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Kash Patel Pledges to Tackle 2020 Election Concerns Following Revelatory Report

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Kash Patel Pledges to Tackle 2020 Election Concerns Following Revelatory Report
Kash Patel has vowed that arrests are imminent in what he claims is a sweeping conspiracy tied to the 2020 election. The FBI director's promise came days after a political and legal firestorm erupted over a damning report that alleged erratic behavior and excessive drinking by Patel. During an appearance on Fox News on Sunday Morning, Patel insisted accountability is coming for the alleged 'rigging' of the election for former President Joe Biden. 'I am never going to let this go. They tried to rig the entire system. That's something I'm not going to allow,' Patel said when asked about the 2020 election . 'We are going to be making arrests. It's coming. I promise you it's coming soon.' The comments marked his most forceful public declaration yet, going beyond previous hints that the FBI had gathered evidence tied to President Donald Trump's long-standing claims that the election was stolen.

Kash Patel, a figure of interest in ongoing political discourse, has stirred attention with claims of imminent arrests related to an alleged conspiracy surrounding the 2020 election. This assertion comes amid a storm of controversy following a critical report of Patel’s conduct. Speaking on Fox News, Patel vowed that those he believes were involved in ‘rigging’ the election for President Joe Biden will face consequences. “I won’t let this go,” he declared, emphasizing his commitment to accountability and hinting at forthcoming arrests. This marks his most assertive public statement yet, amplifying previous suggestions that the FBI has compiled evidence supporting former President Donald Trump’s allegations of a manipulated election.

The Invisible Proof 

Such claims that have been repeatedly rejected by courts, election officials, and even Trump's own Justice Department during his first term. Patel stopped short of providing any specifics about the alleged evidence, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation. But he insisted the material exists and suggested it is being folded into a broader conspiracy case being pursued alongside Department of Justice prosecutors under Attorney General Todd Blanche. 'We have the information that backs President Trump's claim,' Patel said earlier in the same interview. 'I can't get ahead of the DOJ and the president, but President Trump… speaks truthfully when he says that.' 'Stay tuned this week. You might see a thing or two,' he teased.

Despite Patel’s strong declarations, his claims clash with numerous rejections from courts, election officials, and even Trump’s own Justice Department during his presidency. Patel refrained from detailing the purported evidence, citing the sensitive nature of the investigation. He did, however, assert that substantial information exists and is being integrated into a comprehensive conspiracy case in collaboration with Department of Justice prosecutors under Attorney General Todd Blanche. “We have the information backing President Trump’s claims,” Patel reiterated, urging the public to stay alert for potential developments in the coming week.

The Interrogation Failure 

The extraordinary claims come at a moment of mounting pressure on Patel personally, following a bombshell report published by The Atlantic that painted a deeply troubling portrait of the FBI director's conduct behind closed doors. According to the report - based on interviews with more than two dozen current and former FBI officials - Patel has been 'erratic, suspicious of others, and prone to jumping to conclusions before he has necessary evidence,' with some sources describing his behavior as a potential 'national-security vulnerability.' The article alleged that meetings had to be rescheduled because Patel had been drinking the night before, and that concerns had been raised internally about whether alcohol may have contributed to missteps in high-profile investigations, including the aftermath of the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Hours after the killing of the conservative activist in September 2025, Patel took to X to announce that the 'subject' in Kirk's murder was finally 'in custody.' But he walked back his earlier statement shortly after, announcing that the suspect 'has been released after an interrogation by law enforcement.'

These remarkable assertions arise during a period of increased scrutiny on Patel himself. A recent report by The Atlantic has cast doubt on his professional conduct, painting a picture of erratic behavior and potential national security risks. Based on interviews with over two dozen current and former FBI officials, the report describes Patel as prone to jumping to conclusions without sufficient evidence and suspicious of others. Concerns have also been raised about his alleged alcohol consumption affecting his judgment, particularly in high-profile investigations such as the aftermath of conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s killing. Patel faced criticism after prematurely announcing on social media that a suspect in Kirk’s murder was in custody, only to retract this statement after the individual was released following an interrogation.

It also claimed that staffers at one point struggled to reach Patel due to his alleged drinking, and that concerns within the bureau have intensified as his behavior grew more unpredictable. On one occasion, staffers allegedly requested 'breaching equipment' used in SWAT raids and hostage situations to try and break down his door, according to The Atlantic. Patel is known to enjoy alcohol and has frequently appeared visibly intoxicated at clubs in Washington and in his home city of Las Vegas . He reportedly also enraged the president after he was filmed chugging beer with the US men's hockey team following their Olympic victory . Fearing he was about to be fired by the Trump administration, he allegedly called aides and allies in panic - a reaction that, according to the report, quickly reached the White House . Officials told the outlet they are increasingly alarmed about whether the FBI could respond to a national crisis like a terror attack with Patel at the helm. 'That's what keeps me up at night,' an unnamed official told the publication.

