One person was fatally shot inside a Las Vegas hotel room Thursday night, prompting authorities to place the entire building on lockdown.
The shooting occurred inside a hotel room on the eighth floor of the Mirage on the Las Vegas Strip, police said.
Another two people are believed to have been injured in the shooting, according to the local station 8 News, which cited a source with knowledge of the investigation.
Police are responding to a fatal shooting that occurred in the Mirage hotel-casino late Thursday night. AP
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department asked the public to avoid the area as the situation and investigation are still active. The gunman remains at large.
Videos posted to Twitter show a heavy police presence at the hotel and hotel guests said no one is being let into or out of the building as officers go room to room to check on guests. In one video, an officer can be seen carrying a ballistic shield.
The shooting occurred inside a hotel room on the eighth floor. @saeed_ahmed on Twitter
Las Vegas authorities are requesting that people avoid the area. @saeed_ahmed on Twitter
This is the scene at @TheMirageLV No one’s being let in or out of the main entrance. Officers also went room to room to check if everyone’s ok. No idea except hearsay. So won’t repeat. pic.twitter.com/x5fj2oc1lg
The WA Government has cracked down on the illegal sale of vapes across more than 30 State stores, uncovering half-a-million dollars worth of e-cigarettes with many containing undisclosed amounts of nicotine.
Revealing the haul of more than 15,000 disposable vapes, WA Health Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson said the products imported from overseas are often labeled incorrectly and can contain nicotine.
Of the vapes currently seized, testing through ChemCentre has shown two-thirds of the collection contained undisclosed nicotine — with quantities in some instances equivalent to 50 cigarettes.
The State’s chief pharmacist Meeghan Clay said the vapes can be sold for between $30-$50.
She said many of the seizures had come through tip-offs via WA Police’s Crime Stoppers and included pop-up sales at small stores and delis.
“The hardest ones for us to find are the pop-ups because they’re not as obvious,” she said.
“We’re seeing a very, very small number of vapes now that are stating ‘zero nicotine’. My major concern with that is that these companies are not as scrupulous as ethical companies.
“Our big concern is that although there are a small number of vapes in the stores that don’t have nicotine, there is nothing to stop that company in three months’ time from adding nicotine and still saying ‘zero nicotine’ on the label.
“These have never been legal in Western Australia and we have been doing compliance activities for a number of years now, but we have now stepped it up quite significantly.”
Ms Sanderson said young people can be drawn to the addictive devices by manufacturers using sweet flavors such as bubble gum, grape and strawberry.
The Minister said the Health Department had put 3000 retailers on notice, reminding them of the ongoing sale restrictions.
“We want retailers to do the right thing. We’ve started with our education program,” she said.
The maximum penalty for a breach of the relevant provisions of the Medicines and Poisons Act 2014 is $45,000, while possession of nicotine without a prescription can fetch penalties of up to $30,000.
“It is important that the community remembers that retailers remember it is illegal to sell vapes,” she said.
“It is illegal to purchase a vape without a prescription and you get that prescription from your GP as part of quitting smoking.
“There’s some evidence, but it is limited, that vaping can help adults who want to quit smoking but there are many other mechanisms that you can use.
“It’s always important that if you want to quit smoking, you talk to your GP first.”
Anyone who believes a retailer is selling illegal e-cigarettes or vapes is urged to ‘dob-in-a dealer’ by contacting Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Prince William has taken the term “helicopter parent” to a whole new level.
The Duke of Cambridge flew a chopper, with daughter Princess Charlotte riding co-pilot on a very special trip to the Commonwealth Games.
The royals were spotted arriving in Birmingham on Tuesday in the Bell 429 Global Ranger.
The royals were spotted arriving in Birmingham on Tuesday in the Bell 429 Global Ranger. Credit: Cobra Emergency /Youtube
Prince William, who previously served as a Royal Air Force search and rescue pilot, executed a perfect landing.
Footage of the royal arrival was uploaded to YouTube by Cobra Emergency — a channel featuring security, military, emergency vehicles, and other transport for enthusiasts.
Eagle-eyed fans spotted Charlotte waving to cameras as the chopper landed before a black Range Rover arrived and ferried the group away.
It seems there was no room in the aircraft for the Duchess of Cambridge who traveled to Birmingham by train with the other peasants.
It comes only weeks after the Queen reportedly scolded the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge for using the royal chopper too much.
It is thought Her majesty was worried about the cost of flying, as well as the safety of their three children when they were along for the ride.
