Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe scores their second goal from the penalty spot. Photo: REUTERS
VILLARREAL:
Kylian Mbappe struck twice in the second half as Real Madrid secured a 2-0 victory at Villarreal on Saturday, climbing above Barcelona to take provisional pole position in LaLiga.
The win moved Alvaro Arbeloa’s side to 51 points, two clear of second-placed Barcelona, who host bottom club Oviedo on Sunday. Villarreal are fourth, level on 41 with Atletico Madrid.
Real dominated from the outset, with Vinicius Jr causing endless problems on the left flank.
The Brazilian’s pivotal moment came just after halftime when he weaved past defenders in the 47th minute and fed Mbappe inside the penalty area, leaving the French forward an easy finish from close range.
Real continued to control the tempo and Mbappe sealed the win in stoppage time, converting from the penalty spot after being clumsily fouled inside the box.
In a compelling encounter in the first half, Real dictated the rhythm while the home side tried to hit back with quick counter attacks.
Vinicius came closest to a breakthrough in the first half, narrowly missing the target with a low shot in the 40th minute after a surging run.
Villarreal’s best chance came through their Senegal midfielder Pape Gueye’s powerful effort from the edge of the box that went just wide on the stroke of halftime.
The second half began with drama two minutes in when Gueye’s misplaced pass was intercepted by Vinicius.
The Brazilian darted into the box, reached the byline and cut the ball back for Mbappe. Villarreal’s defence managed a partial clearance but Mbappe reacted quickest, smashing the rebound into the net for his first goal of the evening.
Villarreal’s best chance came in the 62nd minute when Gerard Moreno, unmarked inside the box after a precise Dani Parejo pass, blasted his first-time shot over the crossbar.
Real sealed the win in stoppage time. Vinicius released Mbappe with a perfectly weighted pass and as the Frenchman charged into the box he was brought down from behind by Alfonso Pedraza.
Mbappe, the league’s top scorer, stepped up to calmly chip the resulting penalty into the middle of the goal for his 21st goal in 20 LaLiga appearances this season.
“(Vinicius and Mbappe) are the two best in the world,” manager Alvaro Arbeloa told Real Madrid TV.
“They are very disruptive. We try to get them to touch the ball as much as possible, explore situations where Vini can go out wide and Kylian can break into space.
“We are very happy to have them in this form, they are the first two who are pressing, helping the midfielders, showing the solidarity we need from them, and we are very happy that the reward comes in the form of goals.”
What is Spotify’s AI-assisted ‘prompted playlist’ and who can access?
Music streaming giant Spotify released a “prompted playlist” earlier this week, which is an artificial intelligence-powered feature only in the United States and Canada, currently exclusive for premium users.
The prompted playlist allows premium Spotify users to tailor playlists using their listening habits and commands.
The feature was first successfully tested and implemented in New Zealand, and the expansion is the latest among many AI-powered updates on the Swedish streaming platform as it’s eyeing to convert more users from the free tier to its subscription plans.
“Listeners don’t just want Spotify to understand them. They want to actively shape their own experience,” Spotify’s Vice President Of Product Personalization Molly Holder said.
The company said the new feature would make users active participants who direct the algorithm relying on their words and intentions, rather than passive recipients getting suggestions provided by the streaming platform.
Unlike Spotify’s previous features such as AI playlist, prompted playlist will enable users to set “rules” for the AI-generated content and can be customised for daily or weekly refreshes to ensure the music remains current.
The move comes on the heels of Spotify’s announcement to increase price of its monthly premium subscription plan by $1 to $12.99 in the US, Estonia and Latvia beginning February.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama’s Charles Bediako had four dunks, two steals and two blocks in his first college action in nearly three years Saturday night against Tennessee.
Playing two days after a Tuscaloosa judge temporarily reinstated his college eligibility and blocked the NCAA from retaliating for his return, the 7-footer finished with 13 points and three rebounds in 25 minutes in a 79-73 loss to the Volunteers.
Bediako checked into the game amid a rousing ovation with 16:11 to play in the first half and helped the 17th-ranked Crimson Tide score 26 points in the paint while building a 39-36 lead at the break. He scored on an inbounds pick-and-roll play, two alley-oop passes and a layup. His emphatic block ignited a fast break that led to a dunk.
The 23-year-old center was quieter in the second half, but he added an inside presence that Alabama had been missing all season.
