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Florida State University shooting suspect Phoenix Ikner had a history of promoting white supremacist views and expressing anti-Black hate speech, which made those who knew him concerned and uncomfortable long before the attack, according to police and former and current classmates.

What happened at FSU?

Ikner, 20, was confirmed as the gunman in Thursday’s attack at FSU that left two people dead and six others injured. Leon County Sheriff Walter A. McNeil said Ikner was also a student at the university and the stepson of veteran Leon County sheriff deputy Jessica Ikner. McNeil added that the gun Ikner used in the shooting belonged to his stepmother, according to USA Today and Local 10 News.

FSU Police Chief Jason Trumbower said the shooting occurred around 11:50 a.m. Thursday near the university’s student union, where Ikner reportedly opened fire, wounding several people as they fled for safety. Campus police responded quickly to the incident, and according to reports, Ikner failed to comply with commands. Officers then shot and wounded him before taking him into custody, per USA Today.

Ikner remains hospitalized at Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare with serious but non-threatening injuries, Tallahassee Police Chief Lawrence Revell said, according to NBC News. The five other people wounded in the attack are also hospitalized at the medical center.

Photo by Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo/Getty Images)

Photo by Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo/Getty Images

A rising Atlanta pastor is facing backlash following controversial statements he told his congregation regarding police brutality. According to Atlanta Black Star, Philip Anthony Mitchell, who oversees the members of 2819 Church, challenged attendees to expand their perspective on being “submittal to government authority.”

The main takeaway from a recent sermon that he wanted parental figures to grasp was that the Black community must “stop blaming white cops for the killing of Black kids.”

Mitchell’s sermon urged Black parents to teach obedience over resistance to police

“Instead, teach your Black children to be obedient to authority,” Mitchell told churchgoers. “I don’t care if most of you are Black. We need to teach our children to not fight against authority, not fight against cops.”

To drive the point home, Mitchell recalled a life-changing encounter with a white policeman while strolling through a neighborhood in his hometown of Queens, NY. The officer used excessive force and intimidation tactics like holding a gun to his head before warning him to “say something.”

“In that moment, with a Glock pressed to my head, I thought, ‘Either my ego is going to be strong or my submission to authority is going to be stronger than my ego,’” Mitchell explained. “And if I had not been taught to obey authority, and because I’m not saved, I’m separated from God for all eternity by a cop’s bullet.”

Mitchell’s sermon about police brutality is sparking criticism online

Mitchell acknowledged that it would not be surprising for his community to feel disdain over his comments. Still, he reminded people to “be model citizens, stop being rebellious towards authority. He’s now receiving criticism from those who came across the clip on Instagram.

“There have been those that submitted & still were shot down. Why are we not putting the responsibility on the armed policemen who use us are target practice. Seems like a whitewashed statement,” one person commented.

“Dying should not be the consequence of not complying,” another person agreed.

“Irresponsible and embarrassing to watch a black man say this,” someone else wrote.

Others who heard the entire teaching live defended Mitchell.

“Oooooh so many people in these comments in their feelings! He’s preaching about Christ and bringing souls to Christ. Oh I get it.. he’s too biblical for y’all. Smh,” one person noted.

“Go back and watch the sermon🙄 or atleast rewind it 5 mins 🙃 yall would know what he’s saying,” another person commented.

“Watch the whole message, not just clickbait soundbites. He said nothing wrong,” a third person commented.

Christopher Phillip Wallman Jr., owner of The Grill in Manning, South Carolina, continues to face backlash over a resurfaced video showing him confronting a Black couple who disputed their fried pork chop meals.

Fyre Festival 2 has been officially postponed two months prior to when it was supposed to take place.

The organizer sent out a message to ticket holders indicating the event was “postponed” and that tickets are being refunded. The news comes years after the first iteration of the festival resulted in Billy McFarland, the businessman behind the project, being convicted of wire fraud. 

Fyre Festival 2 was postponed with no new date announced

“The event has been postponed and a new date will be announced,” a message sent to ticketholders indicated, according to ABC News. “We have issued you a refund. Once the new date is announced, at that time, you can repurchase if it works for your schedule.”

Tickets for the event went on sale in February. Set to take place in Mexico from May 30 to June 2, the festival promised “an electrifying celebration of music, arts, cuisine, comedy, fashion, gaming, sports, and treasure hunting — all set in the stunning location of Isla Mujeres, Mexico,” according to the website. “Experience unforgettable performances, immersive experiences, and an atmosphere that redefines creativity and culture.”

