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USA Today
26 minutes ago
- USA Today
UPDATE: Both shooting victims in May & July on I-24 and Waldron Road identified
Both shootings occur near La Vergne interchange with I-24 Note: New information has been added to this story. A second man since May died recently while driving from gunshot wounds on Interstate 24 near Waldron Road, according to news releases. "It is not believed related," Rutherford County Sheriff's spokeswoman Lisa Marchesoni said. The sheriff's office identified the more recent driver killed July 12 as Noah Taylor, 22, of Smyrna. The victim from the May 18 shooting on I-24 near Waldron Drive is DaKavian Quayshawn Harris, Marchesoni said. Taylor died while driving about 7:30 a.m. on a Saturday on I-24 near Waldron Road toward Nashville, Detective Thomas Burnett said in an updated news release from Marchesoni. Drivers who have videos or other information may contact Burnett at 615-904-3052. 'Dash cam footage would be advantageous,' Burnett said in the press release. 'We're interested in information and dash cams from Interstate 840 to the Bell Road exit between 7 and 8 a.m.' UPDATE: Detectives seek witness of May 18 shooting death of man in car on I-24 near Waldron Road Rewards available to witnesses Taylor's family members are offering a $2,000 reward for information to help in the arrest and prosecution of the shooter, the news release said. People with information also may call Rutherford County Crime Stoppers at 615-893-7867. Callers remain anonymous. 'Crime Stoppers is offering a reward up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the suspect responsible,' Burnett said in the release. Criminal justice: Judge sentences Murfreesboro man to 52 years in child rape case after mother testifies Mother and family mourn the loss of Noah Taylor and his mother, Katrina Leonard, each told one another they loved each other before he left home at 7:13 a.m. July 12 to work at CarTronics in Nashville where he had recently passed a test for advancement, an updated press release said. The son died 45 minutes later. 'I am so thankful and grateful I had that moment with him,' the mother said as she become overcome with tears, according to the press release. The mother and her husband, Scott Leonard, Taylor's father Scot Taylor, and children Josh and Hannah mourn for Noah Taylor. Noah attended Rock Springs Elementary School and Rocky Fork Middle School where he played football. An elementary school teacher and his middle school coach reached out to his mother after his death, according to Marchesoni's updated press release. 'He touched so many lives,' his mother said in the press release. The mother also described Noah as an amazing and loving son. "I am at a loss for words.' 'They can be a kid again' Child Advocacy Center helps victims disclose rape and abuse Noah's father touts the son's Christian faith Noah's father, Scot, who lives in Kansas, last communicated with his son by texting Friday night. They had breakfast a few weeks ago, according to the updated press release. Noah told his father he had 'given his life to Christ and was baptized. The son wanted to be involved in the ministry and shared his favorite verses from Proverbs, the press release added. 'I could hear the joy in his voice,' Scot Taylor said in the press release. His father also said that his son did not deserve to be killed. The father will never get to see what kind of life his son would have or never have grandchildren from Noah. Noah's friend, Tonny Duenas, met Noah when they worked together in Smyrna and invited him to LifePoint Church in Smyrna. Noah became part of the Spanish ministry at the church, the press release noted. "He (Noah) was growing up in his faith,' Duenas said in the press release. "I know he's in a better place now.' Scot Taylor agreed. 'My son, I know, is in a better place,' Scot Taylor said in the press release. 'That's what gives me peace.' Justice for children: Child Advocacy Center for rape victims wins $1M pledge for $7M building from Rutherford County Commission Initial call to recent shooting reported to Nashville authorities Nashville police officers and firefighters initially responded to the scene of the July 12 shooting because the original call came to Metro Nashville Police. The shooting occurred near the Rutherford-Davidson County line, the news release from Marchesoni said. Officers determined the shooting to be in Rutherford County under the jurisdiction of the sheriff's office, Marchesoni said. The Tennessee Highway Patrol and Tennessee Department of Transportation closed the highway during