Royal commentator Richard Palmer told the Express: “I think the Queen felt, certainty let it be known, that she felt uncomfortable about the entire family traveling by helicopter.
“I think there was a little bit of official unhappiness about the amount of time the Cambridges were spending traveling between Anmer Hall in Norfolk and Kensington Palace, their London residence, using helicopters.”
Just as alleged murderer Tobias Moran was set to be denied bail on Thursday, interstate saviours came to his rescue.
Mr Moran was extradited to Sydney from his home in Western Australia last week after being charged with killing his German backpacker girlfriend Simone Strobel in Lismore in 2005.
With all signs pointing to the alleged killer remaining behind bars on Thursday, it seemed Mr Moran would not be returned to his pregnant wife and two children in Perth.
But as the decision was to be passed down, the surfer’s father-in-law, John Moran, who is a well-known dentist in WA, reportedly went to great lengths to ensure his son-in-law’s release.
Mr Moran and his family are understood to have coughed up hundreds of thousands for their in-law, according to the Daily Mail.
Mr Moran’s brother in law, Michael Moran, has also entered into the bail agreement and will be required to pay $50,000 if the alleged killer refuses to allow police to inspect his phone on request.
Other bail conditions include the requirement for Mr Moran to surrender his passport, to report to Wembley Police Station three days a week and to remain off encrypted communication tools such as WhatsApp.
He must not go within 500 meters of any international point of departure, unless to travel to and from NSW for the purpose of attending court and must live at an address in City Beach in WA.
Prior to his release from custody on Friday, Mr Moran was held at Lismore Police Station.
Before being extradited to Sydney on murder charges, Moran was understood to be living a life of luxury by the beach in Perth with his wife Samantha and their two children.
Formerly known as Tobias Suckfuel, alleged the murderer took the name of his wealthy wife when the pair were married in 2012.
Ms Moran, a lawyer, yoga instructor, children’s book author and former ski instructor, is now preparing to give birth to their third child.
The alleged killer was released from prison in Sydney on Thursday after prosecutors decided not to appeal against his bail being granted.
Toby Moran (above) now lives in a Perth beachside suburb and surfs at exotic beachside locations. Credit: News Regional Media
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions released a brief statement on Thursday night.
“The ODPP has considered the matter and determined not to make a detention application in relation to Mr Moran,” they said.
The matter is next listed before the Lismore Local Court on September 28.
Mr Moran will not be required to appear.
Mr Moran is alleged of suffocating Ms Strobel inside a camper van before dumping her body under some foliage nearby.
The 42-year-old was freed by a Sydney magistrate after it was determined that there was not sufficient evidence to link him with the 2005 murder.
He can now return to his home in Western Australia where he was extradited from last week.
Magistrate Margaret Quinn in the Downing Center Local Court on Thursday accepted submissions from Moran’s barrister which claimed there was no new evidence connecting him to the murder.
Police allege Mr Moran killed his girlfriend while they were staying at the Lismore Tourist Caravan Park on February 11, 2005.
Six days after Ms Strobel disappeared, the body of the 25-year-old schoolteacher was found hidden under palm fronds just 100m from the caravan park.
Police claim Mr Moran stayed at the caravan park and misled investigators as they tried to determine the cause of Ms Strobel’s death.
According to police, Mr Moran lied during the initial investigation into Ms Strobel’s death about the nature of their relationship, their consumption of alcohol, and what she was wearing when she disappeared.
More than 17 years later, he had been extradited from his home in Western Australia and charged with murder as well as acting to pervert the course of justice.
On Thursday, Mr Moran appeared via video link in Sydney Downing Center Local Court to learn whether he would be granted conditional freedom after a lengthy bail review on Wednesday.
Simone Strobel was staying at the Lismore Tourist Caravan Park in 2005 when she died. Credit: News Regional Media
During the bail review, his lawyer Tim Game SC told the court the case against Mr Moran was “non-existent”.
He argued the police allegations against his client, including the claim Ms Strobel died of suffocation, were not supported by evidence.
The crown prosecutor disagreed and categorized the circumstantial evidence as strong.
He noted there were a number of statements from new witnesses, which the court heard would bring the total number of witness statements to a staggering 300.
The prosecutor noted an inquest found Ms Strobel did not die from natural causes, but instead the actions of a person or people.
Magistrate Margaret Quinn noted neither an Australian inquest in 2007 nor a German inquest had definitively identified the cause of death.
