A man who recently attempted to enter a Dallas church with a tactical rifle was charged with a federal firearm crime stemming from a 2022 shooting, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the North District of Texas announced.

Russell Alan Ragsdale, 25, was arrested Friday and made his initial appearance Monday on a possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of a controlled substance charge.

On Nov. 2, a church reported to Dallas police that Ragsdale was at the location with a gun, according to federal court documents. The church was not named in the filing.

Based on surveillance footage and witness interviews, officers determined Ragsdale arrived at the church about 5 p.m. while Mass was being celebrated with about 100 church members, according to an affidavit. He entered about 5:05 p.m.

“At 5:07 p.m., [Ragsdale] stood from his front row seat and approached the priest, embraced him and kissed him on both cheeks,” the affidavit says. Ragsdale “handed the priest a note that said, ‘May peace be with you.’”

Ragsdale remained in the church for about five more minutes before returning to his car. He put on a black and white poncho, retrieved a rifle from the trunk of the car, and then closed the three gates to the church parking lot, according to the affidavit. Ragsdale tried to reenter the church with the gun about 5:35 p.m., but parishioners had locked the doors.

A parishioner talked to Ragsdale outside after he placed the rifle on the ground. Officers arrived a few minutes later and arrested him.

The arresting officer noted “an odor of alcohol” coming from Ragsdale, the affidavit says.

During this investigation, police learned Ragsdale had been arrested two years ago as a suspect in a Seagoville slaying. He had faced a felony murder charge in the February 2022 killing of his roommate, but the case was later dismissed.

At the time, Ragsdale told police his roommate attacked him so he “shot him many times” in self-defense, according to court documents.

“Officers recovered three firearms, including a 10mm Glock and an AR-15 rifle, and almost two grams of hallucinogenic mushrooms from the residence,” the news release said. ” An analysis of Mr. Ragsdale’s phone showed a history of drug use dating back to November 2021, as well as evidence of purchasing and using hallucinogenic mushrooms on Feb. 2, 2022.”

Pursuant to a search warrant issued, earlier this month Dallas police received copies of information, including messages, from Ragsdale’s phone that indicated he used illegal drugs leading up to the February homicide, according to court documents.

If convicted, Ragsdale faces up to 15 years in prison.

Lionel Messi and Javier Mascherano are together again, this time with Inter Miami.

The former Barcelona and Argentina teammates have reunited, with Inter Miami announcing Tuesday that Mascherano’s hiring as the club’s new coach is complete. The sides struck a deal late last week for Mascherano to replace Gerardo “Tata” Martino, who stepped aside for personal reasons.

Mascherano most recently was Argentina’s under-20 team and Olympic coach. He’s signed a three-year contract and will take over when his work paperwork is completed.

“This job requires somebody with the experience to be able to maximize our unique collection of talent — from our global superstars, to our burgeoning homegrown players, to our young international prospects, and everything in between,” Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas said. “Javier has amassed unmatched experience in his career, from playing on the world’s biggest stages, to coaching at the youth international level.”

It’s not just Messi that Mascherano is joining forces with again. Mascherano, when he was with Barcelona, also played alongside current Inter Miami standouts Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez — all of whom are expected back for the 2025 season.

“To be able to lead a club like Inter Miami is an honor for me, and a privilege I will strive to make the most of,” Mascherano said. “I was drawn to the organization’s undeniable ambition, and the infrastructure it has to support it. I’m looking forward to working with the people at Inter Miami to help the club reach new heights, and to give the fans more unforgettable moments.”

Mascherano, at one time, was the all-time leader for Argentina’s national team in international appearances; Messi has since broken that record. After Martino told the team he was stepping down, Messi was consulted about who he would want as the next coach — so it’s more than reasonable to think this hiring came with his blessing.

“I asked him, ‘What is important to you? And what do you think is important to get the best out of our roster and out of our 11 and how do we improve?” Mas said last week. “And Leo shared with me his thoughts. … Without a doubt, a familiarity with Leo and the other stars is an advantage in every aspect. Obviously, I want Leo to feel comfortable with the new trainer, with the new coach coming in.”

Mascherano is inheriting a team that had the best regular season in Major League Soccer history this year. Inter Miami went 22-4-8, setting league records for points (74) and winning percentage (.765). But the team fell short in the playoffs, falling to Atlanta United in a best-of-three first-round series.

Martino said he made the decision before the playoffs began that he would not be back in 2025. Like Mascherano, he had deep ties to Messi before coming to Inter Miami; Martino coached the world’s most decorated men’s player and eight-time Ballon d’Or winner with Barcelona and Argentina’s national team.

Mascherano was part of those Martino-coached teams as well.

“Throughout his career as one of the world’s best players and as an experienced coach, Javier has always demonstrated what makes him great — relentless determination with the knowledge, instincts and understanding to back it up,” Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham said. “We’re very excited to welcome him to lead our team.”

The 40-year-old Mascherano also played for five seasons in the Premier League, most of that with Liverpool. He played in the World Cup four times for Argentina — 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018.

He will face a daunting first year, one that could be Messi’s last with the club; the team hopes he will play in 2026 when it moves into its new home near Miami International Airport — but does not have Messi locked into a contract for that season.

The 2025 slate may include 50 matches or more for Inter Miami. There’s the 34-match MLS regular season, along with tournament appearances in Leagues Cup, the CONCACAF Champions Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup. The team also has a preseason tour, though few details on that have been revealed other than a match in Tampa, Florida, in February.

Reporting by The Associated Press.

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ATLANTA – Atlanta police have increased the reward in their search for a suspect accused of stabbing a bank employee during an attempted robbery last week.

Officials say the robbery happened around noon on Nov. 20 at the United Community Bank on Caroline Street NE.

On that day, officers responded to the bank after receiving reports of a robbery and stabbing and found one employee stabbed in the stomach. 

According to investigators, an unidentified male entered the bank, went behind the employee counter, and demanded money from a staff member.

When the man was informed that there was no money available, he reportedly stabbed the employee and ran off.

The injured employee was transported to the hospital and is expected to recover from their injuries.

“This act of violence is deeply appalling,” a spokesperson for United Community Bank said in a statement. “We are enormously grateful to law enforcement and will continue to support their efforts, so this individual is arrested and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”

Officials hope the new reward of $25,000 will lead to information that will help them arrest and indict the suspect.

“We are deeply committed to ensuring justice for the victim and the safety of our community,” said Sgt. Travis Williams, Director of Crime Stoppers of Greater Atlanta. “We believe this significant increase in the reward will encourage someone with critical information to step forward.”

Authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to submit tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers Atlanta. Tips can be provided by calling 404-577-TIPS (8477), visiting StopCrimeAtl.org, or texting “CSGA” along with the tip to CRIMES (738477).