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Deadly Subway Shooting: NYC Mayor Eric Adams Says He Will Make Sure the MTA Is Safe

By Currents News Staff and Melissa Enaje

PROSPECT HEIGHTS — A man who shot and killed Daniel Enriquez, 48, on a Q train in Lower Manhattan on Sunday, May 22 was still at large after what appeared to be a random act of violence, according to authorities. It was the fourth subway homicide since Jan. 1.

Witnesses said as soon as they heard the loud gunshot, they fled to the end of the car as it passed over the Manhattan Bridge, scrambling and huddling for cover. When the train pulled into the Canal Street station, the alleged gunman fled as police officers were arriving at the scene.

On Monday, the NYPD released two photos of the suspect. In the images, the man is wearing a surgical mask, white shoes, gray sweatpants, and a dark-hooded sweatshirt. Commissioner Keechant Sewell said in a tweet that they need help in locating the man accused of the ‘senseless shooting.’

“We need all eyes on this,” Sewell said.

The shooting comes nearly a month after the Sunset Park subway shooting rampage in which 10 people were shot and at least 13 others were left injured and after the January shoving death of a woman in the Times Square station.

As ongoing violent episodes across New York City streets and subways continue, Mayor Eric Adams faces an increasingly impatient public who have yet to see the promises of his “Subway Safety Plan.” Released in February, it laid out how his administration intends to address public safety concerns and the increasing number of homeless people, and those with mental illness on public transportation.

Since the start of the pandemic, subway crime rates have soared over 40% — from 1.47 felonies per million riders in 2019 to 2.11 felonies per million riders in April 2022. Also, felony subway crime was up 53% in April compared to April 2021, according to NYPD and MTA figures.

Enriquez, who lived in Park Slope, was headed to brunch in Manhattan that fatal Sunday, according to his sister, Griselda Vile. She described her brother as a “special, jovial guy.”

“It’s horrific,” Vile said. “This is a horror movie.”

Adams said his administration will continue to boost police presence in the subways and during his first state of the city address last month, Adams said he wants to see cops spending less time on their phones while patrolling the subway.

President Biden Vows the U.S. Will Defend Taiwan if China Invades the Country

Currents News Staff

President Joe Biden is vowing U.S. military response to defend Taiwan if China were to invade.

“That’s the commitment we made,” the president made at a joint press conference in Tokyo with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.The president repeated similar comments that his staff has tried to walk back in the past.

“We support the One China policy,” President Biden said. “All that we’ve done in the past, but that does not mean, it does not mean that China has the ability as the excuse me, the jurisdiction to go in and use force to take over Taiwan.

China isn’t taking the criticism lightly and warned the president to be careful with his words. The White House says no changes have been made to official U.S. policy and reiterated the country’s commitment under the Taiwan Relations Act to provide Taiwan with the military means to defend itself.

“I do think that’s a premature comment off the cuff,” said Texas Rep. Michael McCaul, Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security. “Everybody listens to the commander-in-chief, however, I think deterrence is important here.”

The president’s remarks come just before formally unveiling a 13-member Indo-Pacific economic bloc that’s intended to counter China’s dominance in the region.

“We’re committed for the long haul,” he said. “We’re ready to champion our vision for a positive future together with friends and partners.”

Canisius College Grants Posthumous Degree in Honor of Buffalo Security Guard Shooting Victim

Currents News Staff

Canisius College is adding a special graduate from Buffalo to their roster. Aaron Salter Jr. was just three credits away, or one course, from finishing his degree in communications. His cousin shares how much it means to their family.

“That’s huge for him, that’s huge for the family,” said Aaron’s cousin, Previn Brock Sanders. “Thank you Canisius, thank you.”

Aaron attended Canisius College from the fall of 1984 to 1988. College President John Hurley explains the decision.

“His career in the police department and his unbelievable bravery last Saturday, that more than made up for the little three credits he was short on his Canisius College degree,” said John. “I think it will be a source of healing and consolation for the family, and if it provides just a little bit, we want to be there to do it for them.”

Aaron returned to school in the spring and summer of 2007, rounding out all but that one class he needed to graduate. But his work and family put those final credits on hold. Previn says education was important to his cousin.

“Aaron Junior had actually went back, he started at Canisius, then he became an officer and as part of continuing education,” Previn said. “He felt it was important to go back.”

Catholic News Headlines for Friday, 5/20/22

U2 singer Bono joined Pope Francis to push a critical education program for girls around the globe.

Cuban American bishops are praising President Biden’s plan to ease sanctions against Cuba.

A missing 300 year-old manuscript from Nostradamus — finally found.

Pope Francis and Bono Launch Scholas Educational Initiative

By Currents News and Junno Arocho Esteves 

ROME (CNS) — Celebrating the launch of the Scholas International Educational Movement and its environmental project, Pope Francis encouraged young people, especially women, to lead the charge in fighting climate change.

“Defending nature means defending the poetry of creation, it means defending harmony. It is a fight for harmony. And women know more about harmony than us men,” the pope said May 19 during an event at Rome’s Pontifical Urban University.

U2 frontman Bono, who joined the pope for the launch, said he had been a supporter of Scholas for the past four years and was “drawn to this idea of a ‘culture of encounter.'”

Scholas began in Pope Francis’ Archdiocese of Buenos Aires, supporting education in poor neighborhoods by pairing their schools with private schools and institutions in wealthier neighborhoods.

