A New Jersey resident charged with the murder of two teenage girls reportedly mocked his detractors during a livestream just a day after the tragic incident, flaunting the “engagement” their reactions generated.

The victims, Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas, both 17 years old, were riding electric bicycles on September 29, 2025, in Cranford, New Jersey, when Vincent Battiloro, now 18, allegedly drove his vehicle into them deliberately, according to prosecutors. Battiloro was subsequently charged with adult murder on Friday, June 26.

Following the alleged fatal incident, Battiloro appeared on a YouTube gaming livestream, where he brazenly talked about the “engagement” he was receiving from viewers commenting on the incident.

“Engage with me more in the chat, and it boosts my content’s engagement, which translates to YouTube earnings for me. Just so you know, keep it up,” Battiloro stated. “I’m not doing anything until the negativity in the messages subsides,” he added.

After people watching the stream continually commented about the deaths of Niotis and Salas, Battiloro eventually got fed up and briefly addressed the situation.

“There has been a lot of misinformation going on over the internet. But I will say this. I wish my sincerest condolences to those two girls lost in that tragic accident. It is an absolute unfortunate situation. And there’s more to the story that you’re not getting,” Battiloro said. “But when the time comes. I will explain it in greater detail. I’m not authorized to talk about the whole thing.”

Police said Battiloro’s own dash camera showed him getting inside a Jeep Compass on Sept. 29, 2025, and driving to the area of Burnside Avenue in Cranford, near the home of one of the victims. After he parked, according to police, both teen girls were seen on electric bikes headed in the opposite direction.

The suspect then made a U-turn to follow the victims while he accelerated the Jeep, according to detectives, who said that the video shows both girls being struck at a high rate of speed before the vehicle ultimately stopped.

Battiloro then fled the scene by foot, officials said.

Battiloro’s identity was previously withheld because he was a minor when allegedly committing the crimes, but his case was transferred to adult court on Friday, June 26. He is now charged with two counts of first-degree murder.

Brent Bramnick, who is representing Niotis’ family, told News Media they are thankful the case was moved to adult court.

“The decision to try the defendant as an adult is a welcomed sliver of justice. We are grateful to the Prosecutor’s Office for their efforts as well as the community at large for continuing to keep Maria and Isabella’s memories alive,” Bramnick said.

Battiloro allegedly swatted the family’s home in Cranford twice in September 2025, according to Bramnick. He said both incidents took place between Sept. 1 and Sept. 15 in 2025.

After the two incidents, Bramnick said the Niotis family wants to know “what went on?”

“What investigation, if any, went on after all that the family reported and all the information that the police had in their possession. That’s the question. So we need those questions answered,” Bramnick said. “And that’s why we’re involved, because we’re doing our own investigations to try to get to the bottom of those questions.”

News Media reached out to Battiloro’s attorney for comment.

Erika Kirk is preparing to confront difficult evidence this week as the murder trial of her husband, Charlie Kirk, brings her face-to-face with the accused, Tyler Robinson, for a crucial court hearing.

“This week will be challenging for everyone involved,” said a source aware of the circumstances. Friends and family of Charlie Kirk are expected to attend the five-day evidence hearing set to take place in Provo, Utah, where Tyler Robinson will be in court.

“The evidence presented may compel the family to exit the courtroom,” the source added. “That’s entirely their choice, and they will decide how to proceed during the court sessions.”

In Utah, a preliminary hearing allows prosecutors to showcase their evidence against the defendant to help the judge determine if enough probable cause exists to proceed to trial. This hearing takes the place of a grand jury indictment in the state’s legal proceedings.

The hearing, which begins on Monday, is set to include graphic video footage of the public assassination, alongside autopsy evidence, all of which will be presented to Judge Tony Graf for consideration.

It was not immediately clear if the photos of Kirk’s body would be displayed.

Lawyers on both sides have agreed to give warnings to Kirk’s loved ones so they can decide whether to leave the courtroom during those disturbing portions of the proceeding.

Robinson is accused of shooting Kirk, 31, from long range while he was speaking in front of a crowd of thousands at Utah Valley University in Orem on Sept. 10.

The 23-year-old gunman allegedly admitted to the shooting in messages with his trans lover Lance Twiggs, which are expected to be presented at the hearing, according to prosecutors.

Included in the evidence is likely to be a recorded interview that Twiggs underwent.

The 22-year-old former roommate of Robinson’s sat down with prosecutors on April 20 to discuss Robinson.

