Crime
Former Security Guard in Custody After Shooting at Spartan College of Aeronautics in Inglewood
Inglewood, Calif. — A former employee of Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology was taken into custody Friday afternoon following a workplace shooting that left two women critically injured, authorities confirmed.
The incident occurred at approximately 3:45 p.m. inside an administrative office on the college’s Inglewood campus, located at 8911 Aviation Boulevard.
Inglewood Mayor James Butts stated that the shooting appeared to be an act of workplace violence. Both victims are current employees of the school.
According to officials, the suspected gunman is a former security guard at the institution. Because of his prior employment, law enforcement personnel were able to quickly identify him by name and vehicle description.
Surveillance efforts led to the suspect being located and detained in the Koreatown neighborhood of Los Angeles several hours after the incident.
While police have not publicly released his identity, they confirmed that the individual believed to be responsible is now in custody.
Witnesses reported that the shooter was still wearing a security uniform at the time of the attack.
Footage captured by AIR7 showed a heavy law enforcement response at the scene, with officers conducting an extensive search of the campus and surrounding areas.
A precautionary lockdown was implemented for the college, which was later lifted once police determined that the suspect had left the premises.
The two victims were transported to a nearby hospital and were listed in critical condition, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
Investigators interviewed dozens of students and staff members as they continued to piece together the events leading up to the shooting.
The motive remains unclear at this time.
Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology, which operates multiple campuses nationwide, specializes in aviation maintenance training.
The Inglewood campus serves approximately 500 students and is located about one mile from Los Angeles International Airport.
The investigation is ongoing, and additional details will be released as they become available.
Crime
Walls Police Officer Da’Quarius Burton Injured in Deadly Mississippi Crash, Mother Confirms He Is Alive and Safe
DESOTO COUNTY, Mississippi — Walls Police Officer Da’Quarius Burton was injured in a deadly two-vehicle collision on U.S. Highway 61 in DeSoto County, Mississippi, but his mother has confirmed that he is alive, safe and recovering following the crash.
Burton, 27, of Memphis, Tennessee, was driving a Dodge Durango involved in the collision shortly after 8 p.m. Wednesday at the intersection of U.S. Highway 61 and Church Road in Walls.
The crash claimed the lives of three people traveling in a Honda Accord. The incident also left another passenger injured and involved employees of the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office Juvenile Detention Center.
Following the crash, misinformation circulated online suggesting that Burton had died and that he was a juvenile detention officer.
His mother, Tee Burton, publicly addressed the reports, firmly correcting the information and asking people to stop sharing unverified claims.
She confirmed that her son is alive, safe and okay. She also emphasized that he is not a juvenile detention officer.
In her statement, she expressed disappointment over reports falsely identifying her son as one of the people who died in the collision.
She also acknowledged the families who lost loved ones and urged the public to show compassion toward everyone affected by the tragedy.
Her statement included the following message:
“My son is alive!!! He is safe, and he is okay!!!”
She further asked people to verify information before publishing or reposting details that could cause unnecessary emotional distress to families.
According to the Mississippi Highway Patrol, a northbound Dodge Durango traveling on U.S. Highway 61 collided with a westbound Honda Accord traveling on Church Road.
Three occupants of the Honda were pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities identified the victims as:
- Latasha N. Dodson, 37, of Horn Lake, Mississippi, the Honda driver.
- Eddie L. Dodson Jr., 41, of Byhalia, Mississippi.
- Tamenshia R. Ford, 32, of Horn Lake, Mississippi.
Burton and another passenger in the Honda survived the collision but sustained injuries and were transported to a local hospital. Their specific medical conditions have not been publicly detailed in the information provided.
The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that two people involved in the crash were employees of its Juvenile Detention Center.
One of those employees was Tamenshia R. Ford, who died in the collision. The second employee was seriously injured.
Sheriff Thomas E. Tuggle II expressed condolences following the death of the employee, describing the person as a respected and beloved member of the department.
“Our fallen officer was a respected and beloved member of our team,” Tuggle said.
The sheriff’s office also recognized the employee’s dedication, compassion and commitment to working with young people entrusted to the facility’s care.
State officials confirmed that the Dodge Durango involved in the collision belonged to the Walls Police Department.
The city’s mayor and police chief also confirmed that a Walls police officer was involved in the crash. Burton’s mother has since clarified that her son is the officer and that he survived.
An SUV displaying Walls Police Department identification was seen being towed from the crash scene Wednesday night.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol is leading the investigation into the fatal collision.
Investigators are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash. Authorities have not released additional details about what led to the vehicles colliding.
The crash resulted in three deaths and left multiple people injured. Burton’s family has asked the public to respect the victims and their loved ones while avoiding the spread of false information.
The investigation remains ongoing.