Homicide 513 9th Street

UPDATE:

On Wednesday 12/6/23, at approximately 7:40PM, SCPD officers located 38 year old Faron Alan Starr inside of a vehicle that was stopped in Sioux City. Starr was placed under arrest without incident, transported to the Woodbury County Jail, and charged with First Degree Murder.

UPDATE:

SCPD Detectives are attempting to locate Faron STARR; he is WANTED as a suspect in the Homicide of Nathaniel Parker.

Detectives are also attempting to locate Nathaniel FRAZIER and Amanda HAYES as Persons of Interest in the Parker Homicide investigation.

SUBJECTS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED ARMED AND DANGEROUS

Anyone with information relating to this incident is encouraged to contact the Sioux City Police Department at 712-279-6440, you can also leave a tip online at https://www.siouxcitypolice.com/crimestoppers or the anonymous tip line 712-258-TIPS (8477).

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On December 3rd, 2023, at 11:58 PM the Sioux City Police Department received a call of shots fired in the area of 513 9th Street in Sioux City. Officers arrived on scene and located an adult male suffering from a single gunshot wound. Sioux City Police Officers attended to the victim, until Sioux City Fire and Rescue arrived on scene. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. Officers conducted a canvas of the area, locating evidence of a shooting. This incident appears to be a targeted incident, we do not believe the general public is in any danger. The investigation is on-going.

Suspect arrested on W 19th shooting

On September 21st, 2023, at 5:14 AM the Sioux City Police Department received a call of shots fired in the area of W. 19th and Center Street. Officers arrived on scene and located an adult male suffering from a single gunshot wound. Sioux City Police Officers attended to the victim, until Sioux City Fire and Rescue arrived on scene. The victim was transported to Mercy One for treatment.

Officers conducted a canvas of the area, locating evidence of a shooting. The victim of the shooting later died at the hospital. He has been identified as Michael Lee Schwebach, age 34 of Sioux City, IA. This incident appears to be a targeted incident, we do not believe the general public is in any danger. The investigation is on-going.

On September 22, 2023, the Sioux City Police Deparment obtained an arrest warrant for 1st degree Murder for Mario Alberto Corona Ruiz, age 21 of Sioux City, IA. The suspect was located in South Sioux City, NE this afternoon and taken into custody with the assistance of ATF, US Marshals and South Sioux City Police Department, without incident.

Anyone with information relating to this incident is encouraged to contact the Sioux City Police Department at 712-279-6440, or the anonymous tip line 712-258-TIPS (8477).

The incident is still under investigation by the Sioux City Police Department. No other information is available at this time.

Early morning shooting on W 19th St #23SC27457

On September 21st, 2023, at 5:14 AM the Sioux City Police Department received a call of shots fired in the area of W. 19th and Center Street. Officers arrived on scene and located an adult male suffering from a single gunshot wound. Sioux City Police Officers attended to the victim, until Sioux City Fire and Rescue arrived on scene. The victim was transported to Mercy One for treatment.

Officers conducted a canvas of the area, locating evidence of a shooting. The investigation is on-going. The name and condition of the victim are not being released at this point in the investigation. This incident appears to be a targeted incident, we do not believe the general public is in any danger.

Anyone with information relating to this incident is encouraged to contact the Sioux City Police Department at 712-279-6440, or the anonymous tip line 712-258-TIPS (8477).

The incident is still under investigation by the Sioux City Police Department. No other information is available at this time.

Public help needed in locating missing woman - 22SC27903

The Sioux City Police Department is asking for the public’s help in locating 36-year-old Brenda Payer of Sioux City.

Her family reported that they last had contact with her on Thursday September 29 when she parked her van in the McDonalds parking lot in the 700 block of Hamilton Blvd. Since then, her friends and family have been unable to contact her.

Payer is a native American woman with black hair and brown eyes, she is 5 foot 8 inches tall, and weighs 170 pounds.

We do not suspect foul play but are concerned for her mental health as she may be in crisis. We would like to locate her to ensure she is safe.