The court heard the couple had been drinking, doing drugs and fighting before Ms Strobel disappeared.
Witnesses heard screaming in the area of the caravan park in the hours before the young teacher disappeared.
Magistrate Quinn noted the “matters are very old” and would be difficult to prove.
Mr Moran was extradited from WA last week to face charges before the NSW court. Credit: News Corp AustraliaKey locations in the Simone Strobel case. Credit: News Regional Media
She said the prosecution case was purely circumstantial.
“There doesn’t appear to be at its highest any direct evidence connecting him to the offence,” she said.
“It’s not the strongest circumstantial case I’ve seen.”
The magistrate noted Mr Moran has a clean record and his associates combined to offer $450,000 in assurances he would not flee.
Mr Moran, who was known as Tobias Suckfuell before he legally changed his name, was granted strict conditional bail after a robust discussion of how WA authorities would enforce potential bail breaches.
Magistrate Quinn determined the 42-year-old could be released if he reported to police, surrendered his phone information, surrendered his family’s passports and resided only at his City Beach home in WA.
Police claim Tobias Moran continuously lied to them after Ms Strobel went missing. Credit: News Regional Media
However, crown prosecutor Scott Jaeger immediately moved to delay Mr Moran’s release by indicating he would submit a detention application to the Supreme Court.
Hours later, that decision was reversed.
The court heard the trial will likely be held in 2024 due to delays in the court system.
Multiple people were injured after a vehicle drove through a ceremonial parade in Gallup, New Mexico on Thursday, according to state police.
social media footage captured a brown SUV weaving through the annual Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Parade, one of New Mexico’s longest-running events.
Two Gallup Police Department officers were among the injured and were treated for their injuries.
According to KOAT7, the driver traveled down the parade route in the wrong direction. The outlet reports two other individuals were inside the SUV.
The driver of the SUV has been taken into custody. Officers detained the two passengers while parade attendees shouted angrily and confronted the trio.
NMSP is investigating an incident involving multiple pedestrians at the Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial Centennial Celebration. Multiple people, including two Gallup PD officers, injured and are being treated on scene. The driver is in custody. More information when available. pic.twitter.com/fRSKmUPPcZ
The names of the suspects have not yet been released.
The Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial is a 10-day celebration consisting of in-person and virtual events. The city celebrated its 100th anniversary of the annual event this year while the parade culminated in the first night’s festivities.
Multiple people were injured after a vehicle drove through a ceremonial parade in Gallup, New Mexico on Thursday, according to state police.
social media footage captured a brown SUV weaving through the annual Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial Parade, one of New Mexico’s longest-running events.
Two Gallup Police Department officers were among the injured and were treated for their injuries.
According to KOAT7, the driver traveled down the parade route in the wrong direction. The outlet reports two other individuals were inside the SUV.
The driver of the SUV has been taken into custody. Officers detained the two passengers while parade attendees shouted angrily and confronted the trio.
NMSP is investigating an incident involving multiple pedestrians at the Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial Centennial Celebration. Multiple people, including two Gallup PD officers, injured and are being treated on scene. The driver is in custody. More information when available. pic.twitter.com/fRSKmUPPcZ
The names of the suspects have not yet been released.
The Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial is a 10-day celebration consisting of in-person and virtual events. The city celebrated its 100th anniversary of the annual event this year while the parade culminated in the first night’s festivities.
A popular tourist town in WA’s far north has been outed as having the worst airport delays in Australia, according to new data.
A monthly report by the Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics has revealed that Broome experienced the lowest percentage of on-time arrivals and departures this June, with little over 30 per cent of flights to Perth leaving within 15 minutes of their scheduled departure.
Flights arriving in Broome provided only marginally better, with 37 per cent landing on time.
In Broome, Virgin Australia delivered the brunt of these delays with none of the 14 scheduled flights from Broome to Perth departing on time.
Virgin Australia Regional Airlines also suffered delays, only 38 per cent of flights to Perth managing to leave at the scheduled time.
A spokesperson for Virgin Australia apologized on behalf of the company and said they will “continue to work hard to ensure all guests reach their destination”.
“While any delay is unacceptable, we’re working hard to improve our performance and we are not the only business experiencing the unintended knock-on effects of increased sickness present in the wider community.”
The other major airlines out of Broome Airport, Qantas and QantasLink experienced similar delays, attributing COVID-19 as a major factor behind the figures.
