Mom Spends Savings On Lottery Tickets, Wants You To ‘Reimburse’ Her
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A Tennessee mother bragged about spending her entire life savings on lottery tickets, convinced that she was going to win the $1.6-billion Powerball. However, after losing everything, she insisted that everyone “reimburse” her for her ill-thought decision.
When Cinnamon Nicole invested her entire life savings into her dream of winning the record-setting Powerball lotto, she had no backup plan if she failed. When the Tennessee mom discovered that she hadn’t chosen the winning numbers, like many other lotto players, her dream was quickly disrupted by reality.
For many Americans, winning the lottery is their only hope for curing all of their financial woes. Instead of working hard over the course of a lifetime, making it big by hitting a million-dollar jackpot can often seem far more appealing and attainable.
Cinnamon should’ve known that she had a better chance of being hit by lightning or being killed by a falling vending machine than winning the $1.6 billion that the Powerball lotto had reached. Still, the starry-eyed mom spent every last dollar she had saved on random numbers, hoping to strike it rich the easy way.
After the winning combination was announced, Cinnamon realized that she had wasted her family’s only means of living on an unwinnable endeavor. However, instead of owning accountability for her irresponsible and frivolous actions, she concocted a scheme to dupe taxpayers into footing the bill for her foolhardy choice.
According to the New York Daily News, Cinnamon opened up a GoFundMe account and begged complete strangers to hand over their hard-earned cash not only to reimburse her assinine Powerball failure but to fund her next lottery spending spree. Unashamed of her financial failures, she unabashedly asked for $100,000 from donors so that she could try her hand at the lottery all over again.
“Please help me and my family as we have exhausted all of our funds. We spend all of our money on lottery tickets (expecting to win the 1.5 billion) and are now in dire need of cash. With your small donation of at least $1.00, a like and one share. I’m certain that we will be able to pick ourselves up from the trenches this lost and spend another fortune trying to hit it big again. PLEASE, won’t you help a family in need. DONATE NOW,” the description read.
Incredibly, the desperate mom reached a total of $810 in the first 10 hours with one donor giving a whopping $300. Along with his hefty donation, Johnathan Maravilla oddly asked, “Are these donations tax-deductible?” in hopes of benefitting from her scheme as well.
In an effort to persuade donors to give, Cinnamon included a bizarre quid-pro-quo. In exchange for their monetary gift, she promised to give donors a “shoutout” and make them her “Man Crush Monday” or “Woman Crush Wednesday” on social media.
Unsurprisingly, Cinnamon’s GoFundMe page was removed and the money reimbursed to donors after it was flagged as a hoax. Still, social media users argued about Cinnamon’s true intentions behind opening the page.
“Pretty sure she’s being sarcastic. Lighten up, people!!,” Brittany Woods wrote on the page.
“Honestly I’m not donating or sharing because this is a stupid request. This site is for people who REALLY need help not for people being irresponsible and wasting all of their money on the lottery,” Debbie Barker-Thompson said.
Some argued that Cinnamon was wrong to beg for money when she admitted that she made a poor decision and would make it once again. Others argued that she couldn’t be blamed for trying and that if people wanted to give, they should be allowed to do so.
We may never know if Cinnamon truly believed that she deserved to take hard-earned cash from compassionate strangers and once again waste it on lottery tickets. However, one thing is certain — she was brutally honest about her absurd plans.
5 Men Try Robbery With Bear Spray, Owner Grabs More ‘Potent’ Weapon
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A gang of would-be robbers entered a jewelry store and deployed a canister of bear spray in the hopes of stealing thousands of dollars in merchandise. Little did they know that the owner had a far more “potent” weapon for such a scenario.
The Fontana Herald News reports that four male suspects entered the Uptown Jewelry Mart in Upland at around 2:30 p.m. with the intention of carrying out a smash-and-grab robbery. The men spread out and prepared to shatter each of the protective glass cases, pocketing the expensive jewelry and leaving just as quick as they came.
What may have been a devastating financial blow for the small business owner in California has turned into a prime example of self-defense. In fact, even the local police chief couldn’t help but laud the store owner’s resourcefulness even when outnumbered.
Hoping to incapacitate and distract the customers and employees, the thieves deployed a large canister of bear spray, which is an aerosol that dispenses highly irritant capsaicin. Unfortunately for the gang, the store owner had something that was far more effective for disabling and deterring unwelcome individuals.
