The Ft. Hood Hero: Who is Kimberly Munley?

By HILARY HYLTON / KILLEEN Hilary Hylton / Killeen – Sun Nov 8, 9:00 am ET

Officer praised for taking down suspected Fort Hood gunman

The west side of Killeen, Texas is like countless other places in America’s heartland, freshly carved out of prairie pastures with wide streets in bucolic neighborhoods like “Sunflower Estates” and “Bridgewood.” But on a glorious cloudless fall day, the flags at the home sales center nearby are at half mast in honor of the 13 fallen at Ft. Hood, victims of a gunman whose deadly attack was stopped thanks to a petite, long-haired blonde mom from the neigborhood.

AP – This July 4, 2009 photo obtained Nov. 6, 2009 from the Twitter page of Sgt Kimberly Munley shows Sgt. …

 Sgt. Kimberly Munley, 34, a civilian Department of Defense police officer at the base, is credited with stopping the firing rampage of U.S. Army Major Nidal Hasan at the Soldier Readiness Center within a few minutes after he launched his attack. The center is a quick five minute drive from Munley’s home, past the new strip centers and the high school football field along wide Cross Creek Boulevard, but a world away from the horrors inflicted in one of the worst incidents of soldier-on-soldier violence in U.S. Army history. (Read TIME’s report: “Stresses at Fort Hood Were Likely Intense for Hasan”)

 Munley, described by neighbor Brooke Beato, as “very petite, with long blonde hair and a strong personality,” was credited by base officials with preventing further carnage by aggressively engaging Hasan as he shot at her. She rounded a corner, took aim at Hasan and brought him down, officials said. “It was an amazing and an aggressive performance by this police officer,” base commander Lt. Gen. Robert Cone said. It also was a tactic straight out of recent lessons learned from the 2007 Virginia Tech shooting, when first responders waited for additional backup before engaging the shooter.

 ”She walked up and engaged him,” said Lt. Gen. Cone told Associated Press. As a member of the base Special Reaction Team, Munley had learned that “if you act aggressively to take out a shooter, you will have less fatalities,” Cone said.

 Soon after Munley fired at Hasan, taking him down, she herself fell wounded and police radios quickly sent out an “Officer down” call. Wounded three times in the arm and leg, Munley is in stable condition after undergoing surgery Friday to repair damage to an artery. Base officials said she wishes she could have acted even faster and saved more lives, and she spent Thursday evening calling friends and colleagues, expressing those regrets.

 While Thursday’s shooting sent a shockwave through the tight-knit Killeen community, Beato, whose husband is an Army captain, said she was not surprised when Munley’s name surfaced as the police officer who ended the shooting. “It was just like her – she carries herself with confidence,” Beato said.

 Beato is a 30-year-old mother of four whose children often play with Munley’s daughters, ages 12 and 3, in the quiet cul-de-sac. “I couldn’t believe what happened, but when I heard what she did,” says Beato of her neighbor, “I believed that because of who she is – I know her.”

 Munley, who worked as a police officer for five years in North Carolina where her father, Dennis Barbour, once served as mayor of Carolina Beach, is a talented shooter and member of the base’s Special Reaction Team which trains for the possibility of events like Thursday’s shooting rampage. She also is a passionate fan of Twitter and once news of her actions spread, her followers began to blossom in number – among them country singer Dierks Bentley who posed for a photo with the petite police officer at the fort’s annual July Fourth FreedomFest. The photo is posted on her Twitter page along with a brief biographical quote: “I live a good life…a hard one, but I go to sleep peacefully at night knowing that I may have made a difference in someone’s life.”

Four charged in riot near school

Friday, November 06, 2009 9:04 PM |

By Shelley Smithssmith@salisburypost.com

Four teens were arrested Tuesday in connection with the after-school riot near Salisbury High School.

Dadrian Ty Quan Cowan, 18, and Jaleesa Symone Miller, 17, were arrested and charged with resisting, delaying or obstructing a public officer.

Larry Jamar Burch, 18, and Freeman Franklin Payton, 16, were arrested and charged with willfully inciting a riot.

All charges were filed Tuesday, and are misdemeanors.

“The ones that were arrested were egging on people to resist,” said Chief Deputy Steve Whitley of the Salisbury Police Department. “The arrests were a by-product of the big fight, and they decided to stay behind and heckle the police.”

Whitley said he doubts additional arrests or charges will be made “unless someone discovered information that led them to believe something else was going on,” he said.

