Crime
40-year-old Elliot Wilkinson killed in New Orleans terror attack
New Orleans, LA – Family members have confirmed that 40-year-old Elliot Wilkinson is among the victims of the devastating terror attack that occurred on New Year’s Day along Bourbon Street in New Orleans.
Elliot’s brother, Cecil Wilkinson of Lafayette, expressed his grief and heartbreak in a heartfelt post on Facebook.
“I know life was hard for you at times,” Cecil wrote. “I wasn’t expecting to get the phone call.”
The Wilkinson family is grappling with the sudden loss of their loved one as they join the broader community in mourning the lives lost during the attack.
The tragedy unfolded early in the morning when a truck plowed into a crowd of people, killing 15 and leaving several others injured. Authorities have since identified the suspect as 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Bahar Jabbar, who was shot and killed by police after the attack.
Elliot Wilkinson’s life, like those of the other victims, was tragically cut short in an act of senseless violence. His family, along with the families of all those affected, are calling for justice and peace during this difficult time.
Investigations into the attack are ongoing. Community members have been encouraged to share any information that may assist authorities in their inquiries.
Crime
Tyler Maxon Avalos arrested for posting TikTok video offering $45,000 reward for the death of AG Pam Bondi
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Federal authorities have arrested a 29-year-old man accused of using TikTok to solicit violence against former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, offering a cash reward for her death.
The suspect, identified as Tyler Maxon Avalos, was taken into custody on October 16 following an FBI investigation into an alleged murder-for-hire plot circulated on social media.
According to court documents, agents were tipped off earlier this month after Avalos allegedly posted a TikTok video featuring an image of Attorney General Bondi with a red sniper-scope dot positioned on her forehead.
The video’s caption reportedly read:
“WANTED: Pam Bondi”
“REWARD: $45,000”
“DEAD OR ALIVE”
“(PREFERABLY DEAD)”
Beneath the image, Avalos allegedly added a cryptic message: “Cough cough. When they don’t serve us, then what?”
Authorities say Avalos, who used the online alias “Wacko”, maintained an account laced with anarchist symbols and anti-government rhetoric.
His TikTok bio reportedly linked to a digital copy of “An Anarchist FAQ”, a document frequently cited in online extremist circles.
Federal investigators noted that Avalos has a significant criminal history, spanning several states.
His prior convictions include:
- Felony stalking (Dakota County, Minnesota – July 2022)
- Felony third-degree domestic battery (Polk County, Florida – July 2022)
- Misdemeanor domestic assault (Dakota County, Minnesota – April 2016), a charge reportedly reduced from felony domestic assault by strangulation.
The FBI confirmed that Avalos was apprehended without incident and is being held pending further federal charges.
Court filings allege that Avalos’s actions constituted a credible threat of violence and were part of a deliberate attempt to incite harm against a public official.
Investigators are currently reviewing his online activity to determine whether others were involved or aware of the plot.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office stated that Avalos could face federal charges related to threats against public officials, solicitation to commit murder, and interstate transmission of threatening communications.
Officials emphasized that the swift intervention of a concerned citizen helped prevent potential violence.
“Public safety depends on vigilance,” an FBI spokesperson said. “We urge anyone who encounters threats of this nature online to report them immediately.”