Anyone with information on her whereabouts is encouraged to contact the department at 279-6960. We are also encouraging Brenda to contact us to let us know if she needs assistance.

Shots fired call leads to pursuit - SCPD 22SC27393 & 22SC27394

On September 27 at 3:58 am, the Sioux City Police Department received a report of several shots being fired in the area of the 5000 block of Lorraine Ave.

Officers responding to the incident located a vehicle believed to have been involved in the shooting. When officers attempted to stop the car, the driver failed to yield and tried to elude officers.

Officers pursued the car and during the chase, a passenger got out and fled on foot in Sgt. Bluff. He was not apprehended and is described as a Hispanic male in his late teens or early twenties wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and black shorts.

The pursuit ended in Sgt. Bluff and the driver was taken into custody. Ammunition for a handgun was located in the vehicle.

Officers charged 19-year-old Jordan J. Hills of Sioux City with serious eluding. Hills also had warrants for his arrest on charges of probation violation pcs with intent to deliver, simple assault, and 3rd degree harassment.

The investigation into the shooting located a house that was struck by gunfire in the area. The occupant of the house that was struck provided limited cooperation with officers. It is believed that the occupant and the person suspected of firing at the house are known to each other. The motive for the shooting is still under investigation.

This is an on-going investigation and anyone with information on who the subject was that ran from officers on foot are encouraged to call the department at 279-6960.

The Sioux City Police Department was assisted by the Sgt. Bluff Police Department and the Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office. 

Any arrest/charge noted in this report should be considered merely an accusation. Any defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Teen stabbed by unknown man during altercation - 22SC27238

On Saturday September 24 at about 6:18 pm, the Sioux City Police Department responded to a report of a stabbing in the 1300 block of Jackson St.

Responding officers located a 17-year-old male suffering from a severe laceration to his neck. He was transported to MercyOne for treatment of his life-threatening injury.

Witnesses stated that the victim and a friend had been in front of a residence in the 1300 block of Jackson St. when a person not known to them, approached them, and started a confrontation. The unknown person pulled out a knife and stabbed the victim after the exchange became physical. It is not known why the man provoked a fight with the teens.

The suspect then fled the area and has not been located or identified.

Detectives are looking for a white male that is in his late 20’s or early 30’s. He is 5 foot 5 inches tall and has a slight build with his weight estimated to be about 120 pounds. He has light brown or dirty blonde hair. He was last seen wearing a flat billed baseball hat, baggy khaki shorts, and a “jersey” style t-shirt that was light blue and the sleeves were a different color that button or zipped up the front.

Anyone with information who this subject is or video footage of the area that may help identify the man is asked to call the Sioux City Police Department at 279-6440. 

Man suffers stab wound during robbery attempt - SCPD 22SC27238

On September 25 at about 1:56 pm, Sioux City Police Officers were sent to the area of 7th & Courts St in Sioux City for a report of a man bleeding.

Officers located an adult-male that was suffering from a severe but non-life-threatening laceration to his head. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

The investigation determined that the victim had gone to a residence in the 1100 block of 7th St. to speak with someone that lived there. When the victim left the house, Hamilton Veliz-Cantor who been staying at the residence, began following him.

Veliz-Cantor, who was armed with a kitchen knife, confronted the victim, demanded money, and then cut the victim with the knife after he said he did not have any money.

Officers located Veliz-Cantor at his residence and took him into custody.

Detectives have charged 24-year-old Hamilton Veliz-Cantor with going armed with intent, 1st degree robbery, and willful injury.

They are also working with the Department of Homeland Security as Veliz-Cantor has previously been deported at least once and illegally returned to the country.

Any arrest/charge noted in this report should be considered merely an accusation. Any defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

SCPD investigates post on social media that caused school lock-outs

On September 23 at around 8:30 am, students at West High School in Sioux City notified school administration and the Sioux City Police Department of a concerning post on social media showing ammunition and a message that seemed like a veiled threat.

