NEWS OF THE DAY
Police shooting: A grand jury in Virginia has indicted a white police officer seen on body camera video shooting a black suspect in the back as he tried to run away. Portsmouth Officer Jeremy Durocher was indicted on two felonies: aggravated malicious wounding and a firearms charge. Video shows the rookie officer wounding Deontrace Ward, 18, as police responded to a robbery call in October 2017. Durocher’s attorney, Nicholas Renninger, said the charges would have a “chilling effect” on police. Police Chief Tonya Chapman said the department “will allow the criminal justice system to run its course.”
Census question: The Supreme Court is allowing a trial over the decision to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census to go forward over the Trump administration’s objection. The justices on Friday rejected the administration’s request to postpone the trial, set to begin Monday in New York. A dozen states and cities, among others, have sued over the move to add a citizenship question to the census. They argue it will discourage immigrants from participating and dilute political representation and federal dollars for states that tend to vote Democratic.
Nightclub massacre: Up to $10 million in local hotel tax revenue can be used to help build a museum to the 49 victims of a massacre at a gay nightclub in Orlando. Orange County commissioners this week approved payments to a foundation dedicated to building a museum commemorating the 2016 attack at the Pulse nightclub. The money will be used to buy land. Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs says the museum will teach about the dangers of intolerance and discrimination.
Deadly shooting: A white man charged with killing two black shoppers at a Kentucky grocery store pleaded not guilty Friday. Gregory Bush was indicted on two counts of murder, wanton endangerment and one count of attempted murder. Several police officers surrounded Bush in the courtroom, and he did not speak. Federal officials are investigating whether to pursue a hate-crimes prosecution. Bush stopped at a historically black church before heading to the store in Louisville with his handgun. The families of victims Maurice Stallard, 69, and Vicki Lee Jones, 67, did not comment after the hearing.
Actor arrested: Actor and President Trump lampooner Alec Baldwin was charged with misdemeanor assault after he was arrested for allegedly striking a man in the face during a dispute Friday over a parking spot outside the actor’s New York City home. Police said the actor claimed he had a family member holding the spot for him as he attempted to park his Cadillac Escalade around 1:30 p.m. when a man driving a car pulled up and took it. Police said the men were arguing and pushed each other before Baldwin, 60, turned violent. The driver of the car, 49, was taken to a hospital with jaw pain, police said. Baldwin didn’t comment as he walked past reporters to a waiting SUV after being charged.