Crime
Dawson Noah Maloney found dead after crash outside power substation in southern Nevada
BOULDER CITY, Nev. — Authorities are investigating a vehicle ramming at a power substation near Boulder City as a terrorism-related incident after the suspect, identified as Dawson Noah Maloney of New York state, intentionally crashed into the facility before fatally shooting himself.
During a press conference, law enforcement officials confirmed that Maloney had traveled from New York to Nevada in a rental vehicle.
License plate reader data tracked his cross-country route.
Investigators also revealed that he had recently been reported missing in New York and had communicated with family members shortly before the incident.
According to authorities, Maloney made statements referencing self-harm and expressing a desire to commit an act that would garner media attention.
In a message to his mother, he reportedly referred to himself as a “dead terrorist son” and stated he felt obligated to carry out the act.
A search of the suspect’s hotel room uncovered materials and literature consistent with preparations for a violent act. Investigators recovered books related to various extremist ideologies, including right- and left-wing extremism, environmental extremism, white supremacy, and anti-government movements.
Law enforcement also located explosive materials and components, including thermite, ammonium nitrate, magnesium ribbon, metal pipes, and gasoline.
A subsequent search of the rental vehicle revealed:
- Two shotguns
- An AR-style pistol
- Numerous loaded AR magazines containing .223 ammunition
- A box of shotgun shells
- Two devices described as flamethrowers containing thermite material
- A crowbar and a hatchet
- A cellular phone, which is currently undergoing forensic analysis
Authorities further confirmed that the suspect was wearing soft body armor at the time of the incident.
Officials stated the incident is being treated as a terrorism-related event, and the investigation remains active.
Additional details regarding the suspect’s motives and potential affiliations are still under review.
No additional injuries were reported in connection with the substation crash.
Authorities continue to assess the full scope of the suspect’s actions and any broader implications related to public safety.
Crime
Jerome DeWayne Hughes, 35, Fatally Shot During Bonfire Gathering in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama
A gathering among friends turned into a devastating tragedy Sunday night when 35-year-old Jerome DeWayne Hughes was fatally shot during a bonfire gathering in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. His death has left family members, friends, and others who were present mourning a sudden and heartbreaking loss.
Authorities have arrested a 23-year-old man in connection with the fatal shooting. The suspect, identified as Derrick Lamont Edwards Jr., is facing a murder charge as investigators continue working to establish what led to the deadly confrontation.
According to the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched at approximately 10:20 p.m. Sunday to the 4300 block of Culver Road, west of Tuscaloosa, following reports of a shooting.
Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit Captain Jack Kennedy said the shooting occurred during a social gathering around a bonfire. What had begun as an evening spent with friends ended in violence, prompting an emergency response and a homicide investigation.
Hughes had sustained multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to DCH Regional Medical Center for emergency treatment, but despite medical efforts, he was pronounced dead.
His death has left loved ones grieving a life lost during what was supposed to be an ordinary gathering among friends.
Following interviews with witnesses and an examination of the crime scene, investigators obtained a murder warrant for 23-year-old Derrick Lamont Edwards Jr.
Authorities reported that Edwards was taken into custody within a few hours of the shooting through coordinated efforts involving the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit and the U.S. Marshals Service.
He has been charged with murder and is being held without bond, according to the information provided.
The charge is an allegation, and the case will proceed through the criminal justice system. Edwards is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Although investigators have made an arrest, important questions about the shooting remain unanswered.
Authorities have not publicly explained what led to the confrontation, whether there was an argument before the gunfire, or what may have motivated the alleged attack.
Detectives continue gathering information and reviewing evidence as they work to establish the full sequence of events.
Anyone with information that could assist investigators is encouraged to contact Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit detectives at 205-464-8690.
At 35 years old, Jerome DeWayne Hughes had a life and future that mattered to the people who knew and loved him. His sudden death has left family members and friends facing the painful reality of losing someone close to them.
The gathering on Culver Road was supposed to be an opportunity for people to spend time together. Instead, it became the setting of a fatal incident that has deeply affected those connected to the tragedy.
For Jerome’s loved ones, the days ahead will bring grief, difficult questions, and memories of a man whose life ended far too soon.
As the investigation continues, thoughts and condolences remain with the family and friends of Jerome DeWayne Hughes, as well as everyone affected by the shooting.
May Jerome be remembered with love and compassion, and may his family find strength and comfort during this heartbreaking time.