Out of an abundance of caution, the Sioux City Community School District implemented security measures to ensure the safety of students.

Officers worked closely with the school to keep students safe and fully investigate the matter.

The student who made the post was identified and located. The juvenile-male is being questioned on the matter.

As the post was not a direct threat, the department is referring this incident to the County Attorney’s Office for consideration for charges.

Students that reported the post are to be commended for reporting a concerning post that indicated a possible threat to safety.

We also encourage parents to speak to their children about posting messages and images to social media that may cause alarm.

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Teenager struck while skateboarding in roadway - SCPD #22-24759

On September 1 at 4:48 a.m., the Sioux City Police Department responded to a report of a skateboarder being struck by a vehicle in the Northbound lane at 2400 S. Lewis Blvd.

A teenaged-male was struck and was transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries and has since passed away due to his injuries.

Initial information gathered was that the juvenile was riding a skateboard in the middle of the road and the driver was unable to avoid a collision due to the lack of time from observation of seeing the juvenile combined with the darkness of the roadway at that time of day.

SCPD Traffic Investigators were called out to the scene. This investigation is still on-going.

Original release Sept. 1 with an update on Sept. 6.

HSI, Sioux City police department investigation results in 30-year sentence for child predator

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – A Salvadoran man who sexually assaulted a child was sentenced July 28 to 30 years in federal prison following a joint Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Sioux City Police investigation. Juan Pablo Hernandez, 44, originally from El Salvador but living in Sioux City, received the prison term after a March 10 guilty plea for aggravated sexual abuse of a child.

“I struggle to find something more important than protecting the children in our community,” said Katherine Greer, special agent in charge of HSI Kansas City. “I am extremely proud of the work by the agents and officers from both HSI and the Sioux City Police Department. Through our strong partnership we are to bring justice to victims and remove dangerous individuals, like this, looking to harm children from our streets.”

At the plea hearing, Hernandez admitted to driving from South Sioux City, Nebraska to Sioux City with a minor under the age of 12 to sexually assault the minor. Hernandez took sexually explicit photographs of the minor.

Hernandez was sentenced to 360 months’ imprisonment by United States District Court Chief Judge Leonard T. Strand. He must also serve a 5-year term of supervised release after the prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.

Project Safe Childhood

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.

Hernandez is being held in the United States Marshal’s custody until he can be transported to a federal prison.

The case was investigated by the Sioux City Police Department and HSI and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ron Timmons. Court file information at https://ecf.iand.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/login.pl. The case file number is 21-4093.

Learn more about HSI’s mission to combat child exploitation in your community, on Twitter @HSIKansasCity.

Homeland Security Investigations

HSI is the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel, and finance move. HSI’s workforce of over 10,400 employees consists of more than 6,800 special agents assigned to 225 cities throughout the United States, and 86 overseas locations in 55 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’s largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.

Released August 3, 2022

Source: https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/hsi-sioux-city-police-department-investigation-results-30-year-sentence-child

Exotic snakes removed from home.

Officers with the Sioux City Police Department assisted Sioux City Animal Control in the execution of a search warrant to remove numerous exotic snakes and feeder mice that were being raised in a Sioux City home on July 11 shortly after 10 pm.

Officers were called to a home in the 4600 block of Harrison St. after a neighbor complained of finding a boa constrictor and feeder mice in his house.

Animal Control removed the animals and are caring for them at the Sioux City Animal Adoption and Rescue Center.

The home-owner was not at home at the time of the removal.

The matter has been referred to the City of Sioux City Legal Department for consideration of appropriate charges.

This is an on-going investigation.

Guidance on the new ATV/UTV law effective July 1

Iowa House file 2130 regarding ATV’s and UTV’s will be effective this Friday July 1st. The bill legalizes the use of these vehicles on a limited number of roadways. The SCPD wanted to provide some guidance to citizens to facilitate legal operation these vehicles on the appropriate roadways in the corporate limits of Sioux City.

