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man killed older man on facebook is later found dead after police chase

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Steve Stephens, the so-called "Facebook killer" who sparked a multi-state manhunt after he brazenly gunned down a Cleveland man at random, killed himself Tuesday morning in Erie County as cops closed in, Pennsylvania State Police said on Facebook.

Stephens was spotted by members of the state police who attempted a traffic stop and "after a brief pursuit, Stephens shot and killed himself."

Pa. State Police planned a briefing for Tuesday afternoon.

At a press conference earlier this morning, Cleveland police said they did not know where Stephens was.

Stephens, 37, shot and killed Robert Godwin seemingly at random on Sunday, recording the encounter on his phone and uploading the horrific video to Facebook. Godwin's family said he had no connection to Stephens or a woman Stephens mentioned.

Cleveland police on Monday advised residents of Pennsylvania, Michigan, Indiana and New York that Stephens could be in those states and the manhunt for Stephens soon expanded nationwide.

Erie County, Pa. is about 100 miles northeast of Cleveland.

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Facebook killer Steve Stephens dead, police say

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Steve Stephens, the so-called "Facebook killer" who sparked a multi-state manhunt after he brazenly gunned down a Cleveland man at random, killed himself Tuesday morning in Erie County as cops closed in, Pennsylvania State Police said on Facebook. Stephens was spotted by members of the state police who attempted a traffic stop and "after a brief pursuit, Stephens shot and killed himself."

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The "Facebook Killer" caught and kills himself

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Netflix thinks its new series, Fauda, could rival the success of Homeland across the globe. Lior Raz -lead actor and series co-creator- speaks with CNN's Samuel Burke in Israel about his own time in the security forces, a tragic terrorist attack that killed his girlfriend, and how Netflix has garnered a once small Israeli series global praise.

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Netflix says it's found the next 'Homeland'

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Netflix thinks its new series, Fauda, could rival the success of Homeland across the globe. Lior Raz -lead actor and series co-creator- speaks with CNN's Samuel Burke in Israel about his own time in the security forces, a tragic terrorist attack that killed his girlfriend, and how Netflix has garnered a once small Israeli series global praise.

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Melissa Etheridge smokes weed with her adult kids

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Melissa Etheridge smokes weed with her kids | CNN

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Melissa Etheridge has gotten high with a little help from her family.

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Emma Morano, the last person alive from the 1800's died

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The Italian was born on November 29, 1899. She held the Guinness World Record titles for oldest living person and oldest living woman.

"She joined our celebrated hall of fame with her amazing achievement when she was announced in 2016 as the oldest living female, and was officially confirmed as the last person to be born in the 1800s," Guinness World Records said in a statement on its website.

It said it will announce a new oldest person after reviewing evidence.

"I didn't want to be dominated by anyone," she told The New York Times of her 1938 separation from her husband.

And despite her age, Morano had a childlike love of cookies, her doctor Carlo Bava said. So much so, she routinely hid them under her pillow so no one would eat them.

She was five years younger than Jeanne Calment, the 122-year-old who held the title for oldest person ever.

Guinness said the oldest living man is Israel Kristal, a Holocaust survivor who turned 113 in September.

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Emma Morano, world's oldest person, dies at age 117

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The Italian was born on November 29, 1899. She held the Guinness World Record titles for oldest living person and oldest living woman. "She joined our celebrated hall of fame with her amazing achievement when she was announced in 2016 as the oldest living female, and was officially confirmed as the last person to be born in the 1800s," Guinness World Records said in a statement on its website.

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Teens allegedly plot to kill everyone at there middle school court documents say.

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A trio of teens was charged with a violent plot to "kill everyone and anyone" at their Michigan middle school, according to court records.

Lapeer County Assistant Prosecutor David Campbell read chilling words allegedly written by Gunnar Rice in Lapper County District Court on Monday, detailed what he allegedly planned to undertake at Zemmer Middle School in Lapeer, a city of roughly 8,000 about 20 miles east of Flint.
REPORT: FLORIDA WOMAN CHARGED 'COVER FEE' AT DRUG FLOP HOUSE
Rice, 14, wrote that he wanted to "exterminate all the [expletive] animals at this school," Campbell said during Monday's arraignment, MLive.com reported. "We'll kill everyone and anyone of our choosing."

Rice was charged as an adult on charges of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, using computers to commit a crime, conspiracy to commit terrorism and a false report of terrorism.
WOUNDED WARRIORS RUN BACK-TO-BACK MARATHONS, STARTING IN BOSTON
Two other students, Asa Christopher Candela and Dylan Michael DeAngelis, both 15, have also been charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, using computers to commit a crime and conspiracy to commit terrorism.

Campbell also read in court what he claimed were the writings of DeAngelis, describing his role in the plot to kill at the middle school campus.
Read more at the New York Post.

