U.S.
Community Responds After 7 Killed in Midland-Odessa Shooting
Published
1 year agoon

- Community members in Odessa and Midland, Texas are coming together and speaking out after a shooting Saturday left seven dead and almost two dozen more injured.
- Students at two rival high schools have put their tensions aside to work together on fundraising for victims and their families.
- Odessa Police Chief Michael Gerke has also refused to publicly name the gunman in a press conference saying, “I’m not going to give him any notoriety for what he did.”
Community Members Organize Help
Residents in Odessa and Midland, Texas are lending helping hands to one another after a mass shooting on Saturday left seven people dead and over 20 others injured.
On Monday, students from Odessa High School and Permian High School came together to find ways to help the victims of the attack. According to USA Today, nearly 100 students gathered in prayer before discussing ways to plan fundraisers and organizing food donations from local businesses.
The two high schools have a long-running and well-known rivalry. The tensions between the two even inspired the rivalry depicted in the film and television series Friday Night Lights.
“The Odessa-Permian rivalry is something crazy,” one former student told USA Today. “We don’t get along. But everyone’s together.”
Local groups are accepting help from the public in other ways. The City of Odessa is taking food donations to help victims and responders but has reached capacity for perishable items. Non-perishable items can still be donated.
A GoFundMe was set up to help a 17-month-old who was injured in the attack. The page has currently raised over $200,000 to help cover several expenses, including the surgery the child received after a bullet fragment hit her face.
Community Leaders Speak Out
Leaders in the community have also responded to the events. The mayor of Midland, Jerry Morales, spoke at a vigil on Sunday about the unity in the towns.
“We are devastated by this idiot who hurt our communities,” he said, “but we are one, we are strong together. This idiot will not break our faith.”
When speaking at a press conference, Odessa Police Chief Michael Gerke made headlines when he announced his choice to not name the gunman while speaking in public.
Police Chief Michael Gerke refuses to give notoriety to a mass killer. #NoNotoriety applauds his professional and responsible actions taken for the sake of public safety. #Odessa #Midland #massshooting #responsiblereporting pic.twitter.com/ISNUMMJhVC
— NoNotoriety (@NoNotoriety) September 1, 2019
“You’ll notice that I’m not naming the subject, and there’s a reason for that. I refuse to,” he said. “I’m not going to give him any notoriety for what he did. We’ll provide that information to you, but not on this public space.”
Texas Politicians Speak Out
Other political leaders in Texas have also made statements and pledged action following the shooting. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott advocated for expedited executions in cases of mass shootings.
We're working on a legislative package right now.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) September 3, 2019
Expedited executions for mass murderers would be a nice addition.#txlegehttps://t.co/XxQ152XPof
The article he shared in his tweet referenced a Bloomberg report on legislation drafted by the United States Department of Justice that would speed the process up. Right now, there are no details on any legislation plans in Texas.
On Sunday, Abbott also addressed the gun laws in Texas that took effect one day after the shooting as previously scheduled before the incident. These laws loosen some regulations and allow licensed gun owners to have their weapon in a locked vehicle on school grounds and allow for more armed marshals in schools. They also clarify that licensed gun owners can bring their weapons into places of worship, among other things.
“Some of these laws were enacted to make our communities safer,” he told reporters.
A clip of former representative and current presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke addressing the shooting also went viral. In it, the politician spoke about the incident as reports of the attack first broke.
“We’re not sure how many gunmen, we’re not sure how many people have been shot, don’t know how many people have been killed, the condition of those who have survived,” he said. “Don’t know what the motivation is, do not yet know the firearms that were used or how they acquired them. But we do know this is fucked up.”
We don't know how many have been killed. We don't know the motivation. But here's what we do know: This is fucked up. pic.twitter.com/NRvyPfUjiM
— Beto O'Rourke (@BetoORourke) September 1, 2019
O’Rourke also expressed support for a gun buy-back program.
Buy them all back. https://t.co/bnQNIwW876
— Beto O'Rourke (@BetoORourke) September 1, 2019
Editor’s Note: At Rogue Rocket, we make it a point to not include the names and pictures of mass murderers or suspected mass murderers who may have been seeking attention or infamy. Therefore, we will not be linking to other sources, as they may contain these details. Instead, we will be linking to donation pages for those impacted by the shootings.
