Louisiana
Pastor shot, killed during church service
LAKE CHARLES, La. – A Louisiana pastor was fatally shot as he preached to a crowd of more than 60 during a revival service and a suspect has been arrested, law enforcement officials said Saturday.
The shooting at about 8:20 p.m. Friday was at Tabernacle of Praise Worship Center in Lake Charles, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Kim Myers said Saturday. Sixty-five people were inside at the time, including the victim’s wife, said Chief Deputy Stitch Guillory.
Deputies have no information on a motive.
Myers said Harris was shot twice by the gunman, who walked into the church while Harris was preaching and shot him, then hit him again when Harris fell to the floor. Harris was pronounced dead at the scene.
Woodrow Karey, 53, of Lake Charles is charged with second-degree murder and was held in the parish jail Saturday, Myers said. Karey’s bond has been set at $1 million.
California
5 dead after vehicle spins out and bursts into flames
BURBANK, Calif. – Five people were killed early Saturday morning after their car spun out and burst into flames in Burbank, trapping people inside, officials said.
Hours after the wreck, firefighters were assisting the coroner’s office in removing the bodies, which were “burned beyond recognition,” from the wreckage for further investigation, Burbank Fire Capt. Peter Hendrickson said.
There was one survivor, an 18-year-old woman who managed to crawl out of the burning Nissan and was found by police about 50 yards away from the wreckage when they arrived shortly after 4 a.m.
The woman suffered a broken leg and was being treated for non-life threatening injuries at the Los Angeles County Medical Center, Sergeant Darin Ryburn said.
Paramedics reported smelling alcohol on her breath, Fire Battalion Chief Ron Barone said.
Washington, D.C.
No. 2 U.S. nuke commander suspended amid probe
WASHINGTON – The No. 2 officer at the military command in charge of all U.S. nuclear war-fighting forces has been suspended and is under investigation by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service for issues related to gambling, officials said Saturday.
The highly unusual action against a high-ranking officer at U.S. Strategic Command was made more than three weeks ago but not publicly announced.
Air Force Gen. Robert Kehler, who heads Strategic Command, suspended the deputy commander, Navy Vice Adm. Tim Giardina, from his duties on Sept. 3, according to the command’s top spokeswoman, Navy Capt. Pamela Kunze. Giardina is still assigned to the command but is prohibited from performing duties related to nuclear weapons and other issues requiring a security clearance, she said.
Maryland
Gun-control law sparks record gun sales
PASADENA, Md. – Maryland residents have been buying guns in record numbers before a law takes effect Tuesday, with provisions aimed at helping keep guns away from criminals and the mentally ill, strengthening safety training and banning 45 types of assault weapons.
Opponents decry what they call an ineffective law that will only make it harder for law-abiding citizens to exercise Second Amendment rights. They say the state also failed to prepare properly for implementation after Gov. Martin O’Malley, who is considering a run for the White House in 2016, pushed the complicated measure through the General Assembly to build his credentials for a potential Democratic primary race.
On Thursday, opponents of the restrictions sued in federal court in Baltimore, seeking to block the legislation from taking effect. The court scheduled a hearing for Tuesday on their motion for an order that would temporarily block implementation while the court considers whether to permanently bar Maryland from enforcing the law.