As soon as the thieves deployed the bear spray, the owner grabbed his firearm and threatened to shoot every one of the gang members. Without hesitation, the thieves fled the building empty-handed, jumping into a waiting getaway car driven by a fifth suspect. The group fled before police could arrive on the scene, the Daily Bulletin reports.
Detectives immediately reviewed surveillance videotapes that captured the incident from inside the store. However, the men had all worn face coverings, making it difficult for investigators to identify them. Fortunately, the Upland Police Department received a tip from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s Chino Hills Station, which led to a search warrant of an Upland apartment and, subsequently, multiple arrests.
The suspects were Jonathan Williamson, 36, from Upland; Gerald Kay, 30, a parolee from Fontana; Dalon La Flora, 29, a parolee from Los Angeles; and Jahaad Crawford, 30, who was on federal probation and was wanted for an outstanding warrant. The men were booked at West Valley Detention Center on multiple felony charges. Police had difficulties locating the fifth suspect. The men are all believed to be members of a local criminal street gang.
The community has since hailed the store owner a hero for successfully defending his business, employees, and customers without firing a single shot. In fact, even the local police chief praised the owner for his prowess.
“Five thugs tried to rob a jewelry store near 300 S. Mountain Ave. Their attack was thwarted by the business owner who brandished a gun. The thugs ran out of the business to a waiting car. Thanks to @UplandPD & @sbcountysheriff, 4 of the 5 thugs have been arrested,” Upland Police Chief Darren Goodman wrote on Twitter.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department believes that some of the men who tried to rob the Uptown Jewelry Mart are the same suspects involved in several other smash-and-grab robberies of jewelry stores in Claremont and Chino Hills.
The jewelry store owner could have easily ended up like the other owners who were targeted by the gang — scrambling to pick up the pieces after their inventory was decimated by the thieves. However, he was armed and well prepared for such a scenario, allowing him, his business, and everyone else in the store to escape unscathed.
Once again, a good guy with a gun stops what could have been a devastating outcome. Now, nearly all the suspects are locked up and any potential robbers who might be thinking about robbing a jewelry store are leaving the Uptown Jewelry Mart off their list.
Chicago Gang Drags Couple From Car, Shoots Them At Close Range
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Horrific video footage has emerged out of Chicago after a violent gang was captured dragging a Chicago-area couple out of their car and shooting them at point-blank range.
Gyovanny Arzuaga and Yasmin Perez, a Chicago-area couple, were leaving Chicago’s Humboldt Park on a Saturday night, following the city’s annual Puerto Rican People’s Day Parade, when the couple was targeted by a violent gang. As the couple left the festivities and headed westbound, their car was swarmed, according to CBS 2 Chicago, and it was all caught on video.
Right in front of celebrating crowds that were flooding the street around 9 pm, the gang gathered around the couple’s car at Division Street and Spaulding Avenue and shots rang out. An unnamed man, who was live-streaming video to Facebook but didn’t want to be identified out of fear of retaliation, captured the nightmare as it unfolded. Be forewarned, it’s difficult to watch.
After the violent gang swarmed the Latino couple’s car, which was displaying a Puerto Rican flag, “shots rang out, people scattered, and then a man pulled out a gun and shot two people outside the sport-utility vehicle. The video showed him firing the rapid shots and then running away,” CBS 2 Chicago reported. Police said the incident started with a minor car accident, according to ABC 7.
“And then a group of people swarmed that specific car, and they’re seen hitting and beating the woman and then eventually dragging her,” said CPD Chief of Detectives Brendan Deenihan.
The footage captured the couple being dragged from the car and laying on the ground after being shot at point-blank range. The young father, who was just 24 years old, died of a gunshot wound to the head at AMITA Health Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center. The mother of his children was shot in the neck and rushed to Stroger Hospital of Cook County in critical condition.
The suspects, who fled the scene, were still at large the day after the tragic shooting when a memorial for Gyovanny Arzuaga, who was affectionately called “Gyo” by his loved ones, was mounted at the site where the murder happened. It read, “Rest in peace, Gyo.” A GoFundMe page was also started to benefit the family. It had received more than $23,000 in donations the day after it was created.
