The city’s police department released body-camera footage from October 27 that shows a police officer arresting Lich Vu after pulling him over during a traffic stop.
Watch the video below:
The cop, identified as Joseph Gibson by USA Today, pulled the elderly man over for an illegal U-turn on the NW 39th Expressway.
The start of the harrowing video reveals Vu, who is sitting in his car with his wife, talking with Gibson. “I didn’t U-turn,” he says, to which Gibson then asks the man to sign a citation for an improper U-turn.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Vu replies, adding that another driver hit his car. “Me? Citation? She hit me and I got the citation?” he says, before he gets out of the car and gestures to explain the situation to the cop, who then says they are “done arguing about this”.
Vu responded: “I want to show you,” and Gibson replied: “We argue in court… If you don’t sign this, you go to jail.”
“I’m ready to go to jail,” the man hit back, so Gibson asks him: “You’re ready to go to jail? Ridiculous.” He proceeded to head over to the other driver involved in the incident and gave her a ticket before returning to Vu.
The men continued to bicker back and forth about the road incident until Vu seemingly tapped Gibson’s chest with the back of his hand. He then brings his finger up to his mouth and says: “You shut up.”
The police officer then grabbed the old man’s arm and twisted it behind him before pinning him to the ground.
Another shocking surveillance footage angle from nearby shops revealed the 70-year-old’s head appearing to forcefully hit the ground as the cop put handcuffs on him.
According to KFOR, Vu, who has bone cancer, ended up suffering a brain bleed and had to undergo surgery due to the harsh arrest. He has remained in the hospital and is “in and out of consciousness, but stable,” his family members revealed to the publication.
Thuan Nguyen, president of the Vietnamese American Community of Oklahoma, has called for Gibson to be fired from the police department.
“We don’t want our police department nor our [district attorney] to take it lightly. We want justice to be served,” Nguyen told NBC. “We are always the last to be heard … so no matter whether we’re the person that is at fault or not at fault, our statements are always last … And so in certain cases, that indicates implicit bias.”
Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Police Department disclosed on Facebook that “an investigation was immediately initiated and the officer was placed on administrative leave pending the conclusion of the investigation”.
“The Oklahoma City police department is dedicated to transparency and accountability. We want our community to know that this case is being thoroughly investigated, and the review process will take time to complete,” they added.
Featured image credit: Douglas Sacha / Getty
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Oklahoma man, 31, loses both legs following frisbee injury that nearly cost him his life
By James Kay
A 31-year-old Oklahoma man suffered a minor injury that quickly developed into him losing both legs.
In October of last year, Dylan Riley was playing frisbee golf with friends on a bright Oklahoma City day when a small misstep changed his life forever, as reported by People.
After his disc rolled into the road, Riley, 31, tripped as he went to retrieve it, cutting his knee.
He brushed it off, calling himself “a klutz,” not knowing this seemingly minor injury would soon lead to a life-threatening health crisis.
Two weeks later, Riley woke up feeling achy and feverish, with symptoms like vomiting and chills. Thinking he had the flu, he took a hot bath to ease the symptoms, but upon stepping out, found he couldn’t move.
He screamed for his roommate, who immediately called an ambulance. The next thing Riley remembers is paramedics speaking to him – before he blacked out completely.
When Riley reached Baptist Integris Hospital, doctors diagnosed him with streptococcal toxic shock syndrome, a severe, life-threatening infection.
“He came into our hospital severely sick, on death’s doorstep practically,” said Dr. Bob Schoaps, Medical Director for Specialty Critical Care and Acute Mechanical Circulatory Support at Integris Health.
According to Schoaps, streptococcus, the bacteria responsible for common strep throat, had entered Riley’s bloodstream, triggering toxic shock.
As his organs began to fail, Riley’s heart stopped twice, and doctors fought to revive him.
“If Dylan would’ve stayed home a couple more hours, it’s very likely he would not have survived,” Schoaps said. “With his level of illness, we estimate his survival chances at 10% or less.”
Riley’s mother, Trina White, who works as an infectious disease nurse, was devastated. Recalling the hospital staff’s suggestion of life support, she said: “As a mother, it’s your worst nightmare. I said, ‘Do what you have to do and save my son.’”
To save Riley, doctors put him on a veno-arterial ECMO machine, which kept his heart and lungs functioning but restricted blood flow to his limbs.
As a result, Riley’s extremities, deprived of oxygen, began to die, and doctors warned his family that he might require amputations.
When Riley regained consciousness days later, his mother began preparing him for the worst, explaining that the machine had saved his life but cost him significant tissue loss.
“I told him no matter what, we still loved him,” she said. At first, White worried her son might resent the decision that ultimately led to his limb loss, but her fears eased when Riley reassured her: “Mom, it doesn’t matter. The main thing is I’m still here.”