U.S.
New COVID-19 Variant Could Become Dominant in the U.S. by March, CDC Warns
Published
2 days agoon
January 15, 2021
- The CDC warned Friday that a new highly transmissible COVID-19 variant could become the predominant variant in the United States by March.
- The strain was first reported in the United Kingdom in December and is now in at least 10 states.
- The CDC used a modeled trajectory to discover how quickly the variant could spread in the U.S. and said that this could threaten the country’s already overwhelmed healthcare system.
CDC Issues Warning
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned Friday that the new COVID-19 variant could become the predominant variant in the United States by March.
While it is not known to be more deadly, it does spread at a higher rate, which is troubling considering the condition the U.S. is already in. Cases and deaths are already on the rise in nearly every state and globally, 2 million lives have been lost to the coronavirus.
The variant was first reported in the United Kingdom in mid-December. It is now in 30 countries, including the U.S., where cases have been located in at least ten states. Right now, only 76 cases of this variant have been confirmed in the U.S., but experts believe that number is likely much higher and said it will increase significantly in the coming weeks. It is already a dominant strain in parts of the U.K.
Modeled trajectory shows that growth in the U.S. could be so fast that it dominates U.S. cases just three months into the new year. This could pose a huge threat to our already strained healthcare system.
Mitigating Spread of Variant
“I want to stress that we are deeply concerned that this strain is more transmissible and can accelerate outbreaks in the U.S. in the coming weeks,” said Dr. Jay Butler, deputy director for infectious diseases at the CDC told the New York Times. “We’re sounding the alarm and urging people to realize the pandemic is not over and in no way is it time to throw in the towel.”
The CDC advises that health officials use this time to limit spread and increase vaccination as much as possible in order to mitigate the impact this variant will have. Experts believe that current vaccines will protect against this strain.
“Effective public health measures, including vaccination, physical distancing, use of masks, hand hygiene, and isolation and quarantine, will be essential,” the CDC said in their report.
“Strategic testing of persons without symptoms but at higher risk of infection, such as those exposed to SARS-CoV-2 or who have frequent unavoidable contact with the public, provides another opportunity to limit ongoing spread.”
See what others are saying: (Wall Street Journal) (New York Times) (NBC News)
U.S.
Former Michigan Gov. and 8 Others Charged Over Flint Water Crisis
Published
3 days agoon
January 14, 2021
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder. (Al Goldis/AP)
- Ex-Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder was charged with two counts of willful neglect of duty Wednesday for his role in the Flint water crisis
- By Thursday, eight more former state and city officials were charged with crimes ranging from involuntary manslaughter to extortion.
- Flint residents have long awaited this news. In 2019, prosecutors dropped all criminal charges against 15 officials and said they would start the investigation from scratch, citing concerns about how the special counsel had conducted its probe.
Rick Snyder Charges
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office said Thursday that it had filed 41 charges against nine former state and city officials for their role in the Flint water crisis.
The most high-profile figure to be charged was former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder. On Wednesday, he was hit with two counts of willful neglect of duty.
He was the state’s top executive when local officials decided to switch the city’s drinking water source to the Flint River in 2014.
The switch was supposed to be a temporary cost-saving measure while a pipeline was being built to Lake Huron. However, the water wasn’t treated properly for corrosion, so lead-contaminated water was released into the homes of people all over the city. Because of that, 12 people died and at least 90 were sickened with Legionnaires’ disease.
Snyder appeared in court this morning via Zoom, pleading not guilty to the two misdemeanor charges. If convicted he could face up to a year in prison and as much as a $1,000 fine.
His charges alone are significant because they make him the first governor or former governor in the state to ever be charged with a crime for alleged conduct while in office.
8 Others Charged
Along with Snyder, eight others were charged, including a former state health director Nick Lyon. Lyon received nine charges of involuntary manslaughter, among others.
Richard Baird, one of Snyder’s closes advisors was changed for extortion, perjury, and obstructions of justice. Others who were charged include:
- Jarrod Agen, Snyder’s former chief of staff and Vice President Mike Pence’s former communications director.
