Florida
Whistleblower on alleged Bahamas police corruption shot during Facebook live stream in Florida apartment

A Bahamian whistleblower who had uncovered alleged corruption from a top police official in the Caribbean country was shot during a Facebook Live stream inside his Florida apartment on Monday.
Sylvens Metayer was an hour and 20 minutes into his social media broadcast, complaining about living situations in the US, when a barrage of bullets flew through the Hollywood, Fla. home, according to NBC Miami.
At least seven shots rang out in the video as Metayer dropped to the ground and was seemingly struck.
“I got shot in the face, right here,” Metayer said after he grabbed his phone and moved to a different room. “Hey, y’all sending a hit out on me.”
A baby can be heard crying in the background as the man’s girlfriend talks to a 911 dispatcher saying Metayer was shot and they needed an ambulance.
Metayer showed off the wound to his left cheek and the blood stains on his shorts.
“They got me bro,” he says before first responders arrived.
“It looks like he got grazed in the face, shot in the foot and looks like maybe he got grazed in the back too,” one officer can be heard saying.
Metayer is known in the Bahamas for his Facebook account, which provides commentary on conspiracy theories and allegations concerning the island nation.
He recently spoke out against Royal Bahamas Police Force Chief Superintendent Michael Johnson who allegedly negotiated bribes with a wanted criminal, according to the Miami Herald.
Metayer had released the alleged voice notes of Johnson, causing public distrust in the police force, the Nassau Guardian reported.
The recordings involve a man, believed to be the wanted suspect, talking with two others negotiating about turning himself in and the cost for him to be released after being questioned, according to the outlet.
An investigation was opened on Johnson’s alleged corruption by the Security and Intelligence Branch of the RBPF which placed Johnson on paid leave.
“We have heard the recordings of phone calls on social media recordings and the investigation is already underway to determine the reliability; to understand when, where, and by whom they were made; identify all voices; and explore clues in the surrounding sounds,” Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander said, according to the outlet.
“We understand fully that this case affects public trust … and confidence within the Royal Bahamas Police Force,” Fernander said.
Fernander assured the probe would be “independent, impartial and fair,” and the case would “not disappear out the backdoor.”
It was not made clear how Metayer got a hold of the voice notes, but the shooting took place hours after Fernander announced the investigation.
Law enforcement agencies from the US and UK are assisting the SIB with the investigation, the newspaper said.
Metayer told first responders he was live streaming when the bullets came crashing through.
“The FBI know I’m here, I got issue with the Bahamian government, I made the newspaper today so they probably sent somebody to kill me,” he says.
Metayer was eventually helped off the ground and brought to the hospital where he was treated for his injuries, leaving the camera on and the live stream to continue for another hour.
Investigators have not revealed a motive or any suspects in relation to the shooting, NBC Miami reported.

Florida
NCAA Tournament: Top storylines going into Saturday’s Texas Tech vs. Florida Elite 8 game

SAN FRANCISCO — Two days after overcoming a 16-point deficit to stun Arkansas in the Sweet 16, Texas Tech will face its biggest challenge of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday.
The third-seeded Red Raiders will play top-seeded Florida, led by former Saint Mary’s guard and University of San Francisco coach Todd Golden, in the Elite Eight at Chase Center.
At stake: A spot in the Final Four.
Florida has been a juggernaut through the first three rounds of the tournament, defeating Norfolk State, two-time defending champion UConn and Maryland. The Gators (33-4) have won nine in a row and 15 of 16.
Texas Tech understands the challenge that awaits.
“They have a plan that I think they execute as good as anybody in the country,” Texas Tech coach Grant McCasland after his team’s 85-83 victory over Arkansas in overtime on Thursday. “I watched a little bit of the SEC championship and watched them basically just play their best basketball of the year. I’ve heard consistently from coaches that they’re playing the best of anybody in the country.
“This is what you sign up for when you play in the NCAA Tournament and you want the opportunity to play the best, but we’ve got a tremendous amount of respect because I think they play the right way and they can beat you in a ton of different ways. They’ve got grit and fight and a great plan, and they execute.”
On the flip side, Texas Tech is no slouch, either.
Despite being undersized at almost every position against a streaking Arkansas team, the Red Raiders charged back down the stretch behind clutch play on both ends.
The result was the second biggest comeback in Sweet 16 history.
Sacramento native and Texas Tech’s second-leading scorer Darrion Williams struggled to make shots. But he scored 20 points on 26 attempts, hitting a game-tying 3-pointer and the go-ahead layup in overtime to seal the win.
Big 12 player of the year JT Toppin was a force, finishing with 20 points and 10 boards while guard Christian Anderson led all scorers with 22.
“They’re a really good team,” Florida forward Thomas Haugh said Friday. “They have two really good bigs that they play to, and they’ve got a good rim-protector big. And their guards can all shoot. It’s going to be a really good game. We’ve got to stick to the scout, stick to the game plan.”
Here are the game’s top storylines:
FLORIDA’S SIZE
Florida will have the clear height advantage.
The Gators start 6-foot-11 forward Alex Condon and 6-10 center Rueben Chinyelu – two athletic shot blockers who are also proficient in the post. Florida also brings Haugh, a 6-9 forward, and 7-1 center Micah Handlogten off the bench.
The Gators more than doubled Maryland’s rebounding totals, hauling in 42 to the Terps’ 20.
“I feel like their size is one of them things,” Texas Tech forward Federiko Federiko told reporters on Friday. “And they’re aggressive, super aggressive.”
While Federiko is 6-11 and Toppin is 6-9, the duo didn’t play much on the floor together against a similarly big Arkansas team. The Red Raiders often went small to combat Arkansas’ size with quickness.
CAN TECH HAVE A BETTER SHOOTING NIGHT?
For a majority of Thursday’s game, Texas Tech failed to get into any sort of offensive rhythm.
The Red Raiders shot 35.3% from the field in the first half and struggled to get to the rim against Arkansas’ length and athleticism.
Despite his clutch shot making down the stretch, Williams will probably need to be efficient from the field early against a Florida team that plays very well from ahead.
On Thursday, Williams shot 8 of 26 overall and 2 of 10 from 3-point range.
Still, he made an impact.
“I think to play a game like he played yesterday, not being able to make shots early or struggling early, but to keep the confidence to make those shots down the stretch I think is why he’s the heart of the team, just that confidence and his will to go win for us,” teammate Kevin Overton said.