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Teens allegedly plotted to 'kill everyone' at their middle school, court documents say

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A trio of teens was charged with a violent plot to "kill everyone and anyone" at their Michigan middle school, according to court records.

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Steve Stephens, the Cleveland murder suspect who posted video of the slaying on Facebook, killed himself in Pennsylvania after a police chase, officers said Tuesday.

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Steve Stephens, 37, is wanted for the death of Robert Godwin -- a self-taught mechanic and grandfather of 14 who was shot while walking home from an Easter meal Sunday in Cleveland. Video of the killing was posted on Facebook.

A reported sighting of Stephens in Philadelphia turned out to be false. So did reported sightings in Baltimore, police said.

So authorities have embarked on the dangerous task of searching Cleveland's abandoned buildings while hoping a $50,000 reward will spur anyone with information about Stephens' location to come forward.

Through their tears, several of Godwin's children said they hold no animosity against the suspect.

"Each one of us forgives the killer, the murderer," Godwin's daughter Tonya Godwin-Baines said. "We want to wrap our arms around him."

Godwin taught his children the value of hard work. He taught them how to love God and fear God, and how to forgive, his children said.

"They don't make men like him anymore. He was definitely one in a million," said another daughter, Debbie Godwin.

Suspect cited anger with his girlfriend

Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams has said Stephens apparently chose Godwin at random.

Stephens' mother, Maggie Green, said her son stopped by her house Saturday and gave her a cryptic message.

"He said this (was) the last time I was going to see him," Green said.

They spoke briefly the next day, his mother said. Before Green's phone died, Stephens told her he was "shooting people" because he was "mad with his girlfriend" of about three years, his mother said.

Later Sunday, Stephens uploaded a video to his Facebook page showing a gun pointed at a man's head.

Seconds before the shooting, Stephens asked the victim to say the name of a woman believed to associated with the suspect.

"She's the reason why this is about to happen to you," Stephens said.

Then, the gunman fires the weapon. The victim recoils and falls to the ground.

Stephens is a black male who is 6-foot-1 and weighs 244 pounds. He was last seen wearing a dark blue and gray or black striped polo shirt. He was driving a white Ford Fusion with temporary license plates, Cleveland police said.

Stephens claimed on Facebook that he had committed multiple homicides, but police said they had no knowledge of other victims. He has many traffic violations but no criminal record, Williams said.

"Obviously, he's got deep, deep issues," the police chief said.

Woman cited by suspect is 'overwhelmed'

The woman believed to be associated with the suspect has told multiple news agencies that she was "overwhelmed" by the tragedy.

"Steve really is a nice guy... He is generous with everyone he knows. He was kind and loving to me and my children," she told CBS News.

Williams said police have spoken to the woman, and she is safe and cooperating with the investigation. The woman's neighbors told CNN that Stephens often stayed at her Twinsburg home with her three young girls. One resident said Stephens was there two days ago, fixing the home's garage.

Suspect worked with children

Stephens was employed at Beech Brook, a behavioral health agency in northeastern Ohio that serves children, teenagers and families, according to a spokeswoman for the facility.

"We are shocked and horrified like everyone else," said Nancy Kortemeyer. "To think that one of our employees could do this is awful."

She said Stephens was a vocational specialist who worked with youth and young adults. He had previously worked as a youth mentor, she said.

Victim was celebrating Easter

Robert Godwin was walking home from a holiday meal with his family when he encountered the gunman on a sidewalk.

Brenda Haymon, Godwin's youngest child from his first marriage, said he was the father of 10.

"He lived a good life. He's a man people should model themselves after," she said.

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steve stephens: facebook murder suspect could be anywhere - cnn.com

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Darran Simon, Holly Yan and Gary Tuchman, CNN

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Facebook murder suspect Steve Stephens could be anywhere

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Steve Stephens, 37, is wanted for the death of Robert Godwin -- a self-taught mechanic and grandfather of 14 who was shot while walking home from an Easter meal Sunday in Cleveland. Video of the killing was posted on Facebook. A reported sighting of Stephens in Philadelphia turned out to be false.

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Mom finds 1-year-old son dead at Michigan daycare

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MUSKEGON, Mich. ( WXMI) -- A mother who found her 1-year-old son dead when she went to pick him up from daycare on Friday says he had multiple bite marks and bruises on his body.

Bryanna Reasonover is the mother of that baby, Korey Brown. She is demanding answers about what happened at the daycare and how he died. She also says her baby was covered with bite marks and bruises when she went to get him.

"Bruises and bite marks on his face, bite marks on his fingers," says Bryanna Reasonover. "It was bad. I found Korey in a Pack 'N Play, he was laying in there like he was asleep."

Bryanna says she dropped off Korey and her 3 other children Thursday night at 'Keysha's Keepers' daycare on the corner of Catherine Street in Muskegon.

