没枪的机会果断开枪击毙匪徒一名,另一匪徒从另 一 车门逃逸。
8. 后续故事,医生从此任何时候出门必带上膛枪 。

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WITH A GUN TO YOUR HEAD: THE LARRY GOLDSTEIN INCIDENT

BY MASSAD AYOOB

11/18/2021

Situation: You are surrounded by hidden, loaded handguns. Unfortunately, one of your kidnappers is holding a .357 Magnum to the base of your skull.

Lesson: Sometimes it’s best to lull your assailants off guard by complying and biding your time. Experience shooting under pressure will help when the targets are trying to shoot you.

May 15, 2015. In a suburb of Jackson, Miss., Larry Goldstein, MD, is in his open garage, loading his pickup truck. A successful gynecologist, his sleepless years in residency and dedication to his long-standing practice have rewarded him with a large, expensive home. Unfortunately, criminals are drawn to signs of money.

His personal sport for the last five years has been competitive shooting. He is on his way to a USPSA match. He has just put his gear bag in the back seat of the quad cab. In it are two CZ Shadow 9mm pistols, several magazines of 9mm, and enough ammo for the whole match. He hears a noise sounding like a squirrel on the eaves, and suddenly he is confronted by two strange men wearing bandannas over their faces.

The nearest, a broad-chested guy about 5′ 10″, shoves a long barreled stainless-steel revolver in his face. Larry makes it for a .357 Magnum. He can see the noses of the live cartridges in the front of the cylinder. The man snarls, “You know what this is?” Larry replies as calmly as he can, “It’s a gun.” Predictably, the next words from the man are, “We want your money!”

Larry’s gun safe is visible in the garage. The guy with the revolver spins him around, grabs him by the shirt, and forces him toward the safe with the gun’s muzzle at the back of his head. He orders him to open it. Larry’s shaky hands don’t get the combination right at first, and he tries to explain. “You’re lyin’! We’re gonna shoot you!” He finally manages to get the combination right. The intruders start grabbing stuff. There are at least two AR15s in the safe, including a .223, but the one they grab is a Smith & Wesson M&P chambered for .22 LR. They grab a handful of AR magazines and a few handguns and stuff them into a backpack.

They march him into the house, his hands behind his head and the revolver still at the nape of his neck. Larry does not have a gun on his person. He has earned black belts earlier in his life in Hapkido and Tae Kwon Do. He knows enough to realize a disarming attempt on one of the men will leave him vulnerable to the other. He bides his time. They walk through the bedroom, past Larry’s sleeping wife. He cannot find his billfold — it will later turn up in a pair of pants he was wearing the day before — and the robbers satisfy themselves by pulling all the money from his wife’s purse. Without waking Mrs. Goldstein, they march Larry out of the house. Their plan is to make him drive them to an ATM and empty his account.

At the pickup, the second man tries to load the AR15 and realizes he can’t fit a .223 magazine into a .22 LR. They make him get a magazine fitting the rifle. Both robbers get into the back seat, the revolver still aimed at the base of his skull, and order him to take them to the bank’s drive-up ATM.



Going Mobile

Dr. Goldstein experiences a “water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink” moment. Like many armed citizens (and off-duty cops) he has presumed staging guns reasonably close in the home or vehicle will be adequate. In the console is a Walther PPK .380. In the driver’s door pocket of his pickup are a Ruger LCP .380 and a GLOCK 19. All are loaded.

He assesses his odds if he reaches for one as he drives. Both robbers are in the back seat, the smaller man (about 5′ 7″, 150 lbs.) has put a full magazine into the .22 caliber AR, and Larry has to presume him to be armed even though he hasn’t spotted a weapon of the suspect’s own yet.

The other, directly behind Larry in the rear passenger seat, has the decidedly loaded revolver he’s kept pointed at Larry’s head. The bandits have the case between them containing two CZ 9mms and mags and ammo. At the wheel, he can’t see them both at the same time in the rear-view mirror. If he conspicuously turns around to look at them, it will tip them off and put them on alert.

Either of them will be able to clearly see if he reaches for the Walther, so the console gun is out. He might be able to slip one of the pistols out of the door pocket with his non-dominant left hand but shooting backward over his shoulder will be awkward and difficult, and he’ll be unlikely to be able to neutralize both before one of them can kill him. The logical strategy still seems to be, “Bide your time.”



At The ATM

The robbers ask him how much money he has in his ATM card account. Larry answers truthfully, “About $12,000.” They yell at him, “You’re lying! You live in that big house! You’ve got to have more money!”

They pull up to the ATM. The security camera will be able to identify only Larry. The masked men in the back seat are largely shielded by the truck’s tinted windows; perhaps they had this in mind when they chose to seat themselves where they did. Larry believes he can only withdraw a thousand dollars per day and tells them so. The refrain comes again, “You’re lyin’! We’re gonna shoot ya! We want it all!” Larry answers as calmly as he can, “We can’t get it all.” They tell him to try for $1,500.

It takes Larry a while to punch in the numbers. The machine won’t give him $1,500. He tries for $500, gets it, then gets another $500. He tries a third time but hits the wrong buttons, and the machine only gives him $20. Apparently fixated on the stated amount, the robber with the revolver tells him, “Get $480!” He does. They’re satisfied. They tell him to drive.

As the truck is rolling, the larger criminal tells him, “Okay, we’re gonna take your truck. Go to the woods behind your house … We’re going back to your house and get your wife.” He adds, “We’re gonna put you in the trunk.” Larry has already complied with their order to give him the opening code to their gate, and he knows he has had to leave the house unlocked.

As a medical doctor Larry Goldstein has spent his career diagnosing. The diagnosis of this particular problem is excruciatingly clear. Drive to the woods. Go to the house and get your wife. We’re gonna put you in the trunk of a pickup truck that has no trunk.
He realizes they’re going to murder him, go back to the house, and probably murder his unsuspecting wife.

The stakes of the game have just gone up and Larry Goldstein knows there is only one card left to play.

Steering with his right hand, he unobtrusively reaches down with his left, lifts the GLOCK 19 from the door pocket, and surreptitiously slips it under his left thigh.



Last Resort

They reach a spot in the woods behind Larry’s house. They order him to stop. He does so. They order him to get out of the car.
As he opens the driver’s door, Larry lifts his left thigh enough to discreetly pick up the GLOCK with his right hand. As he alights on the ground, the man with the revolver opens the door behind Larry’s and prepares to step out, as his accomplice comes out of the right rear door.

Larry Goldstein channels his five years of USPSA, sweeps the 9mm up rapidly into a two-handed stance, and opens fire.

He’s shooting as fast as he can. He can see the gunman starting to fall backward, can see a window on the right side of the car shatter as one of his bullets passes through his antagonist and strikes the glass. The robber falls backward on the rear seat, his gun still in a hand that has fallen limply down.

Larry turns toward the second threat. The other man is running away. Larry fires three shots at him, from about 30 yards. The masked man disappears from view.

Larry turns his attention to the downed gunman. He sees the revolver is still in his hand, snatches it away, and puts it out of the man’s reach. He grabs the blood-soaked gunman and pulls his body out of the car. The experienced MD knows a dead man when he sees one. The gunman has been hit twice in the abdomen, twice in the chest and once in the head.

The remaining thug is running in the direction of the Goldstein home. All Larry can think of is his wife’s safety. He jumps behind the wheel of his pickup and goes after him.

In moments, Larry has eyes on him again. The perpetrator is getting into a tan SUV, apparently the getaway car, he has parked near the church close to Larry’s home. He starts it and begins to drive away. Larry aims his G19 and fires three rounds at the vehicle. It disappears from his view. It’s not heading toward his house; he lets it go.

They’ve taken his iPhone. Larry Goldstein drives his truck to the nearest house, knocks on the door, and asks the lady who answers the door to call police. She hands him a phone. He first calls his wife, telling her to lock the doors. Then he calls 9-1-1 and gives a brief description of what has happened.

The first act of the deadly play is over. The second now begins.



Immediate Aftermath

The scene not being exactly downtown, it took police 20 minutes to arrive. When he saw them coming, Dr. Goldstein unloaded the GLOCK, set it in the truck and stepped away from it. Patrol officers and detectives alike were professional and understanding.

A crowd had formed. Having called his wife to reassure her, Larry phoned a friend he was supposed to pick up to go to the match with him. The friend called a mutual friend, an attorney, to meet them at police headquarters. One of the officers drove him there — in the front seat of the patrol car, un-cuffed. With legal counsel by his side, Larry told detectives what had happened. At one point the chief of police arrived. “How are you doing?” he asked Larry. “Not very good,” the doctor replied. “Don’t worry, you’re going to be all right,” the chief said.

The chief had told him no lie.



Long Term Aftermath

Larry was never arrested, never sued, and never had to pay a penny in legal fees. His lawyer friend refused to bill him. He got his guns back in about a week. The escaped suspect was captured within a few days. He had used his personal vehicle as a getaway car and had taken it to an auto body shop to repair the bullet holes and shattered window caused by Larry’s gunfire. “I thought he’d be charged with felony murder,” Larry told American Handgunner later, “but the charges were kidnapping, armed robbery, and home invasion.” Legal proceedings dragged on, as they often do. “In December 2018,” says Larry, “he was convicted on all counts. His sentence added up to about 80 years. He’ll be eligible for parole in 40.”