“Gyovanny Arzuaga and Yasmin Perez were celebrating at the Puerto Rican Day Parade in Humboldt Park when they were both tragically shot,” the GoFundMe campaign explained. “Gyo unfortunately passed away after arriving to the hospital and Yasmin is in critical condition after sustaining a gunshot wound to the neck. Please keep them, their children, and their families in your thoughts and prayers during this time. This fundraiser is to cover funeral service costs for Gyo’s family and medical bills for Yasmin’s family.”
Two days after the shooting, CWBChicago shared what is believed to be the last photo of the male victim with one of his children. “You may have seen the horrifying video of a man and woman being dragged from their car and shot yesterday evening,” the post read. “Man died, woman critically injured. This is the last photo the man, Gyovanny Arzuaga, posted to Facebook yesterday afternoon. He was 24. #Chicago”
Unfortunately, like Gyovanny Arzuaga, Yasmin Perez would also succumb to her injuries. “Sadly, this morning, Yasmin passed away due to her injuries,” read an update on a GoFundMe page set up for the couple’s medical and funeral expenses. “She fought hard for the last couple of days, but ultimately decided it was time to join Gyo in heaven. We are all heartbroken and devastated beyond belief as they leave behind two beautiful children, Sofiya and Jayden.”
The gruesome murder that left this young father and mother dead was just one of two shootings near the Division Street intersection that fateful weekend and only one of a rash of shootings in Humboldt Park that saw “54 shot, 7 fatally, in weekend violence across the city,” ABC 7 reported. In another shooting, a “25-year-old woman sustained a gunshot to the head and died at the scene, police said,” according to NBC Chicago. She and another victim were struck by gunshots while riding in a vehicle in the Ashburn neighborhood.
A “male victim, who is 29 years old, sustained gunshot wounds to the back and hand, along with a graze wound to the head,” the outlet added. Making that particular shooting all the more heinous, however, a child, whose age remains unknown, was also in the car when a vehicle, described as a possible burgundy Dodge Durango, drove up alongside the victims’ vehicle, and someone inside then fired shots. Although the child was not injured, they were taken to the hospital as a precaution.
Community activist Donovan Price said that it was a “miracle” bullets didn’t hit the baby but added, “The child is going to be traumatized.” Sadly, it seems this is just part of growing up in Chicago, where gun violence has grown to epidemic proportions with dozens of shootings in one weekend alone, despite some of the strictest gun control laws in the country. “I am scared. I am getting out of Chicago. It’s a wrap, I’m leaving,” said one Humboldt Park resident, who’s fearful for her family living in the city. After a weekend like this, who could blame her?
Wrestler Forfeits Tournament When He Sees His Opponent
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In what some might consider a controversial move, an 18-year-old high school wrestler forfeited not one but two state tournament matches after seeing who he was going to be up against. The decision ended his high school wrestling career and disappointed his opponent, but was it the right thing to do?
At the young age of 18, Brendan Johnston, a Colorado high school wrestler, learned that a large degree of respect can be earned by sticking to your beliefs and sacrificing something in the name of your faith. That’s exactly what the young man did in 2019 when he forfeited two state tournament matches when he saw who he was going up against, ending his high school career in the sport, the Daily Mail reported.
Initially, Johnston, who was a senior at the Classical Academy in Colorado Springs, pulled out of his match against Skyview High senior Jaslynn Gallegos in the first round of the tournament because his opponent was a girl. Then, in his third-round consolation match in the Colorado State wrestling meet in Denver, he decided against fighting Valley High junior Angel Rios for the same reason. Instead, he shook Rios’ hand after forfeiting their match.
Brendan, who is a Christian and had not wrestled a female since starting the sport in seventh grade, explained that he simply didn’t feel right wrestling girls due to both his religious and personal beliefs, choosing to end his high school wrestling career rather than sacrifice his convictions.
“It’s so physical, physically close. I don’t think that’s really appropriate with a young lady. It’s also very aggressive and I’m not really, I guess, comfortable with that,” Brendan told KDVR. “There is something that I really do find problematic about the idea of wrestling with a girl, and a part of that does come from my faith and my belief,” he admitted. “And a part of that does come from how I was raised to treat women as well as maybe from different experiences and things.”
Even though Brendan wasn’t comfortable wrestling a female, he said that he still believed women and men were equals. “I don’t think that I am looking at them as not equal. I am saying that they are women and that is different than being men because I do believe that men and women are different and we are made differently,” he explained. “But I still believe that women are of equal value to men. I don’t think that seeing men and women as different [opposes] the idea of equality.”
