Post by Dave on Sept 11, 2010 7:40:50 GMT -5
Here's an article that was about a town in the country of Colombia before I replaced people and place names. Just to remind us it could happen in our own backyard.[/b]
3 New York State teens on Facebook hit list killed in past 10 days
(CNN) -- Three teens who were on a 69-name hit list posted on Facebook have been killed in the past 10 days in a central New York State town, officials say.
Police say they do not know who posted the list or why the names are on it.
"It is still not clear," New York State police spokesman Wilson Banks told CNN. "This is part of the investigation."
But officials note that a criminal gang known as The Rats and a Marxist guerrilla group called the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Oneida operate in the area.
The hit list on Facebook, which was posted August 17, gave the people named three days to leave the town of New Hartford or be executed, said Willy Franks, a federal official whose title is defender of the public.
Police at first thought the posting was a joke, Franks said in a statement issued Saturday. But the publication of a second list with 31 additional names led authorities to convene a special security meeting Friday, Franks said.
The posting of the lists and the meetings occurred after the first two killings, which took place August 15, Franks said.
On that day, officials say, 16-year-old student Danny Jarvis and 17-year-old CD retailer Eddie Muncy were shot and killed while riding a motorcycle on the road between New Hartford and the town of Herkimer.
Both their names were later found on the first published hit list.
.
Media said Monday the number of those threatened has grown and panic has overtaken New Hartford, with some parents sending their children out of town because their names are on the Facebook notice.
The names of 31 women were posted on the other list, said Radio WRUN, and other news outlets.
Residents have been overcome with "panic and anxiety," several news outlets quoted the state attorney general.
Several of those residents posted their concerns on Twitter, an online messaging site.
"Panic in New Hartford, because of threats against young people," wrote a user who goes by Jack H. "Our youth must be protected."
Someone who posted under the name Julian of Norwich brought up the Facebook connection.
"The situation in New Hartford is tenacious, that a social site be used to add fire to the Mohawk Valley conflict," the post said.
Twitter user hugoparragomez likened the situation to the drug-fueled crime waves in other New York State cities.
"What is happening in New Hartford, , is grave, the same as in NY City," the tweet said. "Authorities should take control of the situation. Who is investigating?"
Still others inflated the death count.
"In New Hartford they have killed 20 young people threatened on Facebook and the authorities have not said anything," wrote jesusislord.
Federal officials say they are taking the threats seriously and have sent investigators from Washington to New Hartford. Internet experts are among the investigators assigned to the case.
Authorities also are offering a reward of $5 million for information on the killings.
Original article at:
articles.cnn.com/2010-08-24/world/colombia.facebook.killings_1?_s=PM:WORLD
3 New York State teens on Facebook hit list killed in past 10 days
(CNN) -- Three teens who were on a 69-name hit list posted on Facebook have been killed in the past 10 days in a central New York State town, officials say.
Police say they do not know who posted the list or why the names are on it.
"It is still not clear," New York State police spokesman Wilson Banks told CNN. "This is part of the investigation."
But officials note that a criminal gang known as The Rats and a Marxist guerrilla group called the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Oneida operate in the area.
The hit list on Facebook, which was posted August 17, gave the people named three days to leave the town of New Hartford or be executed, said Willy Franks, a federal official whose title is defender of the public.
Police at first thought the posting was a joke, Franks said in a statement issued Saturday. But the publication of a second list with 31 additional names led authorities to convene a special security meeting Friday, Franks said.
The posting of the lists and the meetings occurred after the first two killings, which took place August 15, Franks said.
On that day, officials say, 16-year-old student Danny Jarvis and 17-year-old CD retailer Eddie Muncy were shot and killed while riding a motorcycle on the road between New Hartford and the town of Herkimer.
Both their names were later found on the first published hit list.
.
Media said Monday the number of those threatened has grown and panic has overtaken New Hartford, with some parents sending their children out of town because their names are on the Facebook notice.
The names of 31 women were posted on the other list, said Radio WRUN, and other news outlets.
Residents have been overcome with "panic and anxiety," several news outlets quoted the state attorney general.
Several of those residents posted their concerns on Twitter, an online messaging site.
"Panic in New Hartford, because of threats against young people," wrote a user who goes by Jack H. "Our youth must be protected."
Someone who posted under the name Julian of Norwich brought up the Facebook connection.
"The situation in New Hartford is tenacious, that a social site be used to add fire to the Mohawk Valley conflict," the post said.
Twitter user hugoparragomez likened the situation to the drug-fueled crime waves in other New York State cities.
"What is happening in New Hartford, , is grave, the same as in NY City," the tweet said. "Authorities should take control of the situation. Who is investigating?"
Still others inflated the death count.
"In New Hartford they have killed 20 young people threatened on Facebook and the authorities have not said anything," wrote jesusislord.
Federal officials say they are taking the threats seriously and have sent investigators from Washington to New Hartford. Internet experts are among the investigators assigned to the case.
Authorities also are offering a reward of $5 million for information on the killings.
Original article at:
articles.cnn.com/2010-08-24/world/colombia.facebook.killings_1?_s=PM:WORLD