Public Safety
Public Safety news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
Public SafetyPolice: 4-Year-Old Fatally Shot His Little Sister; Mother Charged with Homicide
The mother of a 5-year-old girl who died after being shot in her own home in Florida City, South Florida, now faces charges in connection with the incident, following her statement to authorities that the girl's brother pulled the trigger, according to a new arrest report. Ashley Marie Hosendove, 32, was booked into a Miami-Dade jail on charges of aggravated involuntary manslaughter of a minor and culpable negligence in the shooting that occurred on June 10. Ja’Nova Parks, 5, was full of joy. Her dance steps and vibrant personality are now just memories for her paternal grandmother, Latisha Ellison, who mourns her loss. 'I know she loved her children. I know that and I can't deny it. But at the same time, her duty was to protect them.' According to the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office, Florida City Police officers responded to the residence located in the 1400 block of Northwest 1st Court after receiving reports of gunfire shortly before 2 a.m. The girl was found with a gunshot wound to the torso, and officers transported her and her mother to Homestead Baptist Hospital. Later, the girl was airlifted to HCA Florida Kendall Hospital, where she died from her injuries. At that time, Miami-Dade Sheriff's Detective Angel Rodríguez stated that there were three adults and two minors in the home during the shooting, including the girl's 4-year-old brother, but it was unclear how the shot was fired. The mother was arrested the following day on an unrelated charge and later released, but had not yet been implicated in her daughter's death. A new arrest report reveals that authorities brought Hosendove in for questioning on August 12, before she was arrested and booked into the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. According to that report, when officers arrived at the home, they saw Hosendove carrying her daughter out of the residence 'wrapped in a blood-soaked white blanket.' When police asked who shot the girl, Hosendove replied that it was her minor son, the arrest report states. Authorities reported that Ja’Nova was shot in the right arm and torso. Later, when investigators searched Hosendove's home, they found 'items of evidentiary value, including a firearm.' Most of what Hosendove revealed in her interview was redacted in the report, but ultimately investigators concluded that 'because the accused did not properly secure the firearm and showed a conscious disregard for the welfare of her children, resulting in the victim's death, the accused was charged with aggravated involuntary manslaughter of a minor and one count of culpable negligence.' Authorities claim the accused was aware of the firearm's risk. Police say Hosendove had known for over a year that the safety mechanism on her gun was not functioning. They allege she admitted to always keeping a bullet in the chamber and that, a week before the incident, her son saw the gun and called his sister to see it too. 'I pray that this never happens again. Because it is something that could have been avoided. My granddaughter could have been in school today. Her first day of classes,' said the paternal grandmother. The 4-year-old who fired the shot is currently with the mother's family. Hosendove appeared before Miami-Dade Judge Mindy Glazer on Thursday. 'It's very tragic because the gun was not properly secured, even though it was in her fanny pack,' Glazer said. The judge ordered that she remain detained without bail until her next hearing. Hosendove's attorney stated they plan to defend the case in court because the gun was inside a fanny pack in a closet. Meanwhile, the Department of Children and Families is also investigating the matter.
Public SafetyVideo shows ICE agent pointing gun at woman in Virginia: 'My life was in danger'
Carolina Molina said she was driving in the Falls Church area when an ICE agent accused her of following them and pointed his gun at her.
Public SafetyLuigi Mangione is expected to plead guilty this Friday in federal court, sources say
NEW YORK — Luigi Mangione, the accused in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, is expected to plead guilty at a hearing on Friday in federal court in Manhattan, according to sources close to the hearing. This comes weeks before the start of his state trial. Sources emphasized that negotiations for a plea deal are ongoing and that nothing is final until Mangione reaches an agreement. To date, Mangione has pleaded not guilty to state and federal charges. This new development comes just days after our sister network NBC New York revealed on Tuesday afternoon that a hearing had been scheduled for Friday in Mangione's federal trial, raising new questions about whether he was seeking a deal with prosecutors. Mangione did not speak during Tuesday's hearing. His next court appearance in the state trial is scheduled for September 8, when jury selection will begin. The federal trial is set for January 2027.