As he waited for amputation surgery, Riley dealt with painful side effects, like peeling skin and a loss of taste.
Yet he remained resilient, often making jokes to lighten the mood, especially as doctors prepared him for the leg amputations that would be scheduled just before Christmas.
After surgery, Riley shared a picture of his newly bandaged legs, jokingly comparing himself to the legless Gingerbread Man from the movie Shrek.
“I always had a really dark sense of humor,” he said.
In January, Riley’s hands were partially amputated. Surgeons were able to save part of his right palm and portions of his fingers, allowing him to maintain some functionality.
“I can still grab a pencil and write,” he said. “But I can’t hold power tools like I used to.”
In May, Riley received prosthetic legs through the Limbs for Life Foundation and immediately began rehab, determined to adapt quickly to his new life.
“I didn’t want to be one of those people where everyone feels bad for me,” Riley said. “I wanted to prove people wrong.”
Featured image credit: Dylan Riley / Facebook
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Donald Trump reveals what he and Joe Biden spoke about during their White House meeting
By Nasima Khatun
Donald Trump has revealed what he and Joe Biden spoke about during their White House meeting amid the switch of power.
Following an intense election night on November 6 against Kamala Harris, it has been confirmed that the former business tycoon will be taking up his second term in office as the nation’s 47th President of the United States.
Trump managed to secure over 50 percent of the votes compared to Harris’ 47.6 percent, though many critics have spoken out against the win, including celebrities and other politicians alike.
Regardless, the 78-year-old will take his seat in the Oval Office early next year after his inauguration on January 20.
Before the day came around, Trump decided to meet up with the current President of the United States, Joe Biden, to ensure a smooth transition of power.
Speaking to The New York Post, the President-Elect gave us an insight into their conversation.
“You know, it’s been a long, it’s been a long slog,” he said during a phone interview with the outlet as he left Washington. “It’s been a lot of work on both sides and he did a very good job with respect to campaigning and everything else. We really had a really good meeting.”
Trump noted that the pair had a great time “[getting] to know each other again.”
In front of a sea of press, Biden told his successor that January’s inauguration will be “as smooth as can be.”
Trump also used the same word to describe the process of picking officials for his second term.
“It’s going very smoothly,” he said before adding that the Republican transition team and the Biden White House enjoy a “very, very good relationship.”
The pair went on to discuss other massive topics such as the war in Ukraine as well as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
“I wanted — I asked for his views and he gave them to me,” Trump revealed to the outlet. “Also, we talked very much about the Middle East, likewise I wanted to know his views on where we are and what he thinks. And he gave them to me, he was very gracious.”
He also added that this would not be the pair’s last meeting as they are planning on seeing each other again just before the big day in January.
“The Oval Office is so beautiful and I do certainly look forward [to coming back],” he said.
“We’ll have that very, very nice meeting that takes place between two presidents sometime prior. You know, that takes place just prior to going in. So we’ll have that. But this was a very enjoyable meeting,” Trump added.
Featured Image Credit: Alex Wong/Getty
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Donald Trump and Joe Biden meet at the White House
By stefan armitage
Donald Trump and Joe Biden have come face-to-face at the White House.
Photos from today’s historic meeting have emerged, showing President-elect Trump and outgoing President Biden in the Oval Office of the White House.
It marks the start of Trump’s transition back into the White House following his landslide victory in the 2024 US Presidential Elections.
Despite their well-documented differences (and personal jibes), the two politicians smiled for the cameras, as Trump thanked Biden for his help and the pair shook hands.
“Well Mr President-elect and former president, Donald, congratulations,” Biden said. “We look forward to having a smooth transition, doing everything we can to make sure you’re accommodated and get what you need. We’re going to get a chance to talk about some of that today. So welcome, welcome back.”
In return, Trump responded: “Thank you very much. Politics is tough, and it’s in many cases not a very nice world, but it is a nice world today and I appreciate it very much… A transition that is so smooth, it will be as smooth as it can get. I very much appreciate that Joe.”
Notably absent from today’s meeting is former and future First Lady Melania Trump, who BBC News reports chose not to attend.
However, Dr. Jill Biden did reportedly hand the President-elect a letter intended for Melania.
The White House has confirmed in a statement: “She gave Mr. Trump a handwritten letter of congratulations for Mrs. Trump, which also expressed her team’s readiness to assist with the transition.”
Additionally, in a comment shared to the incoming first lady’s office X account, Melania’s team has blasted “several unnamed sources in the media” that “continue to provide false, misleading, and inaccurate information” regarding her decision to remain absent from the traditional post-election tour of the residence.
The statement added: “Mrs. Trump will not be attending today’s meeting at the White House. Her husband’s return to the Oval Office to commence the transition process is encouraging, and she wishes him great success.”
Today’s meeting marks a long-standing tradition between incoming and outgoing presidents, signifying the transfer of power as the government changes hands in the fallout of the election.
