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Arizona recreation area closed after hiker death and nearly 3 dozen rescues in just 2 days

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Arizona recreation area closed after hiker death and nearly 3 dozen rescues in just 2 days

Arizona Hot Springs and Goldstrike Trails announced they have closed multiple trails in Arizona’s Lake Mead National Recreation Area following the death of one hiker and the rescue of 33 others over the course of two days.

The social media post says the closure occurred due to dangerously high temperatures and multiple heat-related search and rescue incidents.

They say the canyons are expected to exceed 100°F, and many hikers are not “adequately prepared for these extreme conditions.”

2 MEN ACCUSED OF DAMAGING ANCIENT ROCK FORMATIONS AT LAKE MEAD FACE TRIAL | FOX NEWS VIDEO

Lake Mead National Recreation Area Headquarters announced they have closed multiple trails in Arizona’s Lake Mead National Recreation Area following the death of one hiker and the rescue of 33 others over the course of two days. (Lake Mead National Recreation Area – Andrew Cattoir)

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“With the season’s heat just beginning, most people are not yet acclimated, increasing the likelihood of heat illness,” they said. “Yesterday, a hiker died on the Arizona Hot Springs Trail in what is suspected to be a heat-related incident. Five other members of the same group were also experiencing heat distress and required helicopter evacuation.”

At the time of the post, rangers were actively responding to a large-scale rescue involving 28 hikers, three adults and 25 children with special needs.

Allegedly, the group attempted to reach Arizona Hot Springs without adequate preparation. 

They say the canyons are expected to exceed 100°F, and many hikers are not “adequately prepared for these extreme conditions.” (Lake Mead National Recreation Area – Instagram)

FEDS PROPOSE MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR HISTORIC RECREATION AREA IN NEVADA AND ARIZONA

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They also emphasized that with the conditions of the park there is a significant strain from these emergencies on park resources.

Currently, the park is to remain closed for the next several days and, depending on temperatures on Sunday and Monday, they may reopen temporarily.

“The trails may reopen temporarily, but closures will resume as conditions become hazardous again,” according to Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

A press release on the site states that these trails “will close for the summer once day-to-day temperatures stay dangerously high. These trails have a history of heat-related visitor rescues and, tragically, some fatalities as well. “

Rugged eroded volcanic basalt near Lake Mead in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada.  (Jon G. Fuller/VW Pics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

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A letter sent to parents of the children involved by school administrator Catherine Normoyle argued the details of the post, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

In the letter, the administrator says the hiking group consisted of 10 adults and 18 students, Normoyle said. Of which only three were identified as “special needs.” 

Normoyle also wrote that the school received citations from park officials for “creating a hazardous condition” and for leading a group of over 20 people without a permit.

The park website states that for the latest closure updates and information on safer alternatives, visit www.nps.gov/lake.

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Los Angeles, Ca

Man wanted for deadly Los Angeles road rage shooting extradited from Mexico

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Man wanted for deadly Los Angeles road rage shooting extradited from Mexico

A man wanted for a deadly road rage shooting in Los Angeles was arrested and extradited from Mexico after fleeing the U.S. in 2024.

The suspect was identified as Christian Rojas, 21, of Bellflower, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Authorities had been searching for him since the deadly incident on October 10, 2024. 

Rojas and a second suspect, Joshua Rojas Sr., 47, of Downey, were driving on the northbound 5 Freeway in Boyle Heights around 4 p.m. when they became involved in an altercation with another driver that escalated into a shooting.

  • Video obtained exclusively by KTLA shows the terrifying moment a road rage suspect opened fire the driver of another car on the 5 Freeway in Los Angeles, fatally wounding him and seriously injuring a passenger, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Credit: @hugoboss01)
  • Video obtained exclusively by KTLA shows the terrifying moment a road rage suspect opened fire the driver of another car on the 5 Freeway in Los Angeles, fatally wounding him and seriously injuring a passenger, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Credit: @hugoboss01)
  • Video obtained exclusively by KTLA shows the terrifying moment a road rage suspect opened fire the driver of another car on the 5 Freeway in Los Angeles, fatally wounding him and seriously injuring a passenger, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Credit: @hugoboss01)
  • Video obtained exclusively by KTLA shows the terrifying moment a road rage suspect opened fire the driver of another car on the 5 Freeway in Los Angeles, fatally wounding him and seriously injuring a passenger, on Oct. 10, 2024. (Credit: @hugoboss01)
  • Christian Rojas, 21, of Bellflower, was arrested and extradited to the U.S. from Mexico on June 2, 2026, in connection with a deadly road rage shooting in Los Angeles. (California Highway Patrol)

Video of the tense confrontation showed the suspects, who were driving a Dodge Durango SUV, opening fire on two men in a Cadillac sedan. 

The shooting forced the victim to pull over abruptly. That’s when a suspect ran up to the Cadillac, opened the passenger-side door and fired several shots at close range.

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In a panic, the Cadillac driver tried to escape by making a sudden U-turn and driving against oncoming traffic. He eventually crashed head-on into several vehicles.

The suspects ditched their SUV and fled toward a freeway exit on foot. The Cadillac driver was left with serious injuries and his passenger was killed. Their identities were not released.

The incident caused a miles-long backup that left thousands of motorists stranded on the freeway for hours and authorities worked to clear the scene.

Following an extensive investigation, detectives identified the two men as the suspects involved. 

Joshua Rojas Sr. was arrested in San Bernardino on October 22, 2024, on a murder charge. He remains in custody awaiting trial.

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Meanwhile, Christian Rojas had fled the U.S. and was hiding in Mexico, detectives said. A $4.3 million bail warrant was issued for his arrest. 

“Through a coordinated international effort, investigators determined that Rojas was living in Palomo de Arriba, Mexico,” CHP officials said. “The U.S. Marshals Service worked with Mexican state police to locate and arrest him on the outstanding warrant.”

On June 2, 2026, Christian was arrested and extradited to the U.S. to face a murder charge. 

“This arrest demonstrates that time and distance will not shield violent offenders from justice,” said CHP Southern Division Chief Chris Margaris. “For nearly two years, our detectives remained relentless in their pursuit of those responsible for this senseless act of violence. Through exceptional collaboration with the United States Marshals Service and our law enforcement partners in Mexico, we located and apprehended this suspect and brought him back to face the charges. We remain committed to protecting the public, supporting victims and their families, and holding violent criminals accountable wherever they may try to hide.”

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Los Angeles, Ca

NB 405 Freeway closed near LAX after pursuit ends in gunfire

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NB 405 Freeway closed near LAX after pursuit ends in gunfire

The northbound 405 Freeway will remain closed for several hours near Los Angeles International Airport after a police pursuit ended with officers opening fire Friday morning. Unconfirmed reports indicated the incident began with a robbery at a 7-Eleven store, which ended with Los Angeles Police Department officers pursuing the suspect in a Kia. The chase […]

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Los Angeles, Ca

'Top Gun: Maverick' actor identified as victim stabbed to death in Tarzana

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'Top Gun: Maverick' actor identified as victim stabbed to death in Tarzana

The victim in a bizarre and deadly stabbing in Tarzana has been identified as 81-year-old character actor James Handy, best known for a recent role in Tom Cruise’s “Top Gun: Maverick.” The stabbing happened around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in the 19200 block of Erwin Street in the West Valley area. Officers responded after receiving a […]

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