"When his face rolled over he had all these bruises on the side of his face. And that's when I said what's wrong with my baby's face," says Bryanna.

Bryanna says the ladies who work at the daycare had no idea anything was wrong with Korey. He reportedly never work up and never regained consciousness. Bryanna says a doctor pronounced him dead later that morning at a hospital.

"It doesn't seem real. It still doesn't seem real to this day. It seems like a dream and I'm going to wake up and he's going to be here," says Bryanna.

FOX 17 went to that daycare and tried to speak with the owner Keysha Collins, but nobody was available for comment. Phone calls were also not returned.

State records show the facility's license was approved in November and expires next month.

Korey Brown's autopsy was performed Saturday, but so far a cause of death has not been released.

Police in Muskegon confirm they are investigating the case but would not comment any further.

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Read Full Story

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Mom finds 1-year-old son dead at daycare

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MUSKEGON, Mich. ( WXMI) -- A mother who found her 1-year-old son dead when she went to pick him up from daycare on Friday says he had multiple bite marks and bruises on his body. Bryanna Reasonover is the mother of that baby, Korey Brown.

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Cleveland murder suspect kills himself after pursiut

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Steve Stephens, 37, is wanted for the death of Robert Godwin -- a self-taught mechanic and grandfather of 14 who was shot while walking home from an Easter meal Sunday in Cleveland. Video of the killing was posted on Facebook.

A reported sighting of Stephens in Philadelphia turned out to be false. So did reported sightings in Baltimore, police said.

So authorities have embarked on the dangerous task of searching Cleveland's abandoned buildings while hoping a $50,000 reward will spur anyone with information about Stephens' location to come forward.

Through their tears, several of Godwin's children said they hold no animosity against the suspect.

"Each one of us forgives the killer, the murderer," Godwin's daughter Tonya Godwin-Baines said. "We want to wrap our arms around him."

Godwin taught his children the value of hard work. He taught them how to love God and fear God, and how to forgive, his children said.

"They don't make men like him anymore. He was definitely one in a million," said another daughter, Debbie Godwin.

Suspect cited anger with his girlfriend

Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams has said Stephens apparently chose Godwin at random.

Stephens' mother, Maggie Green, said her son stopped by her house Saturday and gave her a cryptic message.

"He said this (was) the last time I was going to see him," Green said.

They spoke briefly the next day, his mother said. Before Green's phone died, Stephens told her he was "shooting people" because he was "mad with his girlfriend" of about three years, his mother said.

Later Sunday, Stephens uploaded a video to his Facebook page showing a gun pointed at a man's head.

Seconds before the shooting, Stephens asked the victim to say the name of a woman believed to associated with the suspect.

"She's the reason why this is about to happen to you," Stephens said.

Then, the gunman fires the weapon. The victim recoils and falls to the ground.

Stephens is a black male who is 6-foot-1 and weighs 244 pounds. He was last seen wearing a dark blue and gray or black striped polo shirt. He was driving a white Ford Fusion with temporary license plates, Cleveland police said.

Stephens claimed on Facebook that he had committed multiple homicides, but police said they had no knowledge of other victims. He has many traffic violations but no criminal record, Williams said.

"Obviously, he's got deep, deep issues," the police chief said.

Woman cited by suspect is 'overwhelmed'

The woman believed to be associated with the suspect has told multiple news agencies that she was "overwhelmed" by the tragedy.

"Steve really is a nice guy... He is generous with everyone he knows. He was kind and loving to me and my children," she told CBS News.

Williams said police have spoken to the woman, and she is safe and cooperating with the investigation. The woman's neighbors told CNN that Stephens often stayed at her Twinsburg home with her three young girls. One resident said Stephens was there two days ago, fixing the home's garage.

Suspect worked with children

Stephens was employed at Beech Brook, a behavioral health agency in northeastern Ohio that serves children, teenagers and families, according to a spokeswoman for the facility.

"We are shocked and horrified like everyone else," said Nancy Kortemeyer. "To think that one of our employees could do this is awful."

She said Stephens was a vocational specialist who worked with youth and young adults. He had previously worked as a youth mentor, she said.

Victim was celebrating Easter

Robert Godwin was walking home from a holiday meal with his family when he encountered the gunman on a sidewalk.

Brenda Haymon, Godwin's youngest child from his first marriage, said he was the father of 10.

"He lived a good life. He's a man people should model themselves after," she said.

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steve stephens: facebook murder suspect could be anywhere - cnn.com

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Darran Simon, Holly Yan and Gary Tuchman, CNN

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Facebook murder suspect Steve Stephens could be anywhere

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Steve Stephens, 37, is wanted for the death of Robert Godwin -- a self-taught mechanic and grandfather of 14 who was shot while walking home from an Easter meal Sunday in Cleveland. Video of the killing was posted on Facebook. A reported sighting of Stephens in Philadelphia turned out to be false.

