HOUSTON – A black man was arrested and charged with murder in the killing of a 7-year-old black girl in a drive-by shooting that authorities said Sunday appeared to be a case of mistaken identity, not a racially motivated attack, as her family feared. Jazmine Barnes' family had described the gunman in the Dec. 30 slaying as a white man driving a red pickup and believed race played a role in the shooting. But acting on a tip received by a civil rights activist, the sheriff's department zeroed in instead on Eric Black Jr., a 20-year-old black man who admitted he was driving a dark-colored SUV from which a passenger opened fire, authorities said. Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said authorities have identified the second suspect, who also is black, but would not say whether the person was in custody. Gonzalez cautioned that authorities still were investigating, but said: "At this point, it does not appear it was related to race." Chris Sevilla, Jazmine's father, said in a brief … [Read more...] about Man charged with murder in Houston girl’s death
Saturday night in houston
Alabama tops Oklahoma 45-34 in Orange Bowl
Miami Gardens, Fla. -- This season's Alabama juggernaut has yet to be stopped, and Oklahoma's suspect defense sure wasn't going to do it. Maybe Clemson can. Tua Tagovailoa threw for 318 yards and four touchdowns and No. 1-ranked Alabama beat No. 4 Oklahoma 45-34 on Saturday night in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Orange Bowl . The high-scoring Sooners reached the semifinal despite a porous defense that was no match for Alabama's diverse attack, and the defending champion Crimson Tide led 28-0 after only 17 minutes. Alabama (14-0) advanced to the national championship game for the fourth consecutive season and will play Jan. 7 in Santa Clara, California against familiar foe Clemson, which beat Notre Dame 30-3 in the Cotton Bowl. The Tigers, ranked No. 2, and Alabama will face off in the playoffs for the fourth year in a row, and have split two title games. "They've got a great program and a great team," Alabama coach Nick Saban said. "I'm sure it'll be a great … [Read more...] about Alabama tops Oklahoma 45-34 in Orange Bowl
Taking on Trump: Sweep of Democrat successes predicted in midterms
Down near Austin’s Lady Bird Lake, there is little room to move. People are spilling into the road near stalls selling flags, T-shirts and lapel badges that read: ‘Science is not a Liberal Conspiracy’ and ‘Protect Kids Not Guns’. As 8pm approaches on this Saturday night in autumn, there are 50,000 people here; some reckon 60,000. Either way, it will come to be regarded as the largest political rally for a single candidate in the United States at least since the presidential election two years ago. And what is extraordinary about this one is that it is for a Democratic candidate for the US Senate, and is being held in deep red Texas. Beto O’Rourke isn’t just any candidate. He represents an energised Democratic party, one that is ploughing head-first into the midterm elections early next month with a renewed sense of optimism. Texas last saw a Democratic presidential candidate win more than 40 years ago, but O’Rourke is part of the … [Read more...] about Taking on Trump: Sweep of Democrat successes predicted in midterms
Suspected serial killer caught following car chase in Houston-area manhunt
Michelle Homer KHOU-TV, Houston Published 1:09 p.m. UTC Jul 17, 2018 HOUSTON — A suspect in two mattress store murders, the killing of a suburban Houston woman and other unsolved crimes was arrested Tuesday after a car chase. Authorities on Monday identified 46-year-old Jose Rodriguez, 46, as a suspect in the violent crime spree. Rodriguez hasn't been charged in the crimes, but Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez tweeted that he's "considered a serial killer, armed and dangerous." "He's been on a rampage in a series of murders," Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo said. "Let's get this man off the street as soon as possible." Rodriguez is 5 feet 9 inches tall, about 150 pounds, bald with tattoos on his neck and other parts of his body. He also has a tattoo on the top of his head and may wear ballcaps to cover it up. ► July 15: DNA evidence credited for arrest in 30-year-old cold case► June 6: Phoenix-area murders: Was this the work of a serial killer?► … [Read more...] about Suspected serial killer caught following car chase in Houston-area manhunt
Possible serial killer sought in Houston-area manhunt
HOUSTON -- A manhunt is underway for a "person of strong interest" in a violent crime spree that has left at least three people dead in four days, reports CBS Houston affiliate KHOU-TV. The killing spree started Friday with the slaying of a widow who liked to read the Bible and surprise neighbors with homemade cookies. Houston police announced Monday that murders in two mattress stores could be linked to the killing of the woman, along with other unsolved crimes. They've identified 46-year-old Jose Rodriguez as a suspect in the violent crime spree. Police Chief Art Acevedo and Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez held a rare joint news conference Monday evening to warn the public about this "threat to the community." Rodriguez hasn't been charged in the crimes, but Gonzalez tweeted he's "considered a serial killer, armed and dangerous." "He's been on a rampage in a series of murders," Acevedo said. "Let's get this man off the street as soon as possible." Rodriguez is 5'9, about 150 … [Read more...] about Possible serial killer sought in Houston-area manhunt