It also claimed that staffers at one point struggled to reach Patel due to his alleged drinking, and that concerns within the bureau have intensified as his behavior grew more unpredictable. On one occasion, staffers allegedly requested ‘breaching equipment’ used in SWAT raids and hostage situations to try and break down his door, according to The Atlantic. Patel is known to enjoy alcohol and has frequently appeared visibly intoxicated at clubs in Washington and in his home city of Las Vegas . He reportedly also enraged the president after he was filmed chugging beer with the US men’s hockey team following their Olympic victory . Fearing he was about to be fired by the Trump administration, he allegedly called aides and allies in panic – a reaction that, according to the report, quickly reached the White House . Officials told the outlet they are increasingly alarmed about whether the FBI could respond to a national crisis like a terror attack with Patel at the helm. ‘That’s what keeps me up at night,’ an unnamed official told the publication.

Patel has categorically denied the allegations and is now preparing to take legal action. 'You want to attack my character? Come at me. Bring it on. I'll see you in court,' he said on Sunday, confirming that a defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic is expected to be filed. Patel dismissed the report as part of a broader media campaign against him, calling it the work of a 'fake news mafia' and arguing that such attacks are evidence the FBI is effectively doing its job. 'If the fake news mafia isn't hitting you personally with baseless information in Washington, D.C., then you're not doing your job,' Patel said. In response to The Atlantic's recent bombshell claims, Patel's advisor Erica Knight released a pointed statement on X , calling it a story 'that every real DC reporter chased, couldn't verify, and passed on.' 'Here's reality. Since being sworn in, Director Patel has taken a grand total of 17 days off - half as much time off as Comey and Wray - and he spends twice as much time in the office as either of them ever did,' Knight wrote. 'The so-called 'intoxication incidents' The Atlantic breathlessly reports have happened exactly ZERO times,' she added.

Patel has categorically denied the allegations and is now preparing to take legal action. ‘You want to attack my character? Come at me. Bring it on. I’ll see you in court,’ he said on Sunday, confirming that a defamation lawsuit against The Atlantic is expected to be filed. Patel dismissed the report as part of a broader media campaign against him, calling it the work of a ‘fake news mafia’ and arguing that such attacks are evidence the FBI is effectively doing its job. ‘If the fake news mafia isn’t hitting you personally with baseless information in Washington, D.C., then you’re not doing your job,’ Patel said. In response to The Atlantic’s recent bombshell claims, Patel’s advisor Erica Knight released a pointed statement on X , calling it a story ‘that every real DC reporter chased, couldn’t verify, and passed on.’ ‘Here’s reality. Since being sworn in, Director Patel has taken a grand total of 17 days off – half as much time off as Comey and Wray – and he spends twice as much time in the office as either of them ever did,’ Knight wrote. ‘The so-called ‘intoxication incidents’ The Atlantic breathlessly reports have happened exactly ZERO times,’ she added.

She went on to list statistics she said were achieved under Patel's tenure, including 67,000 arrests nationwide and '2,200+ kilos of fentanyl seized - enough to kill 178 million Americans.' Such claims have not been independently verified. The clash between Patel and The Atlantic has rapidly escalated into a high-stakes confrontation, with both sides digging in. The magazine's reporter, Sarah Fitzpatrick, has publicly stood by her reporting, stating in an interview that she 'stand[s] by every word of this reporting' and emphasizing that it was based on extensive sourcing, including current and former FBI personnel. Meanwhile, Patel's legal team has accused the outlet of publishing 'false, unsourced and facially defamatory' claims, arguing that the reporting relied on vague and unattributed allegations.

She went on to list statistics she said were achieved under Patel’s tenure, including 67,000 arrests nationwide and ‘2,200+ kilos of fentanyl seized – enough to kill 178 million Americans.’ Such claims have not been independently verified. The clash between Patel and The Atlantic has rapidly escalated into a high-stakes confrontation, with both sides digging in. The magazine’s reporter, Sarah Fitzpatrick, has publicly stood by her reporting, stating in an interview that she ‘stand[s] by every word of this reporting’ and emphasizing that it was based on extensive sourcing, including current and former FBI personnel. Meanwhile, Patel’s legal team has accused the outlet of publishing ‘false, unsourced and facially defamatory’ claims, arguing that the reporting relied on vague and unattributed allegations.

