Georgia

Georgia Republican calls DC a ‘warzone’ after staffer robbed at gunpoint

Published

2 years ago

June 10, 2024

Georgia Republican calls DC a ‘warzone’ after staffer robbed at gunpoint

Republican congressman Mike Collins recently described Washington, D.C. as a “warzone” after one of his staffers was robbed at gunpoint in the city.

The Georgia representative criticized the capital’s Democratic government after a member of his staff and a friend were confronted by three men, who threatened them with a gun and stole a watch from them.

In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), Collins said: “Early this morning, three men attempted to rob one of my staffers and a friend at gunpoint in Navy Yard.

“One attacker took a watch, the other took a fist to the face. Our nation’s capital has become a warzone because of pro-criminal policies peddled by D.C.’s government.

Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA) departs a House Republican Conference meeting at the U.S. Capitol on November 2, 2023 in Washington, DC. The congressman criticized D.C. leadership after his staffer was robbed at gunpoint.

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“Thank the good Lord, after fending off the assailants, both young men are safe.”

According to data from the Metropolitan Police Department, violent crime in D.C. has increased by 39 percent in 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, along with significant increases in robberies and motor vehicle thefts. The number of homicides in the area also saw a significant increase of 35 percent in the same time period.

So far in 2024, there have been 448 cases of assault with a dangerous weapon reported to the police, along with 846 robberies. Overall, police have reported 1,450 violent crimes this year, and 11,717 crimes total, as of June 7.

In March earlier this year, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser signed an extensive anti-crime bill into law, which gave police new control over DNA sample collection for violent offenders, while also cracking down on carjacking and gun violence by expanding the list of possible offences.

Discussing the legislation at the time, Bowser said: “We want the message to be very clear: If you are participating in those activities, we will hold you accountable. Our community has sent a very clear message. People are tired of crime and violence, and they want to count on accountability.”

Newsweek contacted Mike Collins and the Mayor of Washington, DC’s office for comment.

Last October, a staffer working for Alabama senator Katie Britt was confronted in a similar way, when a lone gunman threatened them with a gun to give up a purse and car keys.

Britt later said: “It is infuriating and completely unacceptable that an American who is on Capitol Hill to serve her country cannot safely walk the streets of Washington, D.C., at 8:30 at night because of the out-of-control crime in this city.”

Do you have a story we should be covering? Do you have any questions about crime in the U.S.? Contact LiveNews@newsweek.com

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Georgia

Man accused of raping University of Georgia student, police say

Published

2 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Man accused of raping University of Georgia student, police say

ATHENS, Ga. – A 19-year-old is facing assault-related charges after police said he raped a University of Georgia student early Saturday morning while she was walking home.

What we know:

Tydarius Wingfield of Athens allegedly approached the student in the area of 400 North Thomas Street just before 1:40 a.m. and asked to walk her home.

Wingfield and the victim did not know each other.

Wingfield then forced the woman behind a building where he sexually assaulted her, police said.

Investigators used the Real Time Crime Center’s camera system to see where the assault happened and track the victim and Wingfield’s movements. Officers continued tracking Wingfield until his arrest and positively identified him using the RTCC technology.

He is charged with rape, kidnapping, aggravated sexual battery and battery.

An investigation is ongoing.

What we don’t know:

It is unclear whether the victim was taken to the hospital after being attacked.

What you can do:

Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact Detective Burgamy at Charles.Burgamy@accgov.com or 762-400-7173.

The Source: Information in this report comes from the Athens-Clarke County Police Department.

Athens-Clarke CountyUniversity of GeorgiaNewsCrime and Public Safety

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Georgia

Georgia’s Iranian community reacts to death of Ayatollah Khamenei

Published

14 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Georgia’s Iranian community reacts to death of Ayatollah Khamenei

ATLANTA – As conflict intensifies between the United States, Israel and Iran, reactions are pouring in across the Atlanta metro area after President Donald Trump confirmed the death of Iran’s supreme leader.

The president confirmed on Truth Social that Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in a joint strike led by the U.S. and Israel.

What they’re saying:

“I have been waiting to hear this news for the last 20 years,” said Dr. Sasan Tavassoli, an Atlanta-based pastor born in Iran.

“Ayatollah Khamenei has been responsible for the killing of tens of thousands of Iranians over the last three decades. He has been a very evil dictator and a very oppressive tyrant.”

Other local Iranians, like Shohreh Mir, expressed a long-standing desire for internal change rather than outside intervention.

“This was an imposed war,” Mir said. “We still very much would like for Iranian people to change the regime by themselves.”

What’s next:

Tavassoli said the Ayatollah’s death now creates a new issue.

“Ayatollah Khamenei never invested in raising a succession after himself,” he said, “so the crisis of the Iranian revolution and the Iranian regime is there is no legitimate successor.”

While the long-term duration of the conflict remains unknown, Iran has already begun launching retaliatory strikes following the attack.

“This is a huge development for day one, but the war is not over,” Tavassoli noted. “There are still many ways that things can become even more bloody and destructive in the coming days and weeks.”

The Source: Information in this article came from FOX 5’s Rey Llerena speaking with Iranian Americans across Georgia.

IranDonald J. TrumpNewsPolitics

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Georgia

Body found near Georgia Power dam on Radium Springs Road in Albany

Published

1 day ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Body found near Georgia Power dam on Radium Springs Road in Albany

ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) – A person was found dead in the 5200 block of Radium Springs Road on Saturday morning, according to Dougherty County Coroner Michael Fowler.

Body recovered in early morning water rescue call(WALB NEWS 10)

Fowler said the call came in as a water rescue. The body was recovered early Saturday, Feb. 28.

The coroner confirmed the person found was male. His identity and age remain unknown.

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