Jamaican police officer charged with murder after woman shot during protest

 Andrew Wilson appears in court over killing of Latoya Bulgin at protest over a police shooting days earlier.

Authorities in Jamaica have taken the rare step of charging a police officer with murder after he was accused of shooting a 45-year-old woman in a case that prompted violent protests.

According to the Independent Commission of Investigations (Indecom), Constable Andrew Wilson appeared in court on Wednesday and was denied bail. Another hearing is scheduled for mid-June.

The killing of Latoya “Buju” Bulgin on 17 May in north-west Jamaica sparked protests after footage circulated on social media showing an officer firing at her vehicle during a demonstration over police violence.

According to Indecom, police were “conducting crowd control duties” during a protest in Granville, St James, against a police shooting days earlier, in which 17-year-old Tjey Edwards, identified by local media as Bulgin’s cousin, was killed.

In the CCTV footage, Bulgin’s minivan is seen stationary at the side of the road as several people climb out. Police officers can be seen standing nearby. With one of the side doors still open, the vehicle starts to pull out into the road.

Apparently without warning, an officer standing a few feet in front of the vehicle pulls a handgun and shoots at the driver, amid screams and cries from people nearby. Some people are seen running.

Police officers are seen dragging Bulgin’s limp body out of the car and on to the ground and putting her in the back of a police pickup truck. The officers do not appear to make any attempt to offer first aid to the injured woman.

Indecom and Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ), a human rights group, have been calling for strengthened accountability in police fatal shootings through mechanisms such as body-worn cameras. No body camera was worn by the police officer accused of shooting Bulgin, and JFJ said the incident demonstrated the importance of independent footage.

“Without the availability of that CCTV footage, we would not be in the position to even be having this conversation and we would not perhaps have seen the JCF high command responding,” the group’s executive director, Mickel Jackson, told Radio Jamaica News last month.

In a statement on Wednesday, Indecom said the “prompt collection and analysis of video evidence” during its independent investigation into Bulgin’s death “assisted in establishing an objective understanding of this fatal shooting incident”.

The commission has reported 140 fatal shootings so far this year in the country of 2.8 million people. Last year, JFJ staged a protest against what it described as a “significant and alarming” increase in fatal shootings by police.

The PNP Women’s Movement, a branch of the opposition People’s National party, said the CCTV footage “raises serious questions about the use of lethal force by members of the security forces”.

It also said it was “disturbing” how Bulgin’s body was thrown into the back of a police vehicle after she was shot. “This conduct falls below the respect that should be afforded to our citizens by members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force,” the group said.

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights denounced Bulgin’s killing and urged a “prompt, independent, impartial and transparent

Officer nearly shoots student playing with water gun in a senior game

 A Michigan officer nearly shot a student playing a "water wars" game, a local school district says.

Body camera footage obtained by ABC News on Thursday shows an officer investigating a report when he came across an individual dressed in a blue hoodie and sweats, seemingly holding a water gun and a cell phone.

Related

What to know about the high school 'senior assassin' water gun game police departments are warning about

A message Davison Community Schools Superintendent Matt Lobban sent to parents, obtained by ABC News, urged students not to play the game, risking catastrophe.

According to the message, the officer was investigating suspicious activity when he came across the student.

This is a screen grab from the bodycam footage released by the Davison Township Police Department.

Davison Township Police Department

"That is when a student jumped out at the officer, whose gun was drawn, and shot his squirt gun, getting the officer wet," read the message.

"We are so very thankful that the officer, in spite of it being dark out, was able to determine that the student was not a threat and no one was hurt," the message continued.

The individual can be heard apologizing, and the officer responding, "you are a very lucky guy."

This is a screen grab from the bodycam footage released by the Davison Township Police Department.

Davison Township Police Department

The message read, "We are reaching out today because we are very concerned that someone is going to get seriously hurt - or worse - as seniors engage in the game of 'water wars' following an incident that occurred last night."

The school said the student was playing the popular water wars game, seemingly similar to "senior assassin," where large groups of classmates track each other down and record a water "attack" in order to advance to the next round.