Only 22 per cent and 31.5 per cent of Qantas and QantasLink flights from Broome to Perth left on time, with 10 out of 83 flights canceled altogether.
It comes after rising public concern over increased delays and cancellations, which, in many cases, saw tourists taking up overnight residence in the homes of generous locals.
In late June, Qantas announced they would station an on-site engineer in Broome in an attempt to curb further flight issues.
A Qantas spokesperson said June’s delays and cancellations were attributed to a rise in COVID-19 and other illnesses among airline crew, and the tough labor market.
“These flight delays and cancellations are not the kind of performance that we were delivering pre-COVID,” they said.
“Everyone at Qantas and Jetstar is focused on turning this performance around.”
The BITRE report also revealed the national industry recorded its worst-ever on-time performance figures which stand at approximately 61 per cent among all participating airlines.
A 59-year-old man has been charged with three counts of murder relating to the mass shooting on a rural property near the central Queensland town of Bogie on Thursday.
Police will allege that around 9am, they received a report three people had been fatally shot at a property on Shannonvale Road and another man had suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen.
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A 35-year-old Bogie man, Graham Tighe, his mother Maree Schwarz, 59, and her husband Merv, 71, all died at the scene.
Graham’s brother, Ross Tighe, survived and was able to flee into remote bushland with a gunshot wound to his stomach before raising the alarm.
7NEWS understands police will alleged that the gunman invited them to meet up at his property amid a dispute over a boundary line.
The 59-year-old man – who was also charged with one count of attempted murder – will appear in Proserpine Magistrates Court on Monday.
The charges come as new tragic details emerge that Graham’s partner Lucy had only recently given birth.
Graham’s uncle, Greg Austen, told 7NEWS the father had only spent a few days with the newborn before the baby was taken to Brisbane to visit Lucy’s mother.
“It’s just devastating shock that things can happen so quickly in the blink of an eye and ruin so many lives so quickly,” he said.
Maree and Mervyn Schwarz. Credit: Supplied
7NEWS understands police will allege the farming family was invited to meet with their neighbor at the edge of his Bogie property, 45 minutes away.
Shortly after, Merv, Maree, Ross and Graham were dead.
Acting Superintendent Tom Armitt said the property where the shooting allegedly took place was “tens of thousands of acres”.
“It’s actually a 45-minute drive between the neighbours,” he said.
“At the crime scene, which is at the front gate of one of the premises, it is a 3km drive between the gate and the house at that location.”
Armitt said because Ross had been so far from the crime scene, and it was unclear whether the alleged gunman was still at large, police were cautious in their approach to the property.
“At that time, not knowing whether the armed offender was present or not, putting their lives in grave danger, especially when the report was that the people had been shot with a rifle,” Armitt said.
“So that was slow and meticulous work and extremely brave of the officers who were involved at that time.”
The surviving man was airlifted to Mackay Base Hospital where he remains in a serious but stable condition. Credit: 7NEWSGraham’s brother Ross survived and was able to flee into remote bushland with a gunshot wound to his stomach. Credit: 7NEWS
Ross was initially in a critical condition but since undergoing multiple emergency surgeries is now reported as serious but stable.
“He was able to speak to us overnight and provide us details of what occurred at the incident yesterday morning,” Armitt said.
“And detectives will be speaking to him again this morning.”
Community in shock
Merv and Maree are being remembered as a “lovely, hardworking” family as loved ones try to make sense of the tragedy.
“We’re lucky we still have Ross with us,” Austen told 7NEWS.
“To see the trauma that would have unfolded in front of him and then be able to go that far to raise the alarm, it’s a mighty effort.”
Graham leaves behind two young children, with partner Lucy stuck in Brisbane, unable to fly on commercial airlines as she gave birth a few weeks ago.
7NEWS understands after desperate efforts from family and friends, a charity will put Lucy and her children on a charter flight home.
Graham’s partner Lucy had given birth to their second child just weeks before. Credit: 7NEWS
Whitsunday Regional councilor Jan Clifford said the tight-knit community would be devastated.
“To my knowledge, nothing like this has ever happened in the Whitsunday region before,” Clifford said.
“We are all deeply saddened by the tragedy.”
Clifford said the incident was bound to have a big effect on the tiny community of Bogie, which has a population of 207 according to the latest census data.
“It’s a little village. Everyone will know everyone… It’s just awful.”
One woman working in nearby Collinsville said the entire community was in shock.
“The whole town is a bit rattled that something like that could happen here,” she told AAP.
