Victim in FSU shooting was son of notorious Cold War Cuban-American CIA operative
One of the two people killed in Thursday's shootings at Florida State University was the son of Ricardo 'Monkey' Morales, a shadowy Cuban-American CIA operative and anti-Castro militant throughut the 1960s and '70s who died in a bar fight in Miami in 1982.
Roberto Morales, 57, was among several university employees who had gathered for a meeting when the shooting began, his brother, Ricardo Morales Jr. said. He worked at the university's department of dining services.
'Today we lost my younger brother, He was one of the victims killed at FSU. He loved his job at FSU and his beautiful Wife and Daughter. I'm glad you were in my Life,' Ricardo Morales Jr. wrote Thursday night in his X account.
Roberto Morales was one of two people, neither of whom were FSU students, who were killed. Five others were hospitalized in the shootings, which began shortly before noon. Authorities said the shooter, who is in custody, is the son of a Leon County Schools deputy and had used one of her weapons.
Roberto Morales had been deeply affected by his father's death while he was a teenager, his brother said. His father, who had been a central figure in Cold War-era espionage and anti-Castro militancy, was killed in a Key Biscayne bar on December 20, 1982, during a fight. He was 43. Police ruled the incident a justifiable homicide, though his controversial past has long fueled speculation about the true nature of his death.
'Monkey' Morales operated in the shadowy realms of intelligence and counterintelligence for multiple agencies — including the CIA, FBI, DEA, the Israeli Mossad and Venezuela's DISIP. His legacy is marked by covert operations, bombings and alleged ties to drug trafficking. Despite numerous brushes with the law, he was frequently shielded from prosecution, feeding theories about his connections to high-level covert U.S. operations.
In the 1960s and '70s, Morales, who took part in the failed Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba in 1961, was one of many Cuban exiles collaborating with the CIA to undermine Fidel Castro's regime.
In a 2021 radio interview in Miami, Ricardo Morales Jr. claimed that his father had ties to Lee Harvey Oswald, the accused assassin of President John F. Kennedy.
Morales said his father, who served as a sniper instructor in the early 1960s at secret camps where Cuban exiles and others were trained for missions against Cuba, recognized Oswald as one of his former trainees in the hours following Kennedy's assassination in Dallas in 1963.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
33 minutes ago
- Yahoo
How Israel's campaign to wipe out Iran's nuclear program unfolded
Israel launched a wave of unprecedented strikes on Iran shortly before sunrise Friday morning, hitting key sites in the nation's nuclear program as well as residential areas in upscale neighborhoods of Tehran and killing some of the country's highest-ranking military leaders. A CNN analysis of satellite imagery and dozens of videos shared on social media offers insight into how the wide-ranging operation unfolded across the country. The attacks landed hundreds of miles from Tel Aviv, with strikes continuing through the afternoon as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned the bombardment could go on for days. Israel's military said it used 200 fighter jets in the operation, called 'Rising Lion.' Based on a review of strike targets, the attack had several prongs: Heavy strikes against at least one of Iran's uranium enrichment sites as well as its stockpiles of ballistic missiles, and more targeted strikes in Tehran to decapitate the regime's military leadership. It aimed to halt what Israel said was Tehran's rapid progress in developing nuclear weapons. Videos geolocated and verified by CNN reveal multiple residential neighborhoods were hit across Tehran, including in the north, west and east. Aftermath footage showed crowds and emergency workers surrounding collapsed buildings in densely populated areas. The Israeli operation came after years of threats and days of heightened speculation. Earlier in the week, the US had made efforts to withdraw non-essential personnel from locations around the Middle East, with one official citing 'developing tension' in the region. On Thursday, US President Donald Trump told reporters in the White House that he did not want Israel to target Iran while talks to reach a new agreement to limit Iranian nuclear enrichment were ongoing. In retaliation, Iran launched over 100 drones toward Israeli territory, Israel's military said, and then a barrage of ballistic missiles. Here's what we know about how Israel's attack unfolded, minute by minute. All times are local to Iran. The first reports of explosions in Tehran came at around 3:30 a.m. local time Friday. Video geolocated by CNN showed a fire burning across several floors of an apartment block in northern Tehran, as emergency services arrived at the scene. Seven miles west of those buildings – still in the north of the city – another video showed damage from a strike on