Good Morning El Paso: 08.22.15

a man is dead this morning… after police believe a fight turned into a stabbing in northeast el paso. a shooting at a federal building in new york not believed to be a case of terrorism this morning … but possibly a veteran’s dispute gone seriously wrong. and more fallout from the ashley madison hacks… including a new mexico investigation into official accounts on the cheating site! and in stormtrack weather, iris! this is all the news you need to start your saturday, . abc-7’s “good morning el paso weekend starts right now! good morning and thank you for joing us… i’m andrew j. polk. a man is dead this morning after a stabbing in the northeast. police say a man believed to be in his late teens to early 20’s was stabbed after a fight on the 10-4-hundred block of rushing. two people first took the victim to sierra providence hospital where he was then taken to university medical center, where he died. a police spokesman also told us that before the victim was taken to sierra, the car transporting him was involved in a car crash. “the vehicle that he was bein transported in was involved in an accident at the intersection of mccombs and patriot freeway. in that accident there were some minor injuries to two individuals in the vehicle.” there’s not word yet on if the accident contributed to the man’s death. as of now police are still looking for a suspect. they’re asking that you call crimestoppers at 5- 6-t-i-p-s if you have any information on what happened. …stormtrack weather now! let’s get your first forecast with stormtracker dan martinez. 13 years in state prison and a 75- hundred-dollar fine. that’s the sentence a jury handed down to a mother found guilty for the death of her 2-month-old baby boy. police said 21 year lindsey hradek’s son was found dead strapped to a carseat-upside down- covered with pillows. police say she and the father of the baby were high on cocaine the night of the boys death. before the sentence was handed down hradek came out to the courtroom in shackles and crying. when the sentence of 13 years was read both hradek and her mother began crying uncontrollably. hradek was allowed to say good bye to her mother and father. fort bliss police arrest two men on post in connection with a shooting downtown. devion lee hall and deshaun provoid — both 20 years-old — are accused of shooting and beating two men shortly after two a-m last saturday on the 100 block of anthony street in the union plaza entertainment district. police say the incident started when an argument escalated between two groups. one man was shot in the face and another was struck in the head with the shotgun. the two men are charged with criminal attempted murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. the victims were not seriously injured he’s a serial robber — and el paso police can’t find him. they say he’s responsible for a series of hold ups in northeast and central el paso. one of the latest robberies was on saturday, august 8th– at about 3-the- morning. police say the suspect walked into the seven eleven at 50-07 alabama — with a dumbbell wrapped in a towel. the man began to swing it and threatened to hurt the clerk. he takes money and usually a pack of cigarettes or a six pack of beer. police say he’s done this three times before. the man is described as hispanic – in his 20’s– about 5’8″ — and has a faded haircut, a mustache and goatee. anyone with information on the identity of this man is asked to call crime stoppers of el paso immediately at 566-8477. oil prices have been falling solidly for eight straight weeks, the longest streak since 1986. yesterday, a barrel of u.s. crude fell below $40 dollars a barrel for the first time since the end of the global economic cris. this is good news for u.s. drivers. gasoline is averaging $2.63 a gallon, compared with $3.44 a year ago. analysts say gas prices could drop below two dollars a gallon in many areas of the country later this year. and while drivers may like what they see at the gas pump … investors are feeling the pain. the u-s stock market plunged dramatically, marking its biggest loss of the year. the dow plummeted 531 points, concluding its worst week since 2011. falling oil prices and china’s slowing economy are among the factors blamed. the dona ana county sheriff’s office is investigating a series of drive-by shootings it believes are all connected. the first one happened just before midnight thursday near the intersection of moongate and corona road. this is northeast of las cruces deputies say a 19- and 20-years-old man told detectives they were chased by an unknown vehicle and heard gunshots as the two were driving home. deputies were called to same area a few hours later, and again yesterday afternoon. detectives believe there is a connection between the shooters and the alleged targets. if you know anything, the sheriff’s wants to hear from you. you can call them at 525-8884 or crime stoppers at 1-800- 222-tips … that’s 1- 800-222- 8477. presidential hopeful bernie sanders made a stop in north carolina