STRENGTH IN NUMBERS
While Florida has the size and athleticism to match up with any team in the country, perhaps the Gators’ biggest advantage is their depth.
Six players scored six or more points against Maryland and eight players played eight minutes or more.
“It’s our biggest strength,” Golden said. “We go nine deep. With Micah (Handlogten) coming back, I have equated it to kind of getting a deadline trade deal done. Him coming back when he did was huge for us.
“This time of year, having that depth is incredible.”

WILL CHANCE MCMILLIAN PLAY?
Texas Tech guard and Vallejo native Chance McMillian missed his fourth straight game with an oblique injury on Thursday and will again be a game-time decision, according to McCasland.
The senior is Texas Tech’s third leading scorer and a 41% shooter from the 3-point line.
McCasland said McMillian participated in Texas Tech’s pregame shoot around on Thursday and was expected to play in some capacity. But he was scratched from the lineup after he told McCasland he didn’t feel right.
“We’re just trying to give him confidence that he can do it and trying to support him as best we can,” McCasland said.

Originally Published:
Florida
Florida ‘super speeders’ may face stiffer penalties

New bill targets Florida ‘super speeders’
Florida lawmakers are considering a bill that would stiffen penalties for so-called “super speeders:” those who drive at least 50 mph over the speed limit or are clocked driving 100 mph or faster. FOX 13’s Kailey Tracy reports.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida lawmakers want to pump the brakes on drivers exceeding the speed limit.
A new bill looks to increase the penalties for so-called super speeders. House Bill 351 defines super speeders as anyone driving 50 mph or more over the speed limit or driving 100 mph. Representative Susan Plasencia introduced the bill.
Why you should care:
The first offense could land you in jail for up to 90 days, or a fine of $500, or both. The second time, you could go to jail for up to six months, pay a fine of at least $5,000, or face both jail time and the fine.
You’ll also get your license suspended for one year.
READ: Accused driver offered plea deal for DUI crash that killed 19-year-old motorcyclist
In Orange County in January, deputies cited 101 drivers for going 100 miles per hour or more. In January of last year, they cited 29. Orange County Sheriff John Mina is a big supporter of the bill and says one of his priorities this year is to push for a law to increase penalties for super speeders.
What they’re saying:
“We put these signs out all the time that say, ‘Hey, you know, drive like your kids live here,’” Sheriff Mina said. “And if you’re going that fast in a residential area, that’s what I as a parent and that’s where most residents are concerned, you know, you’re going to hit a kid. You’re going to hit a dog. You’re going to you’re going to kill somewhere,” Sheriff Mina said.
What’s next:
The bill is currently in the Criminal Justice Subcommittee. If the bill is passed and the governor signs it into law, it will go into effect July 1.
The Source: This story was written with information gathered by FOX 13’s Kailey Tracy.
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Florida
Top-seeded Florida defeats Maryland in Sweet 16 at Chase Center

Will Richard scored 15 points, Alijah Martin added 14 points and seven rebounds, and top-seeded Florida played a steady second half to run away from No. 4 seed Maryland and into the NCAA Tournament’s West Region final with an 87-71 win Thursday night.
Walter Clayton Jr. contributed 13 points and four assists as Florida’s Big Three seniors and their deep supporting cast took down the Maryland “Crab Five” starters — one of Terrapins coach Kevin Willard’s concerns coming into this matchup.
Freshman sensation Derik Queen scored 27 points to lead Maryland (27-9) in what might have been Willard’s final game guiding the program. He has been linked to the opening at Villanova.
Florida (33-4) advances to play Saturday against the winner of Thursday’s late game at Chase Center between third-seeded Texas Tech and No. 10 seed Arkansas.
The Gators, in the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2017 and seeking the program’s first Final Four berth since 2014, committed 13 of their 17 turnovers in the first half but took better care of the ball over the final 20 minutes. Florida already eliminated two-time defending NCAA champion UConn in the second round and is 10-1 in regional semifinals.
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