College Student Attacked by Group of Teens in Dorm; Police Launch Search for Suspects

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College Student Attacked by Group of Teens in Dorm; Police Launch Search for Suspects

Authorities in Pennsylvania are reaching out to the public for assistance in identifying a group of teenagers accused of violently pursuing and attacking a college student at Temple University over the weekend. The incident, which occurred on April 19, 2026, has left the community on edge as the search for the suspects continues.

The incident unfolded around 2:50 a.m. Sunday, when a group of juveniles allegedly chased a Temple University student into the lobby of Morgan Hall South, according to the Temple University Police Department.

The alarming episode took place when a mob of teens chased the student into a university residence hall. Once inside, the assailants reportedly assaulted the student and caused damage to university property. The Temple University Police Department is currently seeking nine individuals believed to be responsible for the attack.

Authorities are searching for a group of nine suspects accused of chasing a Temple University student into an on-campus residential hall lobby and attacking them

This unsettling event has sparked concern among students, highlighting the unexpected dangers they face on campus. Emanuel Turner, a sophomore at Temple University, expressed his apprehensions to ABC 6, stating, “It puts the threat actually into perspective because, especially knowing as a college student, your main priority is education, not really safety, but this happening is a little bit more in the forefront.”

Authorities are urging anyone with information on the incident or the suspects to come forward as they work diligently to ensure the safety and security of the university community. The assault has raised pressing questions about campus security and the measures necessary to protect students from similar threats in the future.

Authorities are searching for nine suspects accused of chasing and attacking a Temple University student in a campus residential hall lobby

Authorities are searching for nine suspects accused of chasing and attacking a Temple University student in a campus residential hall lobby in Philadelphia, Pa., on April 19, 2026. (Temple University Police Department)

The student sustained minor injuries and declined medical treatment at the scene. 

Campus authorities have since released images of the suspects in hopes of tracking down those responsible for the alleged assault.

Authorities are searching for nine suspects accused of chasing and attacking a Temple University student

Authorities are searching for nine suspects accused of chasing and attacking a Temple University student in a residential hall lobby on campus in Philadelphia, Pa., on April 19, 2026. (Temple University Police Department)

The surveillance images show a group of nine individuals – some wearing hoodies and facial coverings – walking on a sidewalk, with some of the suspects’ faces visible to the camera. 

Authorities have not revealed what led up to the alleged incident and no arrests have been made.

Temple University campus buildings in Philadelphia

Temple University, located in Philadelphia, has an enrollment of about 30,000 students, according to the school’s website. (iStock)

Additionally, the Philadelphia Police Department and the School District of Philadelphia are assisting Temple University authorities with the search for the suspects, officials said. 

Temple University boasts an enrollment of roughly 30,000 students and is located in the heart of Philadelphia, according to the school’s website. Morgan Hall houses approximately 1,200 students and serves as a key residential hall for the school.

Temple University did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. 

Authorities are asking anyone who believes they may have information regarding the incident to contact the Philadelphia Police Department by calling (215)-686-TIPS. 

Julia Bonavita is a U.S. Writer for Fox News Digital and a Fox Flight Team drone pilot. You can follow her at @juliabonavita13 on all platforms and send story tips to julia.bonavita@fox.com.

Tragic Dispute: Dog Attack Leads to Fatal Shooting of Owner in Shocking Incident

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Tragic Dispute: Dog Attack Leads to Fatal Shooting of Owner in Shocking Incident

Inset: Matthew Lee Pasco (Lake County Sheriff”s Office). Background: The 1900 block of Griffin Road in Leesburg, Florida, where Pasco allegedly shot a dog owner dead (WFTV/YouTube).

In Florida, a tragic incident unfolded when a man allegedly shot a dog owner dead during a chaotic scene where the dogs were attacking a woman. The shooter reportedly declared, “you think I won’t shoot you too?” after being questioned about his intent to fire.

Matthew Lee Pasco, aged 43, is charged with first-degree murder following the fatal shooting of Shawn Cyriacks in Leesburg, near Orlando. As detailed in an arrest affidavit from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, law enforcement officials arrived on the scene Friday at a homeless encampment located on the 1900 block of Griffin Road.

The deputies were initially dispatched to assist a woman who had suffered multiple dog bites. During the emergency call, the 911 operator was gathering details when loud screams erupted in the background.

“What’s happening?” the dispatcher urgently inquired, as documented in the call accessed by Law&Crime.

“There’s a gunshot wound now,” the caller responded, marking a dramatic turn in the situation.

Cops rushed to the scene and found Cyriacks suffering from a gunshot wound. He was later pronounced dead.

Detectives spoke with a woman who had been staying in Pasco’s tent. She said they were awoken by one of their friends being attacked by dogs. The woman said Pasco went outside to investigate and then returned, saying he was going to kill the dogs. She said this led to an argument between the two.

