Crime
Trans Member National Guard Pilot Jo Ellis Falsely Accused of Flying Black Hawk Helicopter

A transgender National Guard pilot has spoken out after being falsely accused on social media of piloting the Black Hawk helicopter involved in the fatal midair collision with a passenger jet near Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, which claimed 67 lives.
Jo Ellis, a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter pilot for the Virginia Army National Guard, addressed the misinformation in a Facebook post on Friday, denouncing the baseless claims that had gained traction online.
The false allegations echoed unsubstantiated rhetoric from former President Donald Trump, who suggested diversity initiatives were to blame for the tragedy.
“Some craziness has happened on the internet, and I’m being named as one of the pilots of the D.C. crash,” Ellis wrote. “It’s insulting to the victims and families of those lost, and they deserve better than this BS from the bots and trolls of the internet.”
Ellis included screenshots of posts on X (formerly Twitter) that attempted to link her gender identity to the catastrophic crash.
One post speculated, “Wouldn’t be surprised if the pilot was trans,” while another falsely claimed Ellis had made “radicalized anti-Trump statements” on social media. The latter post was later deleted, and the account issued an apology.
Despite these corrections, Ellis’ name trended on X, accumulating over 19,400 mentions.
Even after she publicly refuted the claims—including in a follow-up video titled “Proof of Life”—far-right accounts continued to circulate misinformation and hate speech targeting her.
The National Guard has not commented on the allegations, and official investigations into the crash remain ongoing.
Crime
Monroe Police Investigate Shooting at Hibbett Sports

Monroe, LA – The Monroe Police Department (MPD) is actively investigating a shooting incident that took place on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at Hibbett Sports, located in the 2700 block of Louisville Avenue.
Authorities responded to reports of gunfire at approximately 3:00 p.m.
Upon arrival, officers discovered two adult victims suffering from gunshot wounds.
Both individuals sustained non-life-threatening injuries and received immediate medical attention at the scene before being transported to a local hospital for further treatment.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the altercation originated as a dispute over shoes inside a nearby shopping mall.
The conflict escalated and spilled over into the Hibbett Sports store, where shots were fired.
Investigators have determined that this was not a random act of violence.
According to police, the individuals involved were known to each other, and the shooting stemmed from a physical altercation inside the store.
MPD detectives are actively reviewing surveillance footage, gathering evidence, and interviewing witnesses to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
Authorities are urging anyone with information related to the shooting to contact the Monroe Police Department or submit anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers.
This remains a developing story, and further updates will be provided as more details emerge.