Crime
23-year-old Rayshun Bates killed in off-duty officer-involved shooting at Twin Peaks in Huntsville
Three other people were also injured and are still being evaluated at this time.
A tragic incident occurred at Twin Peaks on University Drive in Huntsville’s MidCity District late Saturday night, where a 23-year-old man, Rayshun Bates, was killed, and three others were injured in an off-duty officer-involved shooting.
Huntsville Police Chief Kirk Giles reported that the situation began when a fight broke out between two groups at the restaurant.
The altercation escalated, leading to the involvement of an off-duty Huntsville Police Department (HPD) officer, who discharged their weapon during the incident.
The Madison County Coroner, Tyler Berryhill, confirmed on Sunday morning that Bates, who sustained gunshot injuries at the scene, had unfortunately passed away.
An autopsy is scheduled to take place in Huntsville later in the week to provide further details.
While Chief Giles did not provide specific updates on the conditions of the other individuals shot, it was reported that a total of four people were transported to Huntsville Hospital Trauma Services for treatment.
According to HEMSI (Huntsville Emergency Medical Services, Inc.) spokesperson Don Webster, the shooting was reported around 9:50 p.m. and one person remains in critical condition while the others are still undergoing evaluation.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) has taken over the investigation and is working to gather evidence and understand the sequence of events that led to this tragic outcome. Further updates are expected as ALEA proceeds with its investigation.
Crime
Indiana Man Arrested for Allegedly Threatening to Assassinate President Trump in TikTok Videos
A 23-year-old Indiana man has been arrested and charged with making threats against former President Donald Trump after allegedly posting multiple threatening videos on TikTok, federal authorities announced Thursday.
According to a criminal complaint filed by the FBI, Douglas Thrams posted a series of videos between Monday—when Trump was inaugurated—and Wednesday, in which he allegedly threatened anti-government violence and called for the assassination of the former president.
In one of the videos cited in the complaint, Thrams reportedly stated, “Every U.S. government building needs to be bombed immediately.” He further escalated his rhetoric by saying, “He [Trump] needs to be assassinated, and this time, don’t… miss,” using explicit language.
Authorities noted that Thrams’ statements were particularly concerning in light of previous assassination attempts targeting Trump, including an incident last year at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where the former president sustained a minor injury to his ear.
Additionally, an FBI affidavit revealed that in another video, Thrams was seen holding a rifle and tapping it, an action investigators interpreted as an implied threat.
Thrams was taken into custody on Thursday and has been charged with “interstate communications with a threat to injure,” a federal offense.
The case remains under investigation, and authorities have not disclosed any further potential threats. Thrams is expected to appear in federal court in the coming days.