NEWS OF THE DAY
From Across the Nation
1 Parents killed: A 16year-old armed with an assault rifle fatally shot his parents, sister and a family friend in a gruesome burst of violence that took place just before the start of the new year, officials in New Jersey said Monday. The teen, who was not identified, is expected to be charged with four counts of murder, prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni said. The incident unfolded just before midnight Sunday at the family’s house in Long Branch. Officials did not say what sparked the outburst. The teenager’s grandfather and brother were able to escape. The victims were identified as Linda and Steven Kologi, 42 and 44; Britney Kologi, 18; and Mary Shultz, 70.
2 Officers shot: Two police officers and a civilian were injured Monday after shots were fired at a New Year’s party in Newbern, Tenn., officials said. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said two Newbern officers responded to a disturbance call about 3 a.m. Shots were being fired when the officers arrived. The bureau said the victims were taken to a hospital, but their conditions were not available. The officers were not identified.
3 New York mayor: Bill de Blasio began his second term as New York City mayor Monday at a swearing-in ceremony outdoors in freezing temperatures, taking the oath of office administered by Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, a Brooklyn native. “By Vermont standards, this is a warm and pleasant afternoon,” Sanders joked to the crowd at City Hall Park. De Blasio won re-election handily in November, becoming the first Democrat to return to City Hall in New York since Edward Koch in 1985.
4 Four wounded: Four people suffered gunshot wounds in a New Year’s Day shooting in Huntsville, Ala., police said. Multiple gunmen were involved in the shooting outside the Palladium Event Center early Monday. One victim is 18, and the others are in their early 20s, police said. Two of the victims suffered life-threatening injuries, while the injuries suffered by the others were not as severe. Police did not announce whether any arrests were made.
5 Beach hazard: At least 73 people reported injuries from stingrays in a single day last week at Huntington Beach (Orange County). Marine Safety Lt. Claude Panis said that in his 40 years of working as a lifeguard at the beach, he never saw so many stingray injuries reported as on Friday. The spike in injuries is in part because of extreme low tides, small surf and warmish water in the low 60s, along with holiday crowds.
6 Firefighter attacked: A man allegedly tried to stab a firefighter who was trying to save him from a house fire in Citrus Heights (Sacramento County), authorities said. Police had responded Sunday to the home for a welfare check, but the man inside refused to talk to officers. After the blaze broke out, the man tried to attack a firefighter with a knife, said police. The suspect could face charges including assault with a deadly weapon.