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Robert Godwin Sr. was walking home from an Easter meal with his family when he was shot by a stranger, who then posted a video of the murder to Facebook.

The gruesome video stayed up for hours on Sunday before it was removed by Facebook . It continues to be shared online.

It's just the latest in a growing list of disturbing videos of murder, suicide, torture and beheading published on Facebook, however briefly, either through live broadcasts or video uploads.

The new video is reigniting old questions about how the social network handles offensive content: How many people does Facebook have moderating and flagging this type of content globally? What is the average response time for removing it? And does Facebook save the content for law enforcement after it's deleted?

Facebook, like some of its peers in the tech industry, has traditionally stayed vague on these details, other than pointing to its community standards. On Monday, Facebook called the shooting "a horrific crime."

"We do not allow this kind of content on Facebook," the company said in a statement provided to CNNTech. "We work hard to keep a safe environment on Facebook, and are in touch with law enforcement in emergencies when there are direct threats to physical safety."

A source close to Facebook says it has "thousands" of people reviewing content around the world. Once a piece of content is reported by users as inappropriate, it is typically reviewed "within 24 hours."

Related: Facebook is coming to a TV near you

Facebook relies on a combination of algorithms, "actual employees" and its community of users to flag offensive content, says Stephen Balkam, founder and CEO of Family Online Safety Institute, a longtime member of Facebook's safety advisory board.

"They have reviewers in Asia, they have reviewers in Europe and they have reviewers in North America," Balkam says. But at least some of that is likely to come from more affordable contractors in Southeast Asia, according to Balkam and others.

"It's work that is treated as low status [in Silicon Valley]," says Sarah T. Roberts, an assistant professor at UCLA who studies online content moderation. "It's not the engineering department. It's the ugly and necessary output of these platforms."

Roberts also criticizes the tech companies for placing some of the burden on users. "It's actually the users who are exposed to something that they find disturbing, and then they start that process of review," she says.

That may change. In a lengthy manifesto about the future of Facebook published in February, CEO Mark Zuckerberg acknowledged "terribly tragic events -- like suicides, some live streamed -- that perhaps could have been prevented if someone had realized what was happening and reported them sooner."

Zuckerberg said Facebook is developing artificial intelligence to better flag content on the site. This system "already generates about one-third of all reports to the team that reviews content," according to Zuckerberg's post.

"It seems like a magic bullet, and it didn't help yesterday, did it?" Roberts says of the bet on AI.

Facebook isn't the only tech company going this route. Google said earlier this month it is relying on AI to pinpoint content that could be objectionable to advertisers, after a big brand boycott over extremist content on YouTube.

But as Facebook and Google build up video hubs in search of TV ad dollars, even one offensive or extremist video that slips through the cracks of human or AI moderators may be one too many.

"I don't think they understand that the correct answer is zero," says Brian Wieser, an analyst who covers both companies at Pivotal Research Group. "Of course stuff goes wrong and you will make efforts to solve that problem when those problems arrive. But the standard is zero."

CNNMoney (New York) First published April 17, 2017: 2:17 PM ET

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Why Facebook still struggles to pull down murder videos quickly

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The gruesome video stayed up for hours on Sunday before it was removed by Facebook . It continues to be shared online. It's just the latest in a growing list of disturbing videos of murder, suicide, torture and beheading published on Facebook, however briefly, either through live broadcasts or video uploads.

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snapchat has released a few 3D filters , because they felt like facebook was turning into snapchat

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Snapchat is stepping up its filter game.

Snap , the parent company of Snapchat, launched new three-dimensional lenses on Tuesday. When taking a photo or video with the rear-facing camera on a smartphone, users can tap the screen to see new 3D filters including a sparkling rainbow, a field of blooming flowers, and floating phrases like "OMG" and "Cute."

The new lenses will be updated daily, Snap said. The app's existing lenses -- like flower crowns and animal ears -- are swapped out regularly, with new filters added to the list and old options disappearing or reappearing over time.

Related: Snapchat makes its stories searchable

Snapchat launched lenses about 18 months ago, offering filters that turn users into puppies and puking rainbow faces.

Last month, the company made "Stories" -- photo and video posts shared by users that disappear after 24 hours -- searchable. The move came after Facebook launched Snapchat copycat features, like short visual stories and disappearing messages.

Facebook-owned Instagram already includes quite similar features, which have been growing in popularity.

Last week, Facebook said more than 200 million people use Instagram Stories every day, which is more than Snapchat's 161 million daily users.

CNNMoney (New York) First published April 18, 2017: 9:01 AM ET

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Snap , the parent company of Snapchat, launched new three-dimensional lenses on Tuesday. When taking a photo or video with the rear-facing camera on a smartphone, users can tap the screen to see new 3D filters including a sparkling rainbow, a field of blooming flowers, and floating phrases like "OMG" and "Cute."

