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Police, Public Hope for Understanding After Latest Shooting

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Three officers were killed in Baton Rouge Sunday morning, the latest attack during several weeks of unrest in the country.

Just 10 days ago, another attack on police in Dallas killed five officers, and the fatal shootings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile were just days before that.

Law enforcement and citizens across the country and in San Diego are trying to find common ground.

“One of the first things I thought of this morning is the [mourning] band will be on the badge for at least another week. It’s just, it's just tragic,” a somber Sheriff Bill Gore told NBC 7.

Gore said he urges the public and officers not to overreact because then the attackers win.

“To let the acts of some deranged people in other parts of the country drive a wedge, which is what they're trying to do, they're trying to create civil unrest. This serves no productive end,” Gore said.

“This is not the time to get angry and come out and slam the police or slam citizens or slam anybody,” National Action Network activist Shane Harris agreed. “It’s a time to stand together and pray and love on each other.”

Sheriff Gore explained he wants people to not fall into the trap of division.

“I'm not saying there aren't mistakes made in law enforcement,” Gore said. “We’re not perfect and nobody is…We have to be able to step back and talk about these issues and come to some constructive answers and solutions."

During the San Diego Pride Festival this weekend, where there was a heightened security presence, people went up to officers to thank them and mourn with them.

“I think it's really ignorant and I really think it's sad,” paradegoer Alex Malkim said. “I know you’re mad at the cops, but why not make it better?"

The question is poignant as officers must, one more time, put on the mourning band.

San Diego Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman reacted on Twitter to the horrific attack on officers in Baton Rouge saying, "The terrible acts of violence in #BatonRouge will never break our resolve to protect & serve our community. We must all stand together."



Photo Credit: NBC 7
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Girl Dead, 4 Injured When Car Plows Into South LA Home

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A woman was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence after she crashed into a South Los Angeles home Sunday, leaving a 7-year-old girl dead and three children critically hurt, the Los Angeles County Fire Department said.

"I saw all the babies on the floor," said Yanera Alfaro , the owner of the home where the woman crashed, as tears streamed down her face.

Paramedics responded to the home in the 700 block of E 93rd Street at 6 p.m. after the violent wreck sent the two-door sedan through a wall and then crashing into the home.

Three children — ages 18 months old to 6 years old — were all taken to the hospital in critical condition, fire officials said.

A 36-year-old woman behind the wheel was also in critical condition, fire officials said.

All of those injured were inside of the car at the time of the crash, fire officials said.

The LAPD arrested the woman, whose relationship to the children was not immediately clear, on suspicion of driving under the influence.

Police said security cameras caught the car skidding from a half a block away before the wreck as the car traveled at about 50 mph. Investigators say the woman lost control and slammed into the house.

Witness Gregory Thomas rushed to help when he saw the impact with his fiance and friends.

"We pulled the kids out of the car and started doing CPR on them," Thomas said. "I just wanted to save them."



Photo Credit: KNBC-TV

Victim in Oceanside Jet Ski Crash Airlifted to Hospital

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A victim has been airlifted to a local hospital following a jet ski crash in Oceanside, Oceanside authorities said. 

The crash happened at approximately 2 p.m. Sunday on the 1400 block of N Pacific Street, officials said. 

A jet ski crashed into the entrance of the north jetty. 

Lifeguards rushed the help the victim. It is unclear how severe the victim's injuries are, but the victim is being airlifted to the hospital. 

No other information was immediately available.

Check back for updates on this breaking news story. 



Photo Credit: Getty Images/File

‘Phenomenal Kid’: Del Mar Reacts to Student's Death in Nice

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Nicolas Leslie's death has taken an emotional toll on his Del Mar community.

Leslie, 20, was confirmed to be among the 84 people killed by a truck that barreled through a crowd watching Bastille Day fireworks in Nice, France last Thursday.

The sophomore at UC Berkeley student was from Del Mar and graduated from Torrey Pines High School.

Longtime neighbor Geert Schmid-Schoenbein said he’s angry Leslie’s promising life was cut short.

Schmid-Schoenbein said Leslie was an excellent student who came to visit his parents on weekends.

“Very intact family, about as good as you can get,” he told NBC 7. “[He was] academically very strong. What else could you hope for from a kid?”

Leslie had been reported missing following the attack, and travel companions in Nice posted flyers in hopes of finding him.

On Sunday the unfortunate news of Leslie's death was reported to campus officials by the FBI.

One of his companions who'd been posting flyers in Nice posted to Facebook in part:

"Survivor's guilt is one of the strongest emotions I've felt... The one night I was sick, and wanted to stay home, this happened. You're the happiest person I ever knew. Thank you for the best three weeks of my life. "

Leslie, an environmental science major, was in Nice as part of Berkeley’s study abroad program.