Dr. Goldstein got a new truck out of the deal. His had become evidence, necessarily stored with the windows up in an impound lot in Mississippi heat. The rear cabin was soaked with blood. Blood is tissue. Tissue rots. The insurance adjuster opened the door, gagged at the stench, and blurted, “It’s totaled.”

Needless to say, the incident left an emotional mark. “The next morning when I woke up, it really dawned on me what could have happened, and I lost it,” he remembers. “I was a basket case for a while. Every time I thought about the incident, it really upset me. Later, I went to the family burial plot, and was overwhelmed at how close I had come to joining them.”

One of the first things he did when he got home was to put a .45 caliber GLOCK 30 where he could reach it immediately. Was the dead man a gang-banger, with buddies who would seek revenge? He didn’t know, but he had to consider the possibility and provide for it. The hypervigilance remained for quite a while, and never entirely went away, even though no reprisals materialized.

“I went to a psychologist, and studied up on post-traumatic stress disorder,” Larry comments. “I lost appetite. I had trouble sleeping. I did have a few dreams related to the incident.” Before long, he and his wife sold the house and moved. Friends and family were extremely supportive. So, he remembers, were the police and the prosecutor’s office.

A competitive shooter, Larry had never felt a need to take a defense-oriented class. This changed. His 25-minute ordeal sent him on a long odyssey of training, all the way to instructorship; in fact, he and I met when he took my MAG-40 class at the superb Boondocks training facility in Mississippi. He has found sharing with others the lessons of what he went through to be therapeutic.



Lessons

The doctor’s short-term hypervigilance settled into simply … vigilance. Larry feels the biggest lesson he learned was the importance of being alert and aware and avoiding complacency. He now carries a gun on his person almost all of his waking hours and is seldom far from one. “I don’t step out to pick up my newspaper or take out the trash without a gun on,” he says adamantly.

If he had tried to fight earlier than he did, when the odds against him were all but hopeless, he would probably have been murdered and very likely his wife would have been, too. Larry was wise to give them reasons to keep him alive (getting money from the ATM on a weekend), to lull them into complacency with his compliance, and yet be ready to do what had to be done when the moment came.
He feels his competition experience definitely helped him win the fight with the men who were almost certainly going to murder him. When the time came to shoot, he performed on auto pilot: two-handed, eye level, hits sufficiently fast, accurate and voluminous to keep a deadly opponent from pulling the trigger of the revolver in his hand. Larry had been shooting USPSA for five years when the incident took place. He has continued competition to this day.

He’s glad he reached for the GLOCK instead of the seven- or eight-shot .380s also within reach. The G19 contained a GLOCK 17 magazine, for a total of eighteen 9mm rounds including the one in the chamber. It still had ammo on board after his three volleys of gunfire. The cartridges were match rounds, mild 147-gr. round nose FMJ handloads. His defense guns have modern defensive ammo in them today.
When Larry tells his story, one of the first questions he gets is “Didn’t you get in trouble for shooting at the fleeing felon?” The answer is, he didn’t, and this bears some explanation. The man he shot at had committed, not just a felony, but a “heinous felony against the person”: kidnapping. They had given him every reason to believe they intended to murder him. They’d explicitly stated they were next going to get his wife, who was sleeping in an unlocked house while the felon had the combination to the security gate. Larry was without communications, and no other reasonable means of capture seemed feasible. He could not identify the suspect — the only description he could give was a masked African-American man of average size — and if he was not stopped he was likely to remain at large indefinitely.

Finally, the cornerstone of the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Garner v. Tennessee was even police should only use deadly force on fleeing felons if their continued freedom constituted a clear and present danger to innocent human life. Larry had ample reason to consider this man armed and extremely dangerous. Remember, the thugs had told him they were going back to his house where they all knew Mrs. Goldstein was. While Garner was a civil case and involved police, it remains the defining statement on the mood of our highest court on the use of deadly force on fleeing felons. It is why I think, in this particular set of circumstances, Larry’s actions would have been defensible in court … and it’s probably why the investigating officers and the prosecutors had no problem with Larry’s final shots. Those last three shots, remember, were important factors in the ultimate capture of the surviving thug.

A last important lesson is it’s BS to think “I live in a nice neighborhood, so I don’t need to keep a gun at hand.” Au contraire: Larry lived in a fine home in a very nice neighborhood and this was one reason he was targeted! We can’t overlook how many times they told him a guy with a house as big as his should have lots of money on hand. The nice neighborhoods are where the best stuff is to steal.

We at American Handgunner thank Dr. Larry Goldstein for sharing the lessons of his deadly encounter with our readers.

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University of Chicago Addresses Safety Concerns Following Murder of Graduate

By Vi Nguyen

11/17/2021

Aerial of The University of Chicago and Chicago city skyline in the background on a beautiful end of a sunny day in the fall, Illinois

The University of Chicago held a meeting Wednesday night addressing the growing concern of crime and violence in the Hyde Park neighborhood and what’s being done differently to prevent another tragedy.

Some students attending the university say they are worried about their safety following the robbery and murder of Shaoxing Zheng, also known as Dennis. He’s the third student from the University of Chicago killed so far this year.



“When a community member is struck down we lose a part of ourselves. The void left by the loss of Dennis and the promise of his life will never be filled,” said university President Paul Alivisatos. “We share in the grief felt by Dennis’ family and friends and those in our immediate community and communities in the South side.”

University leaders, along with Chicago Police Department Supt. David Brown, addressed security and safety concerns on and around campus from reports of shooting to robberies.

“We immediately expanded our resources and are now pursuing new innovative partnerships and initiatives to express our safety challenges,” said Eric Heath, U of C associate vice president for safety and security.

Since the tragedy last week the university said it has increased patrols, added more police cameras and expanded its free ride-sharing program. The university said it’s launching a new 24-hour strategic operations centers allowing U of C police to share information and data in real time. The school is also creating a victims servicing unit to provide advocacy and support for victims of violent crimes.

“I would like to state unequivocally that safety is my top priority,” said Alivisatos. “We are diligently working to make it safer on and around campus.”



Brown said CPD has added additional officers and has plans to add more by the end of the year. He would like to see more beat patrols and what he described as traffic safety missions to deter or capture the criminals.

“Think about this offender—he was in a stolen car,” said Brown. “If we had traffic safety missions in or around the campus we could have stopped him and arrested him for being in a stolen car before he even committed the robbery. So the more traffic safety missions, the more likelihood you are to deter offenders and/or capture them before they’re able to commit a crime.”

The university is holding a memorial service Thursday for Dennis Zheng. The public is welcome to attend the 3 p.m. service at Rockefeller Memorial Chapel.

Source



芝加哥大学中国生校内怒吼:我们是来学习 不是送死

文章来源: 联合新闻网

11/16/2021

以中国留学生为主的数百名芝加哥大学学生、教职员以及家长,16日中午在芝大校园举行的”我们要安全”游行集会中,不断高呼”我们是来这里学习,不是来送死”、”停止枪枝暴力”,向校方强烈要求确保校园安全,多位学生、家长发言表示,从范轶然到郑少雄之死,让他们现在一出门就害怕自己成为下一个受害者,生活与学习均大受冲击。

这场在芝大校园Main Quad举行的集会响应热烈,自发到场的各族裔学生、教职员从11时许持续涌入,大家手持”白天也不安全”、”让我们活着”、”我会不会是下个受害者?”的标语、海报,表达迫切希望校方及有关单位实时改善校园安全的心声。

由约60位中国学生自主发起的这场集会游行,向学校等有关单位提出多项要求,行动发起学生之一的朱弘鼎说,学校应延长晚上网约车接送的时段与次数,增加校车班次并扩大接送点,希望建立校园内任何犯罪事件的实时警告系统,同时要求校方每年举办学生安全培训、提供学生完善的生命保险,此外,也希望学生离校后一段时间内,继续提供有效保障措施,该集会也呼吁校方针对校警系统进行问责与检讨。



芝大博士生孙昌昱说,今年芝大有三名学生于校园附近或捷运列车上命丧枪口,”让人害怕之余更觉得生气”,她说,海德公园已经不再安全,希望学校尽快提供更多校车接送服务,并建立校园安全建言热线。

有两个孩子在芝大实验学校就读的Lisa说,郑少雄之死让整个小区的安全响起警钟,”现在除非万不得已,我们都不会出门,连遛狗也尽量不去”,她说,以前曾经会让孩放学后自行回家,现在则一定自己接送,”治安问题必须立刻想办法改善,否则居民、学生都天天活在恐惧中”。

住在范轶然遭枪杀停车场公寓大楼的一名中国学生说,从年初范轶然死亡后,他每次到停车场取车,或上下车的瞬间,都要担心下一刻会不会有枪口对准脑袋,而居住于中国的父母也同样忧心,”现在又发生郑少雄事件,但有关当局却未让我们感受到校园安全已经强化”。

约40分钟的集会中,数十名中外学生陆续提出有关学校及市府可能采取的措施,接着队伍从集会地点走向芝大图书馆后高呼口号,强烈表达要求学校强化校园安全的急迫心声。

另方面,芝大300名教职员15日也签署联名信给校长阿利维萨托斯(Paul Alivisatos)与教务长利嘉仪,呼吁芝大必须将”打击暴力”列为首要任务,且要求校方立刻扩大芝大警察局的管辖范围,在海德公园区增加监测与保全人员。

Source



University of Chicago international students rally to demand safety upgrades a week after fatal shooting of recent grad. ‘The next one … could be anyone in this crowd.’