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Melissa Etheridge smokes weed with her adult kids.

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Melissa Etheridge smokes weed with her kids | CNN

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Melissa Etheridge has gotten high with a little help from her family.

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A trio of teens was charged with a violent plot to “kill everyone and anyone” at their Michigan middle school, according to court records.
Lapeer County Assistant Prosecutor David Campbell read chilling words allegedly written by Gunnar Rice in Lapper County District Court on Monday, detailed what he allegedly planned to undertake at Zemmer Middle School in Lapeer, a city of roughly 8,000 about 20 miles east of Flint.

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A trio of teens was charged with a violent plot to "kill everyone and anyone" at their Michigan middle school, according to court records.

Lapeer County Assistant Prosecutor David Campbell read chilling words allegedly written by Gunnar Rice in Lapper County District Court on Monday, detailed what he allegedly planned to undertake at Zemmer Middle School in Lapeer, a city of roughly 8,000 about 20 miles east of Flint.
REPORT: FLORIDA WOMAN CHARGED 'COVER FEE' AT DRUG FLOP HOUSE
Rice, 14, wrote that he wanted to "exterminate all the [expletive] animals at this school," Campbell said during Monday's arraignment, MLive.com reported. "We'll kill everyone and anyone of our choosing."

Rice was charged as an adult on charges of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, using computers to commit a crime, conspiracy to commit terrorism and a false report of terrorism.
WOUNDED WARRIORS RUN BACK-TO-BACK MARATHONS, STARTING IN BOSTON
Two other students, Asa Christopher Candela and Dylan Michael DeAngelis, both 15, have also been charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, using computers to commit a crime and conspiracy to commit terrorism.

Campbell also read in court what he claimed were the writings of DeAngelis, describing his role in the plot to kill at the middle school campus.
Read more at the New York Post.

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Teens allegedly plotted to 'kill everyone' at their middle school, court documents say

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A trio of teens was charged with a violent plot to "kill everyone and anyone" at their Michigan middle school, according to court records.

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Kevin Knox, one of the top basketball recruits in the class of 2017, reportedly turned down a $1.4 million offer from a professional team in China.

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College Basketball Recruiting Scott Polacek Featured Columnist Gregory Payan/Associated Press
Kevin Knox, one of the top basketball recruits in the class of 2017, reportedly turned down a $1.4 million offer from a professional team in China.

On Saturday, Bob Putnam of the Tampa Bay Times reported the team called Knox's parents and made the offer, which would have allowed him to play for a year before becoming eligible for the NBA draft.

Instead, the 5-star prospect will attend college, and his list of schools is down to North Carolina, Kentucky, Duke, Florida State and Missouri.

"I didn't put much stock into the offer," Knox's father, Kevin, said, per Putnam. "We politely said thanks but no thanks. He's going to college."

Knox is the No. 7 overall player in his class and No. 2 at his position. He is 6'8", and Scout lists his length, his versatility, his ability to play multiple positions and his athleticism among his strengths.

According to Putnam, the 17-year-old is expected to make his college decision between April 26 and May 10.
Recruiting information courtesy of Scout unless otherwise noted. For more news, rumors and related stories about college basketball, check out the college basketball stream on Bleacher Report's app.
While Knox turned down the $1.4 million offer, his family took out a $1 million insurance policy to provide protection in case of injury before he attempts to cash in on his talent at the NBA level.

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5-Star SF Recruit Kevin Knox Turned Down $1.4 Million Deal to Play in China

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College Basketball Recruiting Scott Polacek Featured Columnist Gregory Payan/Associated Press Kevin Knox, one of the top basketball recruits in the class of 2017, reportedly turned down a $1.4 million offer from a professional team in China.

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US Marines have begun to touch down in Darwin, in Australia's tropical north, as the first of some 1,250 “stand ready to fight” against North Korea amid warnings that Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program is a “serious threat” to Canberra.

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US Marines have begun to touch down in Darwin, in Australia's tropical north, as the first of some 1,250 "stand ready to fight" against North Korea amid warnings that Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program is a "serious threat" to Canberra.

The deployment will see the largest US aircraft contingent to Australia in peacetime history, Reuters reports, adding that the 25-year annual deployment program was launched by former US President Barack Obama back in 2011 as part of America's 'pivot' to Asia. During the six-month deployment, US Marines will conduct exercises with Australian troops and will also visit Chinese forces.

The US Marines' arrival comes as Australia's Foreign Minister Julie Bishop voiced mounting concerns over North Korea's nuclear activities. Pyongyang is striving for nuclear weapons and "has a clear ambition to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of carrying a nuclear payload as far as the US," Bishop said according to the ABC.

