Public Safety
Public Safety news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
Public SafetyAlton man charged in connection with McAllen shooting
McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — McAllen police arrested a man in connection with a shooting that took place outside a business parking lot over the weekend. Salvador Picena Rangel, 26, of Alton, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, a second-degree felony, at the McAllen Municipal Court on Saturday, according to a spokesperson for the McAllen
Public SafetyBorder Authorities Arrest Mother for Alleged Smuggling of Minor Child
Texas Border Business U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Texas LAREDO, Texas – An illegal alien who resided in Austin has been charged for her role in a failed attempt to smuggle an 8-year-old child into the United States by a stranger. Mexican national Nanzy Rodriguez-Sanchez has made her initial appearance in Laredo federal court and
Public SafetyFallen Law Enforcement Officers Honored at Memorial Ceremony
Texas Border Business AUSTIN — Governor Greg Abbott delivered the keynote address at the Texas Peace Officers’ Memorial Ceremony in honor of the heroic men and women who lost their lives in the line of duty. The Governor awarded the Texas Medal of Honor to a family member of each of the 25 officers recognized. See the gallery below for more
Public SafetyBrownsville Police Department holds 4th Annual State of the Police
BROWNSVILLE, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Brownsville Police Department is holding its 4th Annual State of the Police on Monday morning. The event is taking place at the Brownsville Event Center, located at 1 Event Center. The goal of the State of the Brownsville Police Department is to share transparency with the community and highlight accomplishments.
Public SafetyHarlingen Issues Warning About Email Scam Impersonating the City
The City of Harlingen has issued a warning about an ongoing email scam involving fraudulent messages sent to contractors, developers, and residents, falsely claiming to be official communications from the city's Planning and Zoning Commission. Authorities have clarified that these emails are not legitimate and may originate from suspicious addresses such as Planning_harling.entx-gov@usa.com, designed to deceive recipients. The city confirmed this is an active phishing attempt and urged the community to stay vigilant against unexpected messages. The fraudulent emails aim to obtain personal or financial information, prompt recipients to click on links, or even request payments. In response, the city advises residents not to reply, click on links, or share sensitive information. Additionally, they encourage reporting such emails directly to Harlingen's Planning and Zoning Department or contacting Ana Hernández, the Director of Development and Planning, to verify the authenticity of any communication.
Public Safety25-Year-Old Charged with Intoxication Assault; Victim in Critical Condition
A 25-year-old man, Andrew Rodriguez, was arraigned on a charge of intoxication assaul
Public SafetyLIVE: DOJ holds press conference after shooting suspect charged with attempt to assassinate Trump
The alleged gunman at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner is charged with attempting to assassinate President Trump, Justice Department prosecutors said Monday at an initial court appearance.
Public SafetyAlleged Florida Student Killer Searched 'How to Dispose of a Body' on ChatGPT
New court documents reveal chilling details about the murder of two doctoral students from the University of South Florida (USF), a case that has shocked the Tampa Bay community. Authorities have identified Hisham Abugharbieh, 26, a former roommate of one of the victims, as the prime suspect. He now faces first-degree murder charges for the deaths of Zamil Limon and Nahida Bristy, both 27. Investigators pieced together the crime timeline using cellphone data, license plate readers, and tracking the suspect's vehicle, which led them to Limon's body, found in trash bags near the Howard Frankland Bridge. During searches, detectives discovered similar bags in the apartment shared by the suspect and the victim, along with biological evidence and personal belongings linked to both students.
Public SafetyAuthorities Capture 'El Jardinero,' Alleged New Leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel
MEXICO CITY – Mexico's Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC), Omar García Harfuch, announced on Monday the arrest of Audías Flores Silva, known as 'El Jardinero.' Flores Silva has been identified by U.S. authorities as one of the leaders of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), with a $5 million reward offered for his capture. The arrest took place in the state of Nayarit, located in western Mexico, a region known for strong CJNG presence. This development comes two months after the death of cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias 'El Mencho,' during a military operation, with Flores Silva considered a potential successor.
Public SafetyMan Found Shot in Business Parking Lot in McAllen
The McAllen Police Department has launched an investigation into an aggravated assault with a firearm that occurred early Saturday morning near Expressway 83. Authorities received the call at approximately 2:13 a.m. in the 4100 block. Upon arrival, officers found the victim with gunshot wounds. Emergency responders provided medical assistance at the scene before transporting the individual to a local hospital for further treatment. According to the report, the suspect fled the scene before police arrived. The case remains under investigation as officers and detectives work to identify the perpetrator.