The amended Iowa Code section 321I.10(3) for ATV/UTV usage allows cities to regulate operation of such vehicles on two-lane primary and secondary road extensions. Highways greater than 2 lanes are not available for ATV/UTV use, regardless of location in the city or county.

The only roads in Sioux City where ATV/UTV usage is legal based on the amended laws will be the following:

• K29 – Old Lakeport Road, South of Derocher Path

• D18 – Correctionville Road, East of Camp High Hopes

• D25 – Old Hwy 141, Southeast of the entrance to the cemetery. 

• ATV/UTV operation on other streets is not permitted, and a violation carries a fine of $70.00. 

Individuals who choose to operate ATV’s or UTV’s on these approved roadways must also comply with these restrictions:

• Driver of the ATV/UTV must be at least 18 years of age and have financial liability coverage in effect for the vehicle and carry proof of such financial liability coverage (insurance)             

• The ATV/UTV shall display lighted headlamps at all times while the vehicle is operated on the highway.

As indicated, this new law allows local cities to regulate usage in addition to current state laws. Sioux City currently has no ordinances that either restrict or allow ATV/UTV usage on Sioux City streets beyond what is indicated above in the new state law.

Armed robbery in the 4100 block of Floyd Blvd - SCPD #22-17588

On June 27 at 5:00 p.m., the Sioux City Police Department responded to a report of a robbery that occurred at a gas station in the 4100 block of Floyd Blvd.

The adult-female victim of the robbery reported that she was putting gas in her car when a light blue Toyota Camry pulled up beside her vehicle. A man got out of the passenger side of the Toyota, approached the female, and demanded her belongings while displaying a gun. The woman initially struggled with the man until he started to become more aggressive. The suspect then got back into the Toyota and the car fled north on Floyd. The woman was not injured during the altercation.

A short time later, a report of shots being fired in the 5300 block of N. Cleveland Street was received. Involving a man in a light blue Toyota Camry.

Sioux City Police Officer responded and assisted the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office in the investigation.

Officers determined that the suspect in the robbery on Floyd had pulled onto private property and discarded some of the items that were taken in the robbery. When the owner of the property confronted the subjects in the Toyota, the male in the passenger seat shot at the land owner. The land owner, who is an adult-male, was also armed and shot back at the suspect. No injuries were reported from the shooting.

Plymouth County Deputies located the Toyota over an hour after the shots fired call in the area of C80 and Highway 75. The car was unoccupied. They determined that a male and female had abandoned the car and got into a mid-2000’s silver Cadillac with a black top.

The suspect is described a lighter-skin tone black male, 6-foot-tall, with a slender build, and a goatee. The suspect remains at large and is considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information on this matter is encouraged to contact the Sioux City Police Department or the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office.

Any arrest/charge noted in this report should be considered merely an accusation. Any defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Officers continue partnership with OU and DQ to promote bike safety

This summer marks the 8th consecutive year of Opportunities Unlimited’ s partnership with the Sioux City Police Department and local Siouxland Dairy Queens through the "You’ve Been Ticketed" program. As an extension of OU’s Gotta Brain, Getta Helmet program, "You’ve Been Ticketed" is designed to encourage children to wear helmets while riding their bikes. If children are seen wearing their helmets while riding bikes, scooters, skateboards, etc. by either the Sioux City Police Officers or Volunteer Trailblazers, they will receive a ticket for one free Dairy Queen ice cream cone. This partnership benefits all parties involved. Children who are practicing proper bicycle safety are rewarded with a sweet treat, Police Officers can connect with more children in a positive and supportive manner, and Dairy Queen promotes community outreach.

Jennifer McCabe and Susan Vondrak with Opportunities Unlimited speak at a press conference about the You’ve Been Ticketed program where officers will give kids wearing helmets “tickets” good for a free Dairy Queen ice cream cone.

Opportunities Unlimited also benefits from "You've Been Ticketed" by promoting brain injury awareness in the Siouxland Community. President and CEO, Jennifer McCabe states, "It is our hope that if we prevent just one brain injury, we feel like it's been a success. Through Gotta Brain, Getta Helmet and "You've Been Ticketed", just a couple of local programs, we are able to further support our mission and spread awareness of brain injury prevention."