The University Tweeted this message on Leslie's death:

Another friend posted in part:

"I've been waiting all weekend for you to walk through the door with a crazy story to tell me... But, you didn't. The world is an unfair place, where people are taken before their time... Where one selfish act of a crazy person can destroy so many people’s lives... My prayers go to you and your family. With a heavy heart I say fare well.”

On Saturday, Leslie's father, Conrad, traveled to Nice from San Diego in search of his son, NBC News reported.



Photo Credit: NBCNC
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Suspect At-Large After SWAT Standoff

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A SWAT incident that started in Pacific Beach late Saturday night was over by Sunday morning, but the suspect remains at-large, San Diego police confirmed.

Officers were serving a felony warrant on the man who was holed up in the 1400 block of Pacific Beach Drive.

Police fired off a flashbang and tear gas, but said the suspect must have slipped out.

The standoff started around 11:21 p.m. Saturday night and was cleared just after 6 a.m.

Police continue to search for the suspect.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Soskin Receives Replacement Coin

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In a surprise ceremony Sunday, park ranger Betty Reid Soskin, who is still recovering from a violent attack at her home in Richmond, California, last month, received a replacement for the commemorative presidential coin that was stolen from her last month.

Soskin, 94, the oldest park ranger in the U.S., was attending a ceremony at Concord Naval Weapon Station to honor those who lost their lives during a deadly explosion back in 1944 and commemorate the Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial when she was surprised with the coin.

"Betty's tough," Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell told the crowd, adding that the president wanted to replace the special coin that was stolen on June 27 during a home invasion of Soskin's Richmond apartment.

Soskin clapped her hands over her mouth to show her surprise and excitement. She didn't speak, but received a standing ovation as she left the podium. When she sat down, she quickly opened the envelope sent to her by President Obama and pulled out a new coin, rubbing it in between her fingers and holding it up for all to see, a big grin on her face.

The original coin was stolen by a thief who also took Soskin's cell phone, lap top and jewelry and then punched her several times before taking off, Richmond police said. No one has yet been arrested. She earned that coin when she was invited to light the national Christmas tree in December, during which she introduced President Obama and was gifted with the special presidential coin.

Later, Soskin told NBC Bay Area that the first coin really meant something special to her because it had been touched by the president who had "cupped it in his palm" handed it to her "in secret" at that ceremony. The president must have known how "powerful" that was, Soskin said in an interview, even more so than giving her the coin publicly.

Soskin returned to work last week, the first time since the attack, where her colleagues at the National Park Service, and members of the community at large, raised more than $50,000 to help her replace those items, as well as fund a documentary being made about her, according to the park service.

Soskin works at the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Park, where she moderates tours, talks to visiting groups and steps back in time to speak about living and working in the area during World War II.

She most famously grabbed national attention in 2013 during the federal funding crisis when she pleaded with Congress to step up and get its act together so that she didn't have to sit at home during a furlough.



Photo Credit: NBC Bay Area
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Dead Whale Floats Ashore — Again

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A dead whale that washed ashore at a beach in Encinitas was confirmed to be “Wally,” the whale that keeps floating toward the Southern California coast. 

The whale washed ashore Grandview Beach on Saturday, officials said. 

Wally first washed ashore Dockweiler Beach June 30 and was towed out by lifeguards the next day, ahead of the Fourth of July holiday. Just a week later, the carcass drifted toward San Pedro and then Newport Beach, and has repeatedly drifted toward the shore despite being towed away multiple times.

The female whale is between 10 and 20 years old and over 40 feet long, and has been the subject of many viral videos the past couple of weeks.

Lifeguards in Encinitas tried to use a bulldozer Sunday to get rid of the carcass, but the tide was too high. They plan to dispose of it Monday at low tide.



Photo Credit: Jennifer Neville

Baton Rouge Cop Killer Didn't Make 911 Call: Official

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The shooter responsible for killing three Baton Rouge police officers on Sunday did not lure them by calling 911, an official told NBC News. A member of the public, it turns out, made the emergency call.

But police do not think that the caller worked with the shooter, Louisiana State Police Col. Mike Edmonson said.

"It was someone who was calling in," he said, adding that there "was no indication" that the initial call was "trying to lure someone here."

The officers were responding to a 911 call in Louisiana's capital city when they were gunned down in an apparent "ambush" around 9 a.m. local time.

The gunman was fatally shot after the three police officers were killed and three others wounded.



