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Local 13-Year-Old Graduates From College

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Claire Lewis, 13, has many interests like other teens her age, including playing the piano, clogging and watching television. But unlike other 13-year-olds, she also has an Associate of Arts degree.

In May, she became the youngest person ever to graduate from Palomar College, a community college in San Marcos, California. And she did it with a 4.0 GPA, according to her mother. 

Lewis' parents are professionals in information technology, and realized when she was nine years old she wasn't being challenged in school. 

"My mom didn't know how to home school me, so I went to Palomar College to do assessment testing and I did so well they let me take classes there," Lewis said.

She started attending at age 10. She received a general studies degree with an emphasis in science and math. She took biology, calculus, geography and geology to obtain her degree.

"I love math, it's my favorite," Lewis said.

Lewis is also a classical pianist, listing Chopin as one of her favorite composers to play.

"I want to get my undergraduate degree in piano and then I want to be a orchestral conductor when I grow up," Lewis said.

Lewis plans to take a year off and then start applying to music conservatories for school. Her parents will move with her where ever she goes, since she is too young to live on her own for now.


Teen with Autism Missing After Getting On Bus Alone

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A search is underway for a boy with autism who police say boarded a bus alone in Downtown San Diego.

According to San Diego Police (SDPD), 19-year-old Devon Finks (pictured above) was exiting a trolley at the 1300 Park Boulevard stop with a group accompanied by a caretaker when he boarded a bus headed eastbound on Broadway at around 2:30 p.m.

SDPD said that all passengers on that eastbound route are forced to exit the bus at West Ash Street and State Street. Officers will be looking for Fink in the area.

Finks is described as black, 5 feet 6 inches tall with black hair. He was last seen wearing a grey and white striped sweater, orange pants and dark frame glasses. He is also carrying a backpack.

According to SDPD, Finks is diagnosed with Autism and has the mental capacity of a 12 year old. Finks has difficulty verbally communicating and is unable to care for himself.

SDPD said he is known to use the trolley, but not without family members or a caretaker. He lives in the City Heights area but does not know how to get home on his own.

No other information was available.

Please refresh this page for updates on this story. Details may change as more information becomes available.

Obama, in Canada, Warns Against Isolationism

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Former President Obama on Tuesday said Western values are still the envy of the world, and cautioned against embracing isolationism in the face of economic uncertainty, NBC News reported.

Obama, speaking in Montreal at a Chamber of Commerce event, said the world must do more to combat income inequality, noting that the concentration of wealth fans fears that governments exist solely to benefit the powerful.

"That's a recipe for more cynicism and more polarization, less trust in our institutions and less trust in each other. And it’s part of what leads people to turn to populist alternatives that may not actually deliver," Obama said.



Photo Credit: AP, File

1 Injured After Car Catches Fire in Parking Lot in Santee

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One person was injured after a vehicle caught fire in a parking lot in Santee Tuesday, confirmed Heartland Fire.

The owner of the vehicle was taken to a nearby hospital with minor burns.

It happened at about 6:45 p.m. in the 8500 block of North Magnolia Avenue, said Heartland Fire officials.

Emergency responders received reports of a car on fire in the parking lot of the Second Wind Bar and were requested at the scene.

Crews from the El Cajon and Santee Fire Department rushed to the parking lot and quickly extinguished the fire.

It was not yet known what caused the fire, according to Heartland Fire. No other information was immediately available.

Please refresh this page for updates on this story. Details may change as more information becomes available.



Photo Credit: NBC 7

Chargers Top Pick Sidelined With Injury

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Surprise, Surprise. Another new addition to the Chargers is injured.

This time it’s the team’s 2017 first round draft pick Mike Williams.

The 6’4” wide receiver from Clemson is suffering from a mild disc herniation in his lower back and will be sidelined for the remainder of the off-season program.

The injury will likely hold Williams out until training camp.

This is not the first time Williams has experienced neck problems. Back in 2015, Williams fractured a bone in his neck after catching a touchdown pass and colliding with the goal post.

He missed the rest of that season and received a redshirt before returning with a breakout year in 2016.

After racking up team highs with 98 receptions, 1,361 passing yards and 11 touchdowns as a redshirt junior, Williams helped Clemson football claim the national title this past January as one of DeShaun Watson’s favorite targets.