The Sioux City Police Department is also looking for new volunteers to assist on the bike trails and has mountain bikes available for the volunteers to use if they would like, and each volunteer is given a new bike helmet. Volunteer Coordinator, Rita Donnelly, commented, "We are looking for additional volunteers to help provide a friendly presence on the bike trails, (and hand out "tickets") so if anyone is interested in becoming a volunteer for the Police Department, they may call us at 712-279-6424".

Murder on June 9 - SCPD #22-15694

Update on June 13 at 10:45 am - The name of the victim of the murder in the 500 block of 9th St on June 9 is 32-year-old Dolorean N. Wade of Sioux City.

We wish to express out condolences to his family and friends for their loss.

Original Release on June 10 at 7:45 am - On June 9 at 9:01 pm, the Sioux City Police Department responded to a report of a shooting at 516 9th St. and responding officers located an adult-male suffering from a gunshot wound.

The man was transported to MercyOne for treatment and died a short time later.

Initially Katrina Barnes, the girlfriend of the victim who also shared the residence with him, stated that the victim had been outside of their residence and stated he had been shot outside.

Detectives conducted a search of the residence and determined that Barnes and the victim had been arguing during the day and he had left before the shooting. When he returned and started pounding on the front door, Barnes fired a shot through the door striking the victim.

It was also determined that Barnes and another adult-female present waited 12 minutes to call 911.

Detectives have charged 32-year-old Katrina L. Barnes of Sioux City with 2nd degree murder, possession of a controlled substance, and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

Detectives have also charged 25-year-old Jordyn R. Easton of Sioux City with accessory after the fact for failing to call 911 and concealing evidence related to the crime.

We are not releasing the name of the victim until 24 hours after the family of the victim have been notified.

This is on-going investigation.

Any arrest/charge noted in this report should be considered merely an accusation. Any defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

MAN CHARGED FOR APRIL 15 SHOOTING - SCPD #22-9839

The Sioux City Police Department have arrested 18-year-old Jalond J. Hills of Sioux City for a shooting that occurred on April 15 in an apartment in the 2200 block of Gibson Street.

On that date, the department responded to a report of a shooting and found that an adult-female suffering a non-life-threatening injury due to a gunshot.

Detectives determined that Hills had been in a bedroom of the apartment with the victim drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana. Another man who was sleeping was also present in the bedroom.

The victim removed a handgun from the sleeping man and Hills attempted to take the gun from the victim. The two struggled over the firearm and it discharged striking the victim in the leg.

After the shot was fired, Hills gave the gun to a third who had been in the apartment and all three men fled the apartment.

Detectives determined that the person that Hills gave the gun to is a known convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing firearms.

Hills was booked into the Woodbury County Jail on June 9 and was charged with discharging a firearm in city limits, prohibited transfer of a firearm to an unauthorized person, possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, and failure to affix a drug tax stamp.

The investigation into this shooting is on-going.

Any arrest/charge noted in this report should be considered merely an accusation. Any defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

June 1 shots fired - SCPD #22-14848

On June 1 at 5:55 p.m. the Sioux City Police Department received reports of shots being fired in the 600 block of Myrtle St.

Responding officers located an individual on scene who stated the incident started at a nearby business in the 1300 block of W. 4th St. with a physical altercation occurring between himself and two other males. The involved subjects then followed each other in their vehicles for a short distance before the passenger in the suspect vehicle shot at the victim’s vehicle. The suspects then fled the scene in their vehicle.

Officers located evidence on scene to confirm shots had been fired. No one was struck or injured during the incident.

The identity of the suspects is not known at this time, but initial information suggests that the male parties were acquainted with each other.

The person who fired the shots is described as a Hispanic or Native American male in his mid to late 20’s with a tattoo on his face. He was last seen in the passenger seat of a black, four door pickup, possibly a Chevrolet Silverado that was lifted and with a loud muffler being driven by a white male.