- Dr. Eden Wells, a former chief medical executive for the state Department of Health and Human Services.
- Darnell Earley, former Flint finance director and state-appointed emergency manager.
- Gerald Ambrose, former state-appointed emergency manager.
- Howard Croft, former Flint Public Works Director.
- Nancy Peeler, the state’s director of maternal, infant and early childhood home visiting for the health department.
Flint residents have waited a long time for justice over the water contamination issue. Prosecutors previously dropped all 15 criminal charges tied to the Flint case in 2019 and said the investigation would begin again from scratch.
At the time, they cited concerns about how the special counsel had conducted its probe.
It also wasn’t until last year that the state reached a $600 million settlement with victims, establishing a fund from which residents can file for compensation.
See what others are saying: (NPR) (The Detroit News) (Detroit Free Press)
U.S.
Three Lawmakers Test Positive for COVID-19 Following Capitol Attack
Published
5 days agoon
January 12, 2021
- At least three Congressmembers have tested positive for COVID-19 following Wednesday’s pro-Trump attack on the Capitol.
- Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), and Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.) believe they contracted the virus after locking down in close quarters with numerous Republican lawmakers who refused to wear masks.
- Jayapal and Schneider are calling for those who did not wear a mask to face consequences.
Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman Tests Positive
At least three members of Congress have tested positive for COVID-19 after locking down in close quarters with other House members during Wednesday’s pro-Trump attack on the Capitol.
Congress’ attending physician, Brian Monahan, warned that members may have been exposed during the lockdown. He recommended that everyone who was isolated inside should get tested for the virus.
On Monday Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) became the first to announce that she tested positive. Watson Coleman believes she was exposed while in the Capitol lockdown. In her statement, she cited the multiple Republicans who refused to wear masks while inside. Video footage from Punchbowl News shows a Democratic lawmaker handing out masks and a handful of Republicans declining to take one.
Watson Coleman is a 75-year-old lung cancer survivor. While she said she is only experiencing cold-like symptoms, she tweeted that per a doctor’s suggestion, she headed to a local hospital for antibody treatment. She also encouraged those who sheltered in place to get tested.
I want to update everyone. While I feel ok, on my doctor's advice I'm on my way to a local hospital for monoclonal antibody treatment.
— Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (@RepBonnie) January 11, 2021
I thank you for the outpouring of supportive messages.
The love you've sent has been overwhelming.
Please, wear a mask and social distance. https://t.co/TAK9Nf7lvN
More Cases Follow
Later on Monday, Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) said she too had tested positive, also blaming a lack of mask-wearing in the Capitol. In a lengthy Twitter thread, she said Republicans created a superspreader event and demanded consequences for their actions.
Any Member who refuses to wear a mask should be fully held accountable for endangering our lives because of their selfish idiocy. I'm calling for every single Member who refuses to wear a mask in the Capitol to be fined and removed from the floor by the Sergeant at Arms.
— Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@RepJayapal) January 12, 2021
“Many Republicans still refused to take the bare minimum COVID-19 precaution and simply wear a damn mask in a crowded room during a pandemic—creating a superspreader event ON TOP of a domestic terrorist attack,” she wrote.
“Any Member who refuses to wear a mask should be fully held accountable,” Jayapal added.
“I’m calling for every single Member who refuses to wear a mask in the Capitol to be fined and removed from the floor by the Sergeant at Arms.”
Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.) echoed her frustrations on Tuesday after releasing a statement saying he has become the third House member to have tested positive following the lockdown.
“Today, I am now in strict isolation, worried that I have risked my wife’s health and angry at the selfishness and arrogance of the anti-maskers who put their own contempt and disregard for decency ahead of the health and safety of their colleagues and our staff,” he wrote.
Like Jayapal, he is calling for sanctions against those who opted to not wear masks.
Many health officials feared that this lockdown could lead to a surge in cases. They also worry that the mob itself could lead to a superspreader event as most of those who attacked the Capitol were not wearing masks and were crowding together both inside and outside of the building.
See what others are saying: (The Washington Post) (NPR) (NBC Chicago)

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