If healthy, Williams is expected to compete for a starting position in the Chargers offense along with other key weapons for Philip Rivers like Keenan Allen, Travis Benjamin and the emerging Hunter Henry.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Officer Injured in Shooting Last Year Back on Duty

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The San Diego police officer injured in a shooting last year that took the life of his partner is back on duty.

Officer Wade Irwin is back at the department in a limited role, San Diego police (SDPD) confirmed Tuesday.

He suffered a gunshot injury to his neck in the July 2016 Southcrest shooting that shook San Diego.

Irwin and his partner, Officer Jonathan De Guzman, had pulled over suspect Jesse Michael Gomez during a traffic stop on July 28 when Gomez opened fire at both officers at point-blank range.

De Guzman, a 16-year veteran of the SDPD, was shot and killed. Irwin was shot in the neck.

He was released from the hospital in August.

According to SDPD, Irwin will be on desk duty as he is still recovering from his injury.

Gomez is facing charges that include murder and attempted murder.

Irwin is a 9-year veteran of the department

150 Pounds of Meth Discovered in Popcorn Boxes: CBP

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U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers discovered 150 pounds of methamphetamine hidden in popcorn boxes at the San Ysidro Port of Entry.

A 25-year-old woman, who is a U.S. citizen, drove her 2010 Jeep Liberty to the port at about 11 a.m. last Sunday. Her vehicle was inspected when a CBP officer noticed the excessive amount of food inside, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Anomalies were detected when officers used the port's imaging system on her vehicle, so a CBP canine team was called to investigate. The drug-sniffing dog alerted officers to the popcorn boxes located in the rear cargo area of the woman's car.

Upon searching the popcorn boxes, large packages of methamphetamine were revealed, said officials from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Border Patrol officers found a total of 15 packages weighing 150 pounds, worth a street value of more than $481,952. The drugs were all stuffed into boxes of popcorn.

Over the weekend, Border Patrol officers working at the ports of entry in the San Diego and Imperial Valley Counties intercepted about 837 pounds of narcotics valued at over $3.9 million, according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

On June 2 to 4, CBP officers seized 388 pounds of methamphetamine, 162 pounds of cocaine, 32 pounds of heroin and 250 pounds of marijuana, mostly hidden inside various vehicle parts.



Photo Credit: U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Funding for SD Special Election Blocked; Mayor Plans Veto

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Backers of "SoccerCity" remain hopeful that San Diego voters will still get to cast ballots on the proposed billion-dollar project this year.

Money for a special election was pulled Thursday from Mayor Kevin Faulconer's budget -- a move he plans to veto.

On the docket schedule, this political showdown has two weeks to play out. Democrats have a 5-4 majority on the City Council but they'll need a sixth vote to override a veto.

Failing that, even if the $5 million funding to underwrite a special election is restored, their five votes could still block a special election outright if they hold ranks.

Faulconer wants voters to cast ballots in November for Soccer City, plus hotel tax hikes for a convention center expansion, street upgrades and homelessness programs.

Sherman says building trade unions pressured Democrats not to support a special election, because construction contracts wouldn't favor their members.

"It's all or nothing,” he said in an interview Tuesday. “Can't you share in the pie and make a good deal for everybody? At the end of the day, the best deal is when nobody gets everything that they want. And here in this deal, it was a good deal on the table."

Special election backers warn that San Diego will lose out on being awarded a Major League Soccer franchise without a special election.

They also say staggering costs will be added to a larger convention center, and street work and help for the homeless delayed.

"Every Council member in this chamber has said we are in the middle of a homelessness crisis,” Sherman told NBC 7. “ So the solution is to wait a year and a half to come up with a dedicated revenue stream to try and solve the problem? It makes no sense.”

The mayor's veto is expected later this week.

Next Monday the Council takes up the proposed Convention Center expansion issue, and turns to SoccerCity on June 19.



Photo Credit: NBC 7

Racial Slur Found in Local Middle School's Yearbook

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Several students found a racial slur on the cover of a yearbook after more than 1,000 copies were printed and hundreds had already been handed out to eighth grade students at Black Mountain Middle School.

The school is now scrambling to fix what the Poway Unified School District (PUSD) is calling an honest mistake.

But some parents told NBC 7, they are disappointed this even happened.