Per the affidavit, Cyriacks, the owner of the dogs, tried to prevent Pasco from interfering.

“If Shawn wants to get in the way, he can die too,” Pasco allegedly said.

Pasco was allegedly armed with a gun with a laser affixed to it. Cyriacks reportedly confronted him.

“You’re not going to shoot the dogs,” the victim allegedly said.

Pasco allegedly responded: “You think I won’t shoot you too?”

That’s when Pasco shot Cyriacks in the chest, cops say.

The defendant is also allegedly heard on the 911 call saying “I am gonna kill it.”

Deputies say that the victim made no threats toward Pasco, who “deliberately and intentionally shot” Cyriacks during a “heated verbal argument.”

After the shooting, Pasco fled the scene but was arrested on Sunday. He’s now in the Lake County Jail without bond. His next court date is set for May 18.

 

 

Shocking Turn of Events: Rising Star D4vd Faces Death Penalty in High-Profile Murder Case

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Shocking Turn of Events: Rising Star D4vd Faces Death Penalty in High-Profile Murder Case

Singer D4vd is facing serious charges, including the murder of a 14-year-old girl, a crime that could lead to the death penalty if he is found guilty.

The tragic discovery of Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s body was made last September when her remains were found in the front trunk of a Tesla at a tow yard in Hollywood.

Authorities revealed that the Tesla was registered to D4vd’s Texas address. Known in real life as David Anthony Burke, D4vd was identified as a suspect in February and subsequently arrested on April 16.

The 21-year-old artist now faces charges that include first-degree murder with special circumstances, engaging in continuous lewd acts with someone under 14, and mutilating human remains.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office cited several aggravating factors for the murder charge, including elements of ‘lying in wait,’ committing the crime for financial gain, or killing a witness to an investigation.

The charges, filed in California, carry a maximum sentence of life without the possibility of parole and the death penalty. 

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J Hochman told a press conference on Monday that a determination on the death penalty will be made at a later date. 

Burke is being held in a Los Angeles prison with no bail. 

D4vd, real name David Anthony Burke, was officially named as a suspect in the killing in February. He was arrested on April 16 and was formally charged with first-degree murder on April 20

D4vd, real name David Anthony Burke, was officially named as a suspect in the killing in February. He was arrested on April 16 and was formally charged with first-degree murder on April 20

The 21-year-old's mugshot was released during a press conference on Monday

The 21-year-old’s mugshot was released during a press conference on Monday

Celeste Rivas Hernandez, 14, was found dead inside a Tesla in Los Angeles last year

Celeste Rivas Hernandez, 14, was found dead inside a Tesla in Los Angeles last year

‘Let us be clear – the actual evidence in this case will show that David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and he was not the cause of her death,’ lawyers for D4vd said after his arrest. 

Based on testimony from her friends and family, it is believed Rivas was in a romantic relationship with the 21-year-old singer at the time of her death. 

Her family said she was last seen in spring 2024, when she left her Lake Elsinore home aged 13. They said, however, that this was not the first time she had run away. 

Rivas Hernandez’s remains were discovered last September after the Tesla that allegedly belonged to D4vd was left on a public street for more than 72 hours, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. 

It was then impounded and taken to Hollywood Tow.

Employees at the tow yard began to notice a stench coming from the vehicle and called police on September 8 last year. 

Investigators said the girl had been dismembered and found her decomposed head and torso in a cadaver bag.

She was found days after what would have been her 15th birthday, but police believe she likely died much earlier, with the county medical examiner saying the remains were ‘severely decomposed.’ 

Rivas and D4vd were believed to have been in a romantic relationship

Rivas and D4vd were believed to have been in a romantic relationship

The Tesla SUV where police say Rivas's body was discovered on September 8, 2025

The Tesla SUV where police say Rivas’s body was discovered on September 8, 2025

Police raided a $4.1 million home in the Hollywood Hills where Burke had been staying last year

Police raided a $4.1 million home in the Hollywood Hills where Burke had been staying last year 

Rivas’s mother, who reported her missing three different times throughout 2024, has said her daughter was dating a guy she never met named ‘David’. It’s also been reported that the two shared matching ‘Sshhh’ tattoos on their right index fingers.

Friends of D4vd told TMZ that the two were ‘frequently’ seen together.

The grand jury investigation into D4vd began in mid-November. Jurors were presented evidence by prosecutors and relevant individuals were called to testify, including D4vd’s managers and friend, Neo Langston.

And in September, police obtained a search warrant for a $4.1 million home in the Hollywood Hills where Burke had been staying. Officers seized a computer, according to ABC News.

