'There Are No Words’: Alec Baldwin Speaks Out After On-Set Death

ACROSS AMERICA — Good morning! It’s Saturday, Oct. 23. We at Patch hope your weekend is off to a relaxing start. As you kick back and practice a little self-care, catch up on the stories we’re following today:

• The gang that kidnapped a group of missionaries in Haiti is now threatening to kill some of its abductees.
• A Minneapolis officer was charged Friday in the death of Leneal Frazier, the uncle of Darnella Frazier, who filmed George Floyd’s murder.
• Portillo’s may be going national, but out-of-towners won’t be getting the best Chicago beef, Mark Konkol writes.
• A college student died after choking on a hot dog during an eating contest for charity.

A Tragedy On Set

In a tragic sequence of events, actor Alec Baldwin this week fired a prop gun on the set of the Western movie "Rust," killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and wounding director Joel Souza. Detectives are still investigating what type of projectile was discharged and how the gun misfired on the set of the movie in the desert on the southern outskirts of Santa Fe.

Baldwin released a statement on Friday, saying his "heart was broken" for Hutchins' husband, their son, and "all who knew and loved Halyna."

"There are no words to convey my shock and sadness regarding the tragic accident that took the life of Halyna Hutchins, a wife, mother, and deeply admired colleague of ours," Baldwin tweeted. "I'm fully cooperating with the police investigation to address how this tragedy occurred and I am in touch with her husband, offering my support to him and his family." » Alec Baldwin Fired Prop Gun That Killed Cinematographer: Sheriff, via Across America Patch

• RELATED: Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins Dies After Prop Gun Fires On Set, via Los Angeles Patch

Laundrie Was ‘Grieving’ Before Death

After human remains found at two Sarasota County parks were confirmed to belong to Brian Laundrie, a person of interest in the strangulation death of his fiancée, Gabby Petito, the Laundrie family attorney told a Florida news station that Laundrie was "grieving" and "upset" when he left his parents' home to go hiking Sept. 13.

"They knew he was so upset, and they just couldn't control that he was leaving, and he left,” attorney Steven Bertolino told ABC 7. “He walked out the door. Chris has said to me, 'I wish I could have stopped him, but I couldn't.'" » Laundrie 'Grieving' When He Left For Sept. 13 Hike: Attorney, via Sarasota Patch

RELATED:

• Gabby Petito's Family Won't Speak On Laundrie Death Yet: Attorney, via Patchogue Patch
• Human Remains Identified As Brian Laundrie: FBI, via Sarasota Patch

Haiti Hostages Lives Threatened

The gang that kidnapped a group of missionaries in Haiti is now threatening to kill some of its abductees. A group of 17 missionaries, including children, were kidnapped while visiting an orphanage in Haiti. The 400 Mawozo gang then demanded $1 million per person — $17 million total — for the release of its hostages.

On Thursday, the gang's leader, Wilson Joseph, shared a video on social media threatening to kill some of the missionaries if his demands were not met. » Haitian Gang Leader Threatens To Kill Kidnapped Missionaries, via Cleveland Patch

Teacher's Native American Parody Condemned

It's unclear what a math teacher at John W. North High School in Riverside, California, was trying to convey to her students when she donned a construction paper headdress and appeared to parody Native American culture in front of her class, but the fallout has been swift. Now, the teacher is on leave as the school district investigates. » Video Of Teacher's Native American Parody Condemned: Riverside, via Banning-Beaumont Patch

Minneapolis Cop Charged In Death

A Minneapolis officer was charged Friday in a crash that killed a bystander during a police chase in July. The crash killed 40-year-old Leneal Frazier, the uncle of Darnella Frazier, the woman who won an honorary Pulitzer Prize for filming the murder of George Floyd on her cell phone. Officer Brian Cummings faces second-degree manslaughter and criminal vehicular homicide. He is not in custody. » Minneapolis Cop Charged With Vehicular Homicide In Fatal Crash, via Southwest Minneapolis Patch

Chicago Beefs Go National, But Not Really

The rest of the country can have Portillo's, the Illinois-based fast-food chain, which launched its coming national expansion with an initial public offering of stock that went live Thursday. But when it comes to Chicago "beefs,” out-of-towners should know they won't be getting the really good stuff, writes Patch columnist Mark Konkol. » Portillo's Goes National But Best Beef Isn't Coming To Your Town, via Chicago Patch

Your Good News Fix

It’s been a tough week filled with news containing not-so-happy endings. If you’re in need of something to lift your spirits, check out this week’s collection of good news stories. From a devoted dad who donated a kidney to save his daughter to a four-star female officer making history again, these stories are sure to leave you smiling.

House Hunting

Have you ever wanted a contemporary desert abode with a bathtub view? Look no further than this luxurious home for sale in Scottsdale, Arizona. Boasting “top of the world” views and Frank Lloyd Wright design elements throughout, the home is selling for $7.5 million.

This Day In History

In 1941, the Disney animated classic “Dumbo” had its world premiere.

Around ‘The Patch’

• Missing 3-Year-Old Major Harris' Body Found In Milwaukee, via Milwaukee Patch
• Tufts Student Died After Choking During Charity Eating Contest, via Somerville, Massachusetts, Patch
• Walgreens Offering Moderna, Johnson & Johnson Boosters Nationwide, via Deerfield, Illinois, Patch
• Texas High School Student Turns Baking Passion Into Side Hustle, via Conroe-Montgomery County Patch
• Fans Of Hallmark's Nonstop Holiday Movies Can Find Christmas Movies Airing Daily, via Annapolis Patch
• Advocate Aurora Health Fires 440 For Refusing COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate, via Libertyville, Illinois, Patch
• Activist Dad Of Parkland Shooting Victim Joins Anti-Gun Group, via Miami Patch
• Man With Autism Tased By Florida Police Officers, via Orlando Patch

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