"That would mean Australia would be in reach so unless it is prevented from doing so, it will be a serious threat to the peace and stability of our region, and that is unacceptable, " she added.

North Korea launched a failed missile test on Sunday, while also warning Washington against taking military action against it. Pyongyang's military pledged to "ruthlessly ravage" the US if the American aircraft carrier group 'USS Carl Vinson', currently on its way to the region, takes aggressive action. In Darwin, Marine commander Lieutenant-Colonel Brian Middleton said the 13 aircraft, including tilt-rotor Ospreys, Super Cobra helicopters and Huey helicopters, triple the number of aircraft in past deployments, signaling a " tangible kind of sign of our commitment to the region and to this partnership."

"Regardless, I think it is just a good move anytime we can strengthen the long-standing partnership and alliance between our two countries. We stand ready to fight and win the night always," he noted, as cited by Reuters. "I think that the commitment that we've taken to put a task force here with a conversation to get larger over the years says that we do think this is an important region."

China's Foreign Minister warned last week that an armed conflict with North Korea may break out " at any moment, " urging Washington and Pyongyang to tone down their hawkish rhetoric and realize the price to pay for both sides if a new Korean War were to start.

The warning came amid US military drills near the Korean Peninsula and the deployment of the American THAAD anti-missile system to South Korea. While US President Donald Trump is threatening to "take care" of the North Korean "problem, " Pyongyang says it is ready to repel any military action.

China, North Korea's close ally and main trading partner, does not welcome Pyongyang's nuclear program, but advocates finding a political solution to the crisis. Russia, which also shares a land border with the reclusive state, expressed deep concern over the mounting tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

US 'runs out of patience'

US Vice President Mike Pence recently announced the "end of strategic patience" towards Pyongyang, adding that " all options are on the table."

On Thursday, US intelligence officials told NBC that the US has sent two destroyers capable of launching Tomahawk cruise missiles in the region, with one just 300 miles (some 480km) from the North Korean nuclear test site. American long-range bombers have also been positioned in Guam to hit North Korean targets.

North Korea warned on Tuesday it would retaliate " if the US dares opt for a military action" or any other type of aggression with all means available.

The North Korean General Staff said in a statement carried by the country's KCNA news agency that US deployment of " huge nuclear strategic assets" to the Korean Peninsula is pushing the region to "a dangerous situation in which a thermo-nuclear war may break out any moment."

On Monday, the country's envoy to the UN echoed that statement, also warning of a nuclear war that may follow America's military buildup. He stressed that Pyongyang will not back down to Washington's threats and continue its missile tests whenever its suits the country since they represent part of a defensive strategy.

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'Ready to fight & win': US marines deployed to Australia amid N. Korean 'nuclear threat'

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US Marines have begun to touch down in Darwin, in Australia's tropical north, as the first of some 1,250 "stand ready to fight" against North Korea amid warnings that Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program is a "serious threat" to Canberra.

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The man suspected of killing Google employee Vanessa Marcotte made his first appearance in court this morning, eight months after the 27-year-old disappeared while jogging near her mother's Princeton, Massachusetts, home.

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The man suspected of killing Google employee Vanessa Marcotte made his first appearance in court this morning, eight months after the 27-year-old disappeared while jogging near her mother's Princeton, Massachusetts, home.

Angelo Colon-Ortiz, 31, of Worcester, who has been charged with aggravated assault, aggravated assault and battery, and assault with intent to rape, was held on $10 million cash bail, according to The Associated Press. An attorney for Colon-Ortiz entered not guilty pleas to the charges, the AP said.

Prosecutors also expect to charge him with murder, the AP said.

On Aug. 7, 2016, Marcotte, an account manager at Google in New York, went for a jog in Princeton, a town about 60 miles west of Boston, and never returned. Her body was found that night in a wooded area about half a mile from her mother's home. Marcotte had planned to return home to New York that night, officials said.

Colon-Ortiz was arrested on Friday in connection with Marcotte's killing after his DNA matched samples taken from Marcotte's hands.

Police found Colon-Ortiz after a Massachusetts state trooper spotted a man matching the suspect in Marcotte killing's description driving a dark SUV in Worcester, the Worcester County District Attorney's Office said.

The trooper didn't have paper, so he "wrote the license plate number down on his hand and followed up," the district attorney's office said. "He later went to the suspect's home ... where suspect provided the DNA that led to the match."

Marcotte's cousins, Caroline Tocci and Steve Vittorioso, told ABC News they weren't surprised that the 27-year-old helped catch her own alleged killer by getting his DNA.

Worcester County District Attorneys Office via AP

"Vanessa is a fighter," Vittorioso said. "I know that she was doing everything she can. She really tried to persevere. ... She is our role model."

