First Coast Crime Stoppers launches live digital series to spotlight unsolved murders
FCCS says Saturday morning's digital press conference was the first-of-its-kind in Florida, showcasing official details of a cold case, pictures, and satellite imagery live on stream.
>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<
[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]
The inaugural stream focused on a case from 1999 in Jacksonville's Springfield neighborhood. The presenter was joined by family, loved ones, and supporters of Julia Vegas, who tearfully spoke during the presentation.
39-year-old Julia was found stabbed to death in a shed behind a home on Hubbard Street, and her killer has yet to be arrested.
Anyone who submits a tip to First Coast Crime Stoppers that leads to an arrest in any of their cases is eligible for a cash reward up to $3,000.
Watch the full digital press conference on FCCS's YouTube Channel.
[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Yahoo
William McNeil Jr.'s SUV spotted at home under surveillance for drugs before traffic stop, SAO says
Action News Jax is getting new details from the State Attorney's Office about its investigation into the February arrest of William McNeil Jr., which got national attention after McNeil released a video in July from the arrest that went viral. McNeil Jr. was arrested on February 19 following a traffic stop conducted by Officer D. Bowers of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. In McNeil's video, Bowers can be seen striking McNeil after breaking his window. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< McNeil is now being represented by prominent civil rights attorneys Benjamin Crump and Harry Daniels. The February incident began when Officer Donald Bowers initiated a traffic stop after observing McNeil's SUV parked at a house under surveillance for drug activity, according to a memo released Wednesday by State Attorney Melissa Nelson's office. The traffic stop occurred after Bowers observed McNeil driving without headlights and not wearing a seatbelt, the memo said. RELATED: Jacksonville Sheriff releases officer body-cam video from viral traffic stop video The State Attorney's Office said McNeil opened his door, claiming his window was broken, and questioned the reasons for the stop. After being informed of the violations, McNeil did not comply with Bowers' requests for his license, registration, and proof of insurance and continued to argue, demanding a supervisor. The SAO said the situation escalated when McNeil locked himself inside the vehicle and buckled his seatbelt after Bowers stopped him. Bowers eventually broke the window after giving McNeil multiple warnings. RELATED: First hit to man's face by JSO officer omitted in all police reports related to controversial arrest On July 21, the SAO said the JSO Integrity Unit interviewed Bowers about the stop. In the memo is Bowers' recollection of what happened after he broke McNeil's window and why his first strike of McNeil wasn't mentioned in the police report: 'Officer Bowers told investigators that after he broke the window, he delivered a 'distractionary' blow to McNeil (Exhibit G). Officer Bowers described the distraction strike as a tactic he was taught during his time as a narcotics officer when conducting the arrest of a vehicle's occupant. Officer Bowers explained that when evaluating how they would remove McNeil from the vehicle, he knew he would need to both unlock the door from the inside and unbuckle McNeil's seat belt. Officer Bowers stated his intended purpose in using this tactic was not to injure McNeil, but to distract him so that they could take control of McNeil. 'When asked why he did not report Use of Force 1 in his Response to Resistance report, Officer Bowers explained he considered his use of the distraction strike as a tool and did not consider it as the deployment of force. Officer Bowers' explanation is credible considering his stated training and the fact that he wrote a Response to Resistance report memorializing his closed fist punch to McNeil.' [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Following the arrest, officers discovered marijuana in McNeil's pocket and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle's center console. A large knife was found at McNeil's feet, although Bowers was unaware of these items at the time of the stop, the SAO said. McNeil later pleaded guilty to resisting an officer without violence and driving with a suspended license. The SAO stated that McNeil's video from the arrest did not capture the full context of the encounter, which was documented by the officers' body-worn cameras. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] When the SAO reviewed the incident, it concluded that Bowers' actions did not constitute a crime. 'Officer Bowers conducted a lawful traffic stop and gave McNeil 12 individual lawful commands, which McNeil refused to obey,' the memorandum stated. You can look at the SAO's full memo on the McNeil investigation below: William McNeil SAO4 Legal Memoranda Final by ActionNewsJax Action News Jax's Jake Stofan is digging into the details of the SAO's memo and will have the latest updates on FOX30 Action News Jax at 4. Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. Solve the daily Crossword
CBS News
7 days ago
- CBS News
Florida woman accused of leaving child, animals home alone while in Las Vegas, authorities say
A Florida woman was arrested Tuesday in Palatka, Florida, on charges of child neglect and animal cruelty, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office told CBS News affiliate Investigators said Jessica Copeland left a child alone for two weeks, along with several emaciated animals living in poor conditions, while she vacationed in Las Vegas. Deputies told the case began as an animal neglect investigation, but upon entering Copeland's home, they found the residence in disarray, with feces and urine throughout. Authorities told the TV station the child had been left without proper care during the entire time Copeland was away.
Yahoo
07-08-2025
- Yahoo
Feathery suspect (and its fishy accomplice) responsible for starting brush fire in Canada
It was a fish fry that went awry. A feathered suspect and its scaly accomplice are the shocking cause of a brush fire in British Columbia, according to officials. "There is something fishy about this call and we definitely suspect fowl play!" the Ashcroft Fire Rescue wrote in a statement on Facebook on Wednesday, July 30, after responding to a brush fire that started just before noon. An osprey, a fish-eating bird of prey, is believed to have started the fire after dropping its lunch, a fish, onto power lines. Sparks and the fish fell to the dry grass below, which resulted in the fire. "We do suspect by the size of the fish and the heat of the day probably caused the rather tired bird to drop its catch," the fire rescue wrote. "Or another suspicion could be that it's tired of raw fish and wanted to give cooked a try." The fire department also wrote this as the situation came to a close about the osprey on Friday, Aug. 1: "The judge has not granted bail as the suspect poses an extreme….flight risk!" Far from the river The fire department believes the fish came from a river that is 1.86 miles, 3 km, east of the fire. "The fish had an incredible journey," the fire department stated. The brush fire, which has since been put out, started as hundreds of fires across the country were impacting air quality in the U.S. and Canada. As of Tuesday, Aug. 5, there were 755 active fires in Canada, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fish that fell out of sky responsible for Canadian brush fire Solve the daily Crossword