Public SafetyI-35 Closed in Austin After Incident Involving Stolen Ambulance
TEXAS – Austin police reported on Thursday that the elevated section of I-35 near downtown was closed due to intense police activity; a Fort Worth ambulance could be seen from a distance. The Fort Worth Fire Department confirmed that an ambulance was stolen early this morning from Station 4, located in the 2900 block of Old Mansfield Road in that city. The roadway was completely closed southbound from 183 at Airport Blvd. Authorities are advising the public to avoid this route and seek alternate paths. The incident was reported on social media as a 'traffic nightmare,' as I-35 is the most important and heavily trafficked highway in Texas.
Public SafetyArmy Gynecologist Pleads Not Guilty to Secretly Recording Patients
A military gynecologist, Dr. Blaine McGraw, pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to charges of secretly recording patients during examinations. He faces multiple charges, including indecent visual recording and sexual assault, involving 93 alleged victims. The Army's Special Trial Counsel previously identified 44 victims from 2021 to 2026. McGraw appeared before Colonel Jorge Rivera at Fort Hood, Texas, where he worked at the Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center. Following a complaint from a patient, the Army suspended him and initiated an investigation, identifying over 1,400 of his patients. The case has raised concerns about the Army's handling of previous misconduct complaints against McGraw.
Public Safety2 people died in a military helicopter crash near Fort Hood, officials say
A U.S. Army AH-64 Apache helicopter crashed in a field near Fort Hood, Texas, on Wednesday, resulting in the deaths of both crew members. The incident also ignited a wildfire, prompting evacuations of nearby homes. The helicopter was on a routine training flight at the time of the crash. The cause remains under investigation by Fort Hood's criminal investigation division. Fortunately, the helicopter did not impact any structures. Brig. Gen. Ethan Diven emphasized the priority of securing the site and supporting response efforts, expressing condolences for the crew and their families.
Public SafetyWeslaco responding to three water line breaks across the city
Weslaco is currently addressing three water line breaks that are impacting various parts of the city. The breaks are located at North Cross Avenue and North Texas Boulevard, Vo-Tech Drive and Joe Stephens Avenue, and Narcissus Street and Airport Drive. Residents and businesses in these areas may experience low water pressure or temporary service interruptions during repairs. City officials have acknowledged the inconvenience and expressed gratitude for the community's patience as crews work to resolve the issues promptly.
Public SafetyMetal debris along Shary Road in McAllen sparks safety concerns for drivers
Drivers on Shary Road in McAllen are raising alarms about metal debris, including nails and screws, that pose safety risks. Gloria Garza, a local resident, has had to replace her tires multiple times this year due to damage from these objects. She suspects that the debris is falling from trucks belonging to Valley Steel Recycling, located nearby. Channel 5 News conducted a magnet test, revealing a significant amount of metal in a small area. The city of McAllen has acknowledged the issue and stated that code enforcement will investigate further, although no timeline for resolution has been provided.
Public SafetyCrews working to repair water line breaks in Weslaco
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- Crews are working to repair three water line breaks that have caused water disruptions across the city of Weslaco. The city alerted residents of two water breaks on Wednesday afternoon. A third water break was reported on Wednesday evening. Temporary water disruptions are affecting the following areas. "We understand the inconvenience
Public SafetyFoul odor in Roma water linked to border wall construction
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) -- The city of Roma is linking ongoing construction of the border wall to the source of a foul odor in its water distribution system. City officials were made aware of the odor on Monday after residents reported an "unusual" odor, prompting an investigation to determine the source. The city stated it
Public SafetyEdinburg Police Department reminds public about school zone safety
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Now that many schools across the Valley are back in session, some may want a refresher course on safety in school zones. School zone driving safety tips include: But it isn't just drivers who need to be alert in school zones: Children and parents need to be mindful, as well. "Please use the sidewalks and crosswalks,"
Public SafetyWater Main Breaks in the City of Weslaco
The City of Weslaco is actively addressing two water main breaks that occurred unexpectedly during excavation work by telecommunications contractors. These breaks have led to low water pressure and temporary service interruptions for residents and businesses in the affected areas. Municipal crews are on-site to locate the exact points of the breaks and make necessary repairs as quickly as possible. The city has requested patience from residents experiencing these issues and reassured them of its commitment to maintaining the quality of public services. The situation is being closely monitored to restore normal water supply promptly.
