Northeast
Veteran officer stabbed to death on suburban running trail by homeless suspect with criminal history: police
Pennsylvania authorities have arrested and charged a suspect after a state police officer was stabbed to death while running on a pedestrian trail near Pittsburgh on Monday.
Anthony Quesen, a 25-year-old homeless man who has also gone by the name Antonia Kaseim, is charged with criminal homicide and is expected to be arraigned on Nov. 1.
The arrest comes after the Allegheny County Police Department received a 911 call on Monday, just before 3 p.m., reporting an injured man on the Montour Trail.
Upon arrival, first responders located a 44-year-old man, later identified as Pennsylvania State Police Liquor Enforcement Officer Benjamin Brallier, suffering from a “stab wound.” Authorities transported Brallier to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said in a press release.
DELPHI MURDERS TRIAL: SUSPECT RICHARD ALLEN’S ATTORNEYS MAKE STUNNING REVELATION ABOUT HAIR AT CRIME SCENE
Anthony Quesen, a 25-year-old homeless man who has also gone by the name Antonia Kaseim, is charged with criminal homicide and is expected to be arraigned on Nov. 1. (Allegheny County Jail)
Brallier was a husband and father of two daughters, according to a GoFundMe for his family titled “Family Loss.”
Benjamin Brallier is pictured with his family. A liquor control enforcement agent with the Pennsylvania State Police, he was off duty when he was killed on Oct. 21, 2024. (GoFundMe)
Allegheny County Councilman and GOP Chairman Sam DeMarco issued a press release following Quesen’s arrest, noting that Pittsburgh Judge Xander Orenstein previously released Quesen in 2023 on non-monetary bail following his arrest for a robbery in a state park.
Quesen went by “Antonia Kaseim” at the time.
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Anthony Quesen was arrested under the name “Antonia Kaseim” in 2023. (Facebook)
Allegheny County court documents show that “Kaseim,” identified as a male in official records, was previously charged with robbery, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, evading arrest on foot, disorderly conduct and criminal mischief in connection with the 2023 incident.
“This is not a random mistake. It’s a pattern.”
“Orenstein has released other dangerous suspects without bail in the past. This time, it cost a law enforcement officer his life,” DeMarco said in a Tuesday statement.
Benjamin Brallier was stabbed to death while running on a pedestrian trail in broad daylight on Monday. (Instagram/PA State Police)
DeMarco went on to call for Orenstein to resign or for the state legislature to impeach the judge.
Orenstein could not immediately be reached for comment. He referred questions to court administrators, and courts spokesperson Joseph Asturi also provided no comment, CBS News reported.
Republican Pennyslvania Rep. Guy Reschenthaler condemned the judge’s “extreme malfeasance.”
“Far-left activist Judge Xander Orenstein has repeatedly released violent criminals back onto our streets in the name of woke justice,” Reschenthaler said. “Now, our region is grieving the loss of Police Officer Benjamin Brallier due to Orenstein’s extreme malfeasance. Soft-on-crime policies have no place in Pennsylvania and neither does Judge Orenstein’s obsession with empowering criminals.”
Law enforcement colleagues “knew Ben for his selfless community service at countless events.” (Allegheny County Camp Cadet)
The Allegheny County Police Port Authority said in a statement that Brallier was “very dedicated to his duties with the BLCE,” but his law enforcement colleagues “knew Ben for his selfless community service at countless events from serving as a counselor at Allegheny County Camp Cadet, to coffee with a cop events, having donuts with the veterans, serving hot dogs to students at CMU, wrapping toys for children in need, running the Tunnels to Towers 5k, and the list goes on and on.”
“Ben always showed up and gave his all. The man had a heart of gold and his passing will be felt throughout the community.”
Allegheny County District Attorney Michelle Henry issued a statement Tuesday saying she is “heartbroken to learn of the senseless off-duty death of PSP Liquor Enforcement Officer, Benjamin Brallier, who was killed in Allegheny County yesterday.”
PENNSYLVANIA WOMAN SENTENCED TO LIFE FOR MURDERS OF 2 YOUNG CHILDREN FOUND HANGING IN HOME’S BASEMENT
Police are asking anyone with information about the alleged attack to contact the County Police Tip Line 1-833-ALL-TIPS. (Facebook)
“Our officers put their lives on the line every day, and the hope is they are able to go home safely to their families. Tragically, Officer Brallier’s life was taken when he was on a nature trail,” Henry said. “Our hearts go out to Officer Brallier’s loved ones and colleagues.”
Police are asking anyone with information about the alleged attack to contact the County Police Tip Line 1-833-ALL-TIPS.
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Which Pittsburgh Steelers draft picks do fans love, hate?
Steelers fans in attendance shared their thoughts on the team’s 2026 NFL Draft selections.
