Latest news with #M-60
Miami Herald
27-05-2025
- Miami Herald
Man tries to set fire to US Army tank, feds say. Now, he's indicted in Florida
A Minnesota man convicted of making violent threats tried to set a U.S. Army tank on fire on Valentine's Day with a 'Molotov cocktail,' federal prosecutors in Central Florida said. Now Trang Johnny Nha Phan, 25, has been indicted, according to a May 27 news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida. He faces one count of attempted arson of federal property, one count of possessing a Molotov cocktail as a convicted felon and one count of 'using a firearm' in furtherance of a crime of violence, his indictment shows. Phan pleaded not guilty to the charges in Tampa federal court on May 16, according to court records. Ashley G. Allen, a federal defender representing him, didn't immediately return McClatchy News' request for comment May 27. When Phan tried to ignite what prosecutors said was a memorial M-60 A-3 Army tank on Feb. 14, he had been convicted of prior offenses: 'threats of violence and possessing three grams or more of heroin.' Prosecutors didn't mention where the arson attempt occurred. In 1960, the first M-60 battle tanks were rolled out by the U.S. Army, according to Army Technology. In 1991, the M60 tank series were used during Operation Desert Storm during the Gulf War. In Phan's indictment, prosecutors wrote the tank he's accused of trying to burn is owned by the U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command, which is headquartered in Michigan. Phan's jury trial is set for July 7 in Tampa, court records show. On May 16, he was ordered to be detained ahead of trial.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
30 years later: A look back at the 1995 San Diego tank rampage
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — It's been 30 years since a 57-ton tank from a local National Guard armory was destructively steered through the streets of San Diego. As reported by The San Diego Union-Tribune, on May 17, 1995, a man from Clairemont set out on a fateful journey that would end in his death. This unprecedented incident, which left a trail of destruction, has remained etched in the city's memory for three decades. His name was Shawn Nelson, and he reportedly worked as a plumber. Reports described the man's behavior prior to the incident as increasingly strange. The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that Nelson enlisted in the Army after high school, later serving as tank battalion in West Germany. That was until 'multifaceted disciplinary problems' led to an honorable discharge in 1980. Nelson's ex-wife told The San Diego Union-Tribune that he began acting erratically around the time his mother died in 1988. His father's death followed just four years later. During that period, she claimed he started to abuse amphetamines and alcohol, which led her to file for divorce in 1990. Nelson reportedly had a severe motorcycle accident that same year, leaving him with back and neck trauma. A series of unfortunate events continued for Nelson from there, with reports noting home foreclosure proceedings were filed in 1995. Then, the rampage day occurred. Live Nation offers $30 concert tickets to select San Diego shows On that fateful day in 1995, Nelson reportedly entered the National Guard armory on Mesa College Drive after finding the gates unsecured. It was then that Nelson entered and started up an M-60 battle tank. The discharged servicemember then drove the massive vehicle through residential neighborhoods in Kearny Mesa, smashing cars and tearing down telephone poles. The path of destruction was caught on video by many, with the CBS evening news of 1995 detailing the berserk event on television. Local authorities trailed Nelson, with some eventually climbing atop the tank and pulling the hatch to demand he stop, as reported by The San Diego Union-Tribune. When he refused to surrender and tried to maneuver the tank, Nelson was shot once by police. Despite an immediate response from paramedics, the gunshot wound proved to be fatal and Nelson was pronounced dead at the scene. In the wake of the incident, then-Governor Pete Wilson ordered the California National Guard to implement a fail-safe system to prevent future tank thefts. An investigation revealed significant security lapses at armories across the state, leading to reforms and the relocation of tanks to more secure facilities, the Los Angeles Times reported. Three decades later, the 1995 San Diego tank rampage remains a unique chapter in the city's history. While the motives behind Nelson's actions remain unclear, the event prompted significant changes in military equipment security and continues to be a topic of discussion and reflection. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