Public SafetyDriver Charged After Incident That Ejected Woman from Pickup Truck
A 25-year-old man appeared before a judge, charged in connection with a vehicular incident that occurred on Saturday, April 25, around 2:20 a.m., leaving a woman in critical condition in the Edinburg area. The suspect, identified as Andrew Rodriguez, was given a bond of $75,000. According to authorities, Rodriguez was driving a Toyota Tacoma with the windows down while the victim, a 22-year-old woman, was seated in the rear left seat. The driver was speeding and made a sharp turn from Sonoma Avenue onto Rutherford Avenue, causing the young woman to be ejected through the rear window. The victim was transported to a hospital, where she remains in critical condition.
Public SafetySuspect in White House Correspondents' Dinner Shooting Expected to Appear in Court Today
WASHINGTON D.C. – Cole Tomas Allen, the man accused of opening fire outside the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday night, is expected to appear before a federal court this Monday. Jeanine Pirro, federal prosecutor for Washington, D.C., previously stated that the suspect would face two charges for using a firearm during a violent crime and a second charge for assaulting a federal agent with a dangerous weapon. She added that 'many more charges' were expected to be filed. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is also scheduled to hold a press briefing at 1 p.m. ET today, as announced in a post on X. 🚨I will hold a Press Briefing at 1PM ET today. — Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) April 27, 2026 Former President Donald Trump held a press conference shortly after the shooting, but this marks the first formal press briefing following the White House Correspondents' Dinner. A senior official informed NBC News that the White House will meet with leaders from the U.S. Secret Service and the Department of Homeland Security 'early this week' to address Saturday's attempted attack and review protocols for large-scale events involving President Trump. Several high-profile events with large crowds are scheduled for the coming months.
Public SafetyTrump's Large Public Events Could Pose New Security Challenges
WASHINGTON D.C. – Federal authorities are assessing how to proceed with several high-profile public events involving President Donald Trump following an attack at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. The third violent incident near Trump in less than two years reignites the primary tension facing the president's security team: balancing the public demands of the presidency with minimizing the risk of an attack. Saturday's incident, where a man armed with guns and knives attempted to breach the ballroom of a Washington hotel where Trump was scheduled to address the White House Correspondents' Association, comes ahead of Trump's participation in a series of unusual, large-scale events in the coming months. These include commemorating the nation's 250th anniversary, overseeing the U.S.'s co-hosting of the World Cup, and leading rallies to mobilize Republican support for the upcoming midterm elections in November. A source familiar with the matter indicated that the U.S. Secret Service is already reevaluating its security plans for future events. The agency's alert level was already high due to the extraordinary number of threats against Trump—including two consecutive assassination attempts in 2024—and recent events such as the U.S.-Iran war. 'I can't imagine a more dangerous profession,' Trump remarked about the presidency Saturday night from the White House. Within the Secret Service, intelligence and threat assessment teams are also reviewing threats against Trump from recent months. According to the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of security planning, high-profile attacks could inspire copycat violence. The White House and Buckingham Palace confirmed that the state visit of King Charles and Queen Camilla, scheduled for Monday, will proceed as planned. However, organizing large-scale events further in the future—such as a UFC fight in the White House garden to celebrate Trump's 80th birthday in June, World Cup matches, and an IndyCar race outside the White House—could become more complicated. The inherent tension in presidential protection is evident. Lawmakers, event attendees, and some of Trump's allies criticized the security planning for the Correspondents' Dinner, questioning how the attacker could reserve a hotel room and bring weapons undetected. Texas Republican Representative Michael McCaul, former chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, suggested that security protocols for Trump and Vice President JD Vance may need adjustments. 'I think the Secret Service should reconsider having the president and vice president together at such events,' McCaul said on CNN's 'State of the Union.' Kari Lake, a former Republican gubernatorial candidate from Arizona chosen by Trump to lead the U.S. Agency for Global Media, complained about not having to show photo ID matching her event ticket upon entering the hotel for the dinner. 'I can't believe how lax the security was,' Lake wrote on X. The Secret Service is only responsible for protecting individuals under its charge, not the event itself, and the agency immediately celebrated its response, earning high-profile praise from Trump himself. 'Our multilayered protection system works,' said Director Sean Curran on Saturday. 'Those guys did a good job last night. They did a really good job,' Trump reiterated Sunday during a CBS News '60 Minutes' interview. Garrett Graff, author of 'Raven Rock: The Story of the U.S. Government's Secret Plan to Save Itself While the Rest of Us Die,' analyzed the multiple security measures surrounding Trump at the dinner, writing: 'It seems the system worked basically as intended, amid the inevitable security trade-offs in a free society.' Retired Secret Service agent Thomas D. Quinn, who helped pioneer the agency's counter-assault teams, posted on X that 'the Secret Service's security plan for the White House Dinner worked and the attacker was stopped.' He added, 'As long as we are a free people in a nation that loves liberty, the Secret Service's responsibilities will remain immense.' More security changes are expected. Ronald Kessler, author of 'In the President's Secret Service: Behind the Scenes with Agents in the Line of Fire and the Presidents They Protect,' said authorities may consider installing bulletproof glass around venues where Trump speaks, both indoors and outdoors, similar to measures taken after the assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania, during the 2024 presidential campaign. Kessler added that attendees will likely face more thorough screenings, exacerbating already lengthy entry lines that can take hours to clear. An example occurred last fall when Trump attended the inaugural men's meeting.