Bediako entered the NBA draft in 2023, but he was not selected. He has signed several NBA developmental contracts since, including playing for the Motor City Cruise in the NBA’s G League as recently as last week.
Bediako spent two seasons (2021-23) at Alabama, averaging 6.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.7 blocks, and helped the Crimson Tide make the NCAA Tournament twice. He sued the NCAA earlier this week in hopes of having his college eligibility reinstated.
The NCAA denied Alabama’s initial petition and has repeated its objection to Bediako’s return. Fellow coaches also have expressed concern about how the situation has played out.
James H. Roberts Jr. of the Tuscaloosa Circuit Court granted Bediako a temporary restraining order Thursday and said he is “immediately eligible” to participate in all team activities. Roberts also ruled the NCAA is “restrained from threatening, imposing, attempting to impose, suggesting or implying any penalties or sanctions” against Bediako, the Crimson Tide or its coaches and players.
The temporary order is valid for 10 days. A full hearing on Bediako’s request for a preliminary injunction is scheduled for Tuesday, although the case could end up getting moved to federal court.
Bediako told a website for the school’s NIL collective that coach Nate Oats has a plan to help him get up to speed.
“I’m ready to help these guys win and also give them some of my knowledge,” Bediako told Yea-Alabama.com. “We’ve got a great group of guys. I think we can win it all. I’m just excited, just as much as they are.”
Bediako is the first player with collegiate experience to sign an NBA contract and get the chance to return to college basketball. The court case could alter the framework of college basketball and the NBA draft and perhaps open the door for more players with NBA experience to pursue another stint in college.
Bediako said it has been all “positive vibes” since he returned to the team this week, even though he is still getting to know his teammates.
PROVO, Utah — AJ Dybantsa scored 43 points to break BYU‘s freshman scoring record, leading the No. 13 Cougars to a 91-78 victory over Utah on Saturday.
He went 15-for-24 from the floor and 9-for-10 from the free throw line for his first 40-point game. Dybantsa, who passed Danny Ainge‘s record for points in a game by a BYU freshman, added six rebounds, three assists and blocked a shot.
“It feels good to break any record — if it was Danny’s or not,” Dybantsa said. “I just thank my teammates for just giving me the ball in the right spots. God was on my side. I was hitting shots.”
He also added to a memorable day for some of the nation’s top first-year players. Dybantsa became the third player on an Associated Press-ranked team to eclipse 40 points Saturday. According to ESPN Research, it was just the third time that has happened on a single day, joining Feb. 10, 1990, and Feb. 23, 1970.
“He is a generational talent, and he showed what he’s capable of tonight,” Utah coach Alex Jensen said of Dybantsa. “There’s no telling how good he can get.”
Robert Wright III finished with 21 points, and Richie Saunders added 12 to help the Cougars (17-2, 5-1 Big 12) bounce back from an 84-71 loss to Texas Tech a week earlier. BYU shot 60% in the second half to pull away in its final test before facing No. 1 Arizona on Monday.
Keanu Dawes led Utah with 23 points and six rebounds. Terrence Brown chipped in 22 points and Don McHenry added 16 for the Utes (9-11, 1-6), who shot 62% from 3-point range.
Dybantsa drove for a layup to cap a 14-3 run that gave BYU a 69-56 lead with 9:56 left. Saunders fueled the run with back-to-back layups and a pair of free throws over three straight possessions.
Dybantsa scored four baskets over five possessions — a dunk and three 3-pointers — to extend the Cougars’ advantage to 87-68 with 3:12 left.
McHenry had four baskets to spark a 16-7 spurt that put Utah up 28-26 with 6:56 left in the first half. The Utes made seven straight baskets to erase a seven-point deficit after starting 0-for-7 from the field.
BYU scored on four of its final six possessions to take a 42-37 halftime lead. Dybantsa started and ended the run with baskets.
“He’s hands down the clear-cut No. 1 pick in the NBA draft upcoming, and it was on display tonight,” BYU coach Kevin Young said. “He was doing it every which way.”
CINCINNATI — Rick Pitino has rarely considered number of victories when it comes to milestones. For him, it has always been about championships.
The Hall of Fame coach, though, admitted that becoming the fourth coach to reach 900 on-court Division 1 victories was one to savor.
St. John’s rallied from a 16-point deficit in the second half to defeat Xavier88-83 on Saturday. The milestone victory came at the expense of his son, Richard, who is in his first season coaching the Musketeers.
