Crime
15-year-old boy killed after shooting at Magnolia Pointe Apartments in Durham
A witness reported that the boy had been playing in the snow at the time of the shooting.
Durham police are conducting an investigation into a tragic shooting on Saturday that claimed the life of a 15-year-old boy, identified as AJ.
At approximately 2:40 p.m., officers responded to reports of a gunshot wound at the Magnolia Pointe Apartments, located in the 4800 block of Danube Lane.
Upon arrival, officers discovered a young boy suffering from a gunshot wound. Emergency Medical Services transported the victim to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
At the scene, investigators placed 20 evidence markers on the ground, indicating the extent of the crime scene.
A witness reported that the boy had been playing in the snow at the time of the shooting.
“A child should be able to play in the snow,” said Mayor Leonardo Williams. “I’ve gone from being sad to just mad as hell. I’m deeply frustrated.”
The incident has left the community in shock, with many residents expressing their sorrow and outrage on social media.
“It’s heartbreaking that children cannot simply be children in this town,” one resident wrote. “Praying for this child’s family and anyone who witnessed this trauma.”
Another community member shared, “Lord, please pray for his mama and sister.”
Mayor Williams echoed these sentiments, expressing both his frustration and his commitment to addressing the city’s public safety challenges.
“I share the concerns of our residents,” Mayor Williams stated. “Public safety is being overlooked, and the systems designed to protect us are not functioning as they should. We need to adopt a proactive approach to public safety, and a key part of that is investing in our children.”
Durham police are urging anyone with information about the shooting to come forward. Investigator J. Smith can be reached at 919-560-4440 ext. 29365. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers by visiting durhamcrimestoppers.org or calling 919-683-1200.
The investigation is ongoing, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Crime
Two Christian County Deputies Killed in Line of Duty Identified as Gabriel Ramirez and Michael Hislope
Christian County, Mo. — The Christian County Sheriff’s Office has identified the two deputies killed in the line of duty during a multi-agency manhunt that concluded early Tuesday morning with the suspect fatally shot by law enforcement.
The fallen deputies have been identified as 30-year-old Deputy Gabriel Ramirez and 40-year-old Deputy Michael Hislope.
Deputy Ramirez joined the Sheriff’s Office on March 14, 2025. Although his tenure with the agency was brief, officials stated that his dedication to serving and protecting the community was evident from the outset.
Deputy Hislope had served with the department since October 28, 2019, and was described as a dedicated public servant, trusted colleague, and valued member of the sheriff’s office family.
Both deputies were veterans of the United States Army and were recognized for their continued commitment to service following their military careers.
Sheriff’s officials stated that their courage, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication to Christian County will not be forgotten.
The incident began around 4:00 p.m. Monday when a deputy conducted a traffic stop near the intersection of State Highway 160 and Route HH, south of Highlandville. During that encounter, gunfire erupted, resulting in the initial fatal shooting of Deputy Ramirez and prompting a large-scale manhunt.
Authorities later located the suspect’s abandoned vehicle, triggering an extensive search effort involving approximately 100 law enforcement officers, deputies, and state troopers from across the Ozarks region.
Federal partners, including the U.S. Marshals Service, the FBI, and the ATF, also assisted in the operation.
According to Brad Cole, the search culminated early Tuesday morning near the roundabout on Highway 160 close to Reeds Spring.
A helicopter operated by the Missouri State Highway Patrol detected a moving heat signature in a wooded area after hours of searching.
As deputies approached the location, the suspect, identified as Richard Bird, opened fire. Law enforcement officers returned fire, fatally striking Bird and ending the threat.
During the exchange, one additional deputy from Christian County and one deputy from the Webster County Sheriff’s Office were wounded. Sheriff Cole stated that their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
While the suspect has been neutralized, the cost of the operation has left the department and community grieving. Two deputies did not return home to their families, and multiple agencies across the region are mourning alongside Christian County.
Sheriff Cole described the loss as devastating, noting the profound impact on the deputies’ families, colleagues, and the broader community they served. The investigation into the shootings remains ongoing.