Public SafetyMan charged with intoxication assault after passenger ejected from truck in Edinburg
Un hombre enfrenta cargos de asalto por intoxicación después de que un pasajero fuera expulsado de una camioneta durante un incidente en Edinburg. Las autoridades están investigando los detalles del caso, que involucra presunto consumo de alcohol y conducción imprudente.
Public SafetyMan shot outside McAllen business, suspect flees scene
McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The McAllen Police Department is investigating a shooting that happened outside a business on early Saturday morning. At 2:13 a.m. on Saturday, McAllen police responded to a man being shot at a parking lot outside a business on the 4100 block of Expressway 83. According to a news release from McAllen police,
Public SafetyHuman Remains Found in Search for Missing USF Doctoral Student
Authorities in Tampa reported Sunday that human remains were recovered in Pinellas County during the search for University of South Florida doctoral student Nahida Bristy, who has been missing. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office stated that the remains were found in waterways near Interstate 275 and Fourth Street North. Identification of the remains is pending by the Pinellas County Medical Examiner's Office. Bristy was last seen on the morning of April 16 but was not reported missing until April 21 when a family friend said they were unable to reach her, according to officials. She was reported missing alongside another USF graduate student, Zamil Limon. Limon's body was discovered Friday morning on the Howard Frankland Bridge in Tampa, the sheriff's office announced at a press conference, while the search for Bristy continued. An autopsy is being conducted to determine the cause of death. Both Bristy and Limon, 27, were doctoral students at the university and originally from Bangladesh. Their roommate, identified as 26-year-old Hisham Abugharbieh, was arrested Friday after police responded to a domestic violence call at a residence linked to him. He has been charged in connection with the murders. Abugharbieh faces charges including premeditated murder with a weapon, tampering with or moving a corpse, failing to report a death to a medical examiner or authorities with intent to conceal it, and tampering with physical evidence, according to a statement posted Saturday on the sheriff's office Facebook page. The university confirmed that Abugharbieh was not currently enrolled but had studied there from spring 2021 to spring 2023. Records obtained by NBC News show that Abugharbieh had been previously arrested in Hillsborough County. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office stated that the investigation remains active.
Public SafetyMan charged with intoxication assault; woman ejected from car: PD
EDINBURG, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A 25-year-old man was arrested for allegedly driving at a high speed, causing a woman to eject from a window while making a turn, according to the Edinburg Police Department. Andrew Rodriguez went in front of a judge on Sunday, where he was formally charged with intoxication assault. According to a news
Public SafetyMedia dinner shooting suspect wrote about targeting administration officials, Trump says
El expresidente Donald Trump afirmó que el sospechoso del tiroteo ocurrido durante una cena con medios de comunicación había redactado publicaciones en las que mencionaba su intención de atacar a funcionarios de la administración. Las autoridades están investigando los motivos detrás del incidente, que dejó varios heridos y generó preocupación entre los asistentes al evento.
Public SafetyMajor traffic delay in San Juan after Sunday crash: TxDOT
SAN JUAN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Texas Department of Transportation reports major traffic following a Sunday afternoon crash. According to a social media post from TxDOT, the crash took place on the I-2 westbound main lanes near exit 146B in San Juan. Motorists are advised to drive with caution as first responders clear the crash.