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Milwaukee Officer Shot While Sitting in Squad Car

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A police officer in Milwaukee was seriously injured early Sunday after a man walked up to his squad car and fired several shots inside, police said. The officer, a 13-year veteran of the department identified as Brandon Baranowski, was hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries after being hit in his arm and bulletproof vest, NBC News reported. The suspect is believed to have later killed himself. His arrest record includes two prior felonies, police said. He was also the suspect in two domestic violence incidents. The man's uncle told WTMJ the shooting was "not the result of any movement, political agenda, race or gender. It is the result of a young man who was suffering from profound emotional distress." The family expressed in a statement "most heartfelt apologies to Officer Brandon Baranowski and his entire family."

San Diegans Respond to Baton Rouge Shooting on Social Media

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After news of the Baton Rouge shooting broke Sunday morning, San Diegans took to social media to condemn the violence and offer their condolences to those killed and injured. 

At least three Louisiana officers have died and several others were wounded early Sunday in a shooting in Baton Rouge, officials confirmed.

Here is some of what NBC 7 San Diego Facebook fans said in response. 



Photo Credit: AP
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Officers Fatally Shot in Baton Rouge Identified

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Police in Louisiana have identified the three officers shot and killed by a gunman on Sunday in an ambush-style shooting

Authorities identified Montrell Jackson, 32, Matthew Gerald, 41 — both of the Baton Rouge Police Department — and Brad Garafola, 45, of East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office Sunday evening as the three officers who were fatally shot.

Jackson was married and the father of a new baby boy. His former partner said Sunday Jackson was "stressed out and depressed" by the recent shootings in Baton Rouge and Dallas, according to NBC News

"I remember Montrell got on Facebook the other day and posted that he hopes that his son won't ever become a police officer so he wouldn't have to deal with the BS that comes with the job," he said.         

Gerald had been serving on the force for less than a year, according to the Baton Rouge Police Department's Facebook page

Garafola was with the Sheriff's Office for 24 years and was working in Civil Processing-Foreclosures.

Three officers were also wounded by the gunman, including Nicholas Tullier, 41, and Bruce Simmons, 51, both from East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office. Officials said Tullier was listed in critical condition, while Simmons has non-life threatening injuries. The identity of the third officer was not yet released. 

"These men are husbands, fathers, sons and brothers," Sheriff Sid Gautreaux said. "We are devastated to lose one of our own, and another is now in a fight for his life. We are asking for your prayers at this time. We will get through this together as a family and as a community."

Police identified the shooter, who was dressed in black fatigues, as Gavin Long of Kansas City, Missouri. 


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Baton Rouge Shooting Suspect Served in Marines

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The suspect in the fatal shooting of three Baton Rouge cops maintained a robust social media presence and a website called Convos With Cosmo in which he describes himself as a "freedom strategist, mental game coach, nutritionist, author and spiritual advisor," NBC News reported.

Gavin Long's website also links to a now disabled Instagram account and Twitter feed, in which he noted in a message posted mere hours before the shooting: "Just bc you wake up every morning doesn't mean that you're living. And Just bc you shed your physical body doesn't mean that you're dead."

Long was a Marine sergeant who served from 2005-2010, who was deployed to Iraq from June 2008 to January 2009, according to military records obtained by NBC News.

He filed paperwork in Jackson County, Missouri, last year declaring himself Cosmo Ausar Setepenra, a "sovereign citizen" of the United Washitaw De Dugdahmoundyah Mu'ur nation, a loosely affiliated network of mostly African Americans who claim to be Native American and don't believe the U.S. government has jurisdiction over them.


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No No-No But A Heck of a Padres Debut

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Entering Sunday’s series finale against the Giants at Petco Park, the Padres had never had a pitcher throw a no-hitter. The greatest pitchers the franchise has ever had, from Cy Young winners like Randy Jones and Jake Peavy to Hall of Famers like Gaylord Perry, weren’t able to do it. All-Stars like Kevin Brown and Chris Young couldn’t do it.

So it, in some strange way, almost makes perfect sense that a player who had never pitched for the team before, wearing a uniform the team had never used before, will have to be the one to break the streak.

Edwin Jackson was called up from Triple-A El Paso on Sunday morning. On Sunday morning he had a lot of people believing he was going to make history with that first San Diego no-no. Jackson, who threw a no-no for the Diamondbacks in 2010, had a no-hitter through 6.1 innings before Giants pinch-hitter Conor Gillaspie broke it up with a no-doubter home run to right field.

Still, it was a nice first impression to make with Padres fans.

"It's definitely a great way to have everything kicked off with a new team," said Jackson, who has now played for 11 MLB franchises. "I know I have life still in my arm. Like I say, I know my abilities. I know what I can do. I've been telling people a long time I still feel like I have a lot on the table. I've had an erratic career but I still think I'm in my prime and I still think I have a lot to offer."