By PAIGE FRY | CHICAGO TRIBUNE

11/16/2021

Students rally to call attention to recent violence surrounding the University of Chicago campus, including the shooting death of a 24 year-old recent graduate, Nov. 16, 2021. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)

At least 200 University of Chicago students, many of them international, gathered at the campus’s Main Quadrangle Tuesday — a week after the fatal shooting in Hyde Park of Shaoxiong “Dennis” Zheng, a recent graduate — to demand further safety measures from the university.

They held handmade signs echoing their concerns: “We want safety,” “Who is next?” “No longer safe under daylight,” “We are here to learn not to die.”

Following the shooting of Zheng, students quickly banded together with help from local activists and student groups to come up with a list of demands for the university and to organize the rally.

Da Teng, a 23-year-old doctoral chemistry student, said that Chinese people in America are traditionally known for being more politically inactive.



“But we really want to be heard this time,” he said.

Teng said he can no longer tell students back in China that it is safe to study in Chicago.

“The next one to be shot could be anyone in this crowd,” Teng said. “We need actions right now to stop the violence.”

Victor Zhang, an undergrad, speaks as students rally to call attention to recent violence near the University of Chicago campus, Nov. 16, 2021. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)

Iris Xiao, a 22-year-old master’s student studying public policy, said many students who are from China came to the University of Chicago because of its academic prestige, but now she is also telling students back home applying for college to skip the University of Chicago if they have major safety concerns.

“My mom actually asked me to consider transferring … because a diploma is not as important as your life,” she said. “It’s just so devastating to see something like this.”



Zheng, 24, was fatally shot just before 2 p.m. Nov. 9 in the 900 block of East 54th Place while walking home from campus.

Alton Spann, 18, was charged with first-degree murder, armed robbery and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon in the killing. A judge denied him bail during a hearing Saturday.

Prosecutors said that Spann confronted Zheng and tried to rob him. When Zheng refused to give up his bag, Spann pulled out a gun. Witnesses said they saw Zheng fall to the ground as Spann stood over him, pointing a gun.

Zheng died of a gunshot wound to the arm and was pronounced dead less than an hour after the shooting at the University of Chicago Medical Center.

A mourner writes on a condolence sheet on Nov. 10, 2021, during a silent vigil in memory of a recent University of Chicago graduate who was fatally shot in the 900 block of East 54th Place in the Hyde Park neighborhood in Chicago. The 24-year-old man was shot and killed Tuesday afternoon while being robbed by a gunman. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)

Two days after Zheng was killed, University of Chicago leaders held a webinar where they outlined measures being taken to increase safety around the school. This included increased police patrols, added surveillance cameras and an extension of the university’s Lyft Ride Smart program.



Zheng is the third U. of C. student or recent graduate fatally shot this year in Chicago.

In January, 30-year-old Yiran Fan, a graduate student, was killed during a shooting spree that ended with the gunman killed during a shootout with police in Evanston. Fan received a posthumous Ph.D. from the university.

In July, 20-year-old Max Lewis died three days after he was fatally struck by a stray bullet while riding on the Green Line.

Students at the rally Tuesday had a list of eight demands including further extension of the Lyft program, extended coverage of the shuttle routes, real-time alerts for any crime within the Hyde Park area, annual safety and security training for students and staff, life insurance for all university members who are not covered, options for off-campus protections and regular updates from the university police on investigation outcomes following every security alert.


Students took turns speaking into a megaphone that one of the organizers bought earlier in the day at a Target.

Victor Zhang, a 20-year-old economy student from China, stood on a chair as he addressed the crowd.

“We need all of you to voice out your concerns,” Zhang said. “What we need is action, and for that reason, we need to make that voice stronger.”

He then started a chant: “What do we need?”

The crowd yelled back: “Action!”

Source



芝加哥中国留学生人心惶惶:治安软件几分钟响一次

文章来源: 综合新闻

11/15/2021

Police officers stand watch near the Main Quadrangles on the Hyde Park Campus of the University of Chicago on November 30, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. File Photo: VCG

24 岁中国留学生郑少雄的不幸遭遇牵动着许多国人的心。这位已获得芝加哥大学统计学硕士学位的中国留学生,于 11 月 9 日下午 2 时左右在芝加哥大学附近遭一名 18 岁嫌犯持枪抢劫后杀害。而这已是一年之内第二位遭遇枪杀的芝加哥大学中国留学生。今年的 1 月 9 日,在芝加哥大学就读经济金融博士的中国留学生范一然在租住公寓停车场的车内遭歹徒枪击后不幸身亡。在失控的疫情下,美国的治安问题急剧恶化,尤其是针对华人群体的伤害事件也愈发频繁。一位芝加哥大学的中国留学生今日在接受中国官方媒体记者采访时说,从去年九月份之后,能明显感觉到所在地区的治安形势严峻,现在已经连白天都不太敢出门了。而芝加哥大学学生联和会(以下简称 " 学联 ")的工作人员在接受中国官方媒体记者采访时表示,面对糟糕的安全角势,芝加哥大学方面为学生提供的安保措施远远不够。

当地留学生团体:郑少雄母亲预计于17日到美国

郑少雄的朋友近日在接受媒体采访时,讲述了这位四川 " 学霸 " 的成长经历。据介绍,平日里十分节俭的郑少雄本月初才从芝加哥给母亲寄回来一瓶香水作为生日礼物,这瓶通过省吃俭用节省下来的生活费购买的香水,特意算好了时间,在母亲 57 岁生日这一天由快递员送到了母亲的手上。在噩耗传来后,郑少雄的母亲得到了来自各方的慰问和帮助。14 日,郑少雄的母亲已飞往上海进行面签,然后经底特律,到芝加哥,去接回儿子。



芝加哥大学学联的一位工作人员在接受中国官方媒体记者采访时表示,芝加哥大学和中国驻芝加哥总领事馆目前负责郑少雄母亲的签证办理以及接待工作。芝加哥大学的一些中国留学生纷纷表示希望给予郑少雄母亲以及他的家人帮助,芝加哥当地的华人联合会也已经积极行动,帮助郑少雄的家人筹款,学联方面则承担起多方沟通与协调的工作,和郑少雄同学的亲人、总领馆工作人员,以及当地的华人代表建了一个群。学联同时也在帮助联系当地的华人律师,希望给予郑少雄母亲一些当地法律上的帮助。

据美媒报道,涉嫌杀害郑少雄的 19 岁嫌犯斯潘当地时间 13 日在库克郡法院过堂,库克郡法庭法官道金斯下令不准保释。检察官罗米托说,斯潘有大量的青少年犯罪前科,包括严重殴打、劫车、逃警,而 9 日抢劫枪杀郑少雄时,斯潘仍在上个案子的假释期。

学联工作人员表示,郑少雄母亲预计于 11 月 17 号到达美国,但是具体时间尚不确定。学联方面计划届时去机场迎接,但具体事宜还需要与郑少雄家属进行沟通,以免打扰他的家人。



安全角势到底有多恶化?记者目睹当地治安APP几分钟警报一次

15 日,芝加哥大学留学生石浩彤在接受中国官方媒体记者采访时表示,在郑少雄同学出事之后,当地留学生群体充斥着非常复杂的情绪," 震惊、伤心、愤怒,也有人感到后怕,因为在郑同学出事之前,一些朋友就有过被持枪抢劫的经历。"

这种恐惧感,在一些留学生的心中已经存在一段时间了。石浩彤告诉中国官方媒体记者,大概从去年九月份美国疫情全面失控之后,他就陡然感觉到周围的治安形势急剧恶化。在治安环境本就不太好的芝加哥地区,自己以前是晚上不敢出门,但在目睹、听闻越来越多的暴力事件后,现在连白天也减少了出门的次数," 尽量不外出吃饭,因为真的太不安全了。"

" 我是 2019 年 9 月份来到了芝加哥,来之前只是听说芝加哥的治安比较乱,而且越往南治安越乱。芝加哥大学大致位于 58 街到 60 街之间,大部分留学生居住的区域位于 50 街到 60 街之间,很多人都告诉我 60 街以外的地方就不要再去了,61 街或 62 街就比较乱了。" 石浩彤说。



全面崩塌的治安形势也体现在一款名叫 "citizen" 的安全类 APP 上,这款安全应用程序可以随时提醒用户周边的犯罪事件或安全事故,用户也可上传周遭危险情况的情报,警察在调查处理后会证实或解除警报。据石浩彤介绍,现如今,"citizen" 上的提醒越来越多,且级别也越来越高,各种暴力事件接二连三地发生。许多以前不以为然的人现在都开始紧张起来," 这一切都是从疫情之后开始的。"

另一位中国留学生小柚在接受中国官方媒体记者采访时也亮出了自己的一张手机截图,截图中 "citizen" 的警示提醒每隔几分钟就弹出一条,小柚称自己天天收到这种提醒都已经 " 看麻了 ", 她从来没有像现在这样如此担心自己的人身安全。



校方只会将此前安保提示再"打包"发布当地留学生要求学校升级安保

学联的一位工作人员告诉中国官方媒体记者。在今年暑假时,就有中国留学生在芝加哥大学附近遭遇持枪抢劫,幸运的是那一次没有人受到伤害。

今年 1 月份,毕业于北京大学,之后曾到剑桥大学深造的芝加哥大学经济金融博士四年级学生范一然在公寓停车场的车内遭一名黑人男子枪击头部身亡。当时,这起枪击事件就已经在芝加哥大学留学生群体内引起了强烈震动。据芝加哥大学学联工作人员介绍,当时学联就已开了线上法律咨询会、心理咨询会,以及线上追悼会。在此次得知郑少雄同学遇害之后,学联又紧急给当地留学生们发布了一份安全须知。