Public SafetyTwo dead in Fort Hood military chopper crash
BELL COUNTY, Texas (FOX 44) - UPDATE: Authorities are responding to a Fort Hood military chopper crash in Bell County. FOX 44 News has learned that this was a 1st Cavalry Division Apache helicopter with two on board. Both have been pronounced dead. The crash has caused a rapid grass fire, leading to closures on
Public SafetyHarlingen, La Feria firefighters respond to structure fire
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Harlingen and La Feria firefighters are battling a fire at a home Wednesday afternoon. According to Harlingen Assistant Fire Chief Ruben Balboa, the structure fire is located near Bass Boulevard and is 50% contained. No injuries have been reported and the homeowner is on site. Bass Boulevard is closed at this
Public SafetyBrownsville Fire Department welcomes new fire engine, brush truck
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Brownsville Fire Department on Wednesday morning welcomed two new units into service during a push-in ceremony, a fire service tradition of formally welcoming new emergency response vehicles. Brownsvillle firefighters pushed in Fire Engine 3 and Fire Brush 3 into place at Fire Station 3 located at 814 Hortencia Blvd. Brownsville
Public SafetyAlamo completes drainage improvement project
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — City officials gathered in Alamo on Wednesday morning to celebrate the completion of a $1.5 million drainage improvement project. Alamo Mayor J.R. Garza said the city partnered with the Texas Department of Transportation on the project along Alamo Road, which is considered one of the city's busiest corridors. "This project is
Public SafetyTwo people die after military helicopter crashes in Texas and ignites fire
Two people aboard a military helicopter died Wednesday when the aircraft crashed in Salado, Texas, according to the Bell County Sheriff's Office. Their deaths were confirmed after authorities responded to the scene following 911 calls around 1:30 p.m., said Cliff Coleman from the Bell County Sheriff's Office. Salado is located about 50 miles north of Austin. The U.S. Army's AH-64 Apache attack helicopter is based at Fort Hood, according to the military installation. 'Our immediate priority is to secure the site and support initial response efforts,' stated Brigadier General Ethan Diven, interim commanding general. 'Our thoughts are with the crew and their families as we await more information.' The victims have not yet been publicly identified. No structural damage or other injuries were reported, Coleman noted. 'It crashed in a field, and it was evident that it was a violent impact,' Coleman told reporters at the scene. The accident caused a large fire that 'seems to be out of control,' he said. The fire has burned a vast area of land and prompted some evacuations in the vicinity. Local emergency teams, military personnel, and law enforcement responded to the incident. The Fort Hood Criminal Investigation Division is in charge of the investigation. The AH-64 Apache helicopter is a multi-mission, twin-engine, four-blade attack aircraft designed as a highly stable weapons launch platform, as described by the Army on its website, calling it 'the most advanced combat aircraft in the world.' This story was translated from English by an AP editor with the help of a generative artificial intelligence tool. An editor from Telemundo Digital reviewed the translation. This article was originally published in English by Joe Kottke for our sister network NBC News.
Public SafetySummer Ends. Sober Rides Stay Forever
As summer concludes, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) emphasizes the importance of sober driving, especially during Labor Day, a period marked by increased impaired driving incidents. Last year, 35% of Texas crash fatalities were linked to drugs or alcohol, a figure that surged to 57% over the 2025 Labor Day weekend, resulting in 26 deaths. In the Pharr District alone, there were 1,203 DUI-related crashes in 2025, leading to 32 fatalities. TxDOT is enhancing law enforcement efforts and promoting its 'Drive Sober. No Regrets.' campaign, urging Texans to plan safe rides ahead of time to protect themselves and others on the road.
Public SafetyStructural Fire in Harlingen
A structural fire is currently reported near the intersection of Glenn Way Dr. and Bass Blvd. in Harlingen, where emergency crews are working to control the flames. Firefighters from Harlingen and La Feria are on the scene addressing the emergency and taking necessary actions to contain the fire and prevent the situation from worsening. Authorities are urging residents and drivers to avoid the area while emergency operations continue. Alternate routes are recommended, and it is advised to keep a safe distance from the affected area. Motorists are also asked to give ample space to emergency vehicles, as clear access allows firefighters and other response teams to work more quickly and safely. The community is encouraged to stay alert for official updates and to refrain from approaching the scene to observe the fire, in order to not interfere with the work of emergency teams.