“We really don’t know what they were mad about or why they were fighting.”

More than 50 people were involved in the fight Tuesday off South Caldwell Street near Salisbury High. The riot was so large, Salisbury Police had to call additional units for assistance.

Police step up patrols in uptown after sexual assault

  05:32 PM EST on Friday, November 6, 2009

 By GLENN COUNTS / NewsChannel 36
E-mail Glenn: GCounts@WCNC.com

 Police step up patrols in uptown

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November 6th, 2009

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Police step up patrols in uptown

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Police are stepping up patrols in uptown Charlotte just days after a woman was sexually assaulted while walking to her car.

Since the assault on Tuesday, investigators have been studying video taken from security cameras around the light rail. Officers say, so far, nothing helpful has been found. And, the victim did not get a good look at the suspects.

Women who work late in uptown have taken notice of the situation.

“Well, I walked to my car at one o’clock in the morning by myself,” said Ginny Quinones. “After I heard about that I went and bought mace. One of my friends got a Taser on eBay. We’re definitely, in the last couple of weeks, taken a lot more precaution.”

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Police say they will be around the uptown district in force on Friday night and will pay special attention when the bars close.

“When we see folks out, particularly females who may be intoxicated, walking by themselves, walking in dark area — we will warn them to make sure they get to where they are going,” said Capt. Jeff Estes.

Officers say that two men were involved in the attack. The victim was walking from Dixie’s bar to the Epicentre around 2:30 a.m. Tuesday to get her car. She was by herself.

Nikki Percival says she won’t make that mistake. She plans to have security escort her.

“I wish I didn’t have to do that because that takes them away from what they have to do, but in this case I want to be safe,” she said.

Shots fired at City Council’s Turner

By Cleve R. Wootson Jr.
cwootson@charlotteobserver.com

Posted: Saturday, Nov. 07, 2009

Warren Turner unhurt in incident on job as state probation officer. 18-year-old in custody.

Turner

Charlotte City Councilman Warren Turner, who works as an N.C. probation officer, was shot at Friday as he conducted an investigation in southwest Charlotte, sources said.

Turner, a Democrat from District 3 who ran unopposed in Tuesday’s election, wasn’t injured. He briefly pursued but lost the man who shot at him, but radioed information about the fleeing vehicle to other officers.

Police arrested 18-year-old Derrick Alan Daniels in connection with the incident shortly afterward. Police were interviewing Daniels late Friday.

Turner has been a City Council member since 2003. He heads the community safety committee, which oversees the fire and police departments.

According to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, Turner was conducting a routine investigation on Shadowood Lane in the Windsong Trails community Friday afternoon when he approached two men. One man began shooting, then ran and fled in a tan car. Turner ran after the car while calling out a vehicle description to CMPD communications.

During the incident, a man could be heard over the police radio: “I am 10-4, I am 10-4,” police code for affirmative, or OK. The man then gave a description of a the car, which he said was headed toward Interstate 77 near Tyvola Road.

Police officers spotted the car near Woodlawn Road and started following it. The chase ended when the vehicle turned into the parking lot of Clanton Presbyterian Church on Freeland Avenue.

Reached on his cell phone Friday evening, Turner declined to comment.

Daniels has a short criminal record in North Carolina, with no convictions for violent crimes.

According to N.C. court records, Daniels was charged with possession of up to a half ounce of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia in December 2008. His jail sentence was commuted and he was instead given two years of probation.

Detectives were still investigating the case. Police encourage anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

Woman killed; police seek suspect near Reedy Creek Park

By Steve Lyttle
slyttle@charlotteobserver.com

Posted: Saturday, Nov. 07, 2009

This file photo shows Davon Thomas, who police are seeking in connection with the shooting death of his girlfriend on November 6, 2009.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police continue to comb an area near Reedy Creek Park on Saturday morning, looking for a man they say was involved in the fatal shooting of a woman several hours ago.

Police say the man they are seeking should be considered armed and dangerous.

The area being searched is between Interstate 485 and the park.

The man’s name is Davon Londell Thomas. He is being sought in connection with the shooting death of his girlfriend, shortly before 5 a.m., police say. The shooting happened in the home of Thomas’ parents, in the 9600 block of Willowglen Trail. That is at the southwest edge of the Reedy Creek Park area.

After the shooting, police say, the man ran into the woods at the edge of the park.

Police have called in their K-9 dog search unit and helicopter to look for Thomas. Additional officers on foot and in patrol cars are combing the area of northeast Charlotte.