而芝加哥大学也在当地时间 11 月 14 日晚上 17 点给中国留学生发了一封安全邮件,据一位不愿具名的中国留学生介绍,邮件采用中英文双语写作,对中国留学生学生们说了一些 " 暖心的话 "。此外,邮件中还提到校方已采取的一些安全提示措施,比如校方推荐使用一款名为 "safety" 的移动安全程序。但一些留学生向中国官方媒体记者表示,校方目前所发布的安全须知中,只是将此前已经公布的安保措施再 " 打包 " 发布一次,唯一针对此次枪击事件所做的安防升级工作,就是将一班之前只在周四、周五和周六晚上提供的免费便车,升级成一周 7 天都提供。然而几乎所有的学生和学生家长都认为校方这些细微的改善措施是远远不够的。



" 但无论是校方提供的安全信息,还是升级的班车新路线,作用都很有限。" 学联工作人员告诉中国官方媒体记者,因为芝加哥大学的地理位置非常独特,大学校园和周边的居民区几乎就没有任何的分界线,所以回家的路充满危险,如果学校方面没有办法解决社区、校园安全问题的话,其他做的再多都是无用功。

为了引起芝加哥大学对于中国留学生安全问题的高度关注,11 月 13 号,芝加哥大学学生联合会已起草了一个与安全相关的提案,目前正在征集中国留学生的签名。希望能以这种方式驱使学校在安全方面做出一些实质性的改善。

在这份提案里面,学联方面提出,已着手组织中国留学生、家长、校友甚至侨领侨胞一同组成安全委员会,让大家对学校的安保工作进行监督,并保持沟通,协力去改善芝加哥大学周边社区的安全状况。" 学校方面不能只是寄希望于短期改善,我们更盼望的是长期的改变。" 一位芝加哥大学学生联合会成员告诉中国官方媒体记者。

Source



芝大被杀留学生母亲感恩信让人泪目 将赴美诀别

文章来源: 红星新闻

11/15/2021

11 月 12 日,芝加哥警方宣布,劫杀芝加哥大学中国留学生郑少雄的嫌犯被捕。现年 18 岁的奥尔顿 · 斯潘被起诉一级谋杀、持武器抢劫和两项非法使用武器的罪名。

↑嫌疑人和被害

据知情人士透露,郑少雄的母亲已经得知了嫌犯被捕的消息,并在随后发布了一封《感恩叩谢信》,透露自己将于 11 月 17 日飞往美国,15 日起不再接受捐款。红星新闻记者查询后看到,截至目前,其在海外捐款平台上已经累计募得约 69.3 万元人民币。

郑少雄的母亲在上述信中讲述了自己事发后的状态与心理历程,感谢在这个时刻向她伸出援手,给予温暖的人们,并表示将坚强面对," 让孩子的灵魂安息,惩罚凶手,来回报您们 "。



全文如下:

在儿子即将开启他人生新篇章的时候,惊闻孩子轰然倒下,我的世界也瞬间坍塌了,肝肠寸断、撕心裂肺……儿子灿烂俏皮的笑容至今还萦绕在我的眼前,恍惚听到儿子呼唤妈妈的声音,看到儿子展开双臂拥抱我的情景…… " 儿子啊,你让我们共同一起期待的未来在哪里啊?" 我无时无刻都在担忧你的安危,每天都在为你祈祷。如今的你在哪儿啊?你知道吗?妈妈的世界里不能没有你啊,我问上天为什么天妒英才?为什么将你残忍地从我身边剥离?………

(人间至悲,晨昏坍塌,寝食难安,我如行尸走肉般昏昏噩噩,不愿接受这一切) 就在这时,在我最无助最煎熬的时候,一串串爱心从四面八方像血液一样源源不断地涌进了我僵硬的身体里,无数双温暖有力的大手,把我从冰窟里拉了上来,不断地给我输送坚强和勇气;不断地劝慰我 " 不能把儿子放在冰冷的地板上,他需要你温暖的拥抱,还盼望你接他回家呢…… ",我幡然醒悟,我要去见儿子,寻找到残忍的凶手,给儿子讨回一个公道,同时也为千万个留学生能安全求学,为了千万个家庭不再遭受撕心裂肺,肝肠寸断,悲痛欲绝的失独之痛,更希望悲剧不再重演,我必须踏上孩子生活呼吸过的城市。

在此,我不知道用什么言辞来表达我的感恩、感谢之情。有认识的,更有大多不认识的爱心人士,是您们的大爱给了我第二次生命,是您们让我感受到了人间的温暖。您们是我们全家这辈子的大恩人,我也唯有坚强的面对接下来的艰辛之路,让孩子的灵魂安息,惩罚凶手,来回报您们。

祝好人们一生平安!

在大家共同的推动下,下周三我们将带着您们满满的爱意和温暖,从上海直飞芝加哥去面对残忍的一切。因此从下周一(11 月 15 日)起我不再接受爱心捐款了。

在此叩谢各位好心人的倾力相助!



据悉,郑少雄的不幸引发了海外华人同胞的极大关注,并采取实际行动支持。红星新闻记者发现,海外知名的众筹平台 GoFundMe 上先后发起了至少三个为其筹款的活动。截至目前,其中两个通道分别筹得 57803 美元(约合人民币 36.9 万元)、50733 美元(约合人民币 32.4 万元),合计约 69.3 万人民币;另一个 20 万美元筹款目标的通道已经关闭,组织者称,发布该页面是为了在小范围内方便分享,没有打算公开使用,因此已经将通道关闭并退还已经募得的捐款。

Source


怀念郑同学 In memory of Dennis Zheng

https://www.gofundme.com/f/wdrbz6

Chinese American Association at Greater Chicago is organizing this fundraiser.

11月9日下午, 在芝加哥大学附近发生一起致命持枪抢劫案。 来自中国四川年仅24岁, 今年刚从芝加哥大学硕士毕业的中国留学生郑姓同学遭遇抢劫并遭枪击,郑同学被送到芝加哥大学医院后不幸不治身亡。 芝加哥地区华侨华人和留学生对于郑同学在在光天化日之下惨遭杀害感到震惊和悲愤! 为了帮助郑同学家人赴美奔丧以及支付与案件相关费用, 芝加哥华联会发起为郑同学及家人的募捐。 如果芝加哥大学支付郑同学家人来美费用, 通过这个平台募捐的全部金额将直接交给郑同学家人, 帮忙他们在这个特别困难的时刻度过难关。   衷心感谢您的支持和爱心!

大芝加哥地区华侨华人联合会

We are starting this fundraising to help the family of Dennis Zheng through this difficult moment, and in memory of Dennis. All the fund raised will be used to cover the travelling and legal expense of Dennis' family.   If University of Chicago cover some/all cost of Dennis's parents trip to the U.S., we will pass all donations directly to his parents. Thank you!

Chinese American Association at Greater Chicago

https://www.gofundme.com/f/wdrbz6

(The organizer has currently disabled new donations to this fundraiser.)



郑少雄案 检方陈述抢劫枪杀详细过程 凶嫌前科累累

世界新闻网

11/13/2021

19岁的史攀被控一级谋杀、持枪抢劫与非法持有武器等罪。(芝加哥警局)

涉嫌枪杀芝加哥大学统计系硕士郑少雄的史攀(Alton Spann,19岁)13日在库克郡法院过堂,库克郡法庭法官道金斯(Barbara Dawkins)下令不准保释。检察官罗米托(Ashley Romito)说,史攀有大量的青少年犯罪前科,包括严重殴打、劫车、逃警,而9日抢劫枪杀郑少雄时,史攀仍在上个案子的假释期。

检察官在保释庭上详细描述了郑少雄生命的最后时刻,检方说,郑当时正从学校返家,手上拿着装有笔记本电脑的包,史攀持枪要求其交出财物,郑少雄拒绝,史攀开枪前,「受害者与罪犯搏斗并试图逃跑」。



检方在庭上说,9日下午1时50分左右,郑少雄正从学校边走边「想着自己的事」(minding his own business),准备回到租住处,就在这时,史攀开了一辆偷来的福特野马(Mustang)车在街道停下,并下车往郑少雄接近。

郑少雄带着一个装有手提电脑的提包,当拿着手枪的史攀要求郑少雄交出提包时,被郑少雄拒绝。罗米托说,受害者这时与被告搏斗并试图逃跑。

罗米托说,「受害者不愿意交出财物给史攀时,他就向对方开枪」。

一名目击者从旁边房屋的窗户看到史攀站在郑的旁边,用枪指着跌倒在地的郑少雄。另一名目击者则是曾在现场对郑少雄施救的医师。

Bail Denied For Alton Spann, Charged With Murder Of University Of Chicago Graduate Dennis Shaoxiong
Nov 13, 2021

根据库克郡法医办公室指出,郑少雄死于手臂枪伤,死因为他杀。

罗米托说,事发后,史攀还把郑少雄的电脑与iPhone典当了。当警方在北大街与赛奇威克街附近的马歇尔德花园公寓逮捕时,他手里有一把9毫米口径的Glock手枪,这也是他枪杀郑少雄时所使用的枪枝。

史攀前科累累,9日犯案时更还在上个案子的保释期,根据其辩护律师称,他是库克郡居民,与母亲、继父同住,为了取得高中同等学历,他暂时停止打工,他还是一名活跃的教会成员。

全案下次开庭日为19日。

Source



UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO

U of C Graduate Struggled With Suspect Before Fatal Shooting: Court Docs

Two individuals riding inside the car with Spann witnessed the shooting, police said.