yesterday. thousands of supports came out for the rally. but despite the support the democratic candidate is still lagging behind hillary clinton in the polls. sanders says he wants to transform the gap between the rich and poor. a goal he believes will work through his grassroots campaign. sanders is still in north carolina campaigning today… spreading his message of change for america. today is the big day for el paso isd. el paso isd residents will go to the polls for the “penny swap election. officials say it would move three cents from the portion of the tax rate that pays for debt service … and move it into the portion of the tax rate that pays for day-to-day operations. the district is promising voters the swap will have zero impact on the overall tax rate … which would remain at one dollar and 23-and-a-half cents per $100 dollars of home valuation. if approved, e-p-i-s-d would be able to access an additional nine million dollars in matching state funds. district superintendent — juan cabrera — told abc-7 the revenue will help the district fund priorities like the expansion of enrichment programs … new classroom technology … new school buses … and better pay for teachers. el paso is called the sun city for a reason. so, it’s unfortunate an el paso electric and fort bliss project meant to harness solar energy has short circuited. the project was initially planned by former commander — major general dana pittard. he had a goal of making the installation “ne zero” or self-reliant for its energy needs. but tom shockley, the el paso electric ceo, issued a statement– saying the army’s unwillingness to grant an easement — without cost to his company — led to the decision: tom shockley: “we realized that the army had a requirement that we felt like in the future could present some risks we couldn’t afford to take.” the solar array was to have been built on more than 200 acres owned by the military, at a cost of nearly $50 million to el paso electric. officials say it would have powered nearly 8-thousand homes in and around fort bliss. fort bliss says the negotiation was handled by the army’s office of energy initiatives. our request for an explanation from that office remains unanswered. n-m-s-u police say about 29 thousand people are on campus at any given time. they’re on high alert, especially, in the wake of recent explosions outside two las cruces churches. from our new mexico mobile newsroom … campus police are asking students for a small favor — don’t leave bags or backpacks unattended because they could be mistaken for a suspicious device. it costs the department time and manpower to investigate. and with football season around the corner, there’s even more room for concern. that’s why for the first time in a decade and a half, officers will conduct bag searches before games: chief stephen lopez: “the concern that we’ve had for safety on campus certainly picked up this summer. and that’s one of the reasons why our officers are so heavily engaged with the federal and local agencies on the church bombings investigation because we realize it’s just a street away. ” n-m-s-u police officials say students and staff should feel safe. 20 officers are patroling the main campus and its 3 bomb teams are roaming the streets at all times. if you’re looking for a furry friend this weekend then look no further. today animal services is putting on a “rock the shelter” adopti event. the shelter is lowering all pet adoptions to just $20-dollars. typical adoption fees can range from $60 to $110-dollars. the lowered price includes spaying or neutering, microchipping, and rabies vaccines. the event will last all day today. starting at 10 in the morning until 5 this evening. the animal services shelter is at 5001 fred wilson, just off spur 601. still ahead on the borderland’s only weekend morning newscast… two marines and another american being hailed as heroes this morning… after risking their lives to stop an attempted train massacre. and later – the city of the crosses wants to rejuvenate one of it’s oldest neighborhoods… brining in housing and businesses to be rebranded “amador proximo.” it is , right now we’ll take a live look at traffic this morning: and in stormtrack weather, iris! stormtrack weather is next! you’re watching abc-7… where news comes first! are burning in the u-s idaho has the most large fires in the nation while more than 12- thousand firefighters are battling flames across california. script: nats fires in north-central washington burning out of control… ..growing more than 100 square miles in a day… the demands on firefighters are so extreme, state officials – for the first time – are asking volunteers to help. sot rich pierce volunteer 150655 those guys put their lives on the line to save my place. obligation to get out there to try to help out. nats this as three fallen firefighters are honored and mourned — killed wednesday when fast-moving flames engulfed their vehicle. parents of the youngest – 20- year old tom zybswewksi – lost their only child. wsfirefighterskilledwa 26 year old