the initial investigation, the news release said. La Vergne Police and sheriff's deputies responded to the scene with Rutherford County Emergency Medical Services. January fatality: 5 year old dies at hospital as 2nd death from 2-car crash on Murfreesboro's Middle Tennessee Boulevard Previous shooting occurred in afternoon May 18 A previous victim, Harris, died of a fatal gunshot wound May 18 after crashing his 2011 Infiniti G37 at the median of I-24 near Waldron Road, according to a May news release from the sheriff's spokeswoman. "Detectives are still in the early stages of the investigation," Marchesoni said. Sheriff's deputies and other law enforcement officers responded to the scene of the previous shooting victim at about 3:50 p.m. May 18 and found Harris suffering from a gunshot wound, Detective Jesse Gammel said in a previous news release. Rutherford County Emergency Medical Services paramedics treated Harris, but he later died at a local hospital, the May news release said. In addition to the deputies, officers with the Tennessee Highway Patrol and La Vergne Police Department responded to the May shooting, according to the news release. UPDATE: Murfreesboro police arrest 2 more after drive-by shootings wound 11-year-old girl Another person was held at the scene of the May shooting for questioning, Detective Gammel said. No criminal charges have been filed at this time, the May news release added. 'Detectives with the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office are asking for the public's assistance regarding any citizens who witnessed the (May 18) shooting or any events leading up to the vehicle crashing into the center median at mile marker 64.8 on I-24 eastbound from Davidson County into Rutherford County,' Gammel said in the press release. This is a developing story. Reach reporter Scott Broden with news tips or questions by emailing him at sbroden@ To support his work with The Daily News Journal, sign up for a digital subscription.
Newsweek
4 hours ago
- Newsweek
AEW Star Was Supposed To Be Popular Masked WWE Character
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. AEW star Blake Christian has revealed that he was the original person chosen by WWE to portray the popular masked superstar, Axiom. The scrapped plans would have dramatically changed the career paths of both Christian and the man who eventually took on the role. During a recent appearance on the Fightful Overbooked podcast, Christian, who wrestled in NXT as Trey Baxter, opened up about the character that was created for him but never came to be. The Original WWE Plan For Axiom Christian explained that WWE officials first approached him with the idea of a masked, superhero-like character when he signed in early 2021. While the initial plan was dropped, it was brought up again during the brand's transition to the more colorful NXT 2.0 later that year. "When (NXT) 2.0 came around they were like, 'We're going to do it now. This is a perfect character for this show,'" Christian recalled. "I came up with a suit design and a name. It just didn't happen. Well, it did happen, but it didn't happen with me." When asked directly if he was supposed to be Axiom, Christian confirmed it. "I was supposed to be, yes. I came up with all the stuff," he stated. Roman and Seth celebrate in the ring during the WWE show at Zenith Arena on may 09, 2017 in Lille, France. Roman and Seth celebrate in the ring during the WWE show at Zenith Arena on may 09, 2017 in Lille, France. PHILIPPE HUGUEN/AFP/Getty Images A Tale Of Two Paths Blake Christian's run in WWE as the high-flying Trey Baxter was brief. After a handful of matches on NXT and 205 Live, he was released from his contract in November 2021 as part of a large round of budget cuts. He has since found success in promotions like GCW and AEW. Nearly eight months after Christian's release, the Axiom character finally debuted on NXT television in July 2022. Under the mask was the Spanish technical wrestling wizard A-Kid, who had been a standout in the NXT UK brand where he was the first-ever NXT UK Heritage Cup Champion. WWE repackaged the highly-touted prospect with the new masked gimmick upon his move to the United States. More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation Axiom Became a Massive Success Christian showed no bitterness about the situation, praising the man who took on the role he helped create. "I think the person they gave it to is great and he's done a great job, maybe even better than I could have done," he said. "I'm happy to see it still alive and doing as well as it's doing." The Axiom character has indeed been a success. He formed a popular, high-energy tag team with Nathan Frazer called "Fraxiom." The duo went on to become two-time NXT Tag Team Champions before being called up to the main roster, where they are currently a part of the SmackDown brand. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports
