Issue 49, January 12, 2024

Teen Suspect Fatally Shoots 6-Year-Old Girl in Dallas, Police Officer Shoots Grandmother During Traffic Stop

🕵️^{Trivia Question}

Can you guess the most bizarre weapon used in a murder case?
^{Answer at the bottom of the newsletter}

What’s Happening Now

Tragic Shooting Claims Life of 6-Year-Old Girl in Dallas, Weeks After Brother's Death

A 6-year-old girl was tragically shot and killed inside a Dallas home, just weeks after her 14-year-old brother was also shot and died.

Fitzhugh Avenue in Old East Dallas, where the girl was with other juveniles.

The police reported that there was an unsecured gun in the home, however, it is unclear how the child was shot.

The girl was taken to the hospital but did not survive.

At the time of the incident, the child's mother was at a funeral home making arrangements for her deceased son.

A 16-year-old suspect has been arrested and is facing charges.

Shocking Bodycam Video Reveals New Mexico Police Officer Charged with Murder After Fatally Shooting Grandmother During Traffic Stop

A New Mexico police officer, Felipe Hernandez, has been charged with murder after a shocking bodycam video revealed him fatally shooting a grandmother during a traffic stop.

Hernandez turned himself in and was charged with second-degree murder with a firearm enhancement.

The video footage, which was previously released, shows Hernandez warning Gomez he would “really make her life a living hell,” and firing at least three rounds at Gomez as she tried to drive away.

Doña Ana County District Attorney Gerald Byers stated that there was no necessity for the use of deadly force and no self-defense involved.

Gomez's family has also filed a federal lawsuit against the city and police, alleging excessive force and violation of civil rights.

The officer was previously on administrative leave before his arrest.

Watch Now (bodycam footage) / Read More

🚓Safety Tip of the Day: Traffic Stop Safety

When being pulled over by a police officer, stay calm and follow these steps for a smooth interaction. Pull over to a safe location, turn on your hazard lights, and keep your hands on the steering wheel. Avoid sudden movements, and wait for the officer's instructions. Provide your license and registration when asked, and communicate clearly. If you have concerns about the legitimacy of the stop, you can request the officer's identification. Remember, compliance and respectful communication are key to ensuring a safe encounter for everyone involved.

Cold Case Highlights

UPDATE: Family Seeks Justice for Brother's Unsolved Murder: Case Remains Open

Gwen Tranum had not heard from her brother, Clarence Lynn Wilson, since 1985.

He had an argument while visiting their parents in California and disappeared.

Recently, a detective reached out to Tranum about remains found in Crater Lake in Texas in 1986.

The victim had a tattoo matching Wilson's wife and daughter's names, and Tranum's DNA ultimately confirmed that the remains belonged to her brother.

It was determined that Wilson had been murdered, shot twice, and weighed down by a cinder block.

The case remains open, and Tranum's family seeks justice for her brother's death.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the authorities.

Decades-Old Cold Case Solved: Genealogy Technology Identifies Woman Found Dead in Georgia Dumpster in 1988

Authorities have finally identified a woman who was found dead in a dumpster in Georgia in 1988, thanks to genealogy technology.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) announced that the woman, Chong Un Kim of Hinesville, Georgia, was 26 years old when she died.

Her body was discovered wrapped in plastic and duct tape inside a suitcase in a dumpster in Jenkins County.

The cause of her death was determined to be asphyxiation, and she had been dead for four to seven days before being found.

Despite previous efforts to identify her using fingerprints and dental records, it was not until DNA evidence was retested using advanced technology and submitted to a Texas-based company called Othram that a genealogical profile was developed, leading to Kim's identification.

The GBI is now seeking more information about Kim and her case.

🔍^{Trivia Answer}
_Sweatpants

_{In April 2006, Jimmy Hackley, a 61-year-old resident of Jacksonville, Florida, was convicted of first-degree murder for strangling 29-year-old Patricia Ann McCollum using a pair of sweatpants.}