Police have not disclosed details about what they may have found on the computer.

The residence’s owner, Mladen Trifunovic, hired private investigator Steve Fischer after the search to look into whether the teenage girl had ever stayed at the home.

Fischer said that a ‘burn cage’ with enough power to turn a dead person’s body to ashes had been found at the ritzy Los Angeles spot once occupied by Burke.

‘Given that Celeste Rivas Hernandez’s remains were ultimately found in the Tesla [trunk], the presence of an incinerator at the same residence associated with that vehicle necessarily raises questions about intent,’ he said on X.

After Rivas’s death, the lyrics of D4vd’s songs were the subject of much scrutiny due to their violent nature. 

In one of his most popular singles, ‘Romantic Homicide’, he sings about a love interest of his no longer being around.

‘In the back of my mind, I killed you… And I didn’t even regret it… I can’t believe I said it… But it’s true… I hate you,’ were the final words of the 2022 song.

D4vd rose to fame that same year after a string of viral TikTok hits.

His popularity led to collaborations with stars such as SZA and Kali Uchis. When Rivas’s body was discovered, D4vd was on a tour, which was later canceled.

Newberry Man Arrested for Alleged Assault and Attempted Car Break-In on UF Campus

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Staff Report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In the early hours of this morning, Andrew Jonathan Heise, a 19-year-old resident of Newberry, was taken into custody following an incident on the University of Florida campus. A mother and her daughter reported that an intoxicated individual assaulted them and attempted to forcefully enter their car.

The University of Florida Police Department received a call around 12:15 a.m. on April 19, directing them to 125 Buckman Drive near Fletcher Hall. The callers, a mother and daughter, were fending off a man who was aggressively trying to get inside their vehicle.

Upon arrival, the officers swiftly detained Heise and proceeded to gather statements from the two victims.

According to the mother, she was in the process of dropping off her daughter when an unknown man, later identified as Heise, began shouting profanities and charged at their car, attempting to open the doors. An onlooker intervened, pulling the man away temporarily. However, Heise managed to break free and resumed his aggressive approach towards the vehicle, leaving the mother and daughter in fear for their safety.

The first victim said she hit the man once in self-defense, but he tried again to get into their vehicle, trying to open doors on both sides of the vehicle. The first victim said she believed the man was trying to steal the vehicle.

The second victim reportedly corroborated the first victim’s story and said she was in fear for her safety when the man charged her and her mother.

An officer reported that surveillance video corroborated the victims’ accounts of the incident, and the video reportedly shows Heise being restrained multiple times but making his way back to the victims every time.

Post Miranda, Heise reportedly said he didn’t remember anything about the incident. An officer reported that he appeared to be very intoxicated and smelled strongly of alcohol. Heise reportedly admitted that he had been drinking.

Heise has been charged with two counts of assault, attempted burglary of a vehicle, and disorderly intoxication. He has no adult criminal history, and Judge Denise Ferrero ordered him released on his own recognizance.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. 


Evans Resident Charged with Assaulting Grandmother and Her Partner

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Evans Resident Charged with Assaulting Grandmother and Her Partner


EVANS, Ga. () – A young man, aged 22, has been arrested on charges of allegedly abusing his elderly relatives.

According to the police report, Austin Blake Pidgeon became involved in a heated dispute with his grandmother concerning her plans for her upcoming 78th birthday. The argument reportedly stemmed from her decision to evict him.

Authorities claim that during the altercation, Pidgeon forcibly took a stuffed toy from his grandmother and struck her with it. He is also accused of punching her in the back of the head, forcibly cornering her, and spitting in her face.

Despite attempts from Pidgeon’s mother, who was present in the house, to de-escalate the situation, her efforts were reportedly unsuccessful.

The grandmother’s 83-year-old boyfriend, upon hearing the disturbance, attempted to intervene from another room.

It’s at that time Pidgeon let go of his grandmother, grabbed her boyfriend and threw him to the floor, and left the home.

Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Deputies saw the suspect walking near the home and detained him for questioning; he was later arrested.

Austin Pidgeon remains in the Columbia County Jail charged with:

  • Simple Battery
  • Family Violence
  • 2 Counts of Exploitation and Intimidation of Elderly Persons

Coles County Sheriff Expands Mental Health Services in Jail Following Multiple Suicide Attempts

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Coles County Sheriff Expands Mental Health Services in Jail Following Multiple Suicide Attempts


COLES COUNTY, Ill. — In response to a concerning wave of suicide attempts at the county jail, the Coles County Sheriff’s Office has implemented crucial improvements. Last month, four inmates attempted to take their own lives, prompting swift action from the sheriff and his team.