An 18-year-old man was arrested Friday in connection with the fatal shooting of University of Chicago recent graduate Shaoxiong Zheng in the city’s Hyde Park neighborhood this week, according to authorities. NBC 5’s Natalie Martinez reports.

Alton Spann, 18, was denied bond Saturday in connection with the murder of 24-year-old Shaoxiong Zheng, a recent graduate at the University of Chicago. Spann has been charged with first-degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon and armed robbery for his alleged role in Tuesday's fatal shooting.

According to a bond proffer, Spann and two others were driving a stolen black Ford Mustang when they saw the victim, identified as Zheng, holding a large laptop. Spann approached him, grabbed a gun and used it to rob the victim, according to authorities.

After Spann ordered Zheng to give him "all of his stuff," the victim struggled with Spann and tried to escape, documents stated.



The offender then shot him one time in the chest, police said. Zheng was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

The two individuals riding inside the car with Spann witnessed the shooting, police said. A third person, who saw the victim fall down and the suspect flee in the Mustang, ran outside to render aid, according to authorities.

Following the shooting, Spann and one of the witnesses pawned Zheng's laptop and iPhone, police stated. The suspect was arrested the following day and admitted to possessing guns, but denied involvement in the robbery and murder, according to authorities.

Detectives recovered handguns on his person, police said.

Police were led to Spann by examining pod cameras that recorded his path of travel and license plate readers.

Source



枪杀郑少雄18岁凶嫌落网 芝警提控一级谋杀罪

世界新闻网

11/12/2021

郑少雄9日在芝大校园附近遭抢劫枪杀。(Elizabeth/提供)

芝加哥警察局局长布朗(David Brown)12日宣布,警方已经逮捕涉嫌在芝加哥大学校园附近枪杀郑少雄(Shaoxiong Zheng)的嫌犯史攀(Alton Spann,18岁),并提控一级谋杀罪,以及两项非法使用武器罪。

警方说,史攀抢走了郑少雄的财物,其中包括电子产品。

18-year-old man charged in connection with murder of U of C graduate
Nov 12, 2021

警方使用PODS系统,以及私人住宅及芝加哥大学提供的视频,追踪到史攀用来作案及逃逸的汽车,该辆车在11月3日于马卡姆市(Markham)遭窃,通过这些监视影片,警方确认了一名嫌疑人的身分。

Alton Spann, 18 | Chicago Police Department

警方说,在郑少雄枪击案发生的同一天,警方在赛其威克街(Sedgewick St.)夹北大街(North Ave.)发现史攀踪迹,嫌犯当时持有两把枪及一辆福特野马车的钥匙,警方还表示,他们还握有史攀在一家手机店出售从郑少雄身上抢来电子产品的影片。

警方指出,经过法医与专家证实,史攀被逮捕时所持有的其中一把枪枝,就是枪杀郑少雄的凶枪。

Source



18-year-old man charged with murder of 24-year-old U of C graduate

By: WGN Web DeskRob Sneed

11/12/2021

CHICAGO — Murder charges have been filed in the shooting death of a University of Chicago graduate earlier this week in Hyde Park, Chicago police announced.

Alton Spann, 18, is being charged with first-degree murder, armed robbery and two counts of unlawful use of a weapon.

Dennis Zheng, 24, was shot to death during a robbery in the 900 block of East 54th Place just before 2 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon.

Police said Span was located utilizing POD cameras the next day, and was taken into custody following a traffic stop near the intersection of West North Avenue and North Sedgwick Avenue.

Officers recovered two firearms from Spann’s vehicle during the arrest, with gun testing confirming Spann was connected to the murder.



Following charges being filed against Spann, Mayor Lori Lightfoot offered the following statement:

“Mayor Lightfoot is extremely proud of the dogged and phenomenal work of the Chicago Police Department’s Bureau of Detectives to quickly apprehend and charge Alton Spann for the murder of Shaoxiong Zheng. Individuals who commit senseless and cowardly acts of violence, and who recklessly cut short the lives of residents must be held accountable, and it the Mayor’s hope that this announcement can serve as the first step on the long road toward healing and justice for Mr. Zheng’s family and loved ones, as well as the University of Chicago Community.

The Mayor will continue to keep this young man’s family, as well as the entire Hyde Park and University of Chicago communities in her prayers as they continue to grapple with this tragic loss. As communities throughout Chicago continue to struggle with gun violence, protecting the lives and wellbeing of all of Chicago’s residents and visitors remains the Mayor’s top priority.”

According to police, the investigation into Zheng’s murder will continue, although police did confirm Spann was the gunman in Zheng’s murder.

Source



痛失爱子 郑少雄母亲情绪崩溃 正赶办签证来美

世界新闻网

11/12/2021

许多朋友、民众,在郑少雄遭枪杀地点献花致意。(特派员黄惠玲/摄影)

「希望芝大能为儿子办个追思会,他深爱芝大,以身为芝大学生为荣」,大芝加哥华侨华人联合会主席郑征日前与遭枪杀郑少雄的母亲取得联系,除发起募款,同时也正在协助她安排到芝城处理儿子后事。

Vigil Held For Dennis Shaoxiong Zheng, U Of C Graduate Shot And Killed In Hyde Park
Nov 10, 2021

Friends gathered for a vigil for Dennis Shaoxiong Zheng late Wednesday – but they found little comfort as police continued to search for the man who shot and killed him in broad daylight. CBS 2's Jermont Terry reports.

根据指出,郑少雄的父母将在下周一前往美国驻上海总领事馆申请签证,中国驻芝加哥总领事馆、华联会、芝加哥大学中国学生学者联谊会正提供相关协助,郑征说,一办完签证,他们将尽快赶到芝加哥。

郑征说,华联会为筹措郑少雄丧葬与其他费用而发起的Gofundme,很感谢各界的爱心支持,到12日中午,已经获得3万5000多元的捐款,超出预定目标2万5000元,她表示,所有费用将全数转交给郑少雄家人。



她也提到,家人说,郑的父母在他小时候就离异,住在四川的母亲独力扶养郑少雄,郑母不久前才从医院会计职位退休,儿子的死对家人打击很大,尤其倾全力栽培孩子的母亲,至今仍情绪崩溃,很难接受儿子已经不在人世。


UChicago leaders host safety webinar in response to recent incidents
Nov 11, 2021

President Alivisatos, Provost Lee discuss steps to enhance public safety following Nov. 9 shootings.

During a Nov. 11 webinar, University of Chicago leaders discussed ongoing steps to address public safety following Nov. 9 shootings in the Hyde Park neighborhood, including the murder of recent UChicago graduate Shaoxiong “Dennis” Zheng. President Paul Alivisatos and Provost Ka Yee Lee said the University is taking seriously the challenges that face an urban campus, with Lee sharing her experiences and concerns as a parent who has lived in Hyde Park for years. She also mentioned an upcoming event with a senior Chicago Police Department official, which will include a live question and answer session.

Eric Heath, associate vice president for safety and security, outlined specific steps that the University has taken and will be taking to ensure the safety and wellbeing of those who study, teach and work on campus, as well as visitors and local residents. They also extended their sympathies to the family of Shaoxiong Zheng, who was killed during the course of a robbery, and discussed the impact his death has had on the UChicago community.


家人表示,郑母目前唯一心愿是希望芝大能够为儿子办个追思会,家人说,郑少雄非常喜爱芝大,希望让他留有好的回忆,也让同学、朋友记得他。

郑征说,如果捐款踊跃,将可能考虑将部分经费作为破案奖金。

Source



中国留学生遭枪击身亡 中驻芝加哥总领馆强烈谴责

来源:每日经济新闻

11/10/2021

  又一中国留学生在美国芝加哥遭枪杀。

  11月11日,据央视新闻消息,美国芝加哥当地时间11月9日发生多起暴力袭击和枪击事件,其中枪击事件不幸身亡的受害者中包括一名24岁中国留学生。

Recent University of Chicago graduate shot, killed in armed robbery near campus
Nov 9, 2021

  根据当地警方的消息,因枪击案身亡的中国留学生于9日14时左右遭到一持枪男子抢劫,枪手朝其胸部开枪后驱车逃离,受害者被送往医院后不治身亡。受害者随后被确认为芝加哥大学统计学的硕士毕业生,来自四川的留学生郑少雄(音译)。芝加哥大学当天发布声明,确认受害者为该校毕业生,并表示将配合芝加哥警察局调查此案以及加强校园的安全巡查力度。芝加哥大学还发布消息,呼吁知情人士上报与此案有关线索,以协助警方抓捕嫌犯。

Shaoxiong "Dennis" Zheng | Provided

University of Chicago grad killed in Hyde Park shooting. Victim identified as Shaoxiong Zheng, who friends say went by Dennis.