andrew zajac, and 31 year old richard wheeler.. also dying on the front lines… and 25 year old daniel lyon is in a seattle hospital battling critical burns. the flames continue, forcing evacuations of more residents in and around the towns of twisp and tonasket evacuee sot darlene frasier, evacuated from home near omak ‘you just run you don’t even think, it’s just go’ standup: fire crews have been facing challenging winds of up to 60- miles-per hour today, but they may soon get some relief…officials expect better weather conditions this weekend. lauren lyster, abc news, los angeles. fire crews have been facing challenging winds of up to 60-miles-per hour today, but they may soon get some relief… officials expect better weather conditions this weekend. lauren lyster, abc news, los angeles. a shooting at a federal building in new york is not believed to be a case of terrorism this morning. aj ross is in in new york with the story. new york — an armed veteran slipped through a side door of a federal building on friday and shot a security guard in the head, killing him, before fatally shooting himself, police said. the shooter, kevin downing, entered through a side entrance of the manhattan building, which houses an immigration court, a passport processing center and a regional office for the department of labor, police said. the quiet and tucked away fort lee community has been turned upside down tonight as police just got a search warrant into suspected shooter kevin downing’s home. eyewitness news is learning new information about an ongoing dispute he allegedly had with the dept. of labor, clues that may help detectives figure out a motive for this vicious crime. “i hear a helicopter and i saw these police cars, so i came out here and i just found out, had no idea,” a neighbor said. disbelief and shock blanketed this fort lee community friday night as neighbors came home to crime tape and heavily armed police surrounding the home of 68-year-old kevin downing, the suspected shooter inside a lower manhattan federal building. “neighborly sort of guy, hello and goodbye, that was about it,” a neighbor said. “i might hav seen him once or twice, but i don’t know who he is, i don’t know him personally,” another neighbor said. authorities confirm downing is a former employee of u.s. department of labor and statistics, which has an office inside the same building where he allegedly killed a guard before killing himself. according to a change.org petition, downing claimed he was fired by the department of labor in 1999 for being a whistleblower and “disclosing inexcusable public waste”. he also claime the agency was blocking him from further employment. “god only knows what happened in his life that pushed him to that point,” a neighbor said. “we all have stress in ou life and we don’t know which string breaks the camel’s back.” sources say downing was also a military veteran receiving benefits and appears to have served in the army reserve, reaching the rank of captain. he was most recently working as a real estate broker in fort lee. “i he lives right around the corner, it’s just crazy that your neighbors could do something like this,” a neighbo said. according to police, downing had no prior criminal record and now with that search warrant, his house will be carefully searched for devices before the area is deemed secure again. verbatim: his company said in a statement that he leaves behind a wife and family. police say there were no other suspects involved. still ahead on good morning el paso weekend… the football pre- season countdown continues… taking a look at the troppers as they prepare for what they believe is their year. and later – michael jordan millions richer this morning after a judge and jury side with the hall of famer. why he won’t be keeping any of it though. – if you’re a young mother, you’re definitely not alone. – chelsea: it’s healthy for your family, so what’s wrong with healthy? – asia: education and connection and like, a group – i mean, that’s everything you need, i think, right? say thank you. – thank you! two american soldiers are heroes overseas after they take down a gunman. the men risked their lives after the man opened fire on a high speed passengers train on it’s way to paris. abcs jennifer eccleston has the latest. nats – dude, i almost shot him an attack on a packed train from amsterdam to paris? foiled by quick thinking american passengers this video shot by 22yr old army national guardsman alek skarlatos… moments after his friend airman spencer stone tackled this man… identified by police as a 26-year-old moroccan. nats video stone, seen here with the bare back, suffering a knife wound as he subdued the attacker… bystanders rushing in to help tie the man up, and secure the scene. nats “get th gun over there” graphic – train windows verbate the two u.s. servicemen on vacation with a college friend, stopping an attack authorities say could have been so much worse… the suspect arrested, carrying an assault rifle, a knife and close to a dozen additional