Tickets for Fyre Festival 2 started at $1,400 for general admission, according to Variety. VIP access was sold for $5,000 and artist access for $25,000. The event also featured a “Prometheus God of Fyre” package priced at $1.1 million with access to a yacht and chauffeur service. 

“I’m sure many people think I’m crazy for doing this again. But I feel I’d be crazy not to do it again,” McFarland previously said in a statement. “After years of reflection and now thoughtful planning, the new team and I have amazing plans for FYRE 2.”

He spent nearly four years in prison after being convicted of wire fraud for defrauding investors out of $27.4 million with the 2017 iteration of the Fyre Festival.

Why was Fyre Festival 2 postponed?

Shortly after tickets for this year’s event went on sale, the Isla Mujeres government said the organizer did not have permits to host the festival.

“The municipal government of Playa del Carmen, informs that no event with that name will be held in our city,” the government X account for Playa del Carmen wrote in a statement. “After a responsible review of the situation, it was confirmed that there is no registration, planning or conditions that indicate the realization of such an event in the municipality.”

“This municipal government is acting with responsibility and commitment, always with the priority placed on public order, security and family coexistence,” the statement continued. “We reiterate that any official information will be communicated directly and in a timely manner through the corresponding channels.”

The tourism secretary of Quintana Roo, where Isla Mujeres is located, also told ABC News that permission won’t be given for the festival. Bernardo Cueto said he had not been informed about  Fyre Festival 2 and that no event of that name would be taking place in Playa del Carmen or Isla Mujeres.

Earlier this month, McFarland went against these statements and shared screenshots of conversations and apparent permits for the event.

“All media reports suggesting our team has not been working with the government of PDC are simply inaccurate and based on misinformation,” he wrote via the festival’s Instagram account, per ABC News. “FYRE has operated as a good partner with PDC government and has followed the proper processes and procedures to lawfully host an event.”

A Texas judge who reduced the bond for 17-year-old Karmelo Anthony is beefing up security after receiving threats following her decision to reduce Anthony’s bail from $1 million to $250,000, TMZ reported.

The Collin County Sheriff’s Office said investigators are still looking to identify the person who made threats against Judge Angela Tucker. It also appears that Tucker has since switched her X account to private.

What are investigators saying about the threats against Judge Angela Tucker?

“If the individual responsible is identified, potential charges could include Unlawful Disclosure of a Residence Address or Telephone Number and Obstruction or Retaliation,” the Collin County Sheriff’s Office said, according to TMZ.

What is Karmelo Anthony charged with?

Anthony allegedly stabbed fellow track athlete Austin Metcalf during an argument on April 2. He is now facing one count of first-degree felony murder. Anthony’s attorney argued that his bond should be reduced due to a lack of criminal history. As a trade-off though, Anthony was ordered to wear an ankle monitor and stay home.

As Blavity reported, Anthony allegedly stabbed Metcalf after he told him to move out from a tent that was reserved for his team during a track meet in Frisco, Texas. Metcalf died at the hospital.  Anthony admitted to the crime after he was arrested, but he also said he was acting in self-defense.

Is Karmelo Anthony facing the death penalty?

Citing 2005’s Roper v. Simmons ruling, Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis said Anthony would not face the death penalty if convicted.

“The Supreme Court has said not only can you not seek the death penalty against someone who committed a crime when they’re 17, you can’t even get them life without parole,” Willis said, per People. “That would not be something we could do even if we wanted to.”

George Bell, the man christened the “tallest man in the nation” at 7 feet, 8 inches tall, has died. He was 67 years old.

In 2007, Guinness World Records recognized the former sheriff’s deputy as the tallest person in America, a title he had held for many years. According to People, the Norfolk Sheriff’s Office revealed his death in a Facebook post, which featured a photo of him from his 14-year tenure with the department.

“We are saddened to learn of the passing of former deputy George Bell. George was a valued member of the Norfolk Sheriff’s Office from December 2000 – May 2014,” the post read. “He was well known for many things, but for those who worked with him he will be remembered for his kind and fun-loving personality. He will always be considered a member of the Norfolk Sheriff’s Office family. Our heartfelt prayers and condolences go out to his friends and family during this difficult time.”

Beyond his towering height, George Bell is remembered for his athletic career

ABC affiliate WVEC-TV shared that the Virginia native died at his residence in Durham, N.C. He was surrounded by his family and close friends.