This is an on-going investigation. Anyone with information on the identity of the suspects is asked to call the Sioux City Police Department or Crime Stoppers at 258-TIPS (8477).

 Any arrest/charge noted in this report should be considered merely an accusation. Any defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Shooting 700 block of 18th Street - SCPD #22-8110

Update April 6 at 5:09 p.m. - An updated description of the suspect is that of a black male with short hair and a tattoo on his face.

Original release on March 29, 2022 at 12:15 p.m. - On March 29 at 9:52 a.m., the Sioux City Police Department received reports of a shooting in the 700 block of 18th St.

Responding officers located a 16-year-old male at the corner of 16th and Jackson Street suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to MercyOne with life-threatening injuries.

Initial information gathered indicated that the victim was walking on the 700 block of 18th Street when he was confronted by an unknown male party who started a physical altercation with him. During this altercation, the other man produced a handgun and shot the victim. The victim ran from the scene of the shooting to where he was located.

The person with the gun was described as a 6-foot-tall black male with dreadlocks (this description was updated to a black male, short hair, and a tattoo on his face) who was last seen wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt. He is considered armed and dangerous.

Detectives are investigating a motive at this time, as this appears to be an unprovoked attack.

Anyone with information on the identity of the suspect is asked to call the Sioux City Police Department or Crime Stoppers at 258-TIPS (8477)

Any arrest/charge noted in this report should be considered merely an accusation. Any defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Shooting 1600 block of Nebraska St. - SCPD #22-7338

Update on April 25 at 10:20 a.m. - On April 15, 23-year-old Ethan S. Hewitt was arrested on multiple warrants in connection to the investigation of the March 21 shooting in the 1600 block of Nebraska St.

Detectives had obtained warrants for Hewitt’s arrest while he recovered from gunshot wounds he received during the incident in which he went to a residence in the 1600 block of Nebraska St. and shot at the occupant of that residence.

The intended victim, who was also armed, fired back at Hewitt striking him. The warrants were for attempted murder, intimidation with a dangerous weapon, attempted burglary, going armed with intent, possession of a firearm by a felon, trafficking stolen firearms, and driving charges.

Hewitt was taken into custody at his residence without incident.

Original release on March 21 - On March 21 at 4:15 a.m. the Sioux City Police Department received a report of shots being fired in the 1600 block of Nebraska St.

Responding officers located a subject who reported that two men armed with guns approached his residence in the 1600 block of Nebraska St.

When he confronted one of the men through an open window, the subject outside fired a shot and then ran to the front door. The resident armed himself and when the subject outside shot at him, the resident shot back.

The person outside that had fired the shots fled the area and a few minutes later arrived at UnityPoint St. Luke’s with life-threatening injuries. He remains hospitalized at the time of this release.

The second subject that went to the residence also fled the area and has not been located. His identity is not known at this time.

The resident and the subject shot know each other and this incident was part of an on-going feud between the men.

No charges have been filed at this time.

As this is an on-going investigation, no names are being released at this time.

Any arrest/charge noted in this report should be considered merely an accusation. Any defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Pedestrian struck and killed on I29 - SCP #22-6682

Officers have identified 53-year-old Christian J. Sanchez of Sioux City as the pedestrian struck on I-29 during the early morning hours of March 15.

We wish to express our sympathy to his family for their loss.

Officers are still investigating why Sanchez was walking on the interstate at that time, but foul play is not suspected.

Based on available information, no one will be charged in this matter.

The investigation in on-going.

Original Release of March 15, 2022 at 6:40 a.m. – On March 15 at 4:10 a.m., the Sioux City Police Department responded to a reported a pedestrian being struck by a vehicle near mile marker 150.9 on I-29 in the northbound lane.

The adult-male struck died as a result of injuries he received.

It is not known why the man was in the roadway but witnesses reported he was in the middle of the roadway. The investigation is on-going.

No other injuries were reported.

The name of deceased will be released 24 hours after his next-of-kin are notified.