Sheriff Kent Martin, speaking with WCIA, emphasized that the diligent efforts of his staff prevented any fatalities during these distressing incidents. This, he noted, underscores the urgent need to address mental health issues within the jail environment more effectively.

The sheriff’s office has now shed more light on the mental health challenges faced within the facility, aiming to foster a better understanding of the complexities involved in managing such cases.

Massive Beach Party Leads to 26 Arrests and Discovery of Homemade Machine Gun

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Massive Beach Party Leads to 26 Arrests and Discovery of Homemade Machine Gun

Police clash with Orange Crush Reloaded attendees

During the weekend of April 17 to April 19, authorities on Tybee Island were kept busy with 26 arrests made in connection with the annual Orange Crush event. This information was provided by the Tybee Island Police Department and Georgia State Patrol to Fox News Digital.

The Orange Crush weekend, often a subject of debate due to its large gatherings, concluded with not only these arrests but also the seizure of five firearms. Alarmingly, one of the confiscated weapons had been modified into a makeshift machine gun, capable of fully automatic firing, according to police reports.

Breaking down the numbers, Tybee Island police were responsible for 19 of the arrests, while the Georgia State Patrol accounted for the remaining seven. This year’s total of 26 arrests shows an increase from last year’s count of 22. In comparison, there were significantly more arrests in 2024, totaling 54, while the number in 2023 was the same as this year.

At this time, further specifics regarding the nature of the arrests have not been disclosed.

No other details on the arrests were immediately available.

Beach scene at Orange Crush Reloaded

Known as Crush Reloaded this year, the main event is scheduled for Saturday with a music festival at the Tybee Island beach pier and pavilion. (Derek Shook for Fox News Digital)

Police also handed out 100 traffic citations over the three-day span, with 49 issued by Tybee Island officers and 51 by state troopers.

During the same period, the island’s 911 center handled 297 calls for service, Randolph said.

The annual event branded this year as “Crush Reloaded,” returned to Tybee Island over the weekend with organizers promoting it online as “THE BIGGEST HBCU BEACH BASH IS BACK” and saying more than 50,000 people were expected.

WATCH: Tybee Island mayor says Orange Crush Reloaded is no longer ‘destructive’

Tybee Island Mayor Brian West told Fox News Digital the city’s security approach closely mirrored what authorities have used in recent years.

“It’s pretty similar to what we did last year. It looks like we might have more people this year, but we put in a safety protocol three years ago that seems to be pretty effective. And it’s pretty much what we’ve seen for the past three years now,” West told Fox News Digital.

West said authorities brought in help from agencies across the region and the state, including the Georgia State Patrol, Department of Natural Resources, Motor Carrier Division, Liberty County Sheriff’s Office, Chatham County Sheriff’s Office, Chatham County Police Department and Tybee Island’s own police force.

Police watch during the Orange Crush festival in Tybee Island, Georgia

Law enforcement officers watch from the pavilion as DNR rides through the crowd on ATVs during Crush Reloaded, formerly known as Orange Crush at Tybee Island, Ga on Saturday, April 18, 2026. (Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

West said the stepped-up safety measures followed problems in 2023, when he said people who were not college students came to the event and brought “drugs and guns.”

“We had a really bad situation in 2023. And what happened was we had a lot of people that came to this event that weren’t college students. They were older people that were trying to take advantage of the group, and they were bringing drugs and guns,” West said. “And with the security that we put in place, we’ve been able to filter those people out. And so now we have college students that are here, and it’s more of a spring break type group than it is a destructive type group.”

Spring breakers pose for a photo during Orange Crush

Spring breakers pose for a photo during Crush Reloaded, formerly known as Orange Crush at Tybee Island, Ga on Saturday, April 18, 2026. (Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

He also said city leaders have found the event runs more smoothly when students have organized entertainment.

“It really works much better when we work together and have some type of activity for the students to do. In the past, when they just showed up, they kinda had to make their own fun. And sometimes that fun really wasn’t the best thing to be doing,” West said. “So when there’s an activity, when there is a band, when there are things to keep their attention, it works much better.”

WATCH: CEO of Orange Crush says event is ‘rebranded’ with collaboration with police, city

Orange Crush Reloaded CEO Steven Smalls similarly told Fox News Digital the event is intended to give college students a place to celebrate safely.

“It’s about the college students more than anything to come out and have a good time and focus on the graduation that’s coming up in May. It’s a college-based thing and hopefully in the future I’m able to give back to some student debt relief and hopefully one day help one of SSU (Savannah State University) students. Give one of these kids a scholarship if I do good out here, you know, just put back towards the college community,” Smalls said.

Smalls said the rebranded event and cooperation with city officials helped create a better environment for attendees.