NZ Herald
4 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Why Raiatea, French Polynesia is a must visit for New Zealanders wanting to trace their lineage
Roughly twice the size of Waiheke Island, Raiatea is believed to be the ancestral homeland of Māori and the starting point for migratory journeys that followed the track of Matariki – the Pleiades (Seven Sisters) constellation – and led to the settlement of other Polynesian islands, including New Zealand. Home to the most significant marae in the Polynesian Triangle, the Marae Taputaputea (a Unesco World Heritage site since 2017) it's a must-visit for Kiwis wanting to learn more about their ancestral roots. Part of Marae Taputapuatea, a Unesco World Heritage Site. Photo / Getty Images To make the most of the experience, we met with a Tahitian guide through Aroha Experiences, who took us through Marae Taputapuatea and Raiatea's surrounding natural treasures. Our guide Naiki Lutz explained a bit more about the marae, Taputapuatea - 'tapu' meaning sacred and 'atea' meaning faraway. She's guided many New Zealanders through this same journey, many of whom she says are impacted deeply by a sense of connection felt to their ancestral roots. The marae was once a centre of power where high priests and chiefs gathered, and today still has an incredible presence, commanding respect. But visiting here hasn't always been a guarantee, as Lutz said many generations before her were scared of visiting the site, which was considered taboo and a no-go zone due to a mass wave of Christianity and large-scale attempts to cull the ancestral stories that had come before it. Christian missionaries had a significant influence on Raiatea, starting in the early 19th century, leading to conflicts and even the destruction of the traditional Marae Taputapuatea in 1828. While the people of Raiatea initially resisted, Christian missionaries successfully converted many and managed to gain political influence. Now, Lutz and many others on the island are on a mission to preserve the Tahitian culture, retell the stories, regenerate the land and bring back parts of what was lost. While some of the stories and traditions may never be recovered, Raeatea is in itself a history book in landscape form. One of the beautiful lagoons of Raiatea in French Polynesia. Photo / Getty Images It is home to many amazing natural features, such as Mount Temehani and its Tiara Apetahi flower, which grows nowhere else in the world and blooms at dawn. The island also boasts its magnificent lagoon, rivers bathed in rituals, and lush, unique vegetation. Lutz took us in her truck through the centre of the mountains, stopping to pick a fresh mangosteen and visit a river, used by locals for centuries to bathe and fish. There she prepared a coconut scrub for us using fresh coconut husk and coconut meat, and we bathed in the same river many generations of Tahitians have. We took time to appreciate all that the land has to offer as we gave back to the eels and shrimp around us as they feasted on discarded coconut. For a quick snack break, we detoured to a local market and tried mapé chaude for the first time, a fruit that's gruelling to harvest and cook and looks like an organ, but is a delicacy among locals. The taste is somewhere between a kūmara and a banana. Mapé from the local market. Photo / NZ Herald Time felt slower on Raiatea; nobody was rushing, and there was a knowledge everywhere we went that this place was special. Connecting to it for a moment in time was an honour not to be taken for granted. Although less famous than its neighbours Bora Bora and Moorea, Raiatea captivated us with its mana, spectacular landscapes and stories. At the end of our time there, we wove harakeke with our guide and dropped it into the ocean as a gift to Ta'aroa (the Tahitian supreme creator god), thanking him for our time at such a special place. Checklist Raiatea, French Polynesia GETTING THERE Fly from Auckland to Tahiti with Air Tahiti or Air New Zealand daily. Tahiti to Raiatea is a short 45-minute flight with Air Tahiti or Air Moana. DETAILS New Zealand Herald Travel visited courtesy of Tahiti Tourism. Jenni Mortimer is the NZ Herald's chief lifestyle and entertainment reporter. Jenni started at the Herald in 2017 and has previously worked as lifestyle, entertainment and travel editor.
