A family from California alleges they became victims of a racially charged assault while staying at a luxury resort in Maui. According to reports, the family members, spanning from teenagers to elderly individuals, were attacked with chairs and beaten during a tumultuous poolside confrontation.

Maui law enforcement officials confirmed to News Media that they responded to a chaotic scene at the Kaanapali Alii resort in Lahaina on the night of July 17. Around 10 p.m., officers discovered a disorderly gathering of about 30 people, with 10 to 15 individuals remaining near the pool when they arrived, several of whom had visible injuries.

Initial investigations by the police revealed that seven victims from California, aged between 17 and 62, were attacked. The victims reported that a large group of juveniles assaulted various members of their group before making their escape.

According to statements provided to Maui police, one of the victims recounted that while he and his family were relaxing by the pool, a stranger ran towards them, crying out for assistance. This was quickly followed by a group of young males who pursued the individual, ultimately focusing their aggression on nearby bystanders.

“The group allegedly began throwing chairs and physically assaulting numerous people in the area, indiscriminately attacking individuals of all ages, including elderly family members who were struck during the incident,” Maui police told News Media.

Family members told Hawaii News Now the alleged attackers repeatedly threatened to “beat up the haole boys” before the violence erupted. 

Merriam-Webster defines “haole” as a Hawaiian term used to describe a foreigner or person of non-Hawaiian descent.

The family told the outlet it wants the assault investigated as a hate crime. Maui police have not classified the incident as a hate crime.

One of the most seriously injured victims was a relative who was struck in the head with a chair while trying to protect family members, suffering a severe head wound that required 13 staples, according to the family.

Police told News Media that the investigation led to the arrest of a 20-year-old Makawao man on suspicion of second-degree assault. He was later released as the investigation continues. The case is currently classified as an assault/riot, and detectives have interviewed those involved while continuing to gather evidence.

In a statement to News Media, Kaanapali Alii said the safety and well-being of its guests, residents and team members “remains our highest priority” and that resort security responded immediately after the violence broke out.

“Upon learning of the altercation, our security team responded promptly, contacted the Maui Police Department and emergency medical services, and remained on scene to assist until first responders arrived,” the resort said. “We have provided surveillance footage and are cooperating fully with law enforcement as their investigation continues.”

The resort said it is also conducting its own internal review of the incident.

Addressing the family’s allegation that they were targeted because of their race, the resort said it takes claims of racial bias seriously but cautioned against drawing conclusions before detectives complete their investigation.

“We take allegations of this nature seriously,” the statement said. “At this time, allegations regarding motive or the circumstances surrounding the incident have not been substantiated, and it would be inappropriate to speculate or draw conclusions while the investigation remains ongoing.”

The resort also acknowledged that staff received reports of threats, harassment and disruptive behavior involving individuals connected to the incident before the violence erupted, but declined to discuss those complaints further because of the active criminal investigation.

“Because this remains an active criminal investigation, we cannot comment on specific security actions, witness accounts or other details that could compromise the investigative process,” the resort said.

The property said it remains committed to supporting investigators and those affected by the violence.

“Our focus remains on the well-being of our guests, residents and team members, and on assisting law enforcement in every way possible,” the statement said.

Anyone with information or video related to the incident is asked to contact the Maui Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division at (808) 244-6425.

The New York Giants recently revisited familiar faces while also welcoming two fresh talents into their fold during a tryout session. Among the new signees are a couple of athletes who may not yet be household names.

Tyler Moore, an undrafted rookie tight end who hails from Iowa State, made an impression during his college career with 21 receptions totaling 245 yards and scoring two touchdowns over the span of four seasons. Joining him is defensive tackle Marlon Davidson. Both players are expected to accompany the Giants as the team heads from East Rutherford to White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia for the initiation of their training camp on Tuesday.