Charlotte police Officer Robert Fey, a spokesman for the department, said witnesses told police that Thomas shot the woman several times after they arrived at the house. The woman was declared dead at the scene.

Thomas, 27, is described by police as being 6 feet 2 and 225 pounds. He was wearing dark clothing when last seen.

Anyone spotting the man is asked to call 911 immediately.

Police say they found a weapon at the scene of the shooting, but they are not sure if Thomas has additional weapons with him.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call 704-432-TIPS and speak directly to a detective. Detective Garry McFadden is the lead detective assigned to the case. In addition, you may also call Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

Inmates saved deputy’s life during attack, sheriff’s office says

By JEFF PATTERSON | News Channel 8

Published: November 4, 2009

Updated: 11/04/2009 09:38 pm

 

Deputy Kenneth Moon, a 22-year veteran, was at his desk inside a jail pod Monday when Douglas Burden charged him and put him in a chokehold

 

Douglas Burden

Jerry Dieguez

Hoang Vu

Terrell Carswell

David Schofield

TAMPA – The detention deputy was sitting at his desk when the inmate attacked. The deputy is 64; the inmate 40 years his junior.

Deputy Kenneth Moon had another disadvantage: He was the sole deputy in a jail pod that houses 62 inmates. The only nearby people who could help him were there because they have been charged with attempted murder, home invasion, drug dealing.

And yet they did.

The first one, Jerry Dieguez Jr., is in jail on an armed home invasion charge. When he saw inmate Douglas Burden put Moon in a chokehold, Dieguez didn’t hesitate.

He ran behind the desk and landed a haymaker of a punch on Burden.

Inmates Hoang Vu and Terrell Carswell also provided backup. Vu is charged with attempted murder; Carswell with robbery, marijuana possession, cocaine trafficking and failure to register as a sex offender. He also has a charge of obstructing an officer.

While Dieguez, Vu and Carswell kept Burden off the deputy, another inmate came charging over.

David Schofield, who’s in jail on aggravated assault and battery charges, reached over to the deputy, took his radio and called for help.

The inmates are credited with saving their jailer’s life.

“Their past acts aside, you know, you’ve got to applaud them for what they did,” said sheriff’s Col. Jim Previtera.

Previtera said Burden had Moon in a classic chokehold, one used in martial arts.

“It cuts off the blood supply,” he said, “and if it’s applied properly can actually crush the windpipe or the trachea.”

Deputies eventually restrained Burden, 24, and put him in confinement. He has been in jail since March 14 on driving under the influence and drug trafficking charges, records show. A charge of battery on a law enforcement officer has been added after Monday’s attack.

The sheriff’s office will send letters to the rescuers’ attorneys to be used in court on the inmates’ behalf, Previtera said.

That so many inmates came to Moon’s rescue “speaks volumes for the respect he’s garnered from these men under his control and in his custody,” he said.

Haydee Oropesa, attorney for inmate Hoang Vu, said she hopes the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s office takes into account Vu’s actions.

“He is an inmate that acted with care and compassion to another human being,” Oropesa said. “I hope it does help him.”

Chris Watson, felony bureau chief with the Hillsborough County Public Defender’s Office, said the action taken by the inmates won’t wipe out the charges against them but might help during mitigation to possibly receive a lesser sentence.

“Is it possible that what they did could help these gentlemen?” Watson said. “I think yes. It’s possible.”

“We are certainly happy that someone stepped in to help someone who is in a vulnerable position,” Watson said. “That people stepped up and protected the deputy is a great thing.”

Watson said he has been at the Orient Road and Falkenburg Road jails and met with inmates in the open area where they are held. He said it can be intimidating seeing so many people in one closed in area.

“You have an appreciation for the risk those deputies take,” Watson said.

Deputy Anthony Brown works in the unit and knows Moon and many of the inmates. He said the inmates’ actions showed there is more to their character than the crimes they are charged with.

“You would think that they would walk away, so somewhere in their hearts, there must be some goodness,” Brown said.

Brian Rogers is the sheriff’s office’s trainer for detention deputies. He said Moon did not have his radio holstered on his hip when he was attacked. The radio has a panic button that sends out a signal to jail officials that a deputy needs help.

“I don’t think he had his radio on him at the time,” Rogers said. “I think he just got surprised. The radio was on his desk and now he’s kind of left helpless without any type of communication.”