The organization has spread to other countries and supports a variety of exchange programs aimed at promoting education, encouraging creativity and teaching young people about respect, tolerance and peace.

Citing its continuing expansion across the globe, the pope signed a decree changing Scholas Occurrentes’ status from a pontifical foundation to “an international association of the faithful.” The decree was published May 17.

During the event May 19, Bono praised the papal decree, which he said, “adopts inclusivity into canon law” and gives a voice to young people doing their part to fight poverty and climate change through education.

The Irish singer also took the opportunity to ask the pope a question.

“Girls’ education is a superpower in fighting extreme poverty and I would like to ask His Holiness if he thinks that women and girls play the same powerful role in tackling the climate crisis,” he said.

“We usually speak of ‘Mother Earth,’ not ‘Father Earth,'” the pope replied with a smile, prompting applause from Bono and the audience. “Also, as I told you earlier, from the moment of the apple (in the Garden of Eden), they are in charge,” the pope added.

Pope Francis said that now as an international association, Scholas Occurrentes can help unite even more young people to protect “the harmony of creation.”

“Now it is in your hands,” the pope said. “Hopefully it isn’t too late because there is work to do.”

Bono Promotes Vatican Education Initiative Alongside Pope Francis

Currents News Staff

An atypical scene at the Benedict XVI Great Hall in the Pontifical Urban University: Song and dance before a meeting between Pope Francis and the Scholas Occurrentes educational project, which has recently become an International Pontifical Movement.

The event brought students from across the Americas and Europe participating in the Laudato Si’ school to develop social and ecological projects in their home communities. Also in attendance were some very special guests including Bono!

Pope Francis was wheeled into the room to great applause, and listened to a performance from the students before responding to their questions on caring for the environment, including one from Bono, who referenced the role of women in combating poverty.

“I would like to ask His Holiness if he thinks that women and girls play the same powerful role in tackling the climate crisis,” asked Bono.

Pope Francis responded.

“In the common saying, we usually talk about Mother Earth, not Father Earth,” Pope Francis said.

As an example of innovative ecological projects, an inventor showed a device he created to filter water without electricity. And surprising the crowd, even Pope Francis took a sip.

Before closing the meeting, more special guests came out from the crowd to meet the Pope. Soccer superstars Dani Alvez, Maxi Rodriguez, and Ronaldinho shook the Pope’s hand and presented a video message promoting an upcoming friendly soccer match for peace. The video featured iconic players from around the world, among them, the late soccer legend Diego Maradona.

“I want everyone in the Olympic Stadium to enjoy the match for peace,” Diego said in the video.

They then gave the pontiff the number 10 shirt to play alongside them in Rome’s Olympic Stadium on Oct. 10.

Bishop Brennan Shares Words of Wisdom for St. Francis College Class of 2022 at Baccalaureate Mass

Currents News Staff

Congratulations to the graduating class at St. Francis College! Brooklyn Bishop Robert Brennan joined them for Mass on Wednesday and offered a few words of wisdom.

“Good evening and congratulations one and all to the Class of 2022,” Bishop Brennan said.

The bishop blessed the students at the Cathedral Basilica of St. James and wished them the best of luck as they prepare for a brand new chapter in their lives.

“I’m confident that this quest for knowledge that you’ve begun here will be part of your life all the way through,” the bishop said, “and my prayer is that you’ll encounter Christ. That you’ve encountered him along the way here, and that you’ll encounter him over and over again. God bless you tonight and in every step of the adventure of life.”

Around 500 students took part in commencement exercises on Thursday afternoon.

You can watch the Mass in full right here on NET-TV. Just tune in Saturday, May 21 at 10:30 a.m.

 

Catholic News Headlines for Thursday, 5/19/22

President Joe Biden is invoking the Defense Production Act to help baby formula makers get ingredients more quickly.

Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy is now accusing Russia of food terrorism

A Wisconsin man who lost his dentures in the Gulf of Mexico last week will be getting them back.

Buffalo Grocery Store Employee Shares How He Risked His Life to Save Customers and Co-Workers

Currents News Staff

Jerome Bridges can’t bring himself to take off his Tops Supermarket name tag.

“He killed so many innocent people,” Jerome said. “Every night, I’ve been going into the house crying for hours.”

He was at work in Aisle 14 when he heard the first gunshots and ran towards the break room in the back of the store.

“I told the customers to get inside some customers to get inside the break room and get down on the floor,” Jerome said. “I had to tell them to be quiet and just lay down on the ground because he was getting closer and closer to the back, to the point where he was actually shooting at the displays that are there like the milk display.

I mean he was really trying to hit whatever behind that wall because he had detailed plans of where everything was at. I just wanted to make sure I kept them customers and my other three coworkers very safe so even if I would have died, it would have been you know me dying protecting them.”

Police say the suspect gunman, an 18-year-old, self described white supremacist, killed 10 people and wounded three others. According to investigators, he planned his attack for months, eventually posting the detailed and disturbing plans on social media and made repeat visits to the store in March.

He has pleaded not guilty to first degree murder.

“I thought he was a lost shopper,” Jerome said. “So I just kept it going. I didn’t realize he was sitting up there scoping out the store for something like this. I don’t discriminate against nobody, but for him to be hateful of black people… it is what it is…”

Jerome says he was too scared to answer his phone while hiding in the break room for fear that the gunman would hear him. His son was calling him during the time because he knew his dad was at the grocery store.

“And I couldn’t answer the phone,” Jerome said. “He calls me every day now.”