95.1 The Bee

FBI Director Kash Patel has filed a $250 million defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic and reporter Sarah Fitzpatrick, accusing them of false claims about his conduct and leadership. The case, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, targets a recent article that alleged Patel engaged in heavy drinking and had unexplained absences from his duties.

Patel strongly denied the accusations. In a statement, he said, “The Atlantic’s story is a lie,” adding that the publication had been warned about inaccuracies before going to print. “They were given the truth before they published, and they chose to print falsehoods anyway,” he said.

In the 19-page complaint, Patel’s legal team describes the story as a “sweeping, malicious and defamatory hit piece,” arguing it relied on inaccurate and fabricated information attributed to unnamed sources. The article cited multiple current and former officials who claimed Patel’s behavior—including alleged excessive alcohol use and inconsistent presence at FBI facilities—had raised concerns and disrupted decision-making.

The lawsuit challenges 17 specific claims, including allegations that Patel drank to the point of visible intoxication, struggled to be awakened by his security team, and frequented social venues excessively. His attorneys argue the statements are “false and defamatory,” asserting they were either easily disproven or recklessly published.

One incident highlighted in the article involved Patel being temporarily locked out of an internal FBI system on April 10, which reportedly led him to believe he had been dismissed. His legal team acknowledges the login issue but describes it as a routine technical glitch that was quickly resolved, rejecting claims that he “panicked” or reacted irrationally. The suit also states the FBI had informed the publication in advance that any suggestion of his firing was unfounded.

Patel’s attorneys further maintain that he maintains a consistent presence at FBI headquarters and frequently visits field offices, disputing claims of absenteeism. They also deny that alcohol use has ever affected his performance or raised concerns within government circles.

Patel, who became FBI director in February 2025 following Senate confirmation, has faced scrutiny during his tenure, including attention over public appearances and internal personnel decisions. His lawsuit argues that the sources cited in the article were biased and lacked direct knowledge, describing them as individuals with “axes to grind.”

The lawsuit marks Patel’s second legal action tied to media coverage of his alleged behavior. He previously sued former FBI official and MSNBC analyst Frank Figliuzzi over remarks suggesting he spent more time in nightclubs than at work; that case remains unresolved.

In response to Patel’s lawsuit, The Atlantic posted a statement on X, stating, “We stand by our reporting on Kash Patel, and we will vigorously defend The Atlantic and our journalists against this meritless lawsuit.”

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A planned confrontation between two youths turned deadly Monday morning when gunfire broke out at a park in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, leaving two people dead and several others wounded.

Emergency calls initially reported a fight in progress around 9:52 a.m., but the situation escalated rapidly. Police say the incident began shortly before 10 a.m. at Leinbach Park, near Jefferson Middle School, when two young individuals who had arranged to fight met at the location. “This stemmed from a planned fight between two young individuals,” the Winston-Salem Police Department said. What started as a one-on-one altercation quickly spiraled out of control, with multiple people opening fire. “The situation escalated, and multiple individuals began shooting at each other,” authorities said.

According to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, at least two victims were killed, though the total number of those injured remains unclear. Investigators are still working to determine how many people were involved and what roles they played, noting that some participants are juveniles. “Due to the number of people involved, efforts are ongoing to account for everyone. At this time, some of those involved in the incident are juveniles,” police said. Officials later described the violence as an isolated event, though the investigation remains active. Names and ages of those involved have not yet been released.

The shooting did not occur on school grounds, though nearby Jefferson Middle School was briefly placed on lockdown as a precaution. Officials confirmed that students were safe, and both Jefferson Middle School and Mount Tabor High School continued operating normally. Parents were advised they could pick up their children if they wished, though it was not necessary.

Leinbach Park and surrounding roads remained closed as authorities processed the scene. Police also urged the public to avoid flying drones in the area, warning that they could interfere with ongoing emergency operations.

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Alt-pop artist D4vd has been formally charged with first-degree murder in the death of a 14-year-old girl whose dismembered remains were discovered inside his impounded Tesla in Los Angeles, authorities announced on Monday.