the upscale Chamran Town neighborhood. An entire wall had been stripped off one of the buildings, with people seen climbing through the rubble inside. One strike hit centrally near Laleh Park, the site of protests over the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who died after Iran's morality police detained her for allegedly not wearing her headscarf properly. Beyond the capital, a video showed a strike on the Piranshahr military base in western Iran, some 350 miles (about 560 kilometers) away from Tehran. The video showed the dark night sky being lit up by a series of rapid explosions, with smoke rising in the distance. Trevor Ball, a munitions researcher and former US Army senior explosive ordnance technician, told CNN the video indicated 'rocket motor burning,' which would be consistent with a strike on a ballistic missile storage facility. Strikes also hit the Natanz nuclear facility, about 150 miles (240 kilometers) south of Tehran. Social media footage showed a huge fireball rising from the site. CNN obtained radar imagery from a space imaging company, Umbra, which captured damage to several areas of the facility. Other satellite imagery reviewed by CNN showed the same damage in more clarity; black plumes of smoke rising from multiple locations across the site. The Natanz nuclear facility includes two large underground halls believed to hold centrifuges for enriching uranium, according to a 2003 report from the Institute for Science and International Security, which includes satellite imagery of the site under construction in 2002. Based on that imagery, the latest attacks do not appear to have hit the underground buildings, but the full extent of the damage is not yet known. Iran's atomic energy agency said its primary nuclear enrichment facility 'did not encounter serious damage' and there were 'no radiation leaks that would cause concern to the people' after Israel attacked it. The spokesperson of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, Behrouz Kamalvandi, said on Iranian state media that the damage was on the ground level away from the underground facility at the plant. Rafael Grossi, the head of the United Nations' nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, said in a statement that 'radiation levels outside the Natanz facility remained unchanged' but added that there was 'radioactive contamination present inside the facility,' which 'can be managed with appropriate protective measures.' Soon after the first explosions rocked Tehran, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced it had launched preemptive strikes against Iran's nuclear program. It said it used jets to strike 'dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran.' The statement came at 3:44 a.m. in Israel, which is 30 minutes behind Iran's time zone. Within minutes, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed that the US was 'not involved' in Israel's strikes and that Israel's actions were 'unilateral.' 'Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel,' Rubio said in a statement on X, anticipating a potential Iranian response. Just one mile west of the strikes on Chamran Town, daylight video showed the aftermath of a strike on Tehran's Chizar neighborhood. A huge hole had been blown in the top two floors of a building, with twisted iron bars hanging from the concrete structure. Residents of Tehran later told CNN how they had been woken up by their homes 'shaking' from Israel's attack. A 17-year-old Iranian, who asked to remain anonymous, said people were 'screaming' in the streets. 'I didn't know what was happening. It was really scary,' the teenager said. As evidence of Israel's strikes began to pour in, Netanyahu gave a televised address, saying that Israel had acted to 'roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's very survival.' He said the operation would continue for as long as it takes 'to remove these threats.' Netanyahu claimed Iran had produced enough highly enriched uranium for nine nuclear weapons. In a report sent to member states May 31, the IAEA also judged that Iran had enough uranium enriched to 60% purity, near weapons-grade, potentially to make nine nuclear weapons. 'Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in a very short time. It could be a year. It could be within a few months,' Netanyahu said. 'This is a clear and present danger to Israel's survival.' The prime minister claimed Israel had struck Iran's main enrichment facility in Natanz, which was corroborated by video of the site. As the sun rose, the full scope of Israel's attack became clearer. Videos published after 6 a.m. showed the aftermath of a strike on a military base and a cargo terminal in the western Kermanshah region, which borders Iraq, over 250 miles from Tehran and 167 miles from Baghdad. After Netanyahu claimed Israel had targeted the nuclear facility at Natanz, the UN nuclear watchdog confirmed that Natanz had been hit. 