Brendan said he took umbrage with the idea of wrestling against girls for another reason as well. “And I guess the physical aggression, too. I don’t want to treat a young lady like that on the mat. Or off the mat. And not to disrespect the heart or the effort that she’s put in. That’s not what I want to do, either,” he told The Denver Post. “Wrestling is something we do, it’s not who we are. And there are more important things to me than my wrestling. And I’m willing to have those priorities.”
Of course, Brendan’s decision sparked debate, such as the one seen in the clip below from 11Alive. While a lot of people could understand a boy’s discomfort in being so physical with a girl and also understood his fear of hurting her, others could see that even saying such a thing could spark upset in today’s politically correct climate.
However, one could argue that all’s well that ends well. And, Angel Rios, who came in fourth, and Jaslynn Gallegos, who came in fifth, went on to become the first females to place at the tournament. Yet, the achievement seemed somewhat bittersweet for Gallegos because of Brendan Johnston’s decision.
“This whole time that I’ve wrestled, it’s just me trying to prove a point that I am just a wrestler,” Gallegos, who started wrestling when she was five, told The Washington Post. “And so the fact that my gender is something that kind of holds me back still is just a little nerve-racking, but I respect his decision. It’s fine,” she continued. “My whole thing is that I’m not a girl wrestler; I’m just a wrestler. So it kind of doesn’t hurt my feelings, but I do kind of take it to heart.”
Unfortunately for the female athletes, the fact remains that they are girls, and Brendan Johnston isn’t alone in his beliefs and feelings. The subject of pitting males against females in physical competition is discussed more often now than perhaps ever before, and for the most part, people seem to believe that, because of biological differences, it’s unfair to make men and women go head to head since it doesn’t make for an even playing field. Regardless of who agrees, Brendan Johnston stood behind his convictions, accepting the loss rather than losing his religion. To me, that’s worthy of applause.
Influencer’s Photos Set Internet On Fire After She Reveals Her Age
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A Japanese model’s “incredibly stunning” photos shocked netizens and then went viral after the Asian beauty revealed her real age.
Risa Hirako, a Japanese model, gained international attention after her Instagram images went viral. Because of her youthful appearance, Hirako’s admirers couldn’t believe the Asian social media star was older than 25. The attractive beauty had received numerous requests to disclose her skincare routine.
Others wondered about her true age. Professional models, in general, are on the younger side. Their careers begin at a very young age, and every attempt is made to use their baby faces and youthful bodies in glossy magazine spreads and on fashion runways.
So, when Risa Hirako finally revealed that she was 51 years old when the viral photos were taken, netizens freaked out.
“Risa Hirako is 51 years old. Let that blow your mind this morning” one person wrote on Twitter, which rapidly went viral.
“She literally looks half her age,” said another.
“I refused to believe it,” posted another netizen.
“She can’t be a day over 25, I feel like this has to be a joke,” posted one commenter in disbelief. “I need her to drop her beauty routine right now.”
Another wrote: “She looks younger than me, and I’m 24. Dying to know her secrets.”
Other social media users had a different take on Hirako’s age-defying appearance. More than a few claimed Asians age very well.
“It’s mostly genetics. Then you get into clean living and a good healthy diet,” posted one commenter.
“Asian’s age fabulously, very common,” another wrote.
“No bloody secret. It’s all about someone’s DNA. Unlike Westerners who look older than Asians,” one netizen added.
One photographer took a closer look at Risa Hirako’s photos and claimed the images were somewhat doctored.
“I’m a photographer who works with Photoshop a lot. I’m sure this is a beautiful woman with good advice, however, I detect Photoshop used on these pictures. Easy to look younger with technology.”
A few critics claimed that Hirako must have had plastic surgery and possibly other cosmetic procedures to look so young.
“Yeah…her secret is surgery and some filters,” wrote one detractor.
“Botox, costly (skin) Dermabrasion, laser resurfacing, and chemical peels can really help with a youthful look,” another posted. “But, even with all that help it doesn’t explain just how amazing she looks for being over 50.”
Hirako revealed her beauty secrets after breaking her silence on her age. She attributes her success to her healthy lifestyle. She frequently discusses the advantages of eating nutritious organic meals, staying hydrated, and getting outside to enjoy nature on a regular basis.