Twiggs — who was spotted laying low with family in Texas earlier this year — was given limited immunity for that interview.

Robinson could face the death penalty if convicted. He has yet to enter a plea in the case.

Drew Scott, the well-known HGTV personality, has shared an emotional experience that he refers to as a ‘heartbreaking wake-up call.’

At 48, the Property Brothers host took to Instagram to recount a poignant moment with his four-year-old son, Parker, which prompted him to reevaluate his life’s priorities.

In a heartfelt video, Scott began by saying, ‘I don’t know who needs to hear this, but if you’re constantly rushing around, as I often do, you might find this story resonates with you.’

He continued, ‘I returned home one day and greeted Parker with, “Hey Parker, give me a hug.” To my surprise, he ran off instead.

‘What he did next was both amusing and eye-opening—he grabbed a toy, held it to his ear, walked around, and said, “I’m on a business call,”‘ shared Scott, who is also the father of two-year-old Piper.

It soon became clear that Parker was mimicking his father’s repeated actions. 

Scott shared: ‘It was heartbreaking for me because he just saw me on calls all the time.

‘So that was a wake-up for me to not be on my phone when I’m around the kids. 

‘To show them that I’m actually present, I’m listening to their questions, I’m answering, I’m playing with them.’

The TV personality, who presents home renovation shows alongside brother Jonathan Scott, said that he then vowed to change his habits at home. 

‘It’s a small thing, but for me to be present there, I can see it in Piper’s face, she gets excited. And for me, it’s heartwarming, and I love it. 

‘But if I were just to be in my busy, busy work pace, I would do calls over my lunch and I would skip that. 

‘Then all of a sudden I would look back years from now and think I missed these crucial points in my baby’s life.’

Concluding the message to his 2.7 million followers, he poignantly said: ‘It’s going to feel pretty empty at the end of your career or at the end of your life if you look back and all you did was work.

‘And don’t be that person checking your phone when you’re hanging out with family.’ 

Real estate broker Scott met podcast producer Linda Phan in 2010 before getting engaged in 2016.

Their wedding was documented in the 2018 TLC special Property Brothers: Linda and Drew Say I Do.

Scott and Phan welcomed their first child – son Parker – in May 2022. Their family grew again with the birth of daughter Piper in May 2024 with both kids welcomed via IVF after battling fertility issues.

Scott’s heartfelt message comes just months after Phan’s mother passed away.

At the time, he took to social media with a touching tribute that read: ‘My heart is broken. We have lost one of the most beautiful, kind and selfless people this planet has ever seen.

‘Linda’s mom is truly one of a kind and was taken from us far too soon.

‘Thank you Habu for bringing so much light to our lives. Your laugh was infectious and I will always remember our late nights playing your favorite game.’

Scott continued: ‘I feel helpless in trying to comfort Linda and her family but know memories of all the beautiful times with Habu will live on with us forever.

‘You were always there for us and all 10 grandkids. The hardest thing for me is to know we won’t have you here to see Parker and Piper grow into strong and compassionate adults like you. I love you. I miss you.’

NEW YORK (AP) — As the United States gears up for its 250th birthday, a wave of patriotic initiatives is aiming to unite Americans through widespread community service and celebratory branded campaigns. Leading U.S. nonprofits are striving for unprecedented volunteer turnout, while giants like Walmart and Coca-Cola join the festivities with commemorative launches and exclusive merchandise.

However, a rift is apparent with rival events arising from two different commissions. Late last year, former President Donald Trump established Freedom 250—a nonprofit led by his affiliates—to offer an alternative agenda to America250, the official bipartisan commission established by Congress in 2016.

“The American dream is alive again,” Trump declared at a campaign-style rally on June 24, marking the commencement of Freedom 250’s Great American State Fair. This event, however, faced setbacks as nearly all its musical acts pulled out over concerns that the fair had become excessively political.

Philanthropy sees local impact as key to engagement

In stark contrast, America250 champions include the initiative America Gives. This program seeks to revitalize the spirit of volunteerism by partnering with nonprofits and encouraging citizens to record their service hours in a dedicated online system.

Merle Heatwole, the National Commander for Salvation Army USA, expressed disappointment that some participants view the nonpartisan program through a political lens. Nevertheless, he acknowledged the huge support of thousands of churches for May’s “Good Neighbor Day,” a volunteering effort.

“Some people have shied away because they’re not sure whether this is a nonpartisan effort, or whether it’s connected to the Trump administration versus the Democratic administrations,” Heatwole said. “That, I think, has hindered it slightly. But I think that overall, people are excited about having an opportunity to get involved.”