'The IAEA is closely monitoring the deeply concerning situation in Iran,' it said. The agency said it was in contact with Iranian authorities regarding radiation levels in the area. In a later statement, it said it had not observed an increase in radiation. The Israeli military said it had killed three of the most senior men in Iran's military and its nuclear program. Maj. Gen. Hossein Salami, head of the secretive Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was the highest-profile of those killed. In its initial statement, Israel also said it killed Maj. Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, chief of staff of Iran's armed forces, and Gen. Gholam Ali Rashid, leader of Iran's emergency command. Later, the IDF said it had killed Ali Shamkhani, a close aide to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the IRGC's air force. Many of the strikes on Tehran appear to have been targeting these senior officials. Last year, Israel demonstrated its ability to assassinate its adversaries in highly targeted attacks on Iranian soil. In July 2024, it killed Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas – the Iran-backed militia in Gaza – by remotely detonating a bomb that had been hidden in his room in Tehran. While Friday's strikes appeared extremely targeted, there have been reports of civilian casualties. The IDF said that Iran had launched more than 100 drones towards Israeli territory, and that Israel's air defenses were preparing to intercept them. 'We're expecting difficult hours,' it said. Following previous Israeli attacks against Iran and its proxies in the region, Tehran fired back with huge salvos of ballistic missiles. The Institute for the Study of War, a think tank in Washington, DC, said it was 'possible that Israel somehow disrupted Iran's response by targeting Iran's ballistic missile launch sites and stockpiles.' Early afternoon, Iranian media reported that Israel had launched a fresh strike on the northwestern city of Tabriz. Tamsin news agency said the Tabriz Airport had come under 'heavy Israeli attack.' After learning the extent of Israel's attack, Trump urged Iran's leaders to agree to a new nuclear deal 'before there is nothing left' of their country. Trump said he had given Iran 'chance after chance' to make a deal. 'JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE,' he wrote on Truth Social, his social media platform. Under a 2015 nuclear deal struck by President Barack Obama, Iran agreed to drastically limit its number of centrifuges and cap uranium enrichment at levels far below those required to make weapons, in exchange for sanctions relief. But during his first term as president in 2018, Trump withdrew from the deal, saying the 'rotten structure' of the agreement was not enough to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear bomb. He ramped up sanctions on Iran and threatened to sanction any country that helped the regime obtain nuclear weapons. In his second term, Trump has revived efforts to strike a new nuclear deal with Iran. Just hours before Israel's attack, the president on Thursday cautioned Israel against launching a strike while talks are ongoing. US officials have held several rounds of high-stakes nuclear talks with Iran in recent weeks, demanding that Tehran stop all uranium enrichment activity. Iran has long claimed that its nuclear program is peaceful. It has said it wants to keep enriching uranium for civilian purposes, like building a nuclear reactor, and not for weapons. 'Zero nuclear weapons = we DO have a deal. Zero enrichment = we do NOT have a deal,' Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in an X post last month, setting out Tehran's red lines in the talks.
Yahoo
33 minutes ago
- Yahoo
West Palm police warn of traffic delays, extreme heat ahead of 'No Kings' march to Mar-a-Lago
WEST PALM BEACH — Police are urging the public to prepare for traffic delays and extreme heat on June 14, as large-scale demonstrations are expected to draw crowds to downtown West Palm Beach. The demonstrations are part of a nationwide movement dubbed 'No Kings National Day of Defiance.' Meant to protest President Donald Trump's administration, these rallies coincide with both his 79th birthday and the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary military parade in Washington, D.C. Locally, the protest will include a caravan and march to Mar-a-Lago, and a rally at Meyer Amphitheater in West Palm Beach. More than 1,000 are expected to participate across Palm Beach County, including in Palm Beach Gardens, Lake Worth Beach, Boynton Beach and Boca Raton. 'No Kings': Everything you need to know about the anti-Trump protests on Saturday, June 14 in Palm Beach County Lev Parnas, a former associate of Rudy Giuliani and a onetime Trump insider-turned-critic, will deliver the keynote address at the Meyer Amphitheatre. The event will feature a lineup of speakers on topics ranging from gun control and women's rights to LGBTQ+ protections and veterans' issues. The West Palm Beach Police Department issued an advisory June 13 urging drivers to steer clear of downtown, warning of heavier-than-normal traffic throughout the area. 'Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead,' the department said. 