  芝加哥9日当天发生的多起枪击事件总共造成包括郑少雄在内的3人死亡,5人受伤。当天晚上,还有一名69岁男子在中国城遭到暴力袭击,两名施暴者从背后袭击受害人致其摔倒,拿走他的钱包和钥匙后驱车逃离。据悉,目前此案也在调查当中,尚未有任何嫌疑人被捕。



  对此,中华人民共和国驻芝加哥总领事馆也发出通知,提示领区中国公民加强安全防范。通知表示,美国当地时间11月9日下午,芝加哥大学附近街区发生一起恶性持枪抢劫案,一名不久前毕业于芝加哥大学的中国留学生不幸遇难。

  中国驻芝加哥总领馆对该中国同学不幸遇害深感震惊和痛惜,向遇害者家属表示深切哀悼和慰问。

UChicago adds extra patrols on campus after nearby fatal shooting of recent graduate
Nov 10, 2021

  总领馆强烈谴责滥杀无辜的凶残犯罪行为,要求美有关方面尽快查清和公布案件情况,并采取切实措施,保护包括中国留学生在内中国公民的安全。

  总领馆在此谨提醒领区包括中国留学生在内的中国公民密切关注居住地治安状况,注意及时了解当地发布的安全预警信息,避免前往不安全地方,进一步提高风险意识,加强安全防范,确保自身安全。



  如遇安全威胁,请立即拨打美国报警、求助电话:911(可要求中文服务)。同时,可向我馆寻求进一步领事协助。

  中国驻芝加哥总领馆领保电话:312-7800170

  外交部全球领事保护与服务应急呼叫中心热线:

  +86-10-12308或+86-10-59913991。

  每日经济新闻综合央视新闻、中国驻芝加哥总领馆 。

中國留學生鄭少雄 芝加哥大學校園遭搶劫槍殺
Nov 10, 2021

9日不幸在芝加哥大學校園附近遇害的24歲青年,為來自中國四川的留學生鄭少雄(Shaoxiong Zheng),他7月底才完成研究所答辯並取得芝大統計碩士學位,繼年初就讀芝大博士班的中國留學生范軼然遭瘋狂槍手殺害後,又一名年輕華人學者命喪槍口,讓芝大師生非常悲痛震驚。

Source



中国留学生在美遭枪杀: 其来自成都 刚硕士毕业

来源:极目新闻

11/10/2021

  美国当地时间11月9日下午,在美国芝加哥大学附近,一名今年刚从该校毕业的中国留学生遭遇一持枪抢劫匪徒枪杀,凶手随后跳上停在旁边的车辆逃走。极目新闻记者采访获悉,遇难者来自中国四川,年仅24岁。

  大白天遭抢劫遇难

  据美国当地媒体报道,9日下午1时54分左右,在芝加哥大学附近54小街900号的行人道上,遭一名持枪抢劫匪徒当街枪杀,凶手随后跳上停在旁边的车辆逃走。芝加哥警方表示,24岁的受害男子当时走在54小街夹爱丽丝大道交口的行人道,一辆深色车辆突然在他旁边停靠,一名劫匪走到该亚裔男子旁,要求他交出财物。抢劫过程中,劫匪不知为何突然对该男子开了好几枪,其中一发子弹击中受害者的胸部。警方接警后立刻赶到现场,中枪男子被送到芝加哥大学医院后不治身亡。

芝加哥大学 图源:学校官网芝加哥大学 图源:学校官网

  芝加哥大学一名在校生小雯(化名)告诉极目新闻记者,事后学校发了声明给所有师生,确认不幸遭枪杀的男子,近期才从该校硕士毕业,遭到枪击16分钟后就不幸遇难。

  小雯还介绍,就在枪杀案件发生前2小时,芝加哥大学才发送出一份《安全通知》,告知师生学校附近的53街1500号附近有人持枪扫射。

  据当地警方介绍,有两家商铺和多辆车在枪击中遭子弹击中。



  遇难者来自成都

  11月10日,极目新闻记者从小雯以及多名香港大学校友获悉,遭枪击遇难的留学生姓郑,来自四川成都。他2015年从成都一所高中毕业后,到香港大学求学,之后来到芝加哥大学攻读统计学硕士,近期才毕业。

  事发后,郑先生的多名朋友在社交平台表达愤怒和哀悼。

  一名港大校友说:“有朋友说芝大抢劫枪杀,就在他家楼下,我还觉得荒谬但遥远。而后朋友圈和树洞出现了很多消息,学姐来问我有没有在芝加哥的朋友有更多信息,说只知道遇难者是亚裔,24岁。港大某位学长在芝加哥大学读统计学硕士,刚毕业,一直联系不上,大家都很担心。之后都是焦急且无谓的等待时间,在信息洪流中分辨真真假假,宁愿都是误传。直到最后确认了身份,大使馆联系了家人。可还是无法接受,恍若噩梦一场,怎么会这样呢……家庭花了24年的时间培养一个孩子,个体花了24年的时间走到今日,扳机一扣,啪,没了。”她还称,郑先生朋友圈里的照片还停留在上周,第一次参加乒乓球比赛,“真的那么阳光鲜活的人啊……”

  小雯告诉极目新闻记者,事发后,郑先生的家人联系不上他,他的母亲还在留学生家长微信群到处问,有没有人能联系上她儿子,自己看了直接破防。

  “那个时候大家只排查出是统计系的中国学生,还没确认身份,家长没正式接到通知,也不愿意接受这个事实,所以到处在问,希望有奇迹。”小雯说。



  一直都是学霸

  极目新闻记者了解到,郑先生高中毕业那年,曾参加当地一培优机构举办的沙龙讲座,当地媒体还进行了采访。

  媒体报道称,郑先生还未满18岁,却显示出了超越他实际年龄的成熟和稳健。他说除了在上课期间认真弄懂每个知识点外,课余还会钻研互联网等很多他感兴趣的领域。他也为在场的家庭分享了自己在高中三年所使用的一些对提高学习成绩大有益处的APP。自己还建立了一些个人小档案,有成长笔记,也有错题集,每一点记录都为他后来能以总分651分的好成绩考入香港大学奠定了深厚的基础。

  沙龙讲座结束后,很多学生家长仍然围绕在他周围,询问关于学习方法的问题,他也都一一耐心地解答。

  两年前,他还和同学合著了一本关于做事逻辑的著作,豆瓣评分6.1分。

  11月9日下午,极目新闻记者致电郑先生高中母校,工作人员称暂未听说此事。



  案发地附近枪击案频发

  今年以来,芝加哥大学枪案频发。7月1日,该校大三学生路易斯从芝加哥搭车返回校园时,有流弹击穿车窗,打中他的头部,虽紧急送医仍于4日后不治。

  今年年初,芝加哥大学博士班中国留学生范轶然在芝加哥大学校园附近公寓停车场遭枪击身亡。

  小雯告诉极目新闻记者,案发地离芝加哥大学校园最近的建筑步行仅两分钟。那边是住宅区,没有商铺,住了很多留学生,但街头人很少。

  小雯说,芝加哥大学附近枪击案频繁,几乎每天都能听到枪击声。

  另一在芝加哥工作的徐先生也告诉极目新闻记者,芝加哥的黑帮火拼事件比加州更多,治安状况并不乐观。

Source



芝加哥大学24岁亚裔生 于校园遭抢劫枪杀

世界新闻网

11/09/2021

位于芝加哥南区的芝加哥大学,9日下午传出抢劫枪杀案。(读者提供)

一名近期才从芝加哥大学毕业的24岁男性,9日下午1时54分左右,在校园附近54小街900号的行人道上,遭一名持枪抢劫匪徒当街枪杀,歹徒作案后跳上停在旁边的车辆逃逸,目前死者身分仍未公布,但根据可靠消息指出,这名受害者为亚裔,且有可能是华人。

芝加哥警局表示,24岁的受害男子当时走在54小街夹爱丽斯大道(Ellis Ave.)交口的行人道,一辆深色车辆突然在其旁边停靠,一名男嫌从车内走出到该名亚裔男旁,要求其交出财物,抢劫过程中,歹徒不知何故对受害者开了好几枪,其中一发子弹打中受害者胸部。

警察据报后立即赶到现场,中枪男子虽经送到芝加哥大学医院仍不治。

该部涉案车辆之后有人看见往54小街西向逃逸。



事发地点有许多学生聚居,旁边还有一小座儿童公园,平日人车来往频繁,芝大学生听到有人在该地点遭到抢劫枪杀,都感到十分意外与震惊。

芝大稍后发出声明给所有师生,确认该名不幸遭枪杀的死者,近期才从芝加哥大学毕业,该校正与芝加哥警局合作,收集更多案件信息,事发后,芝大警局已经立即增加校园附近的巡逻,虽然现阶段没有任何迹象显示该事件为系列案件,但学校鼓励所有人提高警觉、谨慎行事。

这起抢劫枪杀事件发生前两小时,芝大才送出一份「安全通知」,告知学校老师、学生有关东53街1500号附近有枪击案,警方表示,两家当地商家及多部车辆均在该枪击案中被子弹击中。

20岁的芝加哥大学大三学生路易斯(Max Lewis)今年7月1日从芝加哥市搭乘绿线捷运准备返回校园时,不幸遭到从车窗窜入的流弹打中颈部,虽紧急送医急救仍于5日不治。

今年年初芝大博士班中国留学生范轶然,则在芝大校园附近公寓停车场遭枪手滥杀。

芝加哥市的枪枝暴力问题越演越烈,上个周末全市共有50人中枪、九人死亡。

Source



Recent University of Chicago graduate shot, killed in armed robbery near campus

By WGN Web Desk

11/09/2021

CHICAGO — A recent University of Chicago graduate was shot and killed Tuesday afternoon in armed robbery near campus.

