Sandun Nayanajith
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Michigan: The Detroit Shooting Spree
Dontae Smith has pleaded guilty to the shooting spree he committed in August of that year, when he was 19 years old. The shootings took place in the area of Wyoming, near 7 Mile, in the early hours of Aug. 28. One man and his dog were both shot and survived. That survivor, John Palik, tells that his heart breaks for the victims' families. But his heart also breaks for the suspect.
By Sandun Nayanajith11 months ago in Criminal
Massachusetts: The Tragic Loss of Deputy James Bachelder
Deputy Marshal James Batchelder was shot and killed at the Boston Courthouse while he and other deputy marshals were attempting to keep a mob of citizens from freeing a prisoner in Boston, Massachusetts.
By Sandun Nayanajith11 months ago in Criminal
Maine: The Tragic Case of Charlie Howard
In 1984, the town of Bangor, Maine, became the setting for an event that would leave a lasting imprint on local history. The case of Charlie Howard, a 23‑year‑old gay man, is remembered as a heartbreaking example of the consequences of intolerance and unchecked prejudice.
By Sandun Nayanajith11 months ago in Criminal
Maryland: The Lynching of William Andrews
William Andrews was an African American laborer who was lynched by a white mob in Princess Anne, Maryland on June 9, 1897. Andrews, then 17, was tried, convicted, and hanged all in one day after being accused of assaulting Mrs. Benjamin T. Kelley.
By Sandun Nayanajith11 months ago in Criminal
Louisiana: The Legacy of Mark Essex
In the early 1970s, the state of Louisiana witnessed a series of unsettling events that would earn the moniker “The Legacy of Mark Essex.” Known as the New Orleans Incident, this case involves the actions of a man whose troubled past and strong convictions culminated in a series of attacks that deeply affected both law enforcement and the broader community.
By Sandun Nayanajith11 months ago in Criminal
Kentucky: The Atlantic Plastics Incident
In Henderson, Kentucky, on June 25, 2008, a workplace tragedy unfolded that would become known as the Atlantic Plastics Incident. At an Atlantis plastics factory, an altercation escalated dramatically, leaving a community reeling from shock and prompting discussions on workplace safety and mental health.
By Sandun Nayanajith11 months ago in Criminal
Arkansas: The Tragic Case of Casey Woody
In the small town of Holland, Arkansas, in 2002, the story of 13‑year‑old Casey Woody sent shockwaves through the community and beyond. This tragic case, which highlighted the emerging dangers of online interactions, remains a poignant reminder of how trust can be manipulated and the severe consequences that can result from misplaced confidence.
By Sandun Nayanajith11 months ago in Criminal
Arizona: The Kelvin Grade Incident
n November 2, 1889, a seemingly routine prisoner transport in Globe, Arizona, transformed into one of the most dramatic and unsettling episodes in the state’s history. This event, later known as the Kelvin Grade Incident, involved a series of decisions that led to a dramatic confrontation, a massive manhunt, and a legacy that continues to be discussed in Arizona’s folklore.
By Sandun Nayanajith11 months ago in Criminal
Alaska: The Enigma of Edward Krauss
In the rugged, vast landscapes of early 20th‑century Alaska, where isolated communities were the norm and law enforcement was often stretched thin, a man named Edward Krauss emerged as one of the region’s most puzzling figures. Although he was once regarded as a respected member of his community in Petersburg, Krauss lived a double life that ultimately led him down a dark path—one that left many unanswered questions about the nature of trust and betrayal in remote frontier towns.
By Sandun Nayanajith11 months ago in Criminal
Kansas: The Wakarusa Conflict – A Historic Struggle in a Divided Land
During the tumultuous mid-19th century, Kansas became a battleground for deeply rooted ideological conflicts between pro-slavery and anti-slavery forces. This period, often referred to as “Bleeding Kansas,” was marked by civil unrest and violent confrontations that would foreshadow the larger national conflict of the Civil War. One of the most notable episodes of this era was the Wakarusa Conflict, a series of events ignited by the tragic death of a free state settler and further fueled by retaliatory actions on both sides.
By Sandun Nayanajith11 months ago in Criminal
Alabama: The Geneva County Incident
On March 10, 2009, the communities of Kinston, Samson, and Geneva in Alabama experienced a tragic series of events that left an indelible mark on the region. Michael Kenneth McLendon, a 28-year-old man, set in motion a chain of actions that forever altered the lives of many families and sparked conversations about mental health, community intervention, and the consequences of personal despair.
By Sandun Nayanajith11 months ago in Criminal