'Several roadways may be impacted as the events unfold.' Forecasters also predict temperatures will climb into the mid-to-high 90s, raising the risk of heat exhaustion for those outside. The police department's spokesperson, Rachel Leitão, encouraged demonstrators and attendees to drink water, wear light-colored, breathable clothing, limit strenuous activity, apply sunscreen and seek shade regularly. The police department said it supports the right to peaceful assembly and will be present to ensure public safety. 'We are committed to the safety of all participants and members of the public,' Leitão said. 'Please stay aware of your surroundings and take care in the heat.' Hannah Phillips is a journalist covering public safety and criminal justice at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at hphillips@ This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Police issue heat advisory ahead of 'No King's protest in West Palm Beach
Yahoo
33 minutes ago
- Yahoo
UCSD pulls out of San Diego Pride amid objections to festival headliner
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — UC San Diego and UC San Diego Health has announced it will not be participating in the San Diego Pride this year over what it views as antisemitic statements made by Kehlani, one of the festival headliners, regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The move to pull its sponsorship and opt out of the festival follows a coalition of Jewish groups and Mayor Todd Gloria, who announced earlier this month they were sitting out of this year's the celebrations in light of the Grammy-nominated singer's comments and 'safety concerns.' In a statement earlier this week, UCSD officials described Kehlani's views as 'blatantly Antisemitic' and stressed they were making the move to 'stand firm' in its commitment to supporting Jewish members of its campus community. 'Not just a party:' World Pride celebrations end with defiant politics on display The statement noted the university and its health system still intend to march in the Pride Parade. Kehlani, who identifies as non-binary, has been an outspoken advocate for Palestinians amid Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza through their social media platform and music. Although the singer's stalwart advocacy has drawn accusations of promoting antisemitic rhetoric from those supportive of Israel. One such display critics point to is their music video for 'Next 2 U,' in which the message 'long live the intifada' is prominently featured. The phrase means 'shaking off' in Arabic and has been used to describe Palestinian rebellion against Israeli occupation. However, this history leads those supportive of Israel to view the phrase as a call for violence against Jewish people. The use of this phrase was cited as the rationale in the cancellation of a scheduled performance of theirs back in April at Cornell University by the school's administration. In response to Cornell's decision, the singer posted a video to Instagram pushing back on the interpretation of her view as antisemitic, saying she is not 'anti-Jew,' rather 'anti-genocide' and is opposed to the actions of the Israeli government in the course of the conflict. FOX 5/KUSI reached out to San Diego Pride for comment on UCSD's withdrawal and is awaiting a response. The nonprofit, in a previous statement, said it does not endorse the political views of performers booked for the festival, adding, 'We honor the value of artistic integrity, the importance of free expression and the role that artists play in shaping culture, challenging systems and amplifying voices while respecting each other's differences.' How to handle the ongoing conflict in Gaza has been a tension point for San Diego Pride, having also drawn backlash from those who have expressed support for Palestinians. Last year, the nonprofit came under fire for the abrupt cancellation of a workshop led by two pro-Palestinian groups, Jewish Voice for Peace and People for Palestine San Diego, at San Diego She Fest — a beloved street fair that takes place prior to the Pride Parade and Festival. Local LGBTQ+ community deals with vandalism amid Pride Month At the time, San Diego Pride cited safety concerns in canceling the workshop. In an open letter shortly after, however, She Fest organizers said the purported risk was 'non-existent,' as they had 'an extensive safety plan, security on site and no viable threats.' The move ultimately led She Fest's leadership to sever ties with the nonprofit, stating in a post on Instagram the two came to a mutual decision that it was not possible for them to move forward together 'in a way that honors [She Fest's] values and responsibility to our community.' As for the Jewish groups boycotting this year's Pride in light of Kehlani's statements, several said they similarly plan to celebrate Pride independently of the main festivities in July. 'It's really sad to me that the San Diego Pride didn't understand the needs of the community,' Lilian Faderman, a congregant at Temple Emanu-El and LGBTQ+ historian, told FOX 5/KUSI earlier this month. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
