Southwest
480-year-old firearm discovered in Arizona described by researchers as the 'oldest' found in the US
A firearm discovered in Arizona is what researchers believe to be the “oldest” ever found in the continental United States.
Excavations along the Santa Cruz River in Southern Arizona brought to light a bronze cannon, or a wall gun, used during the 1539-1542 expedition led by Francisco Vázquez de Coronado to the modern-day American Southwest.
The wall gun is the first ever to be found connected to the expedition, according to research published in the International Journal of Historical Archaeology on Nov. 21, 2024.
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“This wall gun is the first gun known to be associated with the Coronado expedition and is the oldest firearm ever found within the continental USA, and perhaps the oldest cannon currently known on the continent,” Dr. Deni J. Seymour and her colleagues wrote in the study.
The expedition was aimed at finding the riches of the rumored “Seven Cities of Cíbola,” according to the Oklahoma Historical Society.
A bronze medieval-style gun was discovered in Arizona. The length of the ancient artifact is 42 inches with a weight of about 40 pounds. (Dr. Deni J. Seymour)
Though Coronado did find landmarks like the Grand Canyon, he did not find the cities of treasure, according to Britannica, and was instead met with Indian settlements.
The firearm in Arizona was first found in the fall of 2020, at the settlement of San Geronimo III. It was found on the “floor of a Spanish stone-and-adobe structure,” according to the research.
A combination of radiocarbon dating and optically stimulated luminescence techniques were used as methods of dating the firearm back to the era of the Coronado expedition.
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The firearm measures about 42 inches long and weighs 40 pounds.
It was likely cast in Mexico or the Caribbean, indicated by the simplicity in its design, the research said.
The map pictures above displays the general location of the site where the cannon was found. (Dr. Deni J. Seymour)
It was designed to be mounted on a wooden tripod, used to protect fortifications, according to the research.
A firearm like the one discovered could send lead balls flying over 700 yards.
This particular example was found unloaded, with no evidence found to show that it was ever fired.
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It was seemingly abandoned at the settlement and left for hundreds of years. A probable reason why the gun was left behind is that the “town was attacked and rapidly abandoned,” the research suggests.
“This final blow seems to be the precipitating event that led to the abandonment of the wall gun, where it remained snugly encased in an eroded Spanish adobe-and-rock-walled structure [ruin] for 480 years,” researchers wrote.
When the wall gun was found, it was laid on the ground of a Spanish structure. (Dr. Deni J. Seymour)
Several other artifacts were discovered at the site, including pieces of broken swords and daggers, plus household items like fishhooks, clothing fasteners, pieces of copper vessels and more, per the research.
Further analysis is being arranged to learn more about the history behind the gun, as well as to study the other artifacts found at the site for future publications.
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Los Angeles, Ca
Woman killed by driver while crossing PCH in Long Beach
A woman was struck and killed by a driver while crossing the street on Pacific Coast Highway in Long Beach.
On June 3, the female pedestrian was using the crosswalk at Pacific Coast Highway and Pacific Avenue around 4:50 a.m.
She had walked against a red light and was hit by a 19-year-old driver in a Chevy sedan, Long Beach police said.
Despite lifesaving efforts, the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver remained at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation.
“At this time, impaired driving, distracted driving and excessive speed are not believed to be a factor in this collision,” police said.
The woman’s name is being withheld pending identification by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information on the incident is asked to call Detective Joseph Johnson at 562-570-7355.
Anonymous tips can be provided to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org.
Los Angeles, Ca
Man wanted for deadly Los Angeles road rage shooting extradited from Mexico
A man wanted for a deadly road rage shooting in Los Angeles was arrested and extradited from Mexico after fleeing the U.S. in 2024.
The suspect was identified as Christian Rojas, 21, of Bellflower, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Authorities had been searching for him since the deadly incident on October 10, 2024.
Rojas and a second suspect, Joshua Rojas Sr., 47, of Downey, were driving on the northbound 5 Freeway in Boyle Heights around 4 p.m. when they became involved in an altercation with another driver that escalated into a shooting.
Video of the tense confrontation showed the suspects, who were driving a Dodge Durango SUV, opening fire on two men in a Cadillac sedan.
The shooting forced the victim to pull over abruptly. That’s when a suspect ran up to the Cadillac, opened the passenger-side door and fired several shots at close range.
In a panic, the Cadillac driver tried to escape by making a sudden U-turn and driving against oncoming traffic. He eventually crashed head-on into several vehicles.
The suspects ditched their SUV and fled toward a freeway exit on foot. The Cadillac driver was left with serious injuries and his passenger was killed. Their identities were not released.
The incident caused a miles-long backup that left thousands of motorists stranded on the freeway for hours and authorities worked to clear the scene.
Following an extensive investigation, detectives identified the two men as the suspects involved.
Joshua Rojas Sr. was arrested in San Bernardino on October 22, 2024, on a murder charge. He remains in custody awaiting trial.
Meanwhile, Christian Rojas had fled the U.S. and was hiding in Mexico, detectives said. A $4.3 million bail warrant was issued for his arrest.
“Through a coordinated international effort, investigators determined that Rojas was living in Palomo de Arriba, Mexico,” CHP officials said. “The U.S. Marshals Service worked with Mexican state police to locate and arrest him on the outstanding warrant.”
On June 2, 2026, Christian was arrested and extradited to the U.S. to face a murder charge.
“This arrest demonstrates that time and distance will not shield violent offenders from justice,” said CHP Southern Division Chief Chris Margaris. “For nearly two years, our detectives remained relentless in their pursuit of those responsible for this senseless act of violence. Through exceptional collaboration with the United States Marshals Service and our law enforcement partners in Mexico, we located and apprehended this suspect and brought him back to face the charges. We remain committed to protecting the public, supporting victims and their families, and holding violent criminals accountable wherever they may try to hide.”
Los Angeles, Ca
NB 405 Freeway closed near LAX after pursuit ends in gunfire
The northbound 405 Freeway will remain closed for several hours near Los Angeles International Airport after a police pursuit ended with officers opening fire Friday morning. Unconfirmed reports indicated the incident began with a robbery at a 7-Eleven store, which ended with Los Angeles Police Department officers pursuing the suspect in a Kia. The chase […]
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