logo
Who Is James Andrew McGann? Suspect Arrested Over Devil's Den Killings

Who Is James Andrew McGann? Suspect Arrested Over Devil's Den Killings

Newsweek3 days ago
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.
James Andrew McGann has been arrested in connection with the murders of a couple on a hike in Arkansas' Devil's Den State Park over the weekend.
Clinton David Brink, 43, and Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, were found dead on Saturday while hiking with their two daughters. The daughters, aged seven and nine, were unharmed.
McGann, 28, was taken into custody at 4.57 p.m. on Wednesday at a business in Springdale, Arkansas. He has been charged with two counts of capital murder, according to the Arkansas Department of Public Safety.
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a statement: "No news can heal the enormous harm done to the Brink family in last weekend's crime, but this announcement is a comfort and reassurance for our State. I am so proud of the Arkansas State Police, Park Rangers, local law enforcement, and others who have worked nonstop since last weekend to capture this suspect.
"I ask that Arkansans lift up prayers of thanks for the brave men and women of law enforcement – and offer prayers of condolence to the victims of this horrific crime. Let there be no mistake – we do not tolerate violent crime in Arkansas. If you target innocent people, law enforcement will hunt you down and bring you to justice."
James Andrew McGann, 28, has been charged with two counts of capital murder.
James Andrew McGann, 28, has been charged with two counts of capital murder.
ASP
This is a developing story. More to follow.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Jack Smith Faces Federal Investigation Over Trump Prosecutions
Jack Smith Faces Federal Investigation Over Trump Prosecutions

Newsweek

time2 hours ago

  • Newsweek

Jack Smith Faces Federal Investigation Over Trump Prosecutions

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. The Office of Special Counsel, an independent federal agency, confirmed Saturday that it has opened an investigation into Jack Smith, the former special counsel who prosecuted federal cases against then-candidate Donald Trump. The investigation centers on allegations that Smith violated the Hatch Act, a federal law prohibiting certain government officials from engaging in political activities while in office. Smith was appointed special counsel in November 2022 by then-Attorney General Merrick Garland to investigate Trump's handling of classified documents and efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. The New York Post first reported the investigation into Smith's conduct. Smith oversaw two major federal cases against Trump: one involving classified documents found at Mar-a-Lago, and another related to Trump's alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election results. Both cases were ultimately dropped after Trump's November 2024 election victory, following longstanding Justice Department policy that sitting presidents cannot be prosecuted. The Hatch Act, enacted in 1939, restricts federal employees from using their official positions to influence elections. Violations can result in removal from office, suspension, or other disciplinary measures. The Office of Special Counsel, separate from the Justice Department's special counsel positions, investigates such violations. Special Counsel Jack Smith delivers remarks on a recently unsealed indictment including four felony counts against former U.S. President Donald Trump at the Justice Department on August 1, 2023 in Washington, DC. Special Counsel Jack Smith delivers remarks on a recently unsealed indictment including four felony counts against former U.S. President Donald Trump at the Justice Department on August 1, 2023 in Washington, is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.

Manhunt Intensifies for Montana Mass Shooter
Manhunt Intensifies for Montana Mass Shooter

Newsweek

time3 hours ago

  • Newsweek

Manhunt Intensifies for Montana Mass Shooter

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. A massive manhunt is underway in western Montana for Michael Paul Brown, 45, who allegedly killed four people at The Owl Bar in Anaconda on Friday morning. Brown, a military veteran, fled the scene in a white pickup truck but later abandoned the vehicle. Authorities released a photo Saturday showing the suspect barefoot and shirtless, walking down concrete steps after the shooting. The search has focused on the mountainous Stumptown Road area west of Anaconda, with ground teams and helicopters deployed. Newsweek called the Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Law Enforcement Center and left a message requesting more information. Why It Matters Anaconda is the largest town and the county seat of Deer Lodge County, located in southwestern Montana. A town of about 9,000 people, Anaconda sits roughly 75 miles southeast of Missoula in a mountain-ringed valley. This mass shooting has devastated the small, tight-knit community of Anaconda, a town of approximately 9,000 people nestled in Montana's mountainous terrain. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about mental health support for military veterans and the challenges law enforcement faces when conducting searches in remote, mountainous regions. Police tape surrounds The Owl Bar in of Anaconda, Mont., on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, following a fatal shooting. Police tape surrounds The Owl Bar in of Anaconda, Mont., on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, following a fatal shooting. Joseph Scheller/The Montana Standard via AP What To Know The shooting happened around 10:30 a.m. local time on Friday at The Owl Bar, according to the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, which is leading the investigation. Around 2 p.m., the Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Law Enforcement Center named a suspect on Facebook, "Be advised suspect in shooting is believed to be armed and dangerous. Suspect is Michael Paul Brown and was last seen in the Stumptown area. Public is advised to stay out of the Stumptown area and surrounding areas. If seen do not approach. Contact 911 for any way to contact Michael Paul Brown." More than a dozen officers from state and local law enforcement agencies converged on the Stump Town area and appeared to be searching for the suspect in a wooded area. In an earlier Facebook post, the nearby Granite County Sheriff's Office said the suspect is said to be wearing a tie‑dyed shirt, blue jeans and an orange bandana. Brown served as an armor crewman in the U.S. Army from 2001 to 2005, including a deployment to Iraq from early 2004 to March 2005. He later served in the Montana National Guard until 2009, leaving military service with the rank of sergeant. The suspect lived next door to The Owl Bar, according to public record. Montana Governor Greg Gianforte said on Facebook that he is "closely monitoring the situation involving active shooter in Anaconda." "Please join Susan and me in praying for the victims, their loved ones, and the brave law enforcement officers responding to this tragedy," Gianforte wrote. Michael Paul Brown is shown. Michael Paul Brown is shown. Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Law Enforcement Center What People Are Saying Lee Johnson, Montana Division of Criminal Investigation Administrator, said Saturday: "While law enforcement has not received reports of Brown harming any other individuals, he is believed to be armed, and he is extremely dangerous. This is a small tight-knit community that has been harmed by the heinous actions of one individual who does not represent what this community or Montanans stand for." Clare Boyle, Brown's niece, told the Associated Press: "This isn't just a drunk/high man going wild. It's a sick man who doesn't know who he is sometimes and frequently doesn't know where or when he is either." The National Fraternal Order of Police wrote on Facebook: "Our hearts are with the community of Anaconda, Montana, where four lives were lost in a senseless bar shooting. Law enforcement is actively searching for the suspect, Michael Paul Brown, who remains at large and is considered armed and dangerous. We stand with the brave officers of the Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Law Enforcement Center, the Montana Highway Patrol, and every agency working around the clock to bring this suspect to justice. To every officer out there responding to danger with courage and resolve — we see you, we back you, and we're praying for your safety." Blake Hempstead, a local sports reporter in the area, posted on X: "Anaconda is in a mini lock down while police search for a gunman who shot numerous people at the Owl Bar. Don't leave your house or come this way until this cowardly POS is found by our law enforcement officers." His post continued: "High speed chase is heading west towards Georgetown Lake. Local officers and highway patrol with what was apparently looked like guns drawn according to an eyewitness. This is not supposed to go down here." What Happens Next The intensive search operation continues with multiple law enforcement agencies coordinating efforts across the mountainous terrain. Authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and report any sightings immediately. The names of the four victims will be released once all families have been properly notified. The investigation into the motive behind the shooting is ongoing, with officials working to piece together the events leading up to the tragic incident. Reporting from the Associated Press contributed to this article.