"We're very proud of her strength and what she did," Tocci said. "We know how strong of a person she is and every day we strive to be more like her."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Massachusetts jogger's alleged killer held on $10M cash bail

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The man suspected of killing Google employee Vanessa Marcotte made his first appearance in court this morning, eight months after the 27-year-old disappeared while jogging near her mother's Princeton, Massachusetts, home. Angelo Colon-Ortiz, 31, of Worcester, who has been charged with aggravated assault, aggravated assault and battery, and assault with intent to rape, was held on $10 million cash bail, according to The Associated Press.

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National Animals Crackers day

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Facebook live murderer shoots himself at a traffic stop in Pennsylvania.

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Steve Stephens, the so-called "Facebook killer" who sparked a multi-state manhunt after he brazenly gunned down a Cleveland man at random, killed himself Tuesday morning in Erie County as cops closed in, Pennsylvania State Police said on Facebook.

Stephens was spotted by members of the state police who attempted a traffic stop and "after a brief pursuit, Stephens shot and killed himself."

Pa. State Police planned a briefing for Tuesday afternoon.

At a press conference earlier this morning, Cleveland police said they did not know where Stephens was.

Stephens, 37, shot and killed Robert Godwin seemingly at random on Sunday, recording the encounter on his phone and uploading the horrific video to Facebook. Godwin's family said he had no connection to Stephens or a woman Stephens mentioned.

Cleveland police on Monday advised residents of Pennsylvania, Michigan, Indiana and New York that Stephens could be in those states and the manhunt for Stephens soon expanded nationwide.

Erie County, Pa. is about 100 miles northeast of Cleveland.

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Facebook killer Steve Stephens dead, police say

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Steve Stephens, the so-called "Facebook killer" who sparked a multi-state manhunt after he brazenly gunned down a Cleveland man at random, killed himself Tuesday morning in Erie County as cops closed in, Pennsylvania State Police said on Facebook. Stephens was spotted by members of the state police who attempted a traffic stop and "after a brief pursuit, Stephens shot and killed himself."

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Its

Miguel Cabreras birthday.

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Russia shows off their new Arctic military base.

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Russia lets web users take a 'virtual tour' of a new military base in the remote frozen region.

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Melissa Etheridge smokes weed with her adult kids.

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Melissa Etheridge smokes weed with her kids | CNN

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Melissa Etheridge has gotten high with a little help from her family.

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Mr. Kohl- VP Mike Pence said the US is ditching that whole “strategic patience” plan. North Korea responded by saying that “thermonuclear war may break out at any moment.” Something fun to look forward to.

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Mr. Kohl- VP Mike Pence said the US is ditching that whole “strategic patience” plan. North Korea responded by saying that “thermonuclear war may break out at any moment.” Something fun to look forward to.

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In a statement provided to CNN by officials in North Korea, Pyongyang said the "current grim situation" justified its "self-defensive and pre-emptive strike capabilities with the nuclear force at the core."

"We will make the US fully accountable for the catastrophic consequences that may be brought about by its high-handed and outrageous acts," the statement said.

The Pentagon sent the 97,000-ton USS Carl Vinson with an escort of a guided-missile cruiser and two destroyers after the latest missile test by North Korea last week.

On Wednesday, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said that the deployment was routine. Speaking to reporters in Moscow, he said there was "no particular objective" to its current course, adding that he "would not read too much" into its recent deployment to the waters near the Korean Peninsula.

At the same time, the deployment is a military show of force, signaling to North Korea that the US military can operate at sea in areas where the regime might engage in ballistic missile operations or other military provocations, according to US military officials.

But it's a signal with limited military utility. An aircraft carrier would not be military significant in operations against North Korea because of the vulnerability of its fighter jets in North Korean airspace.

Some of the carrier's communications suites could be used to command an operation if it came to that, but contingency plans have generally focused on US and South Korean commanders running any operations from shore.

It is the destroyers and cruisers, as well as a fast-attack submarine accompanying the carrier, that could be called into action if there was an operation against a North Korean ballistic missile launch. But officials emphasized the US and Japan always maintain some anti-missile capability in the western Pacific prepared to deal with North Korea.

The strike group has been at sea since January and conducted military exercises with other nations in the western Pacific, including Japan and the Republic of Korea.

The carrier group is now conducting some training with Australian forces and may also do additional training with Japanese forces as it heads further north, officials said. The Navy usually does not discuss ship locations in detail before they arrive.

To some extent, US commanders are ensuring they have the right assets and top level personnel on duty if there is a North Korean provocation, given the rising rhetoric from the regime there.

In another sign of US military concern, Gen. Vincent Brooks, the top US commander in South Korea, has decided skip long-planned congressional hearings and remain in the country.

"All decisions regarding the schedules of USFK leadership are based on our alliance priority to maintain readiness at all times," said Col. Robert Manning, a US military spokesman.