Featured image credit: Alex Wong/Getty
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Father’s heroic final act that saved 13-year-old son during boat accident that killed five
By Asiya Ali
A father has been praised after saving his 13-year-old son during a boat accident that killed him and five others.
Juladi “Jude” Khammoungkhoune was out crabbing with his loved ones: his friend, two cousins, uncle, and dad Prasong just off Bodega Bay, California on November 2 when the tragedy occurred.
Due to the harsh waves, the family’s boat was violently flipped and plunged into the deep waters.
The quick-thinking dad ordered his son to hide inside a cooler that had been on the boat, ABC 7 News reported. He then held onto the icebox as long as he could, but eventually let go so Jude could float to safety – ultimately saving his life.
The teen slept on the beach after the cooler eventually reached the shore. He was found by first responders the following morning.
“It was pretty terrifying to see my dad go too soon,” Jude told the outlet. “I was crying and yelling out for my dad, so I could hear him say something again.
“So, I prayed to Jesus Christ and all of my family members that I can make it out alive, and get to see my family and everybody that I know,” he added.
A family member waiting for them back on land contacted the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office when they didn’t turn up on time. The agency then called the US Coast Guard.
Rescue crews searched for Prasong, Uncle Johnny and his two sons, and a family friend for days. Only the body of Johnny’s 17-year-old son was recovered during the search. The rest of the family has yet to be found.
Search efforts officially concluded on November 3 after teams covered more than 2,100 square miles, per The New York Post.
After the traumatizing accident, Jude – who is now living with his mother Yathida, and his aunt Shanice – said he is “staying strong” and “focusing on what’s in front of me”.
A GoFundMe was set up by two of Prasong’s nephews. The money will go towards funeral costs, grief counseling, and “other immediate needs as they try to move forward without him”.
“He was a rock in our lives, raising us with love, laughter, and guidance. Now, we’re suddenly standing in his place, caring for his wife – our aunt – and his three young children,” Kyle Souvanhnabouph penned.
“The ocean was his second home. But the waves were unrelenting, and their boat was lost to the water. The Coast Guard called off the search the next day, leaving us shattered, still holding on to the smallest hope for a miracle,” Kyle shared.
“Jude, his oldest son, miraculously survived, washing ashore after hours alone in the sea. Though we’re endlessly grateful to have him safe, the family has lost its anchor,” he added.
Prasong’s family will honor his life at a November 16 vigil, per Daily Mail.
Featured image credit: David Schneider / 500px / Getty
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‘Immense sadness’ as Oregon boy, 5, who disappeared while his mom napped is found dead
By Asiya Ali
A five-year-old boy who allegedly went missing while his mom was taking a nap has been found dead.
Joshua James McCoy, from Oregon, disappeared on Saturday afternoon (November 9) from the Hauser area, the Coos County Sheriff’s Office revealed in a press release.
The little boy’s mother told authorities that she took a nap with her son at around 1PM and when she woke up at 5:30PM, he was gone, PEOPLE reported.
Joshua, who was autistic, was described as 3 feet, 6 inches tall and 50 to 60 pounds, with brown eyes and brown shoulder-length hair in the missing person’s poster.
Per the report, he responded to “Josh” or “Joshie,” although he “may not respond when called to”.
Police launched a desperate search with federal partners, local Search and Rescue, and CORSAR, the California Oregon Regional Search and Rescue Task Force.
It was discovered that the child had a phone, and a phone-ping of that device was conducted.
“The information related to the phone-ping did not provide any fruitful information,” CCSO added, per CBS Austin.
According to ABC News, deputies drained a pond on the family’s land while deploying drones and police dogs to the surrounding area. However, nothing of interest was located.
On Tuesday (November 12), cops tragically discovered the five-year-old’s body about 1.6 miles away from his home, the Coos County Sheriff’s Office disclosed in an update post on Facebook.
They issued a statement, which read: “It is with immense sadness that we have to report that missing Joshua McCoy has been found deceased. Joshua had been missing since the late evening of Saturday, November 9th, 2024. Joshua was reported to North Coos dispatch via third party at 6:27PM.
“On Tuesday, Nov. 12, the search continued with help from our federal partners, local Search and Rescue, along with CORSAR,” the department penned. “CORSAR is providing additional Search and Rescue members from California, and from several Counties within Oregon.
“Today, around 12:30PM, Joshua was discovered deceased and found approximately 1.6 miles straight line distance North-West from the child’s residence, and almost 2 miles by road,” the release added.
The little boy would have turned six years old this Saturday. His cause of death remains unknown at this time.
Police have not revealed whether they are considering filing criminal charges in the missing child case. The sheriff’s office previously noted that nothing is being ruled out as the agency continues its probe.
“The investigation is ongoing and no additional information will be released at this time,” they added.