“My son, it doesn’t matter,” Pitino said about the win coming against his son. “The great thing is I could spend time with him and the grandkids.”
The NCAA recognizes Pitino with only 777 wins after stripping him of 123 because of infractions at Louisville. Bob Knight had 899 victories, but is credited with 902 by the NCAA because three losses were later ruled forfeits as punishment for program violations by Indiana opponents.
The 73-year-old Pitino has a 900-316 on-court record in 38 seasons as a head coach in college. It began with six games as an interim at Hawaii in 1976.
He is the only coach to win an NCAA title at two schools (Kentucky and Louisville) and the first to take three schools to the Final Four (Providence, Kentucky and Louisville).
He’s also the only coach to direct six schools to the NCAA tournament, including Boston University, Iona and St. John’s.
Pitino also coached at Boston University, Providence, Kentucky, Louisville and Iona. He also has 10 years in the pros, including with the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics, along with Greek team Panathinaikos.
“But 900 means that I’ve had longevity. I spent 10 years in the pros. And so, 900 with 10 years in the pros is really something I’m very thankful to all my players and assistant coaches for helping me get there,” he said.
One of those assistants was Richard, who was on his dad’s staff for three seasons at Louisville.
“I’m happy for him that he won 900. I think he’s the best coach to ever coach college basketball. He’d have a lot more if he had stayed at Kentucky,” Richard Pitino said. “When your dad is 73, you just want him to be happy and healthy. We all are reminded way too much at how short life is.
“To see him doing great, being celebrated at St. John’s, that’s all I care about. It keeps him young. I hope he continues to coach. He’s a phenomenal coach, but I’m really, really lucky to have him as a father.”
The younger Pitino surprised his father by wearing a suit on the sidelines for the first time this season. Rick Pitino said it was a nice compliment, and he appreciated it because he knows his 43-year old son hates wearing suits.
When asked where the suit came from, Rick Pitino smiled and said, “It’s probably my suit.”
It was the second straight game the Red Storm rallied from at least a 15-point deficit to win. Tuesday’s win against Seton Hall was at home, though. Saturday’s victory came in front of a sold-out and raucous crowd at Xavier.
“It was a lot of fun. Definitely just the atmosphere and coach going up against his son. It was a tough win but a good win,” said forward Dillon Mitchell, who had 17 points and seven rebounds.
St. John’s players donned T-shirts on the court and in the locker room, marking the milestone. They also doused Pitino with water and Gatorade in the visitors’ locker room at Cintas Center.
Pitino took off his trademark suit and was in St. John’s workout gear when he talked with reporters after drying off.
“I’ve said this all along, how enjoyable this team is, but tonight was the icing on the cake because a lot of teams would break down 12, down 10, and they never broke,” Pitino said.
Mike Krzyzewski leads the way with 1,202 wins, followed by Jim Boeheim (1,116) and Roy Williams (903).
The elder Pitino has won four of five meetings against his son, who previously coached at Florida International, Minnesota and New Mexico.
It is also the 20th time in 23 Division I matchups that the father has defeated the son.
“He didn’t say it, but we all know he really wanted it against his son and happy to pull it through,” said guard Dylan Darling, who hit the go-ahead basket.
Fire department workers walk past the site, following a massive fire that broke out in the Gul Plaza shopping centre in Karachi on January 20, 2026. — Reuters
Again, I feel compelled to write about a big blaze in a big city. It is not the Gul Plaza fire, and the city I am referring to is not Karachi.
Though it is the Gul Plaza fire that has prompted me to recall another event that I think is relevant to what has happened to Karachi in the wake of a terrifying tragedy.
Also, the story I want to talk start off this week is not about the Baldia factory fire in Karachi in 2012, which was more gruesome than the Gul Plaza fire. Over 250 workers were burnt to death in the big blaze that actually was an act of arson, and the date they chose was ominous: September 11 – 9/11, as they put it in the United States.
So, what big fire in which big city?
Well, the fire became known as the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire and the incident occurred in March 1911, more than a century ago, in the city of New York. As many as 146 garment workers, most of them immigrant women, died when the factory, situated on the eighth floor of a building, caught fire. Many of those who lost their lives had jumped from that height.