Pittsburgh has another opportunity to prove its passion for football, now that the 2026 NFL Draft is over.
The Steel City is among the nominees for “Best NFL City” in the USA Today Sports Readers’ Choice Awards, a new nationwide contest modeled after the media company’s successful 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards program.
Public voting will decide who gets the bragging rights from the slate of 20 nominees, which also includes Philadelphia, Baltimore and Cincinnati, by the way.
In addition to choosing the Best NFL City, voters can select their favorites in three other categories: Best College Baseball Stadium, Best Local Sports Bar and Best Sports Bar.
One vote per person, per day will be accepted in each category, and voting ends at noon on May 11. The top 10 winners in each category will be announced on May 20.
USA Today, the Beaver County Times and the Somerset Daily American are owned by the USA Today Co. media company.
Make Mother’S Day Memorable With These 8 Activities In Connecticut
Mother’s Day falls on Sunday, May 10, and Connecticut is full of ways to celebrate.
The Passport to Connecticut Wine Country program is kicking off its latest season, offering residents and visitors a chance to explore the state’s farm wineries and win prizes.
The program, which begins May 1 and includes 37 participating wineries — three of which are new for 2026 — according to a community announcement.
The new wineries are Ox & Oak Vineyard in Lebanon, Spring Hill Vineyards in New Preston and Long View Ciderhouse in Southington. Each offers a unique experience, from a quiet woodland backdrop to a historic farm setting and a branch-to-bottle cidery.
This year, the program is introducing a new feature to the passport booklets. A QR code on the inside cover allows users to register their booklet, making it easier to enter the end-of-season prize drawing.
Farm wineries will also have the option to use a live QR code to issue stamps onsite. Visitors can collect stamps by scanning the QR code at the winery, tapping “stamp my passport” within the mobile app or having their printed booklet marked during the visit.
“There’s nothing like summer in Connecticut! And the Passport to CT Wine Country is exactly what you need to help discover all our state has to offer,” said Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz. “As you explore our beautiful farm wineries, there is so much more to explore in each town, from fabulous shops to stunning walking trails, delicious restaurants and so much more.”
The Connecticut Farm Wine Development Council has increased the total prize allocation this season to $15,000. The prizes will be divided among multiple drawings within three categories: Taster (12 or more stamps), Sommelier (18 or more stamps) and Winemaker (35 or more stamps), according to the announcement.
Connecticut is home to more than 45 licensed farm wineries, each required to use at least 25% Connecticut-grown fruit. Some producers participate in a voluntary designation that highlights wineries using 51% or more Connecticut-grown ingredients.
The Passport program runs through Dec. 31, 2026. Prize drawings will take place no later than Jan. 31, 2027, according to the announcement.
More information about Connecticut farm wineries and the Passport to Connecticut Wine Country program is available at ctwinecountry.com.
The Connecticut Farm Wine Development Council, administered by the state Department of Agriculture, is a voluntary council made up of winery owners, research institutions and representatives of the Connecticut Department of Agriculture and Department of Economic and Community Development. The council is responsible for promoting state wines and related products, offering educational programs, recommending research projects and advising groups on farm wine development.
This story was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.
PORTLAND (WGME) — If the polls are any indication, Graham Platner is the toughest challenger Senator Susan Collins has faced in the 30 years she’s held her Senate seat.
“I know now for certain, or pretty much for certain, who my opponent will be,” Collins said.
Collins toured York County’s new regional training center Friday, which she helped secure the funding to build.
As the first chair of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee from Maine in nearly 100 years, she says she’s been able to bring $1.5 billion to Maine for more than 650 projects across the state.
It’s federal funding, she says, that paid to replace or renovate 45 Maine fire stations, support childcare centers and help rural hospitals stay open.
“I think every day about how we can make life more comfortable for people in Maine,” Platner said.
Platner blames billionaires, big corporations, President Donald Trump, Collins and Republicans in Congress for the ongoing struggles facing working families and small businesses in Maine.
“We need to beat Susan Collins,” Platner said.
CBS13 asked Collins if she felt Trump’s performance will cost her votes in November. She did not answer that directly but did say she’s not running on Trump’s record, but her own.
“I’m proud of my record and the accomplishments of what I’ve been able to do for Maine and for our country,” Collins said.
Collins says the Social Security Fairness Act she helped pass allows retired teachers and first responders to now get the Social Security they earned working in the private sector, along with their pensions.
“I can’t tell you how many retired employees have come up to me and said that it’s made the difference between a comfortable retirement and barely getting by,” Collins said.
They are two polar opposites in many ways, vying for a Senate seat where the stakes couldn’t be higher.
“I look forward to what I hope will be a civil discussion of the important issues facing our country and the State of Maine,” Collins said.
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