Shark Scoop is a weekly roundup of five stories that examine developments in global, national, and local news, as well as a top headline in entertainment and sports.
By: OSCAR FOCK/ NEWS EDITOR
Local: 15-Year-Old Killed on Subway in Queens
An argument in a subway car headed for Far Rockaway, Queen, on Friday, led to a 15-year-old boy being shot. He was rushed to Cohen Children’s Medical Center in Queens, where he was pronounced dead. It remains unclear what prompted the argument, but according to Transit Bureau Chief Wilcox, the investigation indicates that the shooting wasn’t a random act of violence. “We’ve seen a lot this year, where disputes quickly lead to verbal arguments, and then quickly lead to physical disputes — confrontations that unfortunately have led to violence. So we’ve seen that again,” he said at a press conference Friday night. This was the eighth killing on the New York City subway this year.
Alex Jones has to Pay Almost $1 billion to Sandy Hook Families
On Wednesday, a jury in Connecticut ordered far-right conspiracy theorist Alex Jones to pay almost $1 billion in damages to the families of eight of the Sandy Hook shooting victims. Since the shooting in 2012, Jones has continued to claim that the massacre was a hoax concocted by the government and that parents going public in the wake of the shooting were actors. For years, the families of the victims have been subjected to death threats, online abuse and harassment from people believing in Jones’ accusations. Due to the uncertainty of Jones’ worth, it remains uncertain how much of the $1 billion the plaintiffs will receive.
Elon Musk Needs Someone Else to Pay for Starlink in Ukraine
Starlink, the satellite system that for months has provided internet to Ukraine, may soon cease doing so. Elon Musk, the world’s richest person, tweeted on Friday that his company SpaceX, of which Starlink is a unit, cannot keep funding the satellite system indefinitely. According to Musk, Starlink, which has been a lifeline for Ukrainian forces when trying to counter Russian attacks, has cost his space company $80 million since the start of the war in Ukraine. However, the announcement seemed to come in response to a tweet from a Ukrainian ambassador, telling Musk to “F- - - off” for his earlier tweets on what should happen with the disputed territories in eastern Ukraine. “We’re just following his recommendation,” Musk tweeted.
The Panthers Fire Head Coach Matt Rhule Mid-Season
After starting his third season 1-4, Matt Rhule is no longer the head coach of the Carolina Panthers. Rhule, who was hired as a highly successful college coach to a seven-year, $62 million contract in 2020, went 11-27 over two-plus seasons, failing to reach the playoffs or even winning more than five games in his first two years. His tenure as head coach was mired by suspect personnel decisions, middling offense and a questionable quarterback play. “I think that there has been progress of some sort, but look, we're just not getting over the hump," Panthers owner David Tepper told reporters Monday. Panthers defensive passing game/secondary coach Steve Wilks will serve as interim head coach.
Beloved Actor Robbie Coltrane Dies at 72
Robbie Coltrane, most known for his role as the lovable half-giant Hagrid in the Harry Potter series, passed away on Friday at age 72. No details of his death were immediately provided. The Scottish actor began his career as a comedian, before moving on to the world of film and television. Other than the Harry Potter movies, Coltrane also starred in “Goldeneye” and “The World Is Not Enough.” Daniel Radcliffe, who played Harry Potter, said in a statement to CNN, “I feel incredibly lucky that I got to meet and work with him and very sad that he’s passed. He was an incredible actor and a lovely man.”