Naturally, the entire city was shocked by an event that was unbearably heartrending. My intention here is to provide some glimpses of how the city and its people responded to their deadliest industrial disaster. Many thousands had watched the bodies lying on the road in pools of blood. It was something that the city cannot forget and commemorative events are held even now.
Let me quote some words from a Google account of the funeral procession: “In a profound display of solidarity, an estimated 350,000 to 400,000 people took part in a funeral march in the pouring rain for the unidentified victims”.
Just try to make a mental image of what that scene would look like.
A commission was created and over 30 new labour laws were promulgated. But the real response was evident in the domain of art and culture. The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire inspired documentary films and television productions and music and dance and literature. Even until recent years, it has figured in feature films and novels. That tragedy still touches hearts and agitates minds.
As I stated at the outset, I had invoked the fire disaster of New York of 1911 earlier in this space. Then, I compared it with the Baldia fire to underline the differences the two tragedies had evoked in their respective cities. In some ways, the Baldia fire had raised more complex issues about governance and the state’s power structure. Consequently, it called for drastic changes and readjustments at many different levels.
But what happened after the Baldia fire? A human tragedy of such great magnitude — the miserable death of over 250 workers — was, it seems, quickly forgotten. The affected families and a number of labour unions and social activists certainly took up the cause of the innocent victims and the issue was intermittently raised in the media. Still, the conscience of the city, in a collective sense, did not awaken.
The question now is: what will be the consequences of the Gul Plaza disaster? In the immediate context, the event and its gory details that have continued to unfold have been extensively covered by the media. Reports indicate widespread outrage across different sections of society. There is a steady focus on lapses on the part of the provincial and local agencies that have led to such a dreadful loss of life and property.
At the same time, it is felt that a calamity of this kind is always waiting to happen due to the poor state of the entire infrastructure and the blatant violations of relevant legal obligations across all spheres of public life. Footprints of corruption are evident on every path.
As it is, Karachi has long been teetering at a breaking point. It is generally recognised as the engine of growth for the entire country. But it cannot remain so for long if its public utilities are not repaired and improved. The city’s public institutions are visibly in a state of decay.
While the catastrophic fire in Gul Plaza has lessons that the city’s concerned administrators must address in earnest, it has also provided a new scope for divisive politics. An attempt is being made to revive old animosities and exploit popular anger for partisan purposes.
All this would suggest that the Gul Plaza fire is unlikely to become a catalyst for change in the context of how Karachi is governed. Apparently, it will be business as usual. But when I chose to cite the example of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of New York, I also had the behaviour of the general public and of the intelligentsia in mind.
Where are the concerned citizens of Karachi, and what kind of sense of belonging do they have for this city? What was their involvement with the Baldia fire in 2012 and how do they relate now to the mass bereavement caused by the Gul Plaza fire? Do the citizens of Karachi constitute, in moral and psychological terms, less of a community than, say, the New Yorkers?
I do not know what to do with these and other questions. It may be said that it is pointless to compare, for instance, New York and Karachi in terms of how they have responded to particular events. It is possible to argue that we live in separate worlds.
Let us, thus, content ourselves with the life we are living in Karachi. We have seen that the Gul Plaza fire has dominated the media this week and what is being revealed is very disturbing. At the same time, we are also exceptionally busy with our social activities, this being the season of festivals and festivities.
The writer is a senior journalist. He can be reached at: [email protected]
Disclaimer: The viewpoints expressed in this piece are the writer’s own and don’t necessarily reflect Geo.tv’s editorial policy.
A viral meme features a penguin’s solitary march inland, resonating with millions as a symbol of burnout and detachment. The footage, from a 2007 documentary, shows a confused Adélie penguin heading towards mountains, a journey scientists deem a tragic navigational error, not a philosophical choice. Its viral appeal lies in mirroring human feelings of exhaustion and the desire to escape.