Plus, the day was not a total loss. Jackson got the win in a 5-3 victory to complete their first sweep of the 2016 season and it came against the team with the best record in baseball.

Jackson was on a tightrope for most of his big day. The Giants had five baserunners in the first three innings (three walks, error, fielder’s choice) but the veteran was able to get out each time with no damage done.

San Diego’s offense broke through against Giants starter Johnny Cueto in the 4th inning. Matt Kemp and Christian Bethancourt both hit monster solo home runs to put the Padres up 2-0. In the top of the 6th Ryan Schmipf singled home Alex Dickerson and Jackson, who had a pair of singles at the plate, lined one to left-center to bring home Bethancourt and put the Padres up 4-0.

In the top of the 7th Jackson struck out Brandon Crawford (his 4th K of the afternoon) before running into trouble. Gregor Blanco hit a dribbler back to the mound but Edwin bobbled it and couldn’t get the out at first. It was clearly an error so the no-hitter was intact but Ramiro Pena followed with a walk and Giants manager Bruce Bochy sent in Conor Gillaspie to pinch-hit.

It was the right move for the San Francisco skipper. Gillaspie crushed a 3-run home run to right field, the first and only hit Jackson gave up. Padres manager Andy Green went out to get Jackson, who walked off the field to a standing ovation from the 35,784 fans at Petco Park.

Gillaspie’s shot also cut the San Diego lead to 4-3 but Yangervis Solarte got one of them back with a solo home run to right field. From there Ryan Buchter and new closer Brandon Maurer kept the Giants off the scoreboard to complete the sweep.

The Padres hit the road for a 10-game road trip through St. Louis, Washington and Toronto (for the first time ever) that starts on Monday at Busch Stadium. If Christian Friedrich can beat San Diego native Mike Leake then the Padres will have a 4-game winning streak their longest of the year.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

US Student in Nice Confirmed Dead

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A UC Berkeley student missing in Nice, France, following Thursday's truck attack has been found dead.

Nicolas Leslie, 20, was confirmed dead by FBI officials, which were notified by counterparts in France early Sunday, Berkeley News reported.

"This is tragic, devastating news," UC Berkeley Chancellor Nicholas Dirks told Berkeley News. "All of us in the UC Berkeley family — both here on campus, and around the world — are heartbroken to learn that another promising young student has been lost to senseless violence. I join Nick’s parents, friends and the entire campus community in condemning this horrific attack, and in mourning the loss of one of our own."

Leslie, a native of Del Mar, in San Diego County, was one of 85 Berkeley students attending a summer study abroad program in the city of Nice when the attacker, identified as 31-year-old Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel, drove a truck through crowds departing a fireworks celebration.

Friends told NBC Bay Area that Leslie avoided being hit by the truck but was separated from his group during the stampede and chaos that followed.

On Saturday, Leslie's father, Conrad, left his Southern California home and traveled to Nice in search of his son, NBC News reported. Leslie's uncle, Fabeo Bottini, had been scouring hospitals in the Nice area since the attack looking for Nicolas, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Claire Holmes, a spokeswoman for the program, said the campus is devastated.

"We have been mobilizing over the past few days, cooperating with officials on the ground to find Nick, and bring him home." Holmes said. "Unfortunately, the news was tragic today."

A vigil for Leslie is scheduled for Monday at 4:30 p.m at Sproul Plaza on the Berkeley campus.



Photo Credit: University of California, Berkeley

Obama Presents Vietnam War Veteran With Medal of Honor

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President Barack Obama awarded the nation's highest military honor to a Vietnam War veteran on Monday, noting that the story of retired Lt. Col. Charles Kettles' bravery nearly 50 years ago serves as great inspiration at a time when Americans could use some. 

Kettles led helicopter flights carrying reinforcements to U.S. soldiers and evacuated the wounded after they were ambushed in combat operations near Duc Pho in May 1967, helping to save more than soldiers. 

Obama said the story was quintessentially American because Kettles showed the importance of looking out for others and how nobody should be left behind. 

"This shouldn't just be a creed for our soldiers. This should be a creed for all of us," Obama said. 

Obama said during the ceremony that after police shootings in Dallas and Baton Rouge, the nation has had "let's face it, a couple of tough weeks." 

"For us to remember the goodness and decency of the American people in a way that we can all look out for each other even when times are tough, even when the odds are against us, what a wonderful inspiration, what a great gift for us to be able to celebrate something like this," Obama said. 