Senior assassin incidents have already caused quite a stir in neighborhoods across the country, leading to warnings from local police in states across the country, including Louisiana, Indiana and New Jersey.

Officer arrested after allegedly pointing firearm at fellow cop over microwaved fish: Warrant

 The Myrtle Beach Police Department said Michael Debiase is no longer employed.

A now-former South Carolina police officer faces a felony charge after allegedly pointing his department-issued firearm at a fellow officer during a confrontation about microwaved fish, according to authorities and an arrest warrant.

Michael Debiase, 46, was arrested on Tuesday and charged with pointing and presenting a firearm at a person, according to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, which investigated the incident.

The confrontation allegedly occurred on Saturday in a briefing room at the Myrtle Beach Police Department, authorities said.

Debiase allegedly confronted a fellow officer who was "warming up fish in the microwave, causing an odor in the office," the arrest warrant stated. During the confrontation, the detective allegedly "drew and pointed his department-issued handgun" at the other officer, the arrest warrant stated. 

Both officers provided statements, according to the arrest warrant. The other officer was not publicly identified. 

Debiase was immediately placed on administrative leave amid investigations by the Myrtle Beach Police Department's Office of Professional Standards and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, police said.

The Myrtle Beach Police Department said in a statement Tuesday that it has "recently separated employment" with Debiase.

"Based on information learned during the Office of Professional Standards investigation, several policy violations were identified," the Myrtle Beach Police Department said in a statement Tuesday.

"This incident does not reflect the values demonstrated by the men and women of the Myrtle Beach Police Department every day," the statement added. "However, it does demonstrate our commitment to accountability and our willingness to address conduct that falls short of our expectations."

It is illegal to point a loaded or unloaded firearm at another person under South Carolina law. Police did not say whether Debiase's firearm was loaded during the alleged confrontation. 

Debiase was booked into the detention center in Horry County, police said. His bond was set at $5,000 during a hearing on Tuesday, court records show. His next hearing has been scheduled for Aug. 14.

Online court records do not mention any attorney information. Debiase did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

Former Englewood Police Officer Charged in Controversial Traffic Stop

 ARAPAHOE COUNTY —The 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office has charged former Englewood police officer Ryan Scott Vasina, 30, with multiple criminal offenses stemming from a traffic stop he conducted while on-duty last month.

On the evening of October 8, 2025, Vasina was on patrol near W. Union and S. Broadway when an Audi convertible drove past him while he was stationary. Vasina decided to follow the car, and while following the vehicle, Vasina observed the driver failing to stop at a stop sign. He activated his overhead lights to conduct a traffic stop.

The driver pulled over and rolled down his window. Officer Vasina asked the driver for his license, but there appeared to be a language barrier as the driver did not speak English well. The driver asked why he was stopped, but Vasina did not answer him. Vasina then called for a second patrol unit and asked the driver to turn off his car, which he did. Vasina then walked over to the driver’s side door, opened it, and ordered the driver out of the car.
Vasina then went on his radio and advised dispatch that the driver was fighting. However, a review of the evidence, including the officer’s body-worn camera, did not reveal any evidence of the driver fighting, such as punching, kicking, or striking the officer.

Vasina then pulled out his taser and told the driver in English that he is going to tase him. Approximately 1 second later, Vasina discharged his taser. Vasina then took the driver to the ground in a choke hold maneuver. The driver was arrested and booked into jail on multiple charges, which were dismissed after a thorough review by our office.

“It is evident from the video footage of the interaction between Officer Vasina and the driver that a language barrier existed, and that Vasina responded with visible frustration and anger,” Assistant District Attorney Ryan Brackley reiterated from the arrest warrant. “The initial nexus of the stop was a car driving by Vasina that changed lanes in a way that appeared ‘suspicious’ to Vasina. The penalty for failing to stop at a stop sign or even refusing to provide identification does not warrant a use of force response that Vasina engaged in, particularly where there was no active resistance, threatening language, furtive movements or attempts to flee or evade.”