The America Gives tracker counted ”just over 38 million hours volunteered entering the holiday weekend.” It’s unclear how many hours would set the single-year record. Americans recorded 4.99 billion service hours in a one-year span from 2022-2023, according to an AmeriCorps analysis of Census Bureau data.

America250 Chair Rosie Rios said there will be a big year-end increase because many partners wait until “the last second” to populate their hours. She emphasized that highlighting the value of service is their only agenda.

Most nonprofits aren’t leveraging semiquincentennial campaigns, one consultant found. Jayne Cravens, whose 30-year nonprofit career has included volunteer coordination, said nonprofits lack the infrastructure to provide meaningful service experiences. That’s especially so after the Trump administration gutted AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, in 2025. Nonprofits scrambled to replace lost workers and funding.

Audra Watson, who leads youth civic programs at the nonprofit C&S, is spearheading a three-year effort to increase civic engagement among 20 million people ages 14 to 24.

She finds most young people are getting engaged through appeals outside of the 250th. While the milestone has sparked “some excitement for some young people,” she said, those participants are “hand-raisers” already “deeply excited about history.”

The more they encourage young people to consider local impact, where she said they hold the most influence, the more she finds they depart from partisanship.

“For some young people, the 250th is their thing,” she said. “But for many, many more of them this is about really taking that energy and catalyzing that energy around issues of their community.”

Dueling logos muddle the market

Marketing consultants say brands have to tread carefully, given a divided nation and shrinking national pride.

Further jumbling 250th celebration advertising, marketing executives noted, have been the two competing logos. The America250 emblem depicts a bold red, white and blue continuous ribbon that spells out “250.” The Freedom 250 design features the words “Freedom 250” written in a classic serif font, placed inside a circular arrangement of 13 stars, a nod to the original U.S. flag

“Once you have two competing logos, it’s confusing,” said Allen Adamson, co-founder of marketing consultancy Metaforce.

Walmart, an America250 founding sponsor, is sponsoring a mobile recording studio that is collecting oral histories across the country. The Library of Congress will archive a selection of stories, the company said.

Coca‑Cola launched “Paint the Nation,” a large-scale public art initiative resulting in dozens of murals created with local artists. The company said each mural will reflect local culture and community pride, creating a “visual legacy that extends beyond the anniversary year.” Commemorative mini-cans are also being issued for all 50 states plus Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.

Aaron Hilton of Suffolk, Virginia says he’s seen lots of paper plates, cups and T-shirts with the America 250 reference. He’s not interested, blaming his lack of enthusiasm on the Trump administration.

“I’ll end up getting the Coke because I do drink Coke, but otherwise I really don’t want to buy anything like that,” said Hilton, 36. “I’m not feeling really patriotic about this.”

Darrell Brown, 60, of Alexander, Arkansas, has already bought commemorative T-shirts and flags. Every year, he decorates his lawn with a 7-foot inflatable Uncle Sam. This year, he’s added more American flags than usual to commemorate the milestone.

Brown saye he’s been sticking to merchandise with America250 references. He finds it politically divisive to have two logos.

“I don’t believe this should be a political issue,” he said. “I think it should be just about celebrating the country, regardless if you’re a Democrat or Republican.”

Grassroots programming defined commemoration 50 years ago

Future generations might be pleasantly surprised to see all their communities accomplished under the milestone’s banner, according to M.J. Rymsza-Pawlowska, a cultural historian who wrote a book about the 1976 bicentennial.

She recalled that the Vietnam war and Watergate still felt fresh during those celebrations. President Richard Nixon initially replaced Lyndon B. Johnson’s bipartisan planning commission with one composed of political appointees interested in a top-down celebration of American supremacy.

But Nixon scrapped those plans in place of federal funding for grassroots programming, Rymsza-Pawlowska said, which grew into forms of civic engagement still popular today. Environmental pick-ups and get-out-the-vote work were common forms of bicentennial volunteerism.

Private funders still support such efforts, though not at the scale possible with government backing. State humanities councils launched a “By the People” campaign to fund community-driven programs exploring the nation’s culture and imagining its future. Her Washington, D.C. chapter created an oral history project that promises “an intimate and complex portrait of what it means to call the nation’s capital home” today.

“We don’t really know what the ultimate legacy of the 250th will be,” Rymsza-Pawlowska said. “A commemoration is just an opportunity to do a thing that you were already doing but have an occasion for it. And possibly get some money for it.”

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