2024 Anti-LGBTQ Protest Shooting

NEWS 28 - Investigators say that the shooter responsible for killing 20 protesters on September 8, has stopped cooperating with their investigative efforts, but say they no longer need the cooperation as they have plenty of evidence to convict.

Investigators still want to know where the shooter obtained the firearms, as well as what the motive for the shooting was. The shooter is still not giving authorities those answers. But prosecutors say they have enough to charge and push the death penalty on the shooting suspect.

"We've tried to obtain information regarding why the shooter felt it was necessary to kill people who were simply exercising their right to protest," said FCIS Director Sharona Maples. "All we got was a grunt, and eye rolls. Nothing more. We are still trying to understand the shooter's motives, but we do officially have enough to push the death penalty on a federal level. We are seeking other charges but our main focus is to make the death penalty stick. This case is sickening and we will find ways to push the full weight of the law on the shooter. We are not exactly sure the reason for shooting the 20 people, but we are happy to have this individual off the streets."

The shooter has now been identified as a 22 year transgender man, Danielle O'Leary. The shooter is in the process of transitioning from a woman to a man. She will be sent Nexton Federal Prison, where she is awaiting trial.

"We have felony murder charges(20 counts), and felony first degree murder charges(20 counts). We aren't going to go easy on this individual," said Jared Schultz, a federal prosecutor. "I will seek death, and that is the only sentence that should be handed out in this case. 20 people were brutally gunned down."

LGBTQ sympathizers say that the shooting would have been avoided had they been allowed to be supported and accepted. Others say it was reprehensible that 20 lives were lost by a transgender man. A transgender man said that he is disappointed that "such an event could unfold by a member of this community. We already have a hard time getting support and some murderous moron does something like this. My those 20 souls rest in peace, regardless if it is in protest of our community. That's their right."

RUFUS - The shooting that claimed the lives of 20 protesters on September 8 is still being investigated. The shooter has stopped cooperating with investigators, but they have already issued charges against the shooter including 20 counts of felony murder with a firearm and 20 counts of first degree murder.

Investigators still want to know where the shooter obtained the firearms, as well as what the motive for the shooting was. The shooter is still not giving authorities those answers. But prosecutors say they have enough to charge and push the death penalty on the shooting suspect.

"We've tried to obtain information regarding why the shooter felt it was necessary to kill people who were simply exercising their right to protest," said FCIS Director Sharona Maples. "All we got was a grunt, and eye rolls. Nothing more. We are still trying to understand the shooter's motives, but we do officially have enough to push the death penalty on a federal level. We are seeking other charges but our main focus is to make the death penalty stick. This case is sickening and we will find ways to push the full weight of the law on the shooter. We are not exactly sure the reason for shooting the 20 people, but we are happy to have this individual off the streets."

The shooter has now been identified as a 22 year transgender man, Danielle O'Leary. The shooter is in the process of transitioning from a woman to a man. She will be send Nexton Federal Prison, where she is awaiting trial.

"We have felony murder charges(20 counts), and felony first degree murder charges(20 counts). We aren't going to go easy on this individual," said Jared Schultz, a federal prosecutor. "I will seek death, and that is the only sentence that should be handed out in this case. 20 people were brutally gunned down."

NEWS 28 - A protest that turned deadly early this morning is being investigating by several Agencies including the New Shire State Police and the Federal Crimes Investigative Service. The shooting happened at 12:13 AM, before New Shire State Police fought with and arrested the shooter.

The investigators on scene have been busy since 1 AM, collecting evidence, photographing the deceased victims, and securing other media from entering the scene. Police are also questioning witnesses at the protest and are asking for any other protester who left the protest to come forward and give a statement to police.

"We are still gathering evidence, and are going to keep our findings under wraps until we have a strong case, then at that time, we will release a final statement regarding our findings," said New Shire State Police Commissioner Lee Adams. "This is going to be a very lengthy and complex process. We ask that anyone with information about what happened or video evidence come forward so we can build a strong case."

The Federal Crimes Investigative Service, say that they are working overtime as they are investigating not only this new shooting, but the ongoing investigation into Jay Laylin's shooter.

"We are swamped to our eye balls in agents out in the field in both New Shire now, and Mesa from Monday. We are working as quickly to file all the charges that are required for a successful case. We are also still collecting evidence from both shooting crime scenes," said FCIS Director Sharona Maples. "We have a lot going on and we are doing everything we can to ensure this investigation gets moving and justice is served for the innocent lives lost this morning."

As of now, no formal charges have be listed on any filings, and public records requests for the case aren't being released or granted due to the open case. We will continue to follow this story.

RUFUS - The New Shire State Police is working in conjunction with the Federal Crimes Investigative Service to investigate the deadly shooting that happened early this morning at a non-violent anti-LGBTQ Protest, which was seeking to stop the vote on a sweeping legislation that would allow schools to teach LGBTQ topics in school.

The investigators on scene have been busy since 1 AM, collecting evidence, photographing the deceased victims, and securing other media from entering the scene. Police are also questioning witnesses at the protest and are asking for any other protester who left the protest to come forward and give a statement to police.

"We are still gathering evidence, and are going to keep our findings under wraps until we have a strong case, then at that time, we will release a final statement regarding our findings," said New Shire State Police Commissioner Lee Adams. "This is going to be a very lengthy and complex process. We ask that anyone with information about what happened or video evidence come forward so we can build a strong case."

The Federal Crimes Investigative Service, say that they are working overtime as they are investigating not only this new shooting, but the ongoing investigation into Jay Laylin's shooter.

"We are swamped to our eye balls in agents out in the field in both New Shire now, and Mesa from Monday. We are working as quickly to file all the charges that are required for a successful case. We are also still collecting evidence from both shooting crime scenes," said FCIS Director Sharona Maples. "We have a lot going on and we are doing everything we can to ensure this investigation gets moving and justice is served for the innocent lives lost this morning."

As of now, no formal charges have be listed on any filings, and public records requests for the case aren't being released or granted due to the open case. We will continue to follow this story.