cartridges. overnight, skarlatos, recently back from serving in afghanistan, speaking out spencer ran a good ten meters to get to the guy he didn’t know that his gun wasn’t working or anything like that.. spencer just ran any way and if anyone got shot it would have been spencer. graphic – map of train route the attack happening friday afternoon -travelling from amsterdam to paris, journeying 300 miles. graphic – virtual train as the train was passing belgium shots were reportedly fired… the gunman arrested with no lives lost… and only xx suffering non- life-threatening injuries. “relief? relief?glad everyones’ ok? it could have been a bloodbath?” the presidents of france and united states… both joing those american heroes’ families in praising their courage and quick action. sot- mom “we’re very proud of them” sot mom “i’ just grateful, very grateful everything turned out ok” french authorities are still not calling this terrorism… but local media are reporting the 26- year-old now in custody was known to security officials. an anti- terror operation is now underway. …stormtrack weather now! let’s get your first forecast with stormtracker dan martinez. from our ’round the clock news crew… a man is dead this morning after a stabbing in the northeast. police say a man believed to be in his late teens to early 20’s was stabbed after a fight on the 10-4-hundred block of rushing. two people drove the victim to sierra providence. he was later transported to university medical center where he died. as of now police are still looking for a suspect. they’re asking that you call crimestoppers at 5- 6-t-i-p-s if you have any information on what happened. lawyers are asking a federal judge for help on behalf of immigrant families. families who say they were denied birth certificates for their u-s born children. dozens of families and children filed suit against the texas department of state health services after local authorities refused various foreign identifications. they say it’s a problem because parents need birth certificats to enroll in school and ensure parental rights. it’s bad news for people looking for jobs in new mexico. the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose to 6-point-5 percent in july. that’s a slight increase from 6.4 in june. but it’s not all bad news. the state department of workforce solutions said the state added 9,600 jobs over the year… a 1.2 percent increase since july 2014 and the strongest over- the-year increase in july since 2007. it’s being called “an untappe gem.” the city of las cruces wants to rejuvenate one of its oldest neighborhoods. the area is off amador avenue near valley drive — right by downtown. if everything goes as planned, the neighborhood will soon be called “amador proximo.” the goal is to bring in additional housing, industrial businesses and parks to the rundown area. the city will invest in infrastructure, and will offer incentives to prospective businesses by waiving permit fees and expediting the permit process. some have their doubts though: catherine fish: “there’s so man empty businesses in town and so many empty houses in town, it just makes me wonder how are they going to bring anything in here how are you going to get people to come and put their business in or out a shop.” nathan small: “anyone w passed by the area sees great big empty lots. there was such an old industrial agricultural heritage to the area but many of those businesses, vast majority of those so we see vast empty lots the things that with that just kind of sitting there.” the planning and zoning commission is set to review and approve the plan next week. it’ll go back to council for the final okay next month. in new mexico, reviews are underway to determine if government employees were among hundreds accessing ashley madison– the page catoring to cheating spouses– using government networks. state email addresses as well as addresses linked to domains maintained by the city of albuquerque, bernalillo county, los alamos national laboratory and state courts were listed as using government networks for ashley madison. a spokesman for the new mexico department of information technology says an initial review found four valid state email addresses. the agency is working with the state personnel office to determine which, if any, individuals may have violated the state code of conduct. michael jordan is 8-point-9 million dollars richer after a judge ruled he was owed money after a magazine ad used his likeness back in 2009. the ad featured jordan’s name and jersy number, on a coupon congratulating him on his induction to the basketball hall of fame. in a closing argument, safeway’s attorney– that’s the company held responsible– said the advertisement was a “minimal, one time use” of jordan’s name. but that didn’t stop the jury from awarding jordan millions. jordan said friday all the money will be donated to charity. still to come… talk about the wrong house buddy! a man getting hogtied after attacking a house with some very determined inhabitants. and in stormtrack weather, iris! stormtrack