"It's not appropriate in an eighth-grade yearbook. It's unfortunate," said Darlene Willis from the Concerned Parents Alliance. "We just have to all be more conscious of paying attention and checking and double checking and triple checking to make sure it's not offensive to folks and the current language they have is offensive."

Willis' two sons graduated from Black Mountain Middle School years ago. She now works with Concerned Parents Alliance which partners with PUSD.

The racial slur was found on a map of San Diego County from the 1800s, which was used as a background on the yearbook's cover. It was printed in the area near Palomar Mountain, which was once known as the home of freed slave Nate Harrison.

Several students noticed the racial slur and brought it to the attention of the school. 

The school asked students to bring the yearbooks back Tuesday.

School employees scratched the word off of more than 1,000 yearbooks. Students will receive their yearbooks Wednesday, the district said.

But some parents said it's not enough just to cross out the word.

"We've got some work to do," Willis said. "I think this is the perfect opportunity for the school district to do more cultural sensitivity and make sure that those folks that are in charge of things like this, that they read and re-read, double check, triple check so that doesn't happen again. Not in 2017. We can't go back again in time."

Martha Parham, a former PUSD employee now with the Concerned Parent Alliance called the incident a "teachable moment."

"I don't think that it needs to be re-printed but I do believe that if they do remove it, it needs to be totally explained to kids why," Parham said.

Christine Paik, a spokesperson for the district, told NBC 7, a message was sent to parents following the incident.

It read:

"In using a historical map from the 1800's of northern San Diego County, our staff and yearbook editors inadvertently used a background image for the cover of this year's yearbook containing a highly offensive racial term. This was a reference to an area of San Diego County on Palomar Mountain which was once known as the home of a freed slave, and referred to with a very derogatory label. We deeply regret this error and have recalled all yearbooks distributed to grade 8 students and will delay distributing the books to our grade 6 and 7 students. We understand how important the yearbooks are to our students and are working on getting their memories to them. We are making the correction and will redistribute the yearbooks as soon as possible. Please contact us with any concerns."

The district said counselors will be available for parents or students who want to discuss the printing error.



Photo Credit: Poway Unified School District

Emergency Drill to Prepare San Diego for Terrorist Attacks

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Local first responders will conduct a two-day Emergency Exercise on Wednesday to simulate a terrorism emergency.

One of the participating agencies is the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.

Sheriff William D. Gore told NBC 7 why it's so important have drills like this, in order to prevent terrorist attacks like the ones in Europe from happening in San Diego.

"I think when you see this worldwide coverage it makes the exercise we’re doing tomorrow even more important, relevant," said Gore.

Gore says that the exercise will simulate a terrorism emergency, with about 40 different agencies working together. The exercise will simulate a multi-prong terrorist attack at three different locations in San Diego on the first day.

“We’re light years ahead of where we were 15 years ago on 9/11,” said Gore. “We have enlisted all the 900,000 local law enforcement in our counterterrorism efforts which we really hadn’t done back in 9/11. We’re in good shape.”

On the second day, the first responders will work to coordinate the 11 emergency operation centers to see how they all perform. Crews will make sure the communication is strong and the chain of command is working, said Gore.

But how can we prevent terrorist attacks when the methods of attack appear increasingly random and erratic?

"The random ones we’ve seen, the attacks with knives or hammers like we saw today, driving a truck into traffic...Your imagination is kind of the limit for how you prepare for these types of activities,” said Gore. “I think our real challenge is identifying these people that are in our communities.”

Gore says they utilize joint terrorism tax forces, to bring together federal, state and local resources. That way local law enforcement can take a spare piece of intelligence or information from San Diego, and compare it with a piece of intelligence from overseas.

We didn't have that kind of widespread teamwork and various mechanisms in place back when 9/11 happened, said Gore. So, there's a much bigger network of communication working to break up terrorist plots.

“That doesn’t mean there’s not risk. There’s risk anytime—we live in an open free society and there’s challenges and risks that come with that,” said Gore. “I try to tell people when I talk to them, we can’t protect ourselves into a police state. We have to accept a certain amount of risk.”

Gore reminded the community to work with law enforcement so they're better prepared to keep everyone safe. If you see something, do say something.