At 28 years old, Davidson brings experience with him, having participated in 25 NFL games since being drafted in the second round in 2020. His most recent appearance was with the Houston Texans last season. Davidson’s addition comes as a replacement for C.J. Ravenell, a defensive tackle who was recently released due to a non-football-related injury.

On the workout front, a total of 18 players showcased their skills. Among them was Kenneth Murray, a linebacker who has formerly played for the Chargers, Titans, and Cowboys, originally picked in the first round.

Other noteworthy contenders making appearances included quarterback Jake Haener and defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi, each adding intrigue to the mix of prospects tested by the Giants.

Haener played in eight games, including one against the Giants, with one start for the Saints in 2024. He was a 2023 fourth-round pick.

Fatukasi, a Far Rockaway native, spent four seasons (2018-21) with the Jets before leaving for a three-year, $30 million free-agent contract with the Jaguars. He also played for the Texans.

CHICAGO (WLS) — The American Red Cross has raised alarms over a significant dip in blood donations, declaring a critical shortage.

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Right now, the stock of Type “O” blood has dwindled to less than a day’s supply.

This marks just the second instance in which the American Red Cross has categorized the situation as a crisis.

Several reasons were mentioned by the organization that contribute to the shortfall, such as health concerns and poor air quality.

Mara Thompson of the American Red Cross appeared on ABC7 to shed light on the implications of this “crisis” declaration.

Summer is traditionally one of the toughest times of the year for blood collections.

After eight years on-staff at the Red Cross, helping to organize blood drives, Emily Alanis found herself in need of an emergency blood transfusion weeks before she was due to give birth to her son, Elliot.

She said doctors sprang into action when she went in for a check-up.

“Your platelet count has severely dropped and we’re calling in specialists to see what we have to do,” Alanis recalled.

And two days after he was born, Elliot also needed a transfusion.

“My antibodies had transferred to him and they started biting his blood; so he needed two transfusions of platelets,” Alanis said.

Alanis says she’s thankful there was enough blood available to help the two of them at that crucial time.

The blood supply has fallen nearly 25 percent in June, and blood donations are at a four-year summer low.

Thompson says the alarm was first sounded a couple of weeks ago.

“A critical stage means that right now we are seeing less than a one day supply of some blood types,” she said.

The Red Cross has begun limiting distributions of “O” blood to some hospitals, which means doctors may soon have to make decisions about who gets immediate care.

Only 3 percent of people in the U.S. donate blood for the rest of the country, and Thompson says if even more people rolled up their sleeves, that could help.

“If we just have three more people at the drives this month donating blood, that would get us out of this critical need and out of this crisis,” Thompson said.

To find a blood drive near you, or to schedule an appointment visit redcrossblood.org.

Authorities have identified the three individuals tragically killed in the shooting at Seattle’s Bite Of Seattle food festival on Sunday.

The victims have been named as Carlos Israel Sanchez Villalba, 44, Ashley Whitehead, 56, and Junior Cee Niko Semo, 19, according to information released by the King County Medical Examiner’s Office.

In a statement made on Monday afternoon, Mayor Katie Wilson confirmed that the 19-year-old, Semo, was involved in the incident resulting in his death. 

Carlos Villalba was cherished as a father of three beautiful children, while Ashley Whitehead was a dedicated mother to her two daughters, as detailed in their GoFundMe fundraising pages.

Reports from ABC10 indicated that Villalba suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the torso, resulting in his death at the festival, while Whitehead was critically injured in the pelvis and succumbed to her injuries at the hospital.

‘Ashley was waiting in line for cotton candy, enjoying the festival with her daughter, Zoie, and future son-in-law, Ben, when the violence began,’ a GoFundMe for Whitehead’s family read.

‘She was shot and, despite surviving long enough to exchange heartfelt “I love you’s” with her eldest daughter, passed away during surgery at Harborview.’

Villalba, who was described as ‘one of the best people on the planet,’ was spending time with loved ones when he tragically lost his life at the food festival, according to a GoFundMe created for his family. 