“Try to eat organic foods and use organic products as much as possible,” she wrote in an Instagram post. “And try to keep your skin moisturized and hydrated for 24hrs.”
Whenever Risa Hirako gets out to enjoy the sun, she is always seen wearing a hat and protective clothes to shield her from harmful UV rays. Hirako, who used to be married to Japanese actor Eisaku Yoshida, also keeps fans up-to-date via all her social media accounts, where she revealed she was born on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1971.
Many of Hirako’s followers also say that her chic fashion choices and trendy hair and makeup styles help to keep her looking young. Posting different meals on Instagram, she is seen eating healthy and balanced foods such as avocado on toast, fruit smoothies, and plenty of green tea. She continues to advertise cosmetics and lingerie to her Instagram fans, proving that age is just a number in the beauty industry.
Court Gasps In Horror As Murder Weapon Is Revealed
The kidnapping, gang-rape, and brutal murder of a young, beautiful student with her entire life ahead of her captured international attention as the gruesome details leading up to her death were finally being revealed. When the court thought they heard the worst of it, however, they were left gasping in shock and horror to see the murder weapon used to snuff out the young woman’s life.
Hannah Cornelius was just 21 when her life was cut short in perhaps the most horrific way imaginable. The gifted South African university student died during an attack in Stellenbosch, South Africa after she and her friend were carjacked by four men. Following her tragic death, Vernon Witbooi, 33, Geraldo Parsons, 27, Nashville Julius, 29, and Eben Van Nieberk, 28, stand accused of murder, kidnapping, robbery, and rape.
Hannah and a male friend named Cheslin Marsh, 22, were kidnapped after she gave him a lift home one night at midnight, Daily Mail reported. Hannah was parking her blue VW Golf, a gift from her grandmother, outside Marsh’s residence when a gang of four men attacked them, opening both car doors. They then put a screwdriver to Hannah’s chest and a knife to the Marsh’s back, threatening to kill him.
March was allegedly told, “Sit still or she dies,” by one of the men in the gang. He was robbed of his cash and his phone before being locked in the trunk of the car. The gang then drove to a drug dealer’s house to buy drugs and smoked crystal meth as Hannah was wedged between two of the four men in the back seat of the VW while the gang drove out of Stellenbosch.
They eventually pulled over and took Marsh into the bushes. They made him lay his head on a rock on the ground, where they battered his skull with bricks. The brutal assault only stopped when the gang was convinced that he was dead. Although he would live, Hannah would not be so lucky after the gang set their sites on her next.
The young student was dragged from her car and at least three of the men took turns gangraping her in what was described in court as an “extremely painful” ordeal. Her autopsy revealed, she suffered severe vaginal and cervical injuries in the prolonged attack.
When they were done with her, the monsters held Hannah down and crushed her skull with a large two-foot, 82-pound boulder and stabbed her in the neck. The large rock was slammed down on Hannah Cornelius’s head twice, bludgeoning her to death, the court was told as the murder weapon was produced.
The boulder smashed Hannah’s skull, killing her instantly. However, to make sure there was no chance she would live, one of her killers plunged a knife into her neck. They then left her body in the dirt with her pants pulled down.
Struggling, “two strong security guards” lifted the chilling exhibit onto a desk in the courtroom at the Western High Court in Cape Town as “loud gasps” of shock and terror emerged from members of the public gallery who were horrified by the size of the alleged murder weapon, according to Daily Mail. It is believed that several of the gang members lifted the huge rock and dropped it on Hannah’s head.
“The skull is made up of very strong bones indeed. It is not easy for a skull to break or crack unless a lot of power is used to actually break the skull,” Dr. Deidre Abraham, the forensic pathologist who carried out the autopsy on Hannah, explained. “The blunt force injuries to her head were very rapidly fatal.”
Three of the defendants — Witbooi, Julius, and Van Nieberk — admit that they were present but claimed they only robbed the pair and did not commit the rape or murder. The suspects were arrested after going on a robbery spree, high on drugs, in the hijacked car, robbing at least three women after allegedly murdering Hannah before the stolen car was spotted and a highspeed police chase began.
While Parson’s has a grotesque tattoo of a naked headless female with legs spread open, both he and Witbooi also have prison tattoos displaying the number 28, which is of significance, according to investigating officer Sergeant Marlon Appolis.