Just before 2 p.m., authorities were dispatched to the 900 block of 54th Place on the report of a shooting.

Police said a 24-year-old man was on the sidewalk when a dark-colored vehicle pulled up. A male suspect exited the vehicle and demanded the man’s property. The victim was then shot in the chest and pronounced dead at the University of Chicago Medical Center.



The vehicle was last seen fleeing westbound on 54th Place.

Around two hours earlier, the university sent out a safety notice regarding shots fired in the area of the 1500 block of East 53rd Street. Police said two local business and multiple vehicles were struck by gunfire.

As bullets flew by, Congressional candidate and founder of My Block, My Hood, My City Jahmal Cole dropped to the ground.

“I dove under the car, I ran for my life,” Cole said. “Nobody was hit but it’s traumatizing.  When you’re running for your life, that doesn’t just go away.”



Earlier this summer, a 20-year-old student from Colorado was shot while sitting on a Green Line train. Max Lewis was paralyzed, but alert in the hospital. He was taken off life support and died on July 4.

The university sent the following message to students and staff following Tuesday’s deadly shooting.

“We are working with the Chicago Police Department to gather more facts about the case, and the University of Chicago Police Department is immediately increasing patrols near campus. While we have not had any indication that this is an active incident, we encourage you to be vigilant and exercise caution.

This is devastating news for our entire community. We will keep you informed as we know more about this incident.”

Anyone with information can leave an anonymous tip at cpdtip.com.

Source



抢匪作案遇“美军陆战队” 1秒夺枪压制 同伙鼠窜

来源:ETtoday

10/29/2021

  惹错人!亚利桑那州一名持枪歹徒伙同另外两人抢劫加油站商店,却遇到“路人”发威, 一个箭步就夺下手枪,还用手中的一袋罐装饮料当武器,砸向歹徒让他血流满面,其他同伙见状早就吓得逃之夭夭。这段监视器影片迅速在全美爆红,原来单枪匹马压制抢匪的路人竟是美国海军陆战队的退伍军人。


WATCH: Marine veteran stops armed robbery attempt at convenience store in Arizona
Oct 21, 2021

A Marine Corps veteran came to the rescue on Wednesday morning after an armed suspect and two others attempted to rob a convenience store in Arizona, according to the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office.


  根据美联社、ABC报导,亚利桑那州西南部尤马市(Yuma)一家加油站商店于20日清晨4时30分左右,突然闯进一名持枪歹徒,身后还跟著2名同伙,而当时正要去上班的前美军陆战队队员基尔瑟(James Kilcer)刚好就在店里。监视器画面显示,他先是一眼扫视了抢匪,接著瞬间出手夺枪,并将手中的一袋罐装饮料用力砸过去,随后将人压制在地,同伙吓得连滚带爬地逃跑了,最后一名歹徒都还没踏进店门,这桩抢劫行动就瞬间结束。

  报导指出,32岁的基尔瑟曾在阿富汗服役,而现在是陆军尤马演习场的聘雇人员,因此国防部不允许他带枪上班,多数人被枪指著可能会吓傻或逃命,但基尔瑟不同,他受访时称,如果当时他身上有带枪,或许还能再抓到其他2名嫌犯,“我当时正准备转身离开,就听到门猛然地被打开,我的第一个反应是,这枪管太小了。”他说,他扫视了一下发现除此之外没有其他武器,在那一刻他就选定了目标,“他朝我多走了一步,朝柜台走一步,我就能抓到他了。”



  基尔瑟表示,他将饮料罐砸在歹徒的脸上,可能有打碎了对方的鼻子,因为他后来血流满地,同时夺下了枪支,再抓住歹徒的脖子,用枪指著他的头,把他转到背面压制,“我问他,『你多大了?』他说,『我才14岁!』他太快就走上错误的道路了。”警察到场后已将这名少年抢匪拘捕,并正在追缉另外2名共犯。


Marine speaks out after fighting off gas station robbery attempt
Oct 22, 2021

Marine veteran James Kilcer took matters into his own hands when he witnessed a robbery attempt at an Arizona gas station.


  事后,基尔瑟说,原本他以为只是一把玩具枪,里面什麽都没有,所以他随手把枪扔在一边,后来检查才知道那是一把真枪,“海军陆战队教会我当机立断……我想我只是在对的时间,出现在对的地方,做我该做的事。”

Source



突发!硅谷华人广场突发恶性枪战!

文章来源: 北美生活大爆炸

10/16/2021

就在今天,北加州硅谷的核心区域Milpitas突然爆发枪战。这是整个硅谷华人最聚集的地方。

一时间,华人票圈都吓坏了,视频中流出了很多细节,据悉枪战发生在华人最熟悉的 400 block barber Lan 附近。即就在环球广场内!

纷纷转发枪战视频。不少人在广场卧倒,警车到处都是。

很多民众猜测是抢劫银行。还有人员受伤。

事件一处引发当地华人疯狂转发。Milpitas 环球广场是华人最喜欢的购物中心之一,仅靠237和880交通要道,这里紧靠众多电子科技公司,不仅有超市还有很多华人餐馆,银行和其他娱乐业。是华人最常出行的地点。



自疫情以来,不少不法分子攻击和抢劫餐厅,甚至直接到ATM机边打劫被害人,最近旧金山Walgreens更是宣布关闭5家旧金山市门店!

猖獗的盗贼大手大脚在店里搬货,让门店着实吃不消。

连警方也直言,对于有组织的零售犯罪,很难全部逮捕。

而今天发生在环球广场的恶性抢占是不是又一次有目标性的抢劫呢?

本事件仍在调查中。尚不知道具体原因。不过:

假日临近,各位华人朋友出行务必注意安全。

MILPITAS GUNFIRE: Raw scene video of Milpitas police gathering evidence of gun battle with suspect
Oct 16, 2021

Source



密尔比达环球广场爆发枪战,伤者被送上救护车。
北加密爾比達環球廣場出現激烈槍戰 傷者滿身是血
Oct 15, 2021

密爾比達環球廣場15日下午傳出槍戰事件,有不少華裔民眾15日下午剛好在環球廣場,目擊槍戰發生。根據民眾提供的影片可以看到,原本民眾還在附近餐廳,出現第一聲槍響後,有槍手針對某個人連續開了17、18槍,槍聲連續不斷。緊接著下一段影片出現救護人員正將一位身上滿是血痕的傷者抬上救護車。

密爾比達環球廣場是知名的華人餐廳、超市聚落,發生此事,許多華人都感到相當緊張害怕。目前警方還沒有公布最新消息。


北加密爾比達環球廣場出現激烈槍戰 傷者滿身是血(一)
Oct 15, 2021

密爾比達環球廣場15日下午傳出槍戰事件,有不少華裔民眾15日下午剛好在環球廣場,目擊槍戰發生。根據民眾提供的影片可以看到,原本民眾還在附近餐廳,出現第一聲槍響後,有槍手針對某個人連續開了17、18槍,槍聲連續不斷。緊接著下一段影片出現救護人員正將一位身上滿是血痕的傷者抬上救護車。

密爾比達環球廣場是知名的華人餐廳、超市聚落,發生此事,許多華人都感到相當緊張害怕。目前警方還沒有公布最新消息。



Police exchange gunfire with stolen vehicle suspect in Milpitas

By: Bay City News

10/16/2021

MILPITAS, Calif. (BCN) — Police in Milpitas on Friday were involved in a shooting with a suspect in a stolen vehicle.

On Friday at 3:41 p.m., detectives with the Milpitas Police Department initiated an enforcement stop on a stolen vehicle that was parked in the Milpitas Square shopping center in the 400 block of Barber Lane.

Police said the suspect shot at detectives, and a prolonged exchange of gunfire ensued.



The suspect was injured and barricaded himself in the vehicle, but he was later extricated, and officers provided first aid before paramedics transported him to a local hospital.

Police said no officers or bystanders were injured during the incident.

The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office is assisting in the investigation into the incident.

Anyone with information related to the case is asked to contact the Milpitas Police Department at (408) 586-2400.

Source



(VA) Loudoun County superintendent apologizes, board member resigns as backlash grows over alleged sexual assaults

Loudoun County Public Schools has faced intense public pressure after Scott Smith revealed his daughter was allegedly assaulted in a school bathroom

By Peter Hasson | Fox News

10/15/2021

The superintendent of Loudoun County Public Schools issued an apology and a school board member resigned on Friday as the district faces mounting backlash over its response to two alleged sexual assaults, one of which was allegedly carried out by a skirt-wearing male student in a girls' bathroom. 

Superintendent Scott Ziegler apologized for saying during a June event that the Virginia district had no record of assaults taking place in its bathrooms. His comments came amid debate about policy changes related to self-identified transgender students. Ziegler said Friday that he misunderstood the question when he made the comment. 

Ziegler also said he is "sorry that we failed to provide the safe, welcoming, and affirming environment that we aspire to provide." He told affected students and families: "We acknowledge and share in your pain and we will continue to offer support to help you and your families through this trauma." 



LOUDOUN COUNTY FATHER ARRESTED AT SCHOOL BOARD MEETING SAYS SCHOOL TRIED TO COVER UP DAUGHTER'S BATHROOM ASSAULT

Scott Smith, a Loudoun County father who was arrested at that June event, said this week that his daughter was sexually assaulted in a girls' bathroom at Stone Bridge High School by a male student who was wearing a skirt. The Loudoun County sheriff's office has confirmed that an on-campus sexual assault was reported on the day Smith says his daughter was victimized. 