Bell’s height was always a topic of conversation, making him a stand out in any room he entered. He was often asked if he played basketball, according to The New York Times. The answer? Yes! In the 80s, he played for California’s Biola University basketball team. After college, he joined the Harlem Wizards, a professional sports franchise similar to the Harlem Globetrotters.

George Bell embraced life’s challenges with grace and love

Bell’s unique height led him to add “actor” to his resume after he appeared as himself on Season 4 of FX’s American Horror Story: Freakshow.

“There’s a lot of challenges for us being so tall,” he said, per People. “Like how do I fit in cars, or where do I find clothes? I have a hard time sleeping in beds.”

“Those challenges are not an issue to me at all. I’ve learned over the years of living just to deal with them as they are and not let it become a mental problem,” Bell added.

Bell’s only child, Dawnie Bell, opened up about what it was like growing up with such a tall dad.

“He loved any shape, any size, any color, any — he didn’t care who you were,” she said in an interview with The Virginian Pilot. “He just loved people. He loved life. He was just a bag full of love.”

The internet forum 4chan appears to have been hacked, according to Monday and Tuesday online reports. Some posts indicate that the identities of the website administrators and moderators have been revealed.

What is 4chan?

4chan is an online forum website known for its anonymous user base. It is notorious for harboring content or communities that are banned on other websites. This includes the group of hackers Anonymous, incels, white supremacists and followers of the online conspiracy group Qanon.

Several memes have originated from 4chan, such as the Pepe the Frog meme tied to hate speech. Online, the website is known as a platform to share images of violence and gore, as well as unregulated pornography.

The website has been up and in use since 2003. Although it garnered attention from U.S. officials and authorities in recent years, it has been kept online due to investment from a Japanese company, according to Wired.

“If the data is legitimate, information on members and posting could be useful for law enforcement investigations,” Ian Gray, the director of analysis and research at the security firm Flashpoint, told the news outlet. “4chan has been around since at least 2003, which is extremely notable for any online service. Aside from the offensive and often extremist content, a lot of internet culture has originated from 4chan. If this is a death knell for 4chan, other services will likely fill its place. However, the effect of 4chan on the internet cannot be overstated.”

How did 4chan get hacked?

A previously banned 4chan board appeared online with a message saying, “U GOT HACKED XD.” An account on the online forum Soyjak.party then posted alleged screenshots of 4chan’s backends. It also listed 4chan administrators’ and moderators’ usernames, along with their email addresses, according to Wired. Other Soyjak.party users then posted additional photographs and personal information of these individuals. 

A moderator for 4chan told TechCrunch they believe the hack is real. However, the information has not been verified beyond their claim.

“It seems true that 4chan hasn’t been properly maintained and patched for years, which might indicate that a hack would have definitely been a possibility,” Emiliano De Cristofaro, a computer science and engineering professor at UC Riverside, told Wired. “There might be some ‘high profile’ users exposed as moderators—traditionally, 4chan users hate them, so they might be targeted. It might be hard or at least painfully slow and costly for 4chan to recover from this, so we might really see the end of 4chan as we know it.”

The IRS is giving taxpayers alternative options if they miss the April 15 deadline to file federal income taxes. While still urging people to file their taxes as soon as possible, the IRS stated that there are ways to avoid penalties for late filings.

What are the options for people who file their taxes late?

People who file at the last minute have the option to ask for an extension, ABC News reported. Taxpayers can visit the IRS online payment portal and check an extension-request box. The other option is to mail the extension request. People who choose this option need to fill out Form 4868, which requires taxpayers to estimate the amount they owe for the filing year. The form can be sent to an address found on the IRS website. A tax extension gives people an additional six months to submit their tax forms without being penalized. This means taxpayers can have until Oct. 15 to send their forms.

An automatic extension is also given to taxpayers who live in a federally declared disaster area, as well as military members “stationed abroad or in a combat zone and citizens living outside the country.”

What is the penalty for filing late taxes?

People who file late and don’t ask for an extension may face penalties that equals to at least 5% of the taxes they owe for each month; the maximum penalty can go up to 25%. Interest and penalties may continue to add up until the full balance is paid, Newsweek reported.

People who can’t pay the full balance can reduce interest by paying as much as possible. Those who have paid on time in the past three years or people who have set up a payment plan for any amount they owe, may be be able to get penalty relief, per the IRS. The agency may send late notices by mail.