Crime
Laquita Stewart Shot in Face at Close Range After Dropping Kids Off at Youth Practice
DALLAS — A violent confrontation in east Oak Cliff left a young mother critically injured after she was shot at close range outside a school campus.
The victim, Laquita “Ko Koa” Stewart, 33, had just dropped off her children for a youth practice near the 2400 block of 52nd Street, outside Harry Stone Montessori Academy, when the incident occurred in 2014.
According to investigators, a confrontation escalated involving Ladarius Campbell, 20, who allegedly discharged a .357 revolver, striking Stewart in the face at close range.
The severity of the injuries left her in critical condition.
An off-duty Dallas Police Department officer, Ruben Martinez, was nearby with family members at the time of the shooting.
Authorities said Martinez witnessed the event unfold and intervened, discharging his weapon at the suspect.
Both Stewart and Campbell were transported to area hospitals for treatment. Officials reported that Campbell sustained injuries that resulted in paralysis following the exchange of gunfire.
Investigators noted that multiple individuals were present in nearby vehicles during the incident, and their potential involvement or witness accounts were examined as part of the investigation.
As is standard protocol in officer-involved shootings, Officer Martinez was placed on administrative leave while authorities conducted a review of the circumstances surrounding his use of force.
Crime
Jessica Moore, 36, Killed in Seven-Vehicle Crash on I-81 in Pennsylvania; Truck Driver Faces Homicide Charge
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. — Jessica Moore, 36, of Newville, Pennsylvania, died in a fiery seven-vehicle crash on Interstate 81 in Cumberland County on Friday morning. Pennsylvania State Police said a truck driver is expected to face a homicide by motor vehicle charge in connection with the collision.
Investigators said the crash occurred on northbound I-81 near mile marker 47.1 in South Middleton Township. The collision involved a tractor-trailer and six other vehicles, leaving two vehicles on fire and several people injured.
According to Pennsylvania State Police, David Rodis Lynn III, of Round Rock, Texas, failed to stop for slowing traffic on northbound I-81. His tractor-trailer struck another vehicle, triggering a chain-reaction crash involving seven vehicles.
The impact caused the tractor-trailer and another vehicle to catch fire. Moore died at the scene, according to the information released about the crash. Her official cause of death remained pending an autopsy scheduled for Tuesday.
Authorities reported that occupants of other vehicles suffered injuries. Emergency responders transported the injured individuals to Holy Spirit Hospital and UPMC Carlisle for treatment. Officials did not provide further details about the number of people injured or the severity of their injuries.
The fatal collision occurred after an earlier incident on the same stretch of northbound I-81. At approximately 5 a.m., another tractor-trailer overturned, prompting road closures in the area.
The earlier crash disrupted traffic before the seven-vehicle collision occurred later that morning. Authorities have not provided further details about whether the initial incident directly contributed to the fatal crash.
Lynn is expected to face a charge of homicide by motor vehicle. However, he had not been arraigned on the anticipated charge at the time of the report.
The investigation into the deadly crash remains ongoing. Pennsylvania State Police are asking anyone with information about the collision to contact the agency’s Carlisle station.
Authorities have not released additional information about the circumstances surrounding Moore’s death as investigators continue to examine