The boy accused of assaulting Smith's daughter later allegedly groped a female student at nearby Broad Run High School after forcing her into an empty classroom, Loudoun County Commonwealth's Attorney Buta Biberaj told WTOP in an interview this week.  

Board member Beth Barts announced her resignation on Friday, though she didn't say whether it was related to the ongoing controversy. "This was not an easy decision or a decision made in haste. After much thought and careful consideration, it is the right decision for me and my family," Barts said. 

Barts has repeatedly butted heads with Loudoun parents concerned about critical race theory and similar left-wing topics being taught in schools, leading residents to seek her recall. Brenda Sheridan, the school board chair, thanked Barts for her service and said that the position is expected to be filled during the board's December meeting. 



LCPS didn't immediately return Fox News' inquiry on whether Barts' resignation was linked to the current controversy. 

"This could not have been an easy decision for Ms. Barts. We have made known our displeasure with her actions as a school board member over the past several months, but today she has done the right thing. Her former colleagues should take notice," Ian Prior, the executive director of Virginia parent group Fight for Schools, said in a statement Friday. 

"The community should know, however, that the problems at Loudoun County Public Schools and on the school board go well beyond one school board member," Prior added. "We will continue to shine a light on Loudoun County Public Schools and will keep fighting until we have a school board of common sense, non-partisan members and a superintendent who is accountable to parents and tells the truth." 

Source



自定义厕所性别 美中学女生在厕所遭裙装”男生“性侵

文章来源: 综合新闻

10/13/2021

今年5月,弗吉尼亚州劳登县的一名父亲被告知,自己上中学的女儿在学校受到“攻击”,但是校方没有报警。

男子后来得知,一名穿着“裙子”的男孩在女厕所内对女儿性侵犯。

于是愤怒的父亲报警,但是校方表示从未接到过关于在双性洗手间发生性侵犯的报告。

48岁的斯科特-史密斯对于学校的态度十分不满,6月22日他走入了学校董事会的会议,并且当面指责女儿在学校女厕所被一个 "穿裙子 "的男学生 "强奸",他想用发生在她身上的事情来说明他为什么认为每个人不应该自己选择使用哪种性别的洗手间。

但是后来在视频分享中,这位父亲向媒体透露,学校否认这一切,并在他完全分享他的观点前就将其拖出了会议室。

愤怒的父亲表示场面一度很混乱。6辆警察负责带我离去。

这位父亲说自己从未这么无助,他只是想保护自己的孩子。

史密斯说,这名男孩利用学校的变性政策,进入女生洗手间并袭击了他的女儿



事件发生两个月后,这名男孩,因强迫鸡奸而被捕。

就在10月,他因不同的指控再次被捕,据称他在不同的学校袭击了一个不同的女孩。

目前这么中学生被关在一个青少年拘留中心。

但史密斯说,劳登县的学校却仍在不遗余力地保护这个孩子--"一个性侵者"。学校目前没有发表评论。

据悉,这一家人在被赶出后,一直联系律师为这个案子10月14日的开庭做准备,但他们没想到就在10月6日这个男孩再次因为同样事件被逮捕。

劳登县警长办公室确实证实了10月6日的事件,调查确定在10月6日下午,这名嫌疑人强迫受害者进入一个空教室,在那里他违背她的意愿扣留她并不适当地触摸她,目前被指控对他人进行性攻击和绑架。

据称,该14岁男孩在警方的询问中已经承认了所发生的一切。

而这位父亲如今终于能再次站出来,他之前被校方指责为偏激的右翼分子,还将他的信息发送给所有学区的家长。

Source



Hill’s report said that Montgomery County, which has about 1 million residents, received about $2.61 million in revenue in 2017. Hill’s report noted that the revenue would decline over time as customers start using reusable bags, although it will take several years.

He wrote that it would be difficult to estimate potential revenues because Virginia’s legislation applies only to certain retailers while Montgomery County’s applies to virtually all and doesn’t have certain exemptions.

Earlier this year, Prince William County supervisors began drafting a similar plastic bag tax but decided to wait until after the fiscal 2022 budget was passed.

Source



Loudoun County responds after dad says school district tried to conceal daughter's bathroom assault

Virginia school board under fire after father alleges daughter sexually assaulted in bathroom

By Jessica Chasmar | Fox News

10/13/2021

Loudoun father claims city concealed sex assault

Scott Smith joins 'The Ingraham Angle' to discuss his claims that his daughter was sexually assaulted in girl's bathroom by boy wearing a skirt

The Loudoun County school district in Virginia issued a statement Wednesday saying it correctly followed all legal protocols, two days after a father – who was arrested during a June school board meeting – accused the district of trying to cover up an alleged bathroom sexual assault against his daughter by a skirt-wearing male student. 

"Loudoun County Public Schools is aware of the media and social media reports concerning alleged sexual assaults at two of our high school campuses," the school district said. 

"While LCPS takes student privacy seriously and cannot reveal details concerning the actions of any specific student, we do want to clarify our investigative process. Principals are legally required to report to the local law enforcement agency any act, including sexual assault, that may constitute a felony offense under Va. Code § 22.1-279.3:1. That process was followed with respect to these allegations."



The statement comes two days after Scott Smith, who was arrested for disorderly conduct during a June 22 school board meeting, alleged that the school district tried to cover up a sexual assault by a gender-fluid individual against his ninth-grade daughter in order to further its transgender rights agenda. 

Smith told The Daily Wire on Monday that weeks before his arrest, his daughter at Stone Bridge High School in Ashburn was sexually assaulted by a boy wearing a skirt who entered the girls’ bathroom on May 28.

"We can confirm a May 28, 2021 case that involved a thorough 2-month-long investigation that was conducted to determine the facts of the case prior to arrest," the sheriff's office previously told Fox News. "This case is still pending court proceedings. The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office is not able to provide any documents that pertain to a pending case." The sheriff's office confirmed that the case involved sexual assault. 

All juvenile records are sealed, but Smith’s attorney Elizabeth Lancaster told The Daily Wire that the boy was subsequently charged with two counts of forcible sodomy, one count of anal sodomy, and one count of forcible fellatio.

The school district said in its statement that it contacted the sheriff’s office on May 28 within "minutes of receiving the initial report."

"Once a matter has been reported to law enforcement, LCPS does not begin its investigation until law enforcement advises LCPS that it has completed the criminal investigation," the school district said. "To maintain the integrity of the criminal investigation, law enforcement requested that LCPS not interview students until their investigation is concluded. LCPS has cooperated and continues to cooperate with law enforcement."



The statement differs dramatically from Smith’s account, who said school officials told him on May 28 that the matter would be handled in-house, and that they actually called law enforcement on him for creating a scene on campus. 

According to The Daily Wire, the school sent an email to parents later that day saying there had been an "incident in the main office" that required sheriff’s deputies to respond. The email made no mention of the alleged sexual assault and said there was "no threat to the safety of the student body."

Smith told The Daily Wire that he was arrested at the June 22 school board meeting shortly after LCPS Superintendent Scott Ziegler declared that to his knowledge, "we don’t have any record of assaults occurring in our restrooms." Smith said he then flew into a rage after a local progressive activist said she did not believe his daughter’s story.

On Aug. 11, nearly two months after Smith’s arrest, the school board voted to approve its transgender rights policy, which requires teachers to call students by the pronouns they identify with and requires bathroom renovations in order to make them more private.

Smith said he received a letter before the Aug. 11 vote informing him he was banned from the school board building.

Then on Oct. 6, the sheriff's office said a 15-year-old boy was charged with sexual battery and abduction of a fellow student at Broad Run High School in Ashburn. In an Oct. 7 press release, the sheriff's office said the suspect forced a female victim into an empty classroom where he held her against her will and inappropriately touched her. 



The Daily Wire, citing a government official, reported that the boy accused in the Broad Run case had the same name as the student who allegedly assaulted Smith's daughter. 

Elizabeth Lancaster, Smith's attorney, also told the outlet the suspect in the Oct. 6 incident was the same boy who allegedly attacked Smith’s daughter.  

Smith’s wife, Jess, said prosecutors told her the suspect’s court date had been postponed from this Thursday to Oct. 25 in order to handle both cases together. The sheriff's office declined to confirm or deny to Fox News that the same male student was suspected in both cases. 

The school district said in its statement that it is "prohibited from disciplining any student without following the Title IX grievance process, which includes investigating complaints of sexual harassment and sexual assault."

"LCPS does impose interim measures to protect the safety of students involved in the original incident, deter retaliation, and preserve the integrity of the investigation and resolution process," it said. "LCPS has complied and continues to comply with its obligations under Title IX."

The school district added that board members were "not aware of the specific details of this incident until it was reported in media outlets earlier this week."

Source


Loudoun County parents demand resignation of $295K-a-year superintendent who DENIED school had any reports of sex assault by a trans kid in a restroom - one month after girl, 15, told teachers she was raped by a 'boy in a skirt' in women's toilets

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10088855/Irate-parents-Loudoun-County-School-board-meeting-DEMAND-resignation-superintendent.html

Ziegler took the job in Loudoun County in January after working in HR for years. He is paid $295,000 a year.

Smith was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct after the June 22 meeting where Ziegler allegedly lied. He said he was trying to contain himself after listening to school board staff say they'd never had a report of a sexual assault in a bathroom, when that is what his daughter reported weeks earlier 




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