WNBA star Brittney Griner was convicted of cannabis possession and smuggling in Russia on Thursday and was sentenced to nine years in prison.
While it’s not clear exactly where she will be serving out her unusually harsh sentence — which she is appealing — Griner may return to the female penal facility where she has spent the last six months outside of Moscow.
The prison, dubbed Correctional Colony No. 1 or IK-1, is no Stalin-era gulag but seems to bleak at best.
The facility is a former orphanage, rebuilt and converted ten years ago into a pretrial detention center and prison where women live out their sentences, the New York Times reported last month.
Located in the village of Novoye Grishino, the overwhelmingly gray and artificially lit prison has its own sewing factory and Russian Orthodox church inside.
WNBA star Brittney Griner has spent the last six months locked up in Correctional Colony No. 1.AFP via Getty ImagesThe prison includes a pretrial detention center and area for female offenders to serve out their sentences.DmitrovTVThe prison was once home to Israeli-American Naama Issachar, who was detained by Russian police in 2019.AFP via Getty Images
Video footage of the facility shows towering gray walls topped with barbed wire and gives a glimpse inside of the sewing factory where dozens of women appear to be working.
A large, rusting statue of Lenin sits in a snow-filled courtyard.
Journalist Yekaterina Kalugina visited Griner while she was at the facility, and told The Times that each day is repetitive and monotonous for the Phoenix Mercury Center.
Each morning inmates wake up, and eat a basic meal in her cell, Kalugina said. They are then permitted to walk around the courtyard. They then spend the rest of the day either reading books or watching Russian television.
A large statue of Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin sits in the prison courtyardAFP via Getty ImagesCorrectional Colony No. 1 was converted from an orphanage roughly 10 years ago.AFP via Getty Images
Uniquely, the cells have a private washroom but the inmates are only allowed to shower twice a week, she said. They are permitted to order food online and keep food in an available refrigerator.
The prison was also formerly home to Israeli-American Naama Issachar, who was arrested in 2019 and sentenced to over seven years in prison after Russian police said they found marijuana in her luggage while she was connecting flights in Moscow. Vladimir Putin later pardoned her for drug trafficking in 2020.
Brittney Griner was sentenced to nine years in Russian prison on Thursday.POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesGriner was convicted of cannabis possession and drug smuggling.REUTERS
Issachar was detained as a political pawn between Russia and Israel, just as Griner is with the United States now.
Yaffa Issachar, Naama’s mother, told The Times her daughter spent three months at IK-1. She said filling out the paperwork to enter the prison to visit Naama could take up to four hours followed by a tedious inspection of each item of food she had brought.
She was treated relatively well, her mother said, and was allowed to visit from a rabbi once a week. Issachar recalled the statue of Lenin as well as the sound of guard dogs barking.
Issachar’s mother told The Times her daughter sobbed when she heard about Griner and is worried that as a gay woman she could be subjected to much harsher treatment in conservative Russia.
The University of New England vice-chancellor has been charged with the assault of a 16-year-old girl.
Police allege Brigid Heywood assaulted the teenage girl at a club in the NSW town of Armidale on March 8.
The teen was not physically injured during the alleged incident.
Professor Heywood, 65, was issued with a court attendance notice on Monday.
UNE vice-chancellor Brigid Heywood is facing assault charges. Facebook Credit: NCA NewsWire
She is facing charges relating to common assault and offensive behavior near a public place or school.
Professor Heywood has been UNE’s vice-chancellor and chief executive since 2019.
The National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) said it was shocked to learn of the criminal charges.
“Professor Heywood is one of just 39 vice-chancellors of Australia’s public universities. She holds a position of public trust and national significance,” NTEU NSW secretary Damien Cahill said.
The University of New England campus. Facebook Credit: NCA NewsWire
“Professor Heywood is entitled to the presumption of innocence. Nevertheless, the seriousness of the allegations requires an appropriate response.”
The union is calling on Ms Heywood to step aside immediately until an outcome has been decided by the courts.
It says if she doesn’t voluntarily resign, the university should stand her down.
The National Tertiary Education Union is calling for Professor Heywood’s resignation. justin samson Credit: News Corp Australia
“Australians must have confidence that those entrusted with overseeing our public institutions are honest, have integrity and conduct themselves in a proper manner,” Dr Cahill said.
Professor Heywood and The University of New England were contacted for comment.
She will appear at Armidale Local Court on September 26.