‘Carlos was a devoted husband, loving father of three, and a loyal friend who would do anything for anyone,’ according to the fundraiser.

‘His kindness and generosity touched countless lives, and everyone who knew him remembers his gentle spirit and willingness to help others,’ it added.

The funds raised through Villalba’s campaign will help cover his family’s day-to-day needs and funeral costs.

Whitehead had recently moved to the west coast from Alabama to be closer to her daughter, Zoie.  

Whitehead is remembered as a ‘lover of life, art and family.’ Her other daughter, Celeste, currently resides in Virginia.

This is the second fatal tragedy Whitehead’s daughter Zoie has endured, according to the GoFundMe. 

In 2018, she lost her partner of seven years, Michael, to heart failure. 

All the money raised in the GoFundMe will be donated to Zoie, as she will use the funds to support her family and to cover the bereavement services.

‘We are reaching out to the community for help. Any support you can offer—whether through donations or sharing this fundraiser—will make a meaningful difference for Zoie and Ben as they navigate the aftermath of Ashley’s passing and the trauma of the mass shooting,’ the fundraiser added. 

At least four others were wounded in Sunday night’s shooting, most victims were discharged and are recovering.

The other victims – two men, ages 23 and 27, and a woman, 39 – were released, a hospital spokesperson said. 

A two-year-old boy remains hospitalized after being struck by gunfire, but officials say he could be released as early as Monday.

The shootout erupted at the food festival near Seattle’s Space Needle just after 6pm, killing the three victims before police arrested a 15-year-old suspect. 

In a document filed in juvenile court in Seattle, where the 15-year-old arrested in the case did not appear for a scheduled initial appearance Monday, police said they believe there were at least three shooters, rather than two: the 15-year-old; an acquaintance who died at the scene; and ‘at least one other unknown suspect.’

‘Based on the evidence at the scene, investigators believe’ the 15-year-old ‘and one of the deceased engaged in a gunfight with at least one other unknown suspect,’ the document said.

The teen was being held in juvenile detention for investigation of firearms violations and first-degree assault ahead of the scheduled court appearance, Mayor Katie Wilson said at a news conference.

It was not immediately clear why the teen did not appear in court.

One of the victims was walking a bicycle when struck, the court document said. The toddler was with his mother.

The annual three-day festival draws hundreds of food and retail vendors and performers to Seattle Center, a sprawling park and event space in the shadow of the Space Needle.

Many attendees rushed into campus buildings or ran from the park at the sound of the shots. 

This is a breaking news story. 

A sudden wave of illness struck at a youth academy with military-style training near Washington, D.C., sending at least 19 cadets to local hospitals on Sunday. The mysterious sickness triggered a mass casualty response, according to officials.

Emergency personnel quickly arrived at the Capital Guardian Youth Challenge Academy in Laurel, Maryland, after cadets started showing symptoms following lunch, shared the DC National Guard, with reports from FOX 5 DC.

The Capital Guardian Youth Challenge Academy, run by the DC National Guard, offers a structured, military-style life intervention program for teenagers identified as at risk, as described by the academy itself.

One mother told FOX 5 that blood tests at a hospital showed her son had elevated carbon monoxide levels. He reportedly developed delayed symptoms hours after other cadets were taken for treatment, including dizziness, headaches and nausea.

The mother added that the youth academy decided to temporarily close following the incident.

However, Anne Arundel County Fire Department officials said they conducted a carbon monoxide investigation and did not detect elevated levels of the gas, according to the local station.

Officials have not confirmed the cause of the illness but said it could be related to food.

DC National Guard officials said the health and safety of cadets and staff remain their highest priority and that they are working with emergency medical personnel and public health authorities as the investigation continues, according to FOX 5.

Officials added that while 19 cadets were sent to area hospitals, one adult was evaluated at the scene and declined further medical treatment.

News Media reached out to D.C. National Guard for more information.