Crime
41-year-old Saul Bal arrested and charged for allegedly shooting two Phoenix police officers
The shooting occurred around 6:25 p.m. in the area of Banner Medical Center.
A man accused of shooting and critically injuring two Phoenix police officers on Tuesday night has been arrested.
The suspect, identified as 41-year-old Saul Bal, was apprehended following a brief chase near 16th Street and McDowell Road.
The shooting occurred around 6:25 p.m. in the area of Banner Medical Center.
Police officers observed Bal breaking into a vehicle and attempted to detain him. Bal fled on foot and, during the pursuit, shot at the officers, striking both of them.
He was subsequently arrested nearby.
The injured officers were immediately transported to the hospital. One officer remains in critical condition, while the other is in stable condition.
Mayor Kate Gallego expressed her support for the officers and their families, noting that the proximity to Banner Medical Center provided swift medical attention.
Phoenix Police Chief Mike Sullivan condemned the shooting, highlighting the increasing frequency of officer-involved shootings in the city.
He stated that this was the 11th incident of its kind this year. Bal faces two attempted murder charges and is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday. The investigation into the shooting is ongoing.
Crime
Two Children, Ages 9 and 10, Charged in Brutal Assault and Attempted Murder of 5-Year-Old A’Marie Jones in Cleveland
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Two children, ages 9 and 10, have been formally charged in connection with the brutal assault and attempted murder of a 5-year-old girl A’marie Jones in Cleveland last month, according to the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office.
Prosecutors confirmed that the 9-year-old boy and 10-year-old girl are facing serious felony charges, including attempted murder, rape, felonious assault, kidnapping, and strangulation.
Because of their ages, both suspects are being charged as juveniles.
The alleged attack occurred on September 13 in a field near East 148th Street and St. Clair Avenue, where investigators say the young victim was discovered severely injured.
The child’s mother, Antavia Kennibrew, previously told that her daughter suffered catastrophic injuries, describing the scene as “unbelievable.” Kennibrew said she had dropped her daughter off at a relative’s home near East 145th Street and St. Clair Avenue that day.
At some point, the 5-year-old reportedly wandered out of the house alone before being attacked.
“When I saw her, she was unrecognizable,” Kennibrew said. “Her hair was scalped from her head. She had bruises and blood all over her body. Her eyes were filled with blood, her lips and mouth were swollen and bleeding, and her nails were filled with dirt and debris.”
First responders rushed the child to the hospital for emergency treatment. Officials say she continues to recover but has suffered severe physical, emotional, and psychological trauma. She is now undergoing ongoing therapy and counseling.
Due to the extreme sensitivity of the case and the involvement of minors, the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office has declined to release further details, citing the ongoing investigation and the need to protect the victim’s privacy.
“The investigation remains active,” prosecutors said, noting that authorities are still reviewing evidence and gathering additional information.
Kennibrew says her focus now is on helping her daughter heal:
“I just want her to be able to live like a normal 5-year-old again.”
Cleveland police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the assault.