The number 28 allegedly relays their role as “wives” for others while in prison. “To use the word of the street the 28’s take men from behind,” Appolis bluntly explained, Sunday Times reported. As Appolis made his remarks regarding their tattoos in court, the men accused of murdering Hannah were seen putting their hands over their gaping mouths.
Hannah Cornelius was the daughter of magistrate Willem Cornelius and a straight A student in her second year at Stellenbosch University. Her bright future was tragically ended when she was attacked and murdered by these monsters.
Sadly, according to crime figures, there are plenty of evil men just like these in South Africa, where 45 carjackings occur a day as 56 people are murdered and 110 are raped. Perhaps it’s time to bring back the capital punishment they decided to abolish in 1995 since prison doesn’t seem to bother monsters like this.
Woman Hands Police An Envelope — Now They’re Looking For Her
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A woman found an envelope marked $5,500 on the street and brought it to the police. They thanked her for being a good citizen, and she left. A short time later they opened the envelope to see if they could find information about the owner. That’s when they saw what she had done. Now, they are asking for your help in finding her.
According to WCVB, police in Massachusettes are attempting to track down an unnamed woman after she returned a thick Citizens Bank envelope – labeled $5,500.00 on the front – without ever opening the package.
After the unidentified woman returned the envelope, authorities cut it open, trying to ascertain who owned the enormous sum of cash. However, when police opened the envelope, all they found was a pile of old newspaper clippings and a note that read: “Sorry, just a prank.”
Nevertheless, the police have emphasized how impressed they were by the woman’s honesty and integrity, praising her for having the self-control to leave the Citizens Bank envelope unopened, even though it professed to contain thousands of dollars. “It’s always refreshing to see honest people. We know there are so many more honest people than dishonest ones, but in our line of work, we don’t usually meet them,” Hingham Police wrote on Facebook.
“A woman found this envelope (from Citizens Bank with $5,500.00 written on it) Saturday in a Hingham parking lot and without even opening it, came to our police station to turn it in,” added the department. “We opened it but it actually contained newspaper that was cut up to look like cash with a note inside saying it was a prank. Our point is she didn’t know it was a prank and did the right thing.”
After the story of the honest woman who turned in the prankster’s envelope surfaced, police actually received a separate envelope, this one purporting to contain even more money. They shared that story on Facebook, as well.
“We had two separate incidents where people found envelopes filled with cut up newspaper resembling cash. They were found on Friday in the Derby Street Shoppes parking lots. They both turned them in without even opening them,” wrote Hingham Police. “It was a prank by someone, but it reminds us of all the honest people among us who are doing ‘the right thing’. It’s always reassuring to see that (but especially this time of year). A prank that brought out the best in people.”
The post immediately started gaining traction on Facebook, with social media users applauding the unnamed individuals who turned in the envelopes without ever opening them, even though the ordeal turned out to be a prank in the end.
Stories like this one certainly serve to restore our faith in humanity. Please share so that others might be inspired to do the right thing, too!
Black Man Mows Down White Boys, Won’t Be Charged With Hate Crime
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When a black man spotted a pair of white children, he slowly pulled up behind them before deliberately accelerating and mowing them down. However, despite intentionally trying to harm the boys, many were outraged to find out that he won’t be charged with a hate crime.
While 21-year-old Colorado resident Oghaleoghene Atunu was driving down a suburban street, he spotted a trio of 11- and 12-year-old boys walking home from school. Oddly, the Aurora man began circling the area before slowly pulling up behind the children as if he were following them. Without warning or provocation, Atunu suddenly did the unthinkable.
After slowing tailing the young boys, Atunu hit the gas, jumped the sidewalk, and mowed down two of the three children before speeding off, according to KDVR. One of the victims, Josh Piazza, was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries. Fortunately, the second victim walked away with only minor injuries.
Disturbingly, surveillance video showed Atunu noticing his victims and circling the area as if to find the best way to create the most damage. However, despite both the investigators and the Arapahoe County District Attorney’s Office confirming that the crash was intentional, many were stunned to find that Atunu would not face a hate crime charge. Thanks to a tip from a local citizen, Atunu was quickly identified by his 2004 Buick Rendezvous and arrested.