The type of chokehold used during this traffic stop is forbidden by state law, and all chokeholds are prohibited under the Englewood Police Department’s Use of Force policy unless deadly force is authorized.

Following a review of this incident, Vasina is facing the following charges:

Second-Degree Assault (F4)
First-Degree Official Misconduct (M1)
Third-Degree Assault (M1)

“State law makes it clear that officers shall apply non-violent means, when possible, before resorting to the use of physical force,” District Attorney Amy Padden said. “The law also directs them to use only a degree of force consistent with the minimization of injury to others. The traffic violations that the driver was allegedly stopped for are not arrestable crimes and the driver did not resist, fight, or fail to comply with lawful orders before force was used against him.”

Vasina was officially terminated from the Englewood Police Department last month.

“The former officer’s conduct does not reflect the values of the Englewood Police Department,” Chief David Jackson said. “Our officers are expected to serve with professionalism, respect, and restraint. We are committed to transparency in addressing any incident that falls short of those expectations.”
Information contained in this release is publicly available in the Arrest Warrant. All public records can be requested and obtained via the Courts. As a reminder, all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

We thank the Englewood Police Department for its full cooperation throughout this investigation. We also acknowledge the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which proactively offered additional support and resources to ensure a thorough review of the facts. All future updates on this case with come from the 18th Judicial District Attorney's public information officer.

Former Sheriff’s Deputy Sentenced to 12 Years for Fatal Shooting of Unarmed Fleeing Arrestee

SAN DIEGO – Former San Diego County Sheriff’s Deputy Aaron Richard Russell was sentenced in federal court today to 12 years in prison for fatally shooting a 36-year-old unarmed man who was struck four times from behind as he tried to run away from authorities.

Russell was convicted by a federal jury in March following a two-week trial and less than seven hours of deliberation. The jury found that the defendant violated the civil rights of the victim, Nicholas Bils, by fatally shooting him in the back as he ran away. 

At trial, Russell was found guilty of both counts filed against him. For Count 1 - Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law – he was sentenced to 24 months; For Count 2, he received the mandatory minimum sentence of 120 months for Use and Discharge of a Firearm During and In Relation to a Crime of Violence. The sentenced are to be served consecutively, for a total of 12 years.

“The Constitution protects every person from the unjustified use of deadly force by law enforcement officers,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon. 

“Today's sentence demonstrates the FBI's sworn duty to investigate any potential civil rights violation,” said Special Agent in Charge Mark Remily of the FBI San Diego Field Office. “Working closely with the U.S. Attorney's Office, the FBI will always stand behind our mission of upholding the Constitution and protecting the American people.”

Russell, who has been free on bond, was ordered to report to prison by July 13 at noon. 

Before pronouncing sentence, U.S. District Judge Todd Robinson said: “Law enforcement is rightfully held to a higher standard because of the power they’re imbued with to protect the community…It is difficult to imagine offense conduct more aggravated than intentionally taking the life of another person.”

In a statement from the victim’s mother that was read by prosecutors at the hearing, Kathleen Bils said the loss of her son was “excruciating.” She described him as kind, thoughtful and gentle. “No mother should ever be awakened in the middle of the night to hear her child has been killed by law enforcement for running away. To hear that those trained and sworn to protect us have shot and killed one of us for fleeing is egregious.”

The victim’s cousin recalled a happy childhood growing up with Bils, and her grief over his killing. “My faith has been shattered. My family has been shattered . . . I just want Nicky to come home, but he won’t.”

According to evidence presented at trial, on May 1, 2020, the defendant—who at the time was a deputy with the San Diego Sheriff’s Department—fired five shots at the unarmed victim as he attempted to flee from custody while California State Parks Police officers were transporting him to the San Diego Central Jail in downtown San Diego. Four of the rounds fired by the defendant hit Bils, including one that struck Bils squarely in the back and fatally pierced his heart and lung.  After being shot, Bils staggered to the northwest corner of Front and B Streets, where he collapsed, his body falling half on the sidewalk and half in a planter next to a tree. Other officers and paramedics tried to save his life, but he was pronounced dead shortly after being transported to the hospital.

