Southwest
FBI offering $10,000 reward for info leading to arrest of suspects in deadly New Mexico wildfires
The FBI is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspects responsible for starting two New Mexico wildfires that killed two people and destroyed or damaged hundreds of structures.
The South Fork and Salt Fires were discovered near Ruidoso, New Mexico on June 17. The FBI said the fires caused “significant damage.”
The twin wildfires forced thousands to flee their homes. Full-time residents of Ruidoso will be allowed to return to their village Monday morning but were advised to bring drinking water, at least a week’s worth of food, and be prepared to be without gas, electricity or water.
The FBI said it was seeking public assistance in identifying the cause of the fires, though a Sunday notice pointedly suggested humans were responsible. The $10,000 reward being offered by the bureau is for information “leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for starting the fires near Ruidoso, New Mexico.”
Lincoln County Manager Randall Camp said Saturday that “we are approaching a thousand homes lost” in the fires.
TANKER TRUCK EXPLODES ON TEXAS HIGHWAY LEAVING SEVERAL CRITICALLY INJURED
President Joe Biden has issued a disaster declaration for parts of southern New Mexico. The move freed up funding and more resources to help with recovery efforts including temporary housing, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property and other emergency work in Lincoln County and on lands belonging to the Mescalero Apache Tribe.
A charred car and the remains of the Swiss Chalet Hotel are pictured after being destroyed by the South Fork Fire in the mountain village of Ruidoso, N.M., Saturday, June 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)
More than 1,100 firefighters continued to fight the flames in steep and rocky terrain Sunday. The South Fork and Salt fires are still burning on both sides of Ruidoso and a threat of flash floods still looms over the village.
The National Interagency Fire Center said the South Fork Fire, which reached 26 square miles, was 31% contained Sunday. It said the Salt Fire that has spread over 12 square miles was now 7% contained. Full containment isn’t expected until July 15.
Smoke rises off the remains of a house destroyed by the South Fork Fire in the mountain village of Ruidoso, N.M., Saturday, June 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)
Authorities said downed power lines, damaged water, sewer and gas lines plus flooding in burn scars continued to pose risks to firefighters and the public.
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham toured some of the disaster area on Saturday with Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator Deanne Criswell.
Even with federal and state assistance on the table, Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford estimates it could take at least five years for the area to fully recover.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Read the full article from Here
Family members have identified 15-year-old Rosemead High School student Aziel Zacapala as the boy killed in a stabbing outside an elementary school in El Monte on July 10.
A candlelight vigil was held for Zacapala at the Rosemead skate park at 6 p.m. Saturday. The original location of the vigil was moved from 9700 Fern Street in El Monte, where the stabbing happened, as homicide detectives continue to investigate the scene.
Zacapala was one of three people stabbed during a fight that broke out on Fern Street around 1 p.m., according to information released by the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department and the El Monte Police Department. Authorities were called to a local emergency room that afternoon, where two adults and Zacapala were being treated for stab wounds.
Zacapala was pronounced dead at the hospital. The adult victims are in stable condition and expected to survive, authorities said.
A GoFundMe page created to help Zacapala’s family pay for funeral expenses described the slain teen as a “beloved nephew, friend, son and high school football player” … “whose life was tragically cut short.”
“Aziel was a good kid, full of promise and kindness, and he had big dreams of making it to the big leagues as a football player,” the GoFundMe page reads. “His absence leaves a deep void in our family and community.”
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15-year-old Aziel Zacapala was stabbed to death in El Monte on July 10, 2026. (GoFundMe) -
A vigil was held for 15-year-old Aziel Zacapala Satruday. “AZ” was stabbed to death in El Monte on July 10, 2026. (KTLA)
Zacapala, known as “AZ” by fellow Rosemead High School students, was playing football with friends at Rosemead Park’s Fourth of July event days before the suspected attack, his family said. Now his loved ones are asking for community support as they mourn his death.
“His mother, who is currently unemployed and raising two other young children — including a newborn — has been doing Instacart orders just to stay afloat,” the GoFundMe reads. “Now, she faces the overwhelming daily hardships of supporting her family during this devastating time.”
As of Saturday night, the GoFundMe has raised $16,000 of its $24,000 goal.
No suspects were found at the scene of the stabbing and no arrests have been made in the case, authorities said.
“Investigators are still working to determine whether more than one suspect was involved,” LASD deputies said Saturday morning. “Currently, there is no suspect description available.”
Anyone with information about the stabbings is asked to call the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500.
Los Angeles, Ca
19-year-old arrested, accused of distributing marijuana to minors across Riverside County
A 19-year-old suspect was arrested for the alleged distribution of marijuana to juveniles across Riverside County. Authorities identified the man as Manuel Guerra Meza, 19, of Coachella. On May 15, deputies from the Thermal Sheriff’s Station began investigating reports of a suspect who had been selling a variety of illicit substances to juveniles throughout the […]
New details are emerging in the fatal stabbing of a boy near an El Monte elementary school that took place on Friday afternoon. According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, which is assisting the El Monte Police Department in the investigation, the stabbing was reported around 1 p.m. Initially, the location provided by […]
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