Law enforcement officers keep a watchful eye during Orange Crush

Law enforcement officers keep a watchful eye as partyers gather during Crush Reloaded, formerly known as Orange Crush at Tybee Island, Ga on Saturday, April 18, 2026. (© Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

“This is the rebrand. I think that’s probably the best thing that happened. I love the way the relationship is built, and I understand what they got going on, and they understand what I have going on. And working together, it became just right here what you see today,” Smalls said.

He also argued that the organized festival helps channel the crowds.

“If I wasn’t doing this, then they would just be popping out here. There wouldn’t be no sound, no entertainment. It wouldn’t nothing for them to do, it’d just be them being so pushed out. So me bringing the entertainment and me being here, they come out here to have fun. The police presence, that helps you be safe,” Smalls said.

Performers interact with dancers

Performers interact with dancers during Crush Reloaded, formerly known as Orange Crush at Tybee Island, Ga on Saturday, April 18, 2026. (Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Known for drawing massive crowds to the small Georgia beach town, Orange Crush has long stirred controversy among residents and law enforcement because of past violence, arrests and trash left behind in its wake.

Ahead of this year’s festivities, Tybee Island officials said they were heightening enforcement and preparing for an influx of visitors, as local concerns grew over public safety and so-called “teen takeovers” that have been reported around the country and in the region.

“Rest assured that we have heard you and that public safety will always be our top priority,” Randolph previously told Fox News Digital when asked about residents’ concerns over the event.

Beginning Thursday before the festival weekend, residents and visitors saw an increased law enforcement presence from various local and state agencies across the island. Authorities also launched a road safety checkpoint on Highway 80, carved out emergency lanes on main roads and closed the 14th and 16th Street parking lots in an effort to maintain order.

WATCH: Teen takeover in Georgia caught on camera

On April 4, police said an unpermitted pop-up event near the Tybee Island Pier and Pavilion was interrupted by gunfire after hundreds of teens gathered in the area.

Officers said they heard a single gunshot around 6:30 p.m., sending the crowd running.

Orange Crush dates back decades and earned a reputation in the early 1990s as a rowdy, crime-filled weekend.

The festival later moved to Jacksonville, Florida, in 2021, citing issues including limited parking, lack of resources and alleged civil rights concerns, before returning to Tybee Island in 2023 for the first time since 2020.

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Tragic Assault: Two Charged in Fatal Beating Leaving Victim with Spine Lacerations

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Tragic Assault: Two Charged in Fatal Beating Leaving Victim with Spine Lacerations

Main, left to right: Nicholas Caban and Jacob Firestone (Lake County Sheriff’s Office). Inset: Matthew Ascaridis (GoFundMe).

Two men from Illinois are now facing lengthy prison sentences after being convicted in the brutal killing of a 45-year-old father, whom they attacked outside his home and left to die.

A Lake County jury reached a verdict on Saturday, finding Nicholas Caban, 23, and Jacob Firestone, 22, guilty on all charges related to the 2022 murder of Matthew Ascaridis, including second-degree murder.

The decision followed a six-day trial where prosecutors presented testimony from over a dozen witnesses, comprising law enforcement personnel, medical experts, and other specialists.

Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart commented on the case, stating that the evidence clearly indicated Ascaridis “was killed due to excessive violence from these two offenders.” He expressed gratitude that the jury meticulously considered both forensic and circumstantial evidence, leading to the conviction of both individuals on all charges.

As detailed in a press release from the prosecutor’s office, the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force was called to Fort Sheridan Beach in Highland Park in response to several noise complaints. There, authorities discovered Ascaridis’s body at approximately 5:12 a.m. on September 17, 2022, with indications that he had endured severe trauma.

An autopsy conducted by the Lake County Coroner’s Office determined the victim suffered “catastrophic injuries” to his spinal cord — the kind more commonly seen in car crashes.

The coroner told jurors that Ascaridis was struck multiple times in the head with so much force that he was left with a lacerated spinal cord, according to testimony cited by the Lake & McHenry County Scanner.

The violence stemmed from a confrontation hours earlier, after Ascaridis left his nearby home to investigate loud noises late the night before. The victim’s wife testified that the couple had been packing for a trip around 11 p.m. when they began hearing “loud noises” near the house. Ascaridis called police twice but was told a response could be delayed. He ultimately went to the beach around 1 a.m. to check things out himself.

Evidence presented at trial showed Ascaridis encountered Caban and Firestone on the beach, leading to what authorities described as a “violent confrontation,” The Record North Shore reported.

Despite the severity of the attack, prosecutors said the defendants did not immediately seek help. Instead, they waited hours before calling 911, leaving Ascaridis “alone on the beach, unable to move, gasping for air” before he died, according to the release.

