Crime
14-year-old Israel Maldonado killed after being shot to death in South Chicago
A tragic shooting on Chicago’s South Side claimed the life of a 14-year-old boy from Indiana, authorities confirmed.
The incident occurred around 5:53 p.m. in the 8800 block of South Houston Avenue, located in the South Chicago neighborhood, according to the Chicago Police Department.
Shortly after the shooting, the victim was transported to Trinity Hospital by private vehicle.
Medical personnel determined he had sustained multiple gunshot wounds, including injuries to his neck, chest, hand, and back.
Despite efforts to save him, the boy succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.
The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victim as Israel Maldonado, a resident of Whiting, Indiana.
As of now, no arrests have been made, and the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation. Chicago police continue to gather information and are urging anyone with details to come forward.
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.