Although he doesn’t face a hate crime charge, he was subsequently charged with 15 counts, including 3 counts of attempted first-degree murder; 2 counts of attempted first-degree assault; 2 counts of child abuse; 1 count of first-degree assault; 1 count of failing to remain at the scene of an accident involving serious bodily injuries; 1 count of vehicular assault; 1 count of failure to notify police of an accident; 1 count of hit-and-run; 1 count of reckless driving; 1 count of driving a vehicle with an expired driver’s license; and 1 count of failure to observe/disregard a traffic control device.
Despite the footage of his behavior leading up to the incident, Atunu maintains that he lost control of his vehicle and hit the children, according to 9 News. He claims that he then became scared and fled the scene.
“This case is a prime example of the incredible skills and untiring determination our members have every day to ensure Colorado is as safe as possible” Colorado State Patrol Chief Matthew Packard said. “Without a doubt, everyone involved in this investigation is working to ensure the demands of justice are met.”
Some argue that there is no evidence that Atunu targeted the boys because of their skin color. However, others insist that it is about consistency, arguing that if the races were reversed, it would automatically be considered a racial hate crime. They also claimed the media was providing biased coverage.
- “Never get the same coverage. Maybe get 16 hours of community service,” one Twitter user wrote.
- “If the races were reversed. It would make nationwide headlines,” another commented.
America has become deeply divided along the lines of politics, religion, and especially race. The media strive to pit one color against another, purveying the fallacy that having a certain type of genetics inherently either makes one an oppressor or a perpetual victim. Sadly, this prompts us to automatically demonize one race over another, often allowing the real racists of every color to escape accountability.
For now, Atunu faces 15 charges that will hopefully earn him a lengthy prison sentence. Unfortunately, we may never know exactly why this monster attempted to harm three innocent children. But, perhaps knowing that he’s locked away in a prison cell will give us all some solace.
Dad Took Daughter Out For Dinner, Strangers’ Note Stops Everything
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A dad was enjoying an evening out with his young daughter when their dining experience came to an unexpected halt. While out for dinner, the waitress brought over a note. Apparently, two strangers had been watching him with his little girl, and what they said left him in tears at his table.
Even though he was a single dad, it was obvious that the unnamed man had his priorities straight. Wanting to make his little girl feel special, the single dad decided to take his 6-year-old daughter out for a special dinner date, but he was not expecting that the meal would end in tears.
He could have taken out his current flame, but instead, he made his little girl his date on a special night. But, things were going to take a very unexpected turn. As the two enjoyed their meal at a restaurant called The Old Spaghetti Factory, they had no idea that two strangers were watching them as they giggled, laughed, and chowed down on some delicious pasta.
But, everything was about to come to light as the waitress headed to their table. As he sat there with his child, oblivious to being watched, the waitress slipped him a note. “I won’t lie, I teared up at the table,” he admitted in a post on Imgur, where he shared an image of the note he received.
“Hi, there! Sorry to spy, but my husband and I saw you out with your little date,” the message began. The strangers then left the dad in tears as they complimented his parenting. “[We] were so impressed with what a great Dad you are,” they continued. But, there was so much more to this message.
Then, they revealed an all too familiar reality, exposing the reason they had to say something to this single dad as he sat with his precious daughter. “From two adults who grew up without dads,” they humbly admitted, “it’s so important to have a male role model at a young age.”
Compliments weren’t the only surprise the strangers had for the father-daughter duo, though. “Keep up the good work Dad! Dinner is on us!” their note concluded, letting the dad know they wanted to reward him for doing what a man should but all too many don’t.
While this heartwarming story shows the kindness that can be found in our world today, it also points to a real problem. Too many fathers don’t take the time to be real dads to their children. Sadly, according to the Washington Times, fifteen million U.S. children, or 1 in 3, live without a father. Although the number of dads in homes is on the decline, their importance in their children’s lives is not.
Having a father figure is beneficial on so many levels, including the fact that children with fathers have a better chance of expressing emotions properly. Dads offer a different perspective and give children another person to go to and rely on, which results in more confidence when tackling new things. When a father is absent, it can have devastating consequences. The statistics speak for themselves:
- 63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes (US Dept. Of Health/Census) – 5 times the average.
- 90% of all homeless and runaway children are from fatherless homes – 32 times the average.