Teacher accused of murdering couple hiking in Arkansas park had shown ‘odd' behavior around schoolkids, parent says
Teacher accused of murdering couple hiking in Arkansas park had shown ‘odd' behavior around schoolkids, parent says

Yahoo

time4 hours ago

  • Yahoo

Teacher accused of murdering couple hiking in Arkansas park had shown ‘odd' behavior around schoolkids, parent says

A teacher suspected of murdering a couple in front of their children on an Arkansas hiking trail had previously exhibited 'odd' behavior around his former students, parents say. Police believe Andrew James McGann, 28, fatally stabbed Clinton David Brink, 43, and his wife, Cristen Amanda Brink, 42, while hiking with their 7- and 9-year-old daughters in Arkansas' Devil's Den State Park on July 26. The children are now being looked after by family members. A man seen leaving a trail with blood on his face entered a black Kia Stinger, sparking a four-day manhunt. Police said they eventually found the car in Springdale, where McGann was getting a haircut. The barber, Adriana Ruiz Avalos, told NBC News that she immediately had a bad feeling about him due to his tired and timid behavior. A true crime fan, she even saved his hair clippings as DNA evidence. Five minutes into the haircut, a law enforcement officer entered the shop, asking questions about the car parked outside, leading him straight to McGann. He has been charged with capital murder after his DNA matched evidence at the scene, and authorities said he admitted to the crimes. Ruiz Avalos isn't the first person to report McGann acting strangely. Two years ago in Texas, McGann – who reportedly worked at four schools in four years – allegedly exhibited 'odd' and 'grooming' behavior around young girls in his Donald Elementary School classroom. Lindsay Camp Polyak said she and other parents grew concerned that he wasn't effectively teaching their children, resulting in them falling behind. 'My kid would come home and say, 'Mr. McGann loves to play tag. He plays tag at recess every day with the girls,'' Polyak told NBC News, adding that her son claimed McGann gave out candy and special prizes only to the girls. Parents in a fourth-grade group chat shared concerns that McGann held 'special lunches' with select girls in his classroom, with some alleging he encouraged them to sit on his lap, Polyak said. Megan Perkins, another parent of a student at Donald Elementary, told the outlet that McGann was 'odd,' noting what she described as his overly competitive behavior with kids during field day events. She said other parents often discussed his unusual conduct, though not everyone found it concerning, as some chalked it up to insecurity, as he was new to the community. McGann was placed on administrative leave by Lewisville ISD in spring 2023 over concerns about classroom management and favoritism, though an internal investigation found no inappropriate conduct, NBC News reports. He resigned in May 2023 and moved to Oklahoma, teaching fifth grade at Spring Creek Elementary, where some parents described him as quiet but well-liked by students, despite being awkward around adults. An anonymous woman who spoke with the outlet said her son admired McGann so much that he began wearing Polo shirts like his teacher. McGann showed interest in wrestling, hiking, and the outdoors, and even started a running club for students, she said. However, she did notice that McGann was often 'awkward around parents' and avoided eye contact during conferences, once allegedly joking he taught elementary kids because he was "afraid of adults." McGann later taught at Northwoods Fine Arts Academy in Sand Springs, Oklahoma, for the 2024–25 school year, resigning again after one year. Though he had no disciplinary record or red flags in background checks, the Texas Education Agency flagged his teaching certificate following his arrest. McGann had recently relocated to Arkansas for a new teaching job in the Springdale Public Schools system. Two weeks before the start of the school year, he was arrested for the murders. McGann has been charged with capital murder after his DNA matched evidence at the scene. Authorities said he made statements admitting to the crimes. Investigators have a search warrant for his home and car, which they hope will lead to more information about his motive for his alleged crimes. He remains in the Washington County Detention Center without bond.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store