Kentucky
Kentucky teen accused of killing 2 bank employees busted after posting clues on social media
An 18-year-old accused of gunning down two Kentucky bank employees during a robbery was quickly tracked down when investigators linked him to his own Facebook posts.
Brailen Weaver was charged with armed bank robbery and firearms offenses causing death after the Thursday shooting at a US Bank branch in Berea, court records show.
Kentucky State Police later identified the victims as Breanna Edwards, 35, and Brian Switzer, 42.
A silver BMW seen on surveillance video became a key break in the case as investigators matched the vehicle to a car that Weaver had listed for sale on Facebook, according to an FBI affidavit filed Friday, the Associated Press reported.
The FBI also tied the suspect’s clothing to photos Weaver had posted online, and said he kept posting on social media after the deadly robbery.
Officials later spotted the BMW on Interstate 75 Thursday night, triggering a high-speed chase between Weaver and police.
The pursuit continued into Lexington, where speeds exceeded 130 mph before the car crashed and the suspect ran off on foot, the affidavit said.
The FBI affidavit detailing the case was written before the capture and does not mention an arrest.
But Kentucky State Police Officer Justin Kearney said in a social media post Friday that a “person of interest believed to be involved in yesterday’s Berea bank robbery has been apprehended.”
Weaver entered the bank just before 2 p.m. Thursday and “immediately shot and killed a male victim” before fatally shooting a teller, according to the affidavit.
He then checked multiple drawers and fled. Authorities have not said whether any money was taken.
“While there is no longer imminent danger, we understand that the tragedy is far from over for the community,” said Olivia Olson, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Louisville office.
“The only solace that we can offer is that this individual, who valued a stolen dollar more than two human lives, will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.”
Weaver could also face state charges tied to the killings.
US Bank said it was working with authorities and supporting victims’ families.
“We’re deeply saddened by the tragic event that took the lives of two of our employees at our Berea, Kentucky branch earlier today,” the company said.
“Our hearts go out to the families of the victims, our colleagues and the entire Berea community.”
Kentucky
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Kentucky
Tornado ripped through Florence area during storms, NWS confirms
Ohio tornado warnings: what residents should know
Severe storms June 17 in Ohio: know tornado watch vs. warning, safety steps, shelters and alerts.
A tornado was confirmed to have ripped through the Florence area during the overnight storms June 18.
The National Weather Service in Wilmington released a statement June 20 saying a tornado traveled eastward 6.2 miles across the Northern Kentucky city, 10 miles south of Cincinnati. It had estimated peak winds of 100 mph, which classifies it as an EF1 “moderate” tornado on the Enhanced Fujita Scale.
The tornado’s path goes mostly through residential areas, and the first evidence was found on Landings Way where several trees were snapped at their trunks, the weather service reported.
The tornado progressed east, crossing Interstate 71/75 and then seemingly dissipating on Tallwood Circle where multiple large branches were downed, the final known instance of damage.
Along the way, the tornado uprooted multiple trees and snapped branches, damaged several buildings and businesses, and snapped a large power pole near the intersection of U.S. 42 and Dream Street, according to the weather service.
How many tornadoes have been confirmed in Greater Cincinnati, beyond?
As of 1 p.m. June 20, the weather service has confirmed that apart from the one in Florence, two other tornadoes touched down in Greater Cincinnati on June 18:
- An EF2 “significant” tornado that traveled about 9 miles from Dearborn County, Indiana, to Boone County, Kentucky.
- An EF2 “significant” tornado that traveled just over 5 miles from Franklin County, Indiana, to Butler County, Ohio.
A few other tornadoes have been confirmed outside the Greater Cincinnati region, including an EF2 that traveled 23.6 miles from Scott County, Indiana, to Trimble County, Kentucky; an EF2 that traveled 9 miles across Pike County, Ohio; and one in Grant County, Kentucky, just north of Williamstown.
The weather service said details on the Grant County tornado will be released later on June 20.
Kentucky
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