Even that move is not unprecedented, however. In 2013, the US commander at the time also skipped congressional hearings due to tensions in the region.

Complicated scenario

Carrying more than 5,000 sailors and 60 aircraft, the USS Carl Vinson is escorted by guided-missile destroyers USS Wayne E. Meyer and USS Michael Murphy and the guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain.

The group's ships and air wing provide significant firepower and strike capability, but balancing the available military options with the potential of retaliation from North Korea presents a complicated scenario for President Trump.

China -- North Korea's closest ally -- has pressed the US to engage in direct diplomatic negotiations with North Korea.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Sunday that Beijing understands how dangerous North Korea's nuclear program has become and agrees action must be taken to stop it, but China hasn't signaled any change in its approach to Pyongyang since a summit between Trump and Chinese President Xi last week.

US allies South Korea and Japan, which has seen previous North Korean missile tests fall within 200 miles of its coast, both supported the deployment of the Vinson group.

South Korea said the group's deployment was recognition of the "grave situation on the Korean Peninsula," while Japan said it was "important to secure the power of US deterrence."

The White House faces a tough task in convincing North Korea to give up its nuclear program, retired Gen. Michael Hayden, a former head of the CIA and National Security Agency told CNN's "New Day."

"No matter what we do there is this move by North Korea to build missiles and put weapons on top of missiles," Hayden said.

"This is what they count on for regime survival. ... The best we can do is box it where it is right now," he said. "I don't think we can make them give up the program."

Missile intercept

Many analysts believe the movement of US warships is likely defensive in nature, setting the stage for a scenario in which the Vinson strike group could be called upon to perform a missile intercept.

The three escort warships traveling with the Vinson have more than 300 combined missile tubes and are outfitted with the Aegis anti-missile system, according to Bruce Bennett, senior defense analyst at the think tank Rand Corp.

"If North Korea were to test some number of ballistic missiles by firing them into the East Sea/Sea of Japan, these warships would have the potential of intercepting the North Korean test missile," Bennett said.

Intercepting a long-range rocket test passing overhead would send a clear message to Kim and would be justifiable as the rockets would possibly be on course to pass over Japan, according to Peter Layton, a visiting fellow at the Griffith Asia Institute in Brisbane, Australia.

"The Carl Vinson group is commanded from Hawaii, rather than the US military base in Japan, so it's a clear American initiative not a Japanese or South Korea one," Layton told CNN. "That may defuse attempts to link Japan and South Korea and thus limit the possibility of any North Korean aggression against them."

While the carrier group has been deployed to the Korean Peninsula in the past, lawmakers are wondering how the US warships will be directed to respond to another North Korean missile test.

"Are we going to try to shoot that intercontinental ballistic missile down? Are we going to let the test go on unpaid on unimpeded? Republican Rep. Will Hurd asked on CNN's "New Day." "These are questions that should be asked of Congress."

Offensive strike capabilities

The Trump administration has floated the idea of carrying out preemptive strikes against North Korea, but the scope and method of potential offensive actions remain unclear.

The Vinson's air wing, made up of more than 40 F/A-18 Hornets, provides the offensive capability to attack enemy targets with bombs or missiles while the carrier's E/A-18G Growler aircraft have the ability to jam enemy radars, disrupt enemy electronic surveillance and provide "cover" for attacking aircraft.

"A potential US strike, using aircraft from the Vinson, could range from a small-scale strike against a single target, like a missile on a launch pad or the support equipment that makes a missile launch possible, to a broader set of military targets if the US meant to 'send a message' that an ICBM (intercontinental ballistic missile) or atomic device test was not going to be tolerated," Dakota Wood, an analyst at the DC-based Heritage Foundation, told CNN.

But the Vinson strike group may not have the weapons to take out North Korea's nuclear assets, which are buried deep underground, Wood said.

"I believe they would normally be delivered by bomber (B-2, B-1, or perhaps B-52) which could fly from Andersen Air Base on Guam," he told CNN.

On Tuesday, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was expected to attend the country's Supreme People's Assembly, a high-profile gathering of the nation's leading political figures.

The meeting comes days before North Korea celebrates the April 15 birthday of deceased leader Kim Il Sung, Kim's grandfather -- amid speculation that Pyongyang will mark the occasion with by testing missiles or possibly a nuclear device.

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north korea issues warning on us aircraft carrier - cnnpolitics

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Tim Schwarz, Barbara Starr and Zachary Cohen, CNN

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North Korea issues warning as US strike group heads to Korean Peninsula

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In a statement provided to CNN by officials in North Korea, Pyongyang said the "current grim situation" justified its "self-defensive and pre-emptive strike capabilities with the nuclear force at the core." "We will make the US fully accountable for the catastrophic consequences that may be brought about by its high-handed and outrageous acts," the statement said.