“We have to be prepared, share information, be cautious. But not change our lifestyle,” said Gore. “And to the extent we do, to try, you know, out of fear of these terrorist attacks, the terrorists win. We can’t let that happen.”

To keep matters in perspective, Gore says San Diegans should be aware that they are probably more at risk of danger when they are driving on the freeway.

“Trust me, you’re in much greater danger when you drive on the I-5 or the I-15 than you are of being killed in a terrorist attack," said Gore. “That doesn’t mean we don’t take that seriously or don’t share information, but we have to go about our lives too.”



Photo Credit: NBC 7

Mysterious-Looking Eel Found in Ocean Beach

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A man's dog discovered a mysterious-looking, dead sea creature while walking along Ocean Beach Tuesday.

"Well, you know, he comes here at least once a day. If there's something dead on the shoreline, he's usually there on it with his nose," said Sean Peterson, the owner, while his dog Buck sniffed the ground.

NBC 7 has since confirmed that the creature is a Moray Eel, which are known to wash up on San Diego's shores. Scripps officials say this doesn't happen very often. It's more likely that you'll see one at an aquarium, than while going for a stroll by the beach.

According to the Ocean Explorer at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Moray Eeel is a long, skinny fish that can reach 13 feet in length, or become twice as tall as an adult human being.

The giant moray can even weigh more than people do, according to NOAA. Although they are fish, they don't have pectoral or pelvic fins.

Mostly found in the warmer oceans, morays can burrow into the sediment or make their homes in between rocks, explained NOAA officials.

A couple times a year Scripp receives calls about the eels, simply because they are slightly freaky looking.

This one may have gotten caught in a fishing net before washing ashore, based on photos of the creature, according to Scripps.

The UCSD acquarium has two exhibits that contain Morays, with the Giant Kelp Forest being the biggest and most impressive one.



Photo Credit: NBC 7

1st Amendment Lawyers Tell Trump to Un-block Twitter Users

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A group of First Amendment lawyers sent President Donald Trump a letter on Tuesday asking him to unblock Twitter users he shunned after they disagreed with him, NBC News reported.

The Knight First Amendment Institute, a non-profit representing several Twitter users blocked by @realDonaldTrump, argues that Trump's Twitter space is a "public forum," adding that "the viewpoint-based blocking of our clients is unconstitutional."

The White House did not immediately comment on the letter.

The Institute's efforts come after press secretary Sean Spicer confirmed Monday that the president's tweets should be taken as official statements, which legal experts say bolsters the lawyers' arguments.



Photo Credit: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images

20 Fatalities in San Diego County Due to Fentanyl

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Amid a warning by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Tuesday about fentanyl deaths, NBC 7 learned there have been 20 deaths caused by the deadly drug in San Diego County this year.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 40 to 50 times more powerful than heroin.

NBC 7 reached out to the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office was told they historically have dealt with prescription fentanyl. But in 2014, they saw the emergence of fentanyl analogues--variations of the drug that are manufactured illegally and are toxic.

In 2015, 21 people died from fentanyl, of which 14 were caused by prescription fentanyl. Thirty-three fatalities were recorded in 2016 and 20 so far in 2017.

According to the ME, other medications, alcohol, illegal drugs or natural diseases could also be a factor in the cause of death.

In a video released to first responders, the DEA warned that should they come across the drug, they should not touch it or test it in the field. Instead, officers are told to take it back to a laboratory where it can be properly handled and tested.

The video also featured two New Jersey police officers who became sick after handling fentanyl.

Fentanyl can also be deadly for police K-9s, the DEA warned, so officers should take precautions.

Last year, three police dogs in Florida were rushed to an animal hospital when they ingested fentanyl. 

Now, law enforcement officers have started carrying naloxone with them on drug raids for K-9s--a drug used to reverse overdoses in humans.

DEA Issues New Guideline for Dealing With Dangerous Fentanyl

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The Drug Enforcement Agency released a new set of guidelines Tuesday to help first responders know how to handle the deadly drug fentanyl in the battle against the national opioid epidemic, NBC News reported.

"Assume the worst," DEA acting chief Chuck Rosenberg says in a video accompanying the guideline. "Don't touch this stuff or the wrappings that it comes in without the proper personal protective equipment."

Rosenberg said the guideline, produced with help from police officers in Ohio, New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland and Georgia, should be required reading for first responders

The DEA recently moved to declare the designer drug Acryl fentanyl a controlled substance and make it illegal to buy online.