The shooting was captured on multiple surveillance cameras along Front Street, as well as on body-worn camera footage from officers who responded to the scene shortly afterward.  No other officer on scene at the time of the shooting even pulled their firearm when Bils began running away.  At trial, multiple officers testified that it was apparent that Bils was not a threat to anyone, that they never for a moment considered shooting Bils, and that it “wasn’t even a close call.”  Other eyewitnesses, including a nurse and a firefighter, testified that they were “shocked” that the defendant shot Bils in the back.  Highlighting the extreme danger he unnecessarily created that day, the fifth round fired by the defendant struck a civilian vehicle that was traveling southbound on Front Street at the time.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Seth Askins and Michael Songer and Department of Justice Civil Rights Trial Attorney Lia Wright Tesconi.

DEFENDANT                                               Case Number 24-cr-1015                            

Aaron Richard Russell                                    Age: 29                                  

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law Using a Dangerous Weapon and Resulting in Death – 18 U.S.C. § 242

Maximum penalty: Life in prison and $500,000 fine

Use and Discharge of a Firearm During and In Relation to a Crime of Violence – 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)

Maximum penalty: Mandatory Minimum 10 years in prison and $500,000 fine

Police Officer Charged with Child Exploitation Crimes Involving Multiple Minor Victims

 SAN DIEGO – A federal grand jury indictment was unsealed in San Diego today charging Brandon McGibbon, a San Diego Police Officer, with five counts of child sexual abuse offenses involving three minor victims. 

According to court records, between October 25 and November 6, 2025, McGibbon engaged in the attempted receipt and production of child pornography and the attempted enticement and coercion of the minors to engage in obscene matter and sexual conduct. 

Special agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with the cooperation of the San Diego Police Department, led the investigation. This case is the result of the ongoing efforts of the United States Attorney’s Office Special Victims Unit and was done with the collaboration of the San Diego District Attorney’s Office. Formed in April 2025, the SVU is tasked with leading collaborations between federal and local law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of cases involving sex trafficking and child exploitation, civil rights, and labor trafficking. 

McGibbon is expected to make his initial appearance in federal court on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amy Brammell and Lyndzie M. Carter. 

DEFENDANT                                               Case Number 26cr1939-JO                                      

Brandon McGibbon                                        Age: 33                                   San Diego, CA

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Attempted Receipt of Child Pornography – 18 USC § 2252(a)(2) 

Maximum penalty: Five-year mandatory minimum and up to life

Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Minor – 18 USC § 2251(a)

Maximum penalty: Ten-year mandatory minimum and up to life

Attempted Enticement of a Minor – 18 USC § 2422(b) 

Maximum penalty: Fifteen-year mandatory minimum and up to life

INVESTIGATING AGENCY

Federal Bureau of Investigation 

*The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Fired North Carolina officer charged after shocking video shows him repeatedly punching woman

Authorities charged a former North Carolina police officer with assault after video showed him repeatedly punching a woman who said she was experiencing a mental health crisis during an arrest. NBC News' George Solis reports.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBsWaL_Vk3s 

N.J. officer charged with stealing journalist’s camera equipment

 

Essex County Prosecutor’s Sergeant Darryl Brown was discovered with the missing items after the journalist used a tracking device to trace them to his home, the state’s attorney general alleged.

NEW YORK — A New Jersey police sergeant has been charged with stealing $10,000 worth of cameras and other equipment from a photojournalist who had been injured covering tense protests outside a Newark immigration jail.

Darryl Brown, a sergeant in the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, was caught with the missing items after the photojournalist used a geo-tracking device to trace her missing gear to his home, the state’s attorney general said Thursday.

The journalist, Angelina Katsanis, was on assignment for The Associated Press at Delaney Hall on Saturday night when she was struck in the knee by a wood beam during a clash between police and demonstrators.

