MELISSA SIEGLER
STAFF WRITER
Los Angeles officer gunned down outside of station
A Los Angeles area police officer was shot and killed during what is believed to have been a botched robbery attempt. Officer Galvez, who had been with the department for 10 years, had just finished a K-9 training session around 11 p.m. and was sitting in his personal car behind the Downey Police Department on Wednesday, Nov. 18 when two men and a 16-year-old tried to rob him. The three suspects were taken into custody and will face murder charges. According to CNN, a nearby police officer heard the shots and ran to the scene to see the suspects get into a vehicle and speed off. Officer Galvez was a Marine, who served tours in both Afghanistan and Iraq.
“Ricky was an outstanding person, outstanding police officer,” said Lt. Mark McDaniel of the Downey Police Department. “If you could mold a police officer, you would mold that police officer after Ricky Galvez.”
http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/19/us/california-officer-shot-dead/index.html
House approves bill to prevent Syrian refugees from entering US
The House of Representatives passed a bill on Thursday, Nov. 18 that could potentially suspend the program allowing Syrian and Iraqi refugees to enter the U.S. The bill was passed with a majority vote of 289-137, with 47 Democrats joining 242 Republicans in favor of the bill, reported a CNN article. This vote could override President Obama’s promised veto. The hesitation to allow refugees into the U.S. increased in light of the recent terror attacks in Paris on Friday, Nov. 13. Newly elected Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan, said that taking action is urgent to our national security and that he is baffled by the president’s position since top officials stated to Congress that there are holes in the refugee program.
FBI director James Comey expressed concern to administration and congressional officials about the bill saying that it “would make it impossible to allow any refugees into the U.S., and could even affect the ability of travelers from about three dozen countries that are allowed easier travel to the U.S. under the visa waiver program.”
http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/19/politics/house-democrats-refugee-hearings-obama/index.html
ISIS threatens New York and Washington, D.C., in new video
ISIS has released a new video in which attacks are threatened in Times Square and at the White House. The new video mentions Times Square and shows an explosive device being assembled and a suicide bomber zipping his jacket over the suicide belt, according to a CNN article. Authorities in Washington, D.C., increased security even though the FBI said there is “no specific or credible threat to the United States.” New York Mayor Bill Deblasio spoke to the press and encouraged New Yorkers not to alter their routines. The New York City Police Department also took precautions by increasing security, adding more members to its new anti-terrorism squad.
“The people of New York City will not be intimidated,” Mayor Deblasio said Wednesday, Nov. 18. “We understand it is the goal of terrorists to intimidate and disrupt our democratic society. We will not submit to their wishes.”
http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/18/us/new-york-isis-video-threat/index.html