Obama told how Kettles repeatedly returned to a landing zone under heavy fire. He is credited with helping to save 40 soldiers and four members of his unit. During the final evacuation effort, he was advised that eight soldiers had been unable to reach the helicopters, so he returned without benefit of artillery or tactical aircraft support. 

The Army said his helicopter was hit by a mortar round that damaged the main rotor blade and shattered both front windshields. Small arms and machine gun fire also raked the helicopter. 

"In spite of the severe damage to his helicopter, Kettles once more skillfully guided his heavily damaged aircraft to safety," the Army said in describing his actions. "Without his courageous actions and superior flying skills, the last group of soldiers and his crew would never have made it off the battlefield." 

The Veterans History Project launched a formal campaign to upgrade Kettles' Distinguished Service Cross for his actions that day to the Medal of Honor. After the Pentagon agreed his actions merited an upgrade, Congress passed legislation waiving a time limitation for the award, and paving the way for Obama's action.

Obama said Kettles was humble and described how Kettles had noted there were some 74 pilots and crew members serving in that mission. Obama said that Kettles had remarked of the ceremony: "This seems like a hell of a lot of fuss for something that happened 50 years ago."



Photo Credit: AP

Alpine Brush Fire Chars 1 Acre Before Crews Knock It Down

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Crews quickly quelled a one-acre brush fire burning in Alpine. 

The fire broke out around 10:50 a.m. off Old Gold Mine Road and Viejas Grade Road. The Viejas Fire Department, U.S. Forest Service and Cal Fire are responding. 

The fire was reported to be spreading rapidly, but crews quickly quelled the fire. 

No injuries have been reported. No structures were damaged.

There is no word on a cause. 

No other information was immediately available.



Photo Credit: NBC 7 San Diego

Ailes May Be Let Go From Fox This Week: Report

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Roger Ailes' days at Fox News may be numbered, according to a new report.

According to New York Magazine's Daily Intelligencer, two sources claim 21st Century Fox co-chairmen Rupert Murdoch and Lachlan Murdoch and CEO James Murdoch will remove Ailes from his current post of chairman and CEO of Fox News.

James, in particular, believes that Ailes should be asked to resign or be fired this week, the sources added. The elder Murdoch and Lachlan are leaning towards making the decision after the GOP convention.

Fox News did not respond to requests for comment. Parent company 21st Century Fox said, "This matter is not yet resolved and the review is not concluded," CNBC reported.

Ailes is embroiled in a sexual harassment lawsuit brought forward by former Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson. Ailes denied the claims in a statement, saying Carlson was filing a "retaliatory suit" because of network not renewing her show due to "disappointingly low ratings."



Photo Credit: AP/File

Sanders Fans Plan DNC 'Fart-In' Protest

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A number of Bernie Sanders supporters are organizing a "fart-in" for July 28 both inside Philadelphia's Wells Fargo Center and outside on the street at the moment presumptive Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton accepts the party's nomination, NBC News reported. 

After putting the word out about the fart-in through her national organization, the Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign, organizer Cheri Honkala said she began receiving beans from all over the country.

Honkala said organizers will erect a shantytown dubbed "Clintonville" in Kensington, one of Philadelphia's poorest neighborhoods, where protesters can load up on beans before Clinton's nomination is announced next Thursday.

Honkala said the organization also plans to protest for economic justice beginning at 3 p.m. at Philadelphia's City Hall next Monday, when the Democratic convention begins. Her group was also scheduled to take part in an "End Poverty Now!" demonstration in Cleveland on Monday, the first day of the Republican convention.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Baton Rouge Officers Remembered at Oceanside Police Event

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San Diegans gathered in Oceanside to honor their local law enforcement officials Sunday, the same day three officers were fatally shot in Baton Rouge. NBC 7’s Matt Rascon reports.

Photo Credit: NBC 7

'US Was Not Involved in Turkey Coup Attempt': Official

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The U.S. ambassador to Turkey denied any American role in an attempted coup there, saying Monday that speculation to that effect was "categorically untrue."

Tensions between the two countries have escalated since members of the Turkish military tried and failed to seize power on Friday. Turkey's Labor Minister Suleyman Soylu has suggested Washington was behind the plot.

"Some news reports — and, unfortunately, some public figures — have speculated that the United States in some way supported the coup attempt," Ambassador John Bass said in a statement Monday. "This is categorically untrue."

Central to the friction between Washington and Ankara is Fetullah Gulen, a cleric who lives in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania and who Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has blamed for orchestrating the putsch, NBC News reported.

Gulen denies the charges — even raising the possibility the coup attempt may have been staged, but Erdogan has demanded his extradition from the U.S.



Photo Credit: Getty Images
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