The 21-year-old musician, whose legal name is David Burke, was arrested last week following a lengthy investigation into the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez and is currently being held without bail. Prosecutors allege that Burke not only killed the teen but also engaged in unlawful sexual conduct with her when she was under 14, and later mutilated her body. The case had been under review by a grand jury, and authorities spent months gathering forensic and digital evidence before filing charges. Prosecutors have not yet decided whether they will seek the death penalty.

According to investigators, Rivas Hernandez — who had previously been reported missing after running away at 13 — was last seen alive on April 23, 2025, when she arrived at Burke’s Hollywood Hills residence. She was not heard from again. Months later, in September, police made a gruesome discovery at a Hollywood tow yard after being called to investigate a strong odor coming from a vehicle. Inside Burke’s abandoned Tesla, officers found her decomposed remains, which had been placed in separate bags.

Authorities believe she had been dead for weeks before the body was found, which occurred just one day after what would have been her 15th birthday. While the exact cause of death has not been publicly released, officials confirmed that the findings of the medical examiner remain sealed.

Prosecutors say the case includes several aggravating factors that could elevate the punishment to life without parole or even the death penalty. These include allegations that the killing was carried out for financial gain, involved lying in wait, and was intended to silence a witness — as the victim was allegedly connected to the sexual abuse charges. District Attorney Nathan Hochman said during a press briefing that “there is physical evidence and there is forensic and digital evidence that we intend to present in court to prove these charges beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Police also revealed that the investigation uncovered evidence suggesting Burke had been in a sexual relationship with the victim while she was a minor. Officials defended the pace and secrecy of the investigation, emphasizing the need for precision over speculation. LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said: “My duty is not to fuel speculation. It’s to deliver justice, and that requires patience and discipline on everybody’s part. This investigation was driven by a single purpose — to secure justice for Celeste Rivas and for those who loved her.”

Burke’s legal team has strongly denied the allegations. His attorneys said: “Let us be clear — the actual evidence in this case will show that David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and he was not the cause of her death. We will vigorously defend David’s innocence.”

Before his arrest, D4vd had continued touring despite early scrutiny but later canceled remaining performances as the investigation intensified. Known for his breakout success on TikTok and hits like “Romantic Homicide,” the singer had quickly risen in popularity before becoming the focus of this high-profile criminal case.

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An early-morning mass shooting in Shreveport, Louisiana, left eight children dead and several others injured after what authorities believe began as a domestic dispute.

Police responded to reports of gunfire around 6 a.m. Sunday in a neighborhood south of downtown, where they uncovered a sprawling crime scene stretching across multiple locations, including at least two nearby homes and additional related sites. In total, 10 people were shot. The victims included eight children between the ages of 1 and 14, along with two adult women, one of whom suffered life-threatening injuries.

According to officials, the suspect fled the area after the shootings and carjacked a vehicle nearby, prompting a police pursuit that ended in Bossier Parish. There, officers confronted the man, and he was shot and killed. Authorities believe he was the only person responsible for the gunfire.

Investigators say the violence was not random but stemmed from a domestic situation. Some of the children killed are believed to have been related to the suspected gunman. Police Chief Wayne Smith said: “This is an extensive scene unlike anything most of us have ever seen. I just don’t know what to say, my heart is just taken aback. I cannot begin to imagine how such an event could occur.”

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson posted on X: “Heartbreaking tragedy in Shreveport this morning — 8 children were senselessly killed and multiple others were injured. My team is in touch with local law enforcement as more details emerge. We’re holding the victims, their families and loved ones, and our Shreveport community close in our thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time. And we are grateful to the Shreveport, Bossier, and Louisiana State Police for their swift response.”

The investigation remains active, with law enforcement working to piece together the sequence of events across the multiple scenes. Louisiana State Police have been asked to review the officer-involved shooting, and officials confirmed that no officers were injured. Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux said Investigators say the violence was not random but stemmed from a domestic situation. Some of the children killed are believed to have been related to the suspected gunman. Police Chief Wayne Smith said: “This is an extensive scene unlike anything most of us have ever seen. I just don’t know what to say, my heart is just taken aback. I cannot begin to imagine how such an event could occur. It’s a terrible morning.”

Officials are continuing to gather information and are asking anyone with relevant details, photos, or video to come forward as the community grapples with the aftermath of the tragedy.

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