- 85% of all children who show behavior disorders come from fatherless homes – 20 times the average. (Center for Disease Control)
- 80% of rapists with anger problems come from fatherless homes –14 times the average. (Justice & Behavior, Vol 14, p. 403-26)
- 71% of all high school dropouts come from fatherless homes – 9 times the average. (National Principals Association Report)
Perhaps this is why the strangers in this story really wanted to draw attention to what they saw. If we just stop to look around, we will notice that there is good to be found in nearly every situation — it’s just so often overlooked. In an increasingly fatherless society, we can still find dads who show their daughters and sons the love they deserve. We need to give the good as much attention as the bad usually gets, to more accurately reflect the world we live in.
Good parents, whether fathers or mothers, single or married, should be complimented and applauded. Parenting is a hard job, but so many of us step up to give it our all every day. Although it’s our responsibility and something we should do, it’s still nice to have it recognized. So, just as single dad said on Imgur, “Thank you, random strangers. Thank you.”
Teen Claims She Was Groped ‘For An Hour’ By Man On Plane
A teenager has alleged that a male passenger groped her “for an hour” during a flight to California. When she spoke up and alerted flight attendants to the problem, however, her nightmare went from bad to worse.
Eighteen-year-old TikTok influencer Mobilesushibar was on a Spirit Airlines flight to California when she claims she was groped by a male passenger, who was seated behind her. After boarding her flight at 6 am on a Wednesday with her family, she explained that she switched seats with a woman who wanted an aisle seat, according to Meaww. Sadly, as she sat next to the window, things took a horrific turn.
After getting settled, the teen began reading a book when she “felt a slight touch like something was caressing” her. “I wonder what this feeling could be. It was really subtle, and I reached my hand over and touched his fingertips,” she recalled. Stunned, she then texted her sister to tell her that she was being groped by the man seated behind her, who was reaching through the seats to touch her.
“I realized that the man behind me is touching me, so I move my arm out of the way,” TikTok influencer Mobilesushibar explained, adding, “I thought it would stop there because he knows that I know that he was touching me because I touched his fingertips.” Sadly, she was wrong. “It happened again, so this is when I was like I can tell he’s trying to reach for my boobs,” the teen alleged.
That’s when she pulled out her cellphone and began to record because she didn’t want to let the “disgusting” man “get away” with “harassing her.” In the video, which she posted to TikTok, the young woman is seen sitting in the window seat, leaning back to show the man’s hand appearing from around the back of her seat. She quickly moves away from the side of the seat, and the man’s hand is then seen grasping at the air between the seat gap as he tries to get his fingers closer to the teen.
“The man was like 50-60s and I was so uncomfy @spiritairlines #fyp#foryou #harassmentawareness,” read the video’s caption. “On my flight to California the man behind kept touching my arms and boobs,” voiceover of the video alleged. Armed with the footage of the old man’s groping attempt, Mobilesushibar then allegedly complained to the flight attendants — but that’s when things allegedly went from bad to worse.
“When I confronted him and showed the video to everyone around me and the flight attendants, I was told to sit down and stay quiet,” she alleged, claiming her concerns were shrugged off. “He was trying to deny it, and I was told to please calm down, sit down, be quiet,” she added, reiterating how her complaints were dismissed.
Although she wedged her sweater between the seat in an attempt to “stop” the harassment herself, she alleged that he “moved it and continued,” the Daily Mail reported. “So I have to sit there through an hour of harassment,” she furthered. Of course, the entire chain of events made her “really upset that no one cared” about what she was going through “for so long.”
“The fact that I had to sit there and collect evidence for nothing speaks volumes,” Mobilesushibar furthered, expressing her disgust over being not only ignored but also told off by attendants after she complained, according to Meaww, and she wasn’t the only one left appalled. After posting the now-viral clip, the teen was flooded with supportive comments from concerned TikTok users.
Many urged her to file a lawsuit against Spirit Airlines while others suggested they would have broken the man’s fingers as they offered their condolences. Such drastic measures shouldn’t have been necessary. This could have and should have been easily addressed by the staff. Instead, this girl’s safety was compromised.
While it’s understandable that an airline does not want to create chaos while in the air, all they had to do was move her rather than make her sit there and endure the abuse. That’s not okay. Now, instead of having an obvious predator behind bars where he belongs, he’s free to sexually harass other teens and women. Shame on those who chose to protect the criminal in this case, which is exactly what they did when they failed this girl and failed to report this assault to the appropriate authorities.