Photo Credit: AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin

Taiwanese Man Charged With Smuggling Abalone, Sea Cucumber

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A Taiwanese citizen has been charged in connection with the smuggling of abalone and sea cucumber in February 2016, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the southern district of California.

Wei Wei Wang, 37, who lives in New York, was arraigned Tuesday. Wang was charged along with 48-year-old Alan Ren.

According to the indictment, Wang and Ren smuggled 250 pounds of illegal seafood from Mexico--including 83 pounds of black abalone and 172 pounds of sea cucumber.

Black abalone, found off the coasts of California and Baja California in Mexico, are listed as "endangered" since 2009 under the Endangered Species Act. 

Isostichopus fuscus, a type of sea cucumber, are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). They can be found in the Eastern Pacific Ocean from Mexico to Ecuador.

Wang and Ren are facing charges of Conspiracy, Smuggling/Importation Contrary to Law, and Unlawful Importation of Wildlife.

Ren has not been arrested yet.


Diamondbacks Pounce On Padres

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San Diego’s Hunter Renfroe had a pretty good night at the ballpark in Phoenix.

Two swings by the rookie right fielder turned into a pair of towering home runs against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

But the visiting Friars needed a little bit more offense to keep pace Tuesday against the home team.

Actually they needed a lot more offense.

The D’Backs stung Padres pitcher Dinelson Lamet for nine runs during the first three innings and ran away with a 10-2 victory. The rookie right-hander endured his worst outing since getting called up to the majors earlier this season and suffered his first loss which dropped his record to 2-1.

The big blow came from Padres killer Chris Owings who blasted a 3-run homer in the 2nd inning to push Arizona’s lead to 7-0.

Owings owns the Friars this season.

In ten games against San Diego, the 25-year-old is batting .333 (13-for-39) with 4 homers and 13 runs batted in.

This is probably a good time to point out that he has just three home runs this season against MLB teams not named the Padres.

Maybe Padres manager Andy Green should borrow a page from Joe Maddon’s playbook and start walking the D’backs infielder Bryce Harper-style.

Regardless, San Diego’s promising rookie in right-field could not completely make up for the promising rookie on the mound that struggled.

Jake Lamb tagged Lamet for a 2-run double in the first inning and then proceeded to knock in two more runs with a bases-loaded single in the second.

That set the stage for Owings 3-run bomb which put the game out of reach.

Aside from Renfroe’s two bombs, the rest of the Padres offense was held to just three hits.

Arizona starter Robbie Ray struck out 11 and went 6.2 innings. Reliever Tom Wilhelmsen finished the job.

Padres pitcher Luis Perdomo opposes Zach Greinke (7-3, 3.06 ERA) Wednesday evening at Chase Field. First pitch is at 6:40 p.m.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Chula Vista City Council Adopts Budget, Adds 12 Firefighters

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The Chula Vista City Council voted to adopt a new budget Tuesday night and add more firefighters to the city's understaffed department.

Darrell Roberts, President of Chula Vista Firefighters Local 2180, has been fighting for more hands on deck for years.

"We have the worst staffed fire department in the state of California," he said.

The Chula Vista Fire Department has failed to meet the national response time goal for six years in a row.

The firefighter's union has been asking for 24 additional firefighters, but it was too much for the budget brought to the council on May 23.

That budget proposal was sent back to the City Manager, and the council asked for more options to add firefighters.

Tuesday night, the council approved funds for 12 more firefighters if the city does not receive a federal grant that would cover those positions. If they do receive the grant, the department will still only get 12.

That would make half the engines run with four firefighters instead of three, which has hindered response times in Chula Vista. For safety reasons, two firefighters must stay outside the scene of a fire while two battle the fire inside.

But many in the community feared other cuts were coming in order to make this happen.

"We hope the council finds money to not make layoffs," said one concerned resident.

Dozens also spoke out against cuts to the arts. 

"We're not going to be cutting any positions," Councilmember Mike Diaz said. "I think that is what everyone wants to hear," he said.

The City Manager was able to balance the budget, anticipating money coming in from city workers retiring.

But the whole city council agreed this is only a quick fix and more revenue sources need to come into the city as soon as possible.