As she hobbled to a medical tent to seek attention, Katsanis left behind her gear bag, which was marked with her name and contact information. When she was eventually allowed to return to the area — now in a wheelchair — the bag was gone.

As Katsanis sought treatment in a nearby hospital, the Airtag pinged to a home in Sparta, New Jersey, which was listed as belonging to Brown, according to the attorney general’s office. The device was later recovered on the side of a road, miles away from the home where it was initially taken.

A subsequent review of Brown’s body camera footage showed him “interacting” with the bag at the protest location, according to the attorney general’s office. A search warrant executed at his home Wednesday turned up several of the missing items, some bearing Katsanis’ name and phone number, the complaint said.

Information for Brown’s attorney was not immediately available. A message left at a phone number listed for Brown was not immediately returned. He faces charges of third-degree theft. He has been suspended without pay, according to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.

Katsanis, who has training in covering hostile environments, said the incident had left her deeply shaken.

“I’ve thought a lot about how the officers are supposed to be there to uphold the law and protect us and protect property — and this is the exact opposite of that,” she said.

The detention center has become a flashpoint for protests against the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, with frequent clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement.

Those demonstrations intensified in recent weeks as advocates said detainees inside launched a hunger strike over poor living conditions at the 1,000-bed facility. The federal government has denied allegations of substandard conditions and accused protesters of inflaming tensions.

Katsanis said she suffered swelling and bruising on her leg but did not break any bones.

Bartlett Officer Arrested for Sexual Battery

BARTLETT, Tenn. - An off-duty Bartlett Police Officer was arrested on Sunday after being accused of sexual battery, according to court records. 

Hunter Kissinger, a Bartlett Police Officer, was arrested on February 9 after being accused of inappropriately touching a tattoo artist during a tattoo session on Stage Road. 

A past post by the Bartlett Police Department shows Kissinger was sworn in as a police officer in 2019. 

The tattoo artist gave FOX13 surveillance showing the incident. You can see Kissinger lying on the table and his move over. Then the artist jumps back, gets up and confronts him. 

The victim told police Kissinger touched him on his thigh several times. 

"The first weird thing he did, was he touched himself in his private regions and told me not to mind his erection. And he used coarse words, of course — I'm kinda being nice," said Brandon Kenneth, the tattoo artist. "He did that a couple times, and then it turned to him touching me and fondling me."

"I didn't respond to his comment, and it led to him feeling like he was comfortable to do more."

Kenneth told FOX13 how he wasn't going to let this be swept under the rug. He put Kissinger under a citizen's arrest and kept him detained while he was on the phone with dispatch. He had to push Kissinger off of him and struck him in the face. 

"...he was just kind of asking why I did that and saying he was sorry," Kenneth said. 

When you observe the surveillance video and see Kissinger's mugshot, you can see an injury to his face. 

According to BPD, Kissinger has been placed on administrative leave for an indefinite period pending the outcome of the investigation. 

BPD released a statement below: 

"The alleged actions leading to this officer's arrest directly violate our department's core values. As a result, the officer has been placed on administrative leave for an indefinite period pending the outcome of an Internal Investigation.

The Bartlett Police Department holds its officers to the highest professionalism, integrity, and accountability standards. The community's trust is paramount, and we will take swift action to ensure that those who serve and protect the law are held to the same standards as the public they serve."

Kissinger waived his Miranda Rights and admitted to being involved in an incident with Kenneth but could not recall touching the victim inappropriately, an affidavit read. 

"It definitely makes me nervous, especially because I reside in the city that his police district is in. It's definitely intimidating for me," Kenneth said. "I talked about that with every officer I spoke to, whether it's Memphis, Bartlett, or whoever — detectives, everybody -- I brought up the fact that I was worried about the fact that he was a police officer, and all the things that could follow behind that, whether it was his friends or people covering for him, or trying to sweep things under the rug. That's why I'm here with you guys today."

In July 2021, Kissinger was named 'Officer of the Month' and he is also assigned to Bon Lin Elementary as a school resource officer, including this school year.