When police responded to a 911 call at Caban’s home around 5:23 a.m., they found Firestone lying injured in the yard and Caban nearby. Both appeared injured but conscious, authorities said. The men initially claimed that Ascaridis had attacked them and was injured in a fall, but prosecutors argued those accounts were contradicted by medical evidence and DNA recovered from the scene.

Testimony also showed the confrontation began after Ascaridis approached the men about the noise, which included music and activity on the beach, according to Lake & McHenry Scanner.

Caban and Firestone, who were 20 and 18 at the time of the killing, each face between four and 20 years in prison, to be served at 50%. They are currently scheduled to appear in court for their sentencing hearing June 18.

A GoFundMe page for Ascaridis described him as an “incredible husband” to his wife and a “devoted father” to his two children who “always greeted friends and family with his warmth and a smile.”

Shockwaves in the Music World: Rising Star D4vd Accused in Grisly Teen Murder Case

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Shockwaves in the Music World: Rising Star D4vd Accused in Grisly Teen Murder Case
Singer D4vd has been charged with murder over the death of a 14-year-old girl whose dismembered and decomposed body was found in September in his apparently abandoned Tesla, prosecutors say.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has formally charged David Burke, also known by his stage name D4vd, with several grave offenses, including first-degree murder, lewd and lascivious acts with a minor under 14, and mutilation of a body. These charges stem from the tragic death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez.

She was reported missing by her family in 2024, when she was 13. Authorities say she was 14 when she died.
D4vd performs at Gobi Tent during the 2025 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 20, 2025. (Getty Images for Coachella)

The accusations carry additional weight due to special circumstances, such as lying in wait, financial motives, and murdering a witness involved in an investigation. These factors elevate the severity of the charges, potentially leading to a death penalty sentence, although prosecutors have yet to decide if they will pursue this option.

Following his arrest in Hollywood last Thursday, Burke, a Houston-born alternative pop musician, has maintained his innocence. In a statement, his legal team emphasized, “The actual evidence in this case will show that David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and he was not the cause of her death.”

The body of Celeste Rivas Hernandez was discovered in a Tesla that had been towed from the Hollywood Hills on September 8, marking a grim conclusion just a day after what would have been her 15th birthday. Her family, residing in Lake Elsinore, approximately 110 kilometers southeast of Los Angeles, had previously reported her missing.

The long-dead body of Rivas Hernandez was found inside a Tesla that was towed from the Hollywood Hills on September 8, one day after she would have turned 15. Her family had reported her missing from her hometown of Lake Elsinore, about 110 kilometres south-east of Los Angeles.

Authorities did not publicly name Burke as a suspect until his arrest. His lawyers’ statement last week, in which said they “will vigorously defend David’s innocence”, was the first time they weighed in publicly.

The singer had been under investigation by an LA County grand jury looking into the death. The probe was officially secret, but its existence — and his designation as its target — was revealed in February when his mother, father and brother objected in a Texas court to subpoenas demanding they testify.

American singer-songwriter, David Anthony Burke, aka D4vd, performs on the Casino stage during the 58th Montreux Jazz Festival in 2024.. (Cyril Zingaro/Keystone via AP, File)

The 2023 Tesla Model Y was registered in the singer’s name at the Texas address of his subpoenaed family members, according to court filings from prosecutors. It had been towed from an upscale Hollywood Hills neighbourhood where it had been sitting as though it was abandoned.

Police investigators searching the Tesla in a tow yard found a cadaver bag “covered with insects and a strong odour of decay”, court documents said. Detectives partially unzipped a bag and found a head and torso.

Investigators from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office removed the bag and “discovered the arms and legs had been severed from the body”, according to court documents.

A second black bag was found under the first, and dismembered body parts were inside it. No cause of death has been publicly revealed, and police got a judge to block the release details of the autopsy.

Singer-songwriter David Burke aka D4vd sits in artist space at Coachella music festival on April 18, 2025. (AP)

On Friday, the medical examiner told The Associated Press the court order remained in place after Burke’s arrest, and suggested to ask the police whether they would ask to lift it.

The family of Rivas Hernandez has remained private and has not made any public statements on her death or the case.

D4vd, pronounced “David”, gained popularity among Gen Z for his blend of indie rock, R&B and lo-fi pop. He went viral on TikTok in 2022 with the hit Romantic Homicide, which peaked at No.4 four on Billboard’s Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart.

He then signed with Darkroom and Interscope Records and released his debut EP Petals to Thorns and a follow-up, The Lost Petals, in 2023.

When the body was discovered, the singer continued his North American tour, but when reports of his possible involvement spread widely, he cancelled the final two shows and a European tour that was to follow.

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