The new firefighters will not be on the streets until May 2018 because it will take them several months for training.

The City Manager is authorizing overtime at the city's busiest station, Engine 51, to make sure four firefighters are on each engine starting next month.

The firefighter's union hopes there would be money in the budget to add a station on the east side of Chula Vista, an area that's rapidly growing.

But councilmembers said there simply isn't enough revenue coming into the city to make that happen.



Photo Credit: NBC 7

11-Year-Old Helps Save Drowning Schoolmate in Vista

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Blake Munoz is used to taking a plunge in the pool for his Oceanside Swim Team. But little did he know, the strong swimming skills he developed would be used Monday to save a drowning schoolmate's life.

“He was laying down kind of in a ball,” 11-year-old Munoz recalled Tuesday, during an interview with NBC 7.

The terrifying incident happened while Munoz and the rest of his 5th-grade class from McAuliffe Elementary School were wrapping up their field trip at the popular Wave Waterpark in Vista.

“We were just having a fun time,” said Ryder McMahan.

That fun ended when Munoz said he noticed lifeguards staring into the park’s main pool.

He told NBC 7, he swam to the area and found his schoolmate lifeless in six feet of water.

“I thought he was holding his breath, kind of messing around,” said Munoz. “So I tapped him, nothing. I'm like 'oh man'."

That's when Munoz dove under water, wrapped his arms around the boy and brought his head above water. Munoz swam with him until lifeguards took over.

Ryder McMahan said he was amazed at what his friend did.

“A lot of kids were saying 'You saved his life, you’re a hero.' Super awesome," McMahan recalled.

Munoz said part of his instinct to help came from his father who is a retired policeman and former lifeguard.

“It was almost second nature," Munoz said. "You just go in and you have to grab him and pull him out. “

Fire officials said an off-duty Heartland firefighter also helped save the boy's life.

The firefighter began life-saving saving measures until paramedics arrived.

The victim has since been released from the hospital.

Muznos was recognized for his heroic efforts by the principal of McAuliffe Elementary and his classmates at school.

He said his family treated him to a slushy and a Hawaiian burger, one of his favorite meals.



Photo Credit: NBC 7

Texas Congressman Planning to Start Impeachment Process

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Rep. Al Green, D-Texas, said he is planning to draft articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump on Wednesday, NBC News reported.

Green, who said he has received multiple death threats since he's discussed impeachment, argues that Trump's firing of FBI Director James Comey on May 9 was obstruction of justice.

"The facts are simple and indisputable," Green said in a statement Tuesday. "The president fired the FBI director because the director was investigating the president's campaign connections to Russian interference in the presidential election."

Green has been among the leading voices calling for Trump's impeachment since he proposed it on May 15.



Photo Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images, File

Caught on Camera: Florida Grandmother Dragged by Car During Robbery

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A 64-year-old woman who was dragged across a Florida gas station parking lot as she tried to stop two purse thieves says she's lucky to be alive.

Patricia Coxe said she still finds it hard to watch surveillance video of Friday's incident.

"It scares me to death when I... see that video and realize what could have happened," Coxe said, choking back tears.

The grandmother said was pumping gas at the Southwest Ranches Shell gas station at Southwest 159th Avenue and Sheridan Street Friday morning when the robbery happened. Davie Police say two men pulled up alongside her car and smashed out the passenger window to steal her purse.

"I heard this loud kaboom, turned, saw the glass shattering in my car and saw a gentleman inside my car removing my purse," Coxe said.

Surveillance video shows Coxe running after the suspect as he jumps into the waiting car. As reached inside to grab her purse, the man closed the car's door on Coxe's arm, trapping it in the vehicle and dragging her across the parking lot.

"I was screaming 'let me go, let me go, let me go!,'" Coxe said, as the man held onto her arms. "I had my phone in my hand and he was twisting my hand to get that phone."

Video captured footage of the getaway car driving off with the grandmother dangling from the window. Coxe said the man finally released her after the driver told him to let her go. The suspects got away with her purse, medical bag and cell phone.

"At no time did I think when I went to grab my purse that I would be in the situation I got in to," she said.

The incident left Coxe's arms horribly bruised and swollen. 

Police are searching for the two suspects and their vehicle, described as a late model silver Chevrolet Malibu or similar car.



Photo Credit: Davie Police Department
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