2 dead, 5 wounded at Church's Chicken in Englewood

2 dead, 5 wounded at Church's Chicken in Englewood

By Ryan Haggerty
Tribune reporter
5:46 a.m. CST, December 28, 2011

Grieving
( Terrence Antonio James, Chicago Tribune / December 27, 2011 )
Diamond Brown grieves near the crime scene after learning that a friend of hers was reportedly shot and killed.

Two people were killed and five others wounded when shots rang out Tuesday evening at a fast-food restaurant in the Englewood neighborhood on the South Side, authorities said.

The gunman had gotten into an argument with a person outside the Church's Chicken restaurant near 66th and Halsted streets, then chased the person inside and opened fire about 6:50 p.m., police said.

Surveillance video appears to show the intended target trying to run away through a crowd of people, police said. No one was in custody, police said.

Two people were dead on scene and four others were taken to hospitals initially in critical condition, according to police and the Chicago Fire Department. It was not known whether the person being chased was among the victims.

The Cook County medical examiner's office this morning still did not have the identities of the dead.
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Lakeland Police Officer Crispin's life honored at funeral

Friends Remember LPD Officer Crispin at Funeral
LAKELAND
Thousands of mourners filled Victory Assembly Church this morning for the funeral of Officer Arnulfo Crispin.

Officers from throughout Florida attended the service for the 25-year-old officer who was gunned down in the line of duty last week. Gov. Rick Scott and Attorney General Pam Bondi also attended.

Police Chief Lisa Womack spoke during the service, recalling Crispin's quiet nature and ever-present smile. She said many people have mentioned to her the ways Crispin touched their lives.

"He brought an enthusiasm and energy that was contagious. He was well respected by his peers and praised by those who worked with him for his passion and his energy. As I talked to those who worked closely with him on Charlie Squad over the past week, it was clear he was a favorite member and was becoming respected as a shift leader," she said. "Charlie Squad is going to miss him greatly."

"It is with great sadness that as the police chief of the Lakeland Police Department that I must call the end of watch of Officer Arnulfo Crispin on Dec. 21st, 2011," she said.
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Former Marine could face death penalty in Iran

Former Marine could face death penalty in Iran
The Associated Press
Posted : Tuesday Dec 27, 2011 12:55:00 EST
TEHRAN, Iran — A Michigan high school graduate and former Marine accused by Iran of working for the CIA could face the death penalty, the semiofficial Fars news agency reported Tuesday.

In a closed court hearing, the prosecution applied for capital punishment, the report said, because the suspect, identified as Amir Mirzaei Hekmati, "admitted that he received training in the United States and planned to imply that Iran was involved in terrorist activities in foreign countries" after returning to the U.S.
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As Iraq War ends, no parade for US troops in cards

UPDATE
It would be better for each state to have their own parade because of all the National Guards and Reservists. They've been away from home for far too long and shouldn't be expected to have to travel far now.

As Iraq War ends, no parade for US troops in cards
By BEN NUCKOLS, Associated Press – 1 hour ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans probably will not be seeing a huge ticker-tape parade anytime soon for troops returning from Iraq, and it is not clear if veterans of the nine-year campaign will ever enjoy the grand, flag-waving, red-white-and-blue homecoming that the nation's fighting men and women received after World War II and the Gulf War.

Officials in New York and Washington say they would be happy to help stage a big celebration, but Pentagon officials say they haven't been asked to plan one.

Most welcome-homes have been smaller-scale: hugs from families at military posts across the country, a somber commemoration by President Barack Obama at Fort Bragg in North Carolina.

With tens of thousands of U.S. troops still fighting a bloody war in Afghanistan, anything that looks like a big victory celebration could be seen as unseemly and premature, some say.

"It's going to be a bit awkward to be celebrating too much, given how much there is going on and how much there will be going on in Afghanistan," said Don Mrozek, a military history professor at Kansas State University.

Two New York City councilmen, Republicans Vincent Ignizio and James Oddo, have called for a ticker-tape parade down the stretch of Broadway known as the Canyon of Heroes. A similar celebration after the Gulf War was paid for with more than $5.2 million in private donations, a model the councilmen would like to follow.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg said last week that he was open to the idea but added, "It's a federal thing that we really don't want to do without talking to Washington, and we'll be doing that."

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6 Silver Stars for daring rescues in Afghanistan

6 Silver Stars for daring rescues in Afghanistan
By John Ryan and Michelle Tan - Staff writers
Posted : Monday Dec 26, 2011

ARMY From left to right, Silver Star recipients Capt. David Fox, Sgt. McKenna 'Frank' Miller and Staff Sgt. Matthew Gassman stand during a Valor Ceremony hosted by U.S. Special Operations Command Europe on Dec. 6 in Stuttgart, Germany.

Six soldiers received Silver Stars in early December for bravery during two bloody firefights in Afghanistan.

Three soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division — Staff Sgt. Al J. Garcia, Spc. David R. Stone and Sgt. Jacob Wilder — were honored at Fort Campbell, Ky., on Dec. 9 for two audacious rescues during an air assault operation in Paktika province in April.

They served with 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team.

On Dec. 6, a trio of Special Forces soldiers received Silver Stars in Stuttgart, Germany. Capt. David Fox, Sgt. 1st Class McKenna “Frank” Miller and Staff Sgt. Matthew Gassman were recognized for a dangerous evacuation of casualties in the mountains of Kapisa province in 2010. All three were assigned to 1st Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group.


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also
Three receive Silver Stars