Moon, a 22-year veteran, is home recuperating from his wounds.

He was stunned after watching the surveillance video of the incident.

“He is understandably shaken by this sudden, random and violent attack, and clearly he recognizes the ramifications of what could have happened in this situation,” Previtera said.

 Reporters Josh Poltilove and Jose Patino Girona contributed to this report.

Salisbury officer involved in club brawl returns to streets

By GLENN COUNTS / NewsChannel 36

//

October 30th, 2009

Officer back on duty after club brawl

SALISBURY, N.C. — The Salisbury police officer involved in a nightclub fight that was caught on video is back on the streets.
//

October 30th, 2009

Officer back on duty after club brawl

That controversial video divided the community when it first came out in early September. Now, residents say those wounds are being reopened.

After a month on administrative assignment, Officer Kareem Puranda returned to active duty on Monday.

“There were a lot of officers inside that particular club. There was only one causing all the problems,” said John Barnette, a civil rights leader who is calling for Puranda to step down.

The video shot inside La Bamba nightclub in early September shows Puranda allegedly hitting one partygoer and choking another.

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“Something went on that night in that nightclub,” Barnette said. “The best thing about it is we see it on video and that’s vivid proof that something is going wrong in Salisbury.”

After hearing about the officer’s reinstatement, Barnette led a rally in Salisbury Thursday night. More than 100 people attended.

The police department confirmed that Puranda returned to the job, but won’t say if his administrative assignment contained a suspension. Even if it did, that won’t satisfy the group that is trying to get him fired.

“They are basically saying that he got called out. There was another fight that was going on and he was doing his job, and so that’s what we are challenging. We’re challenging the professionalism of this department,” Barnette said.

Barnette’s group is planning to go before the City Council and stage additional rallies in January to protest the police department.

Officers Surprise Sex Offenders During Operation Trick Or Treat

Posted: 10:28 pm EDT October 31, 2009Updated: 10:43 pm EDT October 31, 2009

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Mecklenburg County sheriff’s deputies and several local police officers made surprise visits to registered sex offenders on Halloween night. The spot checks were all a part of the “Keeping the Scary out of Halloween” campaign sponsored by the sheriff’s department.

 Deputies went door to door, performing spot checks on more than 400 registered sex offenders. Officers made sure their registration information was correct and that no one convicted of crimes against children was handing out candy or doing anything to lure children to their home.

 Deputy Roberto Marquez made the rounds in south Charlotte and said, “If anything, it makes us aware of where they are and the public is always appreciative of that.”

 Parent John Mrzygod praised the deputies efforts and said being aware of potential predators is a top priority for his family year-round.

 Mrzygod said, “My wife checks the (NC sex offender) website frequently just to see if there are sex offenders in the neighborhood and see where those houses are at and inform our neighbors who have children as well.”

 There are 742 registered sex offenders in Mecklenburg County. This is the fourth year of the Halloween registered sex offender spot checks.

3 Charged With Using Fake Money At Carowinds

Posted: 3:45 pm EST November 1, 2009Updated: 4:23 pm EST November 1, 2009

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Police arrested Sharod Mitchell, 19, of Forest City, Arhtiando Phillips, 21 of Shelby and Sarah Colon, 19, of Cherryville, after witnesses identified them as using fake $20 bills at the amusement park’s games.

 The trio have all been charged with forgery and criminal conspiracy according to York County Sheriff office documents.

 All three remain in custody at the Moss Justice Center Sunday and deny any involvement. Deputies found $1,175 on the group and two of the original bills that had been duplicated were among the cash found police said.

 Deputies also found evidence in Colon’s car in the parking lot.

 Carowinds security said they expect to find more then just the 37 counterfeit $20 bills that had been used at the park Saturday.

 All three have banned from Carowinds.

2 Charged In Rowan County Shooting, Home Invasion

Posted: 4:54 pm EDT October 31, 2009Updated: 6:33 pm EDT October 31, 2009

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — Two arrests have been made in a home invasion, robbery and shootout in a Rowan County home. Police charged Timani Stark, 18, with attempted murder and robbery and Tiffany Horne, 19, also with robbery.

 The pair, along with another suspect, threatened the homeowners and fired shots Friday inside their home in Mooresville.

 Gunfire was exchanged between the homeowner’s son and the suspect and injuring him. The suspect was taken to Carolina’s Medical Center.

 He has not been charged.

 Both Stark and Horne are also charged with robbery at the same house on Monday night.