Alden Police Department

NEWS 28 - Kirk Paul's 19 year old son Alex Paul has been arrested for Driving Under The Influence of alcohol according to the Mesa Highway Patrol. During their preliminary investigation, MHP investigators believe he attempted to end his life by hitting the ditch at high speeds. Sources say that witnesses saw him turn towards the ditch before they say his "vehicle slowed down significantly before hitting the ditch."

A bystander called the police a little before 9:10 PM. MHP, Alden Police and Alden County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene of the crash. When they walked up to his window, to make sure he was okay, officers noted the strong odor of alcohol and immediately performed the standard Field Sobriety Test on him.

When he did the BAC breath test, it tested him at 0.16 bac. He was more than twice the regular legal limit and twice over his allowed legal limit due to his age. He is facing charges varying from DUI, Unauthorized operation of motor vehicle while driving impaired by an alcoholic substance. A judge in the Alden County Court system is scheduled to hear his case. Due to the age of Alex, he could face mandatory Alcoholics Anonymous classes , and as he didn't kill or hurt anyone, he may likely receive community service as well.

"This type of event is unacceptable in any circumstance, but the fact that a 19 year old got behind the wheel and drove, is mind boggling to me," said MHP Captain Jerry Woodard. "It is even more shocking that former Governor Kirk Paul's son is the one who was driving. We are investigating this fully and will respond sometime later with the findings of our investigation. We are grateful no one was injured by him."

The Alden County Sheriff's Office says it is taking a different approach to the investigation, saying that the reports that it appeared to be an attempted suicide, will guide their investigation into that direction.

"We have to look at all possible angles, and an attempted suicide really fits what happened last month with his father passing away," said Alden County Sheriff Mark Berry. "This very much could be an attempted suicide, so we want to investigate every possible reason he got behind the wheel drunk."

ALDEN - The son of the late Kirk Paul, Alex Paul(19) has been arrested by the Mesa Highway Patrol for suspicion of Driving Under The Influence Of Alcohol. According to the Mesa Highway Patrol, his vehicle crashed out into a ditch a little after 9:00 PM this evening.

A bystander called the police a little before 9:10 PM. MHP, Alden Police and Alden County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene of the crash. When they walked up to his window, to make sure he was okay, officers noted the strong odor of alcohol and immediately performed the standard Field Sobriety Test on him.

When he did the BAC breath test, it tested him at 0.16 bac. He was more than twice the regular legal limit and twice over his allowed legal limit due to his age. He is facing charges varying from DUI, Unauthorized operation of motor vehicle while driving impaired by an alcoholic substance. A judge in the Alden County Court system is scheduled to hear his case. Due to the age of Alex, he could face mandatory Alcoholics Anonymous classes , and as he didn't kill or hurt anyone, he may likely receive community service as well.

"This type of event is unacceptable in any circumstance, but the fact that a 19 year old got behind the wheel and drove, is mind boggling to me," said MHP Captain Jerry Woodard. "It is even more shocking that former Governor Kirk Paul's son is the one who was driving. We are investigating this fully and will respond sometime later with the findings of our investigation. We are grateful no one was injured by him."

JESSTOPIAN NEWS NETWORK - Governor Joshua Adamson has ordered flags to fly at half mast until Wednesday in honor of the victims who tragically lost their lives in a shooting at an Alden Product Mart Store on Thursday. The flags are expected to raised at sunset on May 8, 2024.

The shooting occurred a little after 6:45 PM on May 1, 2024, the shooter was quickly identified by Mesa Highway Patrol Troopers and Alden Police Department Officers who moved quickly to eliminate the threat. The shooter, whose identity has yet to be released by the MHP, turned the gun on the police who responded by shooting and killing the suspect.

"Our troopers and the incredible officers of the Alden Police Department moved quickly to identify the threat, and address that threat as their training has prepared them for," said MHP Commissioner Lewis Donaldson. "We are continuing to work with the Alden Police Department and the Alden County Sheriff's Office and Federal investigators."

The families of the victims were all contacted by law enforcement and Product Mart Chief Executive Officer Ronald Chlabowy also sent out a letter of condolences through the Product Mart Corporate website.

State officials are also investigating the shooting as a domestic terrorist activity. They say that these shootings aren't a result of just random probability. They are deemed targeted attacks, even if the shooting was at random. The man has been identified by police, but they say they will not release the names of the deceased shooter pending the full results of the investigation.

JESSTOPIAN NEWS NETWORK - A gunman, 45, has been killed following a sickening attack on shoppers of a Downtown Alden Product Mart in Mesa. The shooting began a little after 6:22 PM, and concluded around 7:47 after Mesa Highway Patrol Troopers shot and killed the man shooting at them.

"Our troopers did the right thing and did an incredible job eliminating the threat," said MHP Commissioner Lewis Donaldson. "We are praying for the families of the victims as they cope with their great losses. We are continuing to work with Product Mart to obtain important video evidence and Product Mart has opened their CCTV footage to MHP, APD, and ACSO."

"The senseless tragedy, that unfolded today at an Alden Product Mart should not happen again, but we can not restrict gun owners," said Governor Joshua Adamson. "Due to the shooting that unfolded today, calls for heavier gun legislation is being echoed across the state, but we cannot do that. Our hearts hurt for the victims we lost today, and we will continue to support them in anyway we can."

The Mesa Highway Patrol says it took out the suspect a little after 7:45 PM this evening. According to police, the suspect turned the gun on police and was subsequently shot to death by police. The investigation into the store shooting is being conducted, and Product Mart staff and Corporate is fully cooperating with investigators.

"Our company is deeply saddened by the tragic events at store 698," said the company in a joint statement. "We are praying for the families of the victims of the shooting and will continue to cooperate with investigators. Our company is committed to providing the necessary resources to law enforcement and thank them for their quick actions and working with Product Mart associates to evacuate the store. The store in question will be closed until further notice."

ALDEN - Lieutenant Governor Greg Brentwood has threatened violent rioters and protesters that the Mesa State National Guard will be activated as the violence enters day two.

"Governor Adamson and I are no longer going to negotiate with people that continue to burn buildings, destroy public and private property," said Lt. Governor Brentwood. "We will deploy well over 1200 troops in downtown Alden. These protests aren't welcome. Governor Adamson and I agree, that if these violent protests head towards the Governor's mansion or any state office, or if it begins to interfere with public travel, police will be ordered to use any force necessary to disperse the rioters."

The protests come as Alden International Airport is constructed in Downtown. The criticism comes as the airport is build in the natural habitats of Sharks, Turtles and Fish, native to Alden, Mesa. The protests also come as a response to the State's Hunting Of Wildlife Act, that would allow people who were in fear of their life to shoot, injure or destroy habitats of mountain lions, sharks, or other sea life. This act was a direct result of the Adamson Administration.

ALDEN - Two troopers that were involved in the shooting death of Former Mesa Lt. Governor Joseph Haney's 22 Year Old Son Bradley on April 10, 2022, and who were terminated from the Mesa Highway Patrol, and who were aquitted on all charges, found employment with the Alden Police Department.

"We are excited to have these two young men join our department," said Alden Police Chief Martin Yager. "We know the trial they went through that night, and we are just pleased to have the experience and expertise."

The two were sworn in, skipping the Police Academy as is standard for any Trooper, due to the fact that they went through trooper academy in Ashburn, the most rigorously and physically demanding academy of all Law Enforcement academies, up next to the New Shire State Police's academy.

The two will start out as Office II which is a pay grade of between 98,000 - 99,500 dollars starting. Basic officers or Officer I starts out between 70,000 - 85,000 dollars.

The two troopers didn't wish to speak with us, so we couldn't ask them questions, but Chief Yager said that the two were fitting in pretty well within the department.