Explained: Why is a penguin’s ‘death march’ going viral? All about Meaning behind ‘Nihilist Penguin’ meme A tiny penguin, a long stretch of ice, and one very determined waddle.That’s all it took for the internet to fall in love with what is now being called the “Nihilist Penguin” — a lone bird marching away from its colony and heading straight towards a line of distant mountains, with absolutely no ocean in sight.In 2026, this short clip has resurfaced across TikTok, X and Instagram, turning into a strangely powerful meme about burnout, detachment and the urge to simply… walk away.But is the penguin really having an existential moment? Or are humans just reading too much into a confused animal?Here’s the real story behind the viral “death march”.Where did this video come from?The footage isn’t new.It comes from Encounters at the End of the World, a 2007 documentary by German filmmaker Werner Herzog. In one unforgettable scene, an Adélie penguin suddenly breaks away from its group in Antarctica and begins heading inland — towards a mountain range nearly 70 kilometres away.No water.No food.No colony.Just snow, silence and a long, hopeless path.For penguins, that’s essentially a one-way trip.And that’s exactly what makes the clip so haunting.Why has it suddenly gone viral?Because it feels… painfully relatable.Social media users began posting the clip with captions like:“When you’re done with everything.”“Me leaving my responsibilities.”“He knows the truth.”The nickname “Nihilist Penguin” quickly stuck. The walk looks calm, deliberate, almost thoughtful — as if the bird has quietly decided that none of this matters anymore.In an era filled with burnout, anxiety and constant noise, that slow, lonely march hit a nerve.Sometimes, the internet doesn’t want motivation.Sometimes, it wants permission to feel tired.Is the penguin actually choosing to die?Not exactly.Scientists and wildlife experts say this behaviour, while rare, does happen. Penguins depend heavily on environmental signals to navigate. When something disrupts those cues, things can go wrong.Possible explanations include:Disorientation caused by weather or terrainIllness or neurological problemsSimple navigational errorAnimals, after all, don’t always make perfect survival decisions.Werner Herzog later referred to such journeys as a “death march”, explaining that penguins walking inland almost never make it back.Not a philosophical choice.Just a tragic mistake.So why does it feel so meaningful?Because humans are experts at projecting feelings.The penguin has become a symbol of:Walking away from expectationsFeeling lost in lifeQuiet rebellionEmotional exhaustionIt’s not really about penguins.It’s about that moment when everything feels heavy, routines feel pointless, and the idea of disappearing into the distance feels oddly comforting.In a world obsessed with productivity and purpose, this one bird doing the exact opposite feels… honest.The real reason the meme worksEveryone else is rushing.This penguin isn’t.It’s moving slowly. Alone. In the wrong direction. With no explanation.Not brave.Not wise.Just… done.And maybe that’s why the internet can’t stop watching.Because sometimes, life doesn’t have a clear path.Sometimes, you’re just a penguin on ice, heading towards mountains, with no idea why.Scientifically, it’s just a confused bird.Emotionally?It’s a mood.
A de-icing crew works during winter storm Fern on a Southwest Airlines flight at Nashville International Airport in Nashville, Tennessee, US, January 24, 2026. — Reuters
More than 4,000 flights were cancelled on Saturday.
Over 9,400 flights were cancelled for Sunday.
Trump approves emergency declarations in 12 states.
WASHINGTON: More than 4,000 flights were cancelled in the US on Saturday ahead of a monster winter storm that has already cut power to more than 160,000 electricity customers as far west as Texas, and threatened to paralyse eastern states with heavy snowfall.
Forecasters said snow, sleet and freezing rain, accompanied by dangerously frigid temperatures, would sweep the eastern two-thirds of the nation on Sunday and into next week.
Calling the storms “historic,” President Donald Trump on Saturday approved federal emergency disaster declarations in South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Indiana, and West Virginia.
“We will continue to monitor, and stay in touch with all States in the path of this storm. Stay Safe, and Stay Warm,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.
Seventeen states and the District of Columbia have declared weather emergencies, the Department of Homeland Security said.
“We do have tens of thousands of people in affected states in the South that have lost power. We have utility crews that are working to restore that as quick as possible,” DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said late Saturday afternoon.
The number of power outages continued to rise. As of 10:17pm local time, more than 160,000 US customers had no electricity, the bulk of them in Louisiana and Texas, according to PowerOutage.com.
The US Department of Energy on Saturday said it issued an emergency order authorising the Electric Reliability Council of Texas to deploy backup generation resources at data centres and other major facilities, aiming to limit blackouts in the state.
The US National Weather Service warned of an unusually expansive and long-duration winter storm that will bring widespread, heavy ice accumulation in the southeast US, where “crippling to locally catastrophic impacts” can be expected.
A vehicle equipped with a snowplough clears snow as Winter Storm Fern arrives in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, US, January 23, 2026. — Reuters
Weather service forecasters predicted record cold temperatures and dangerously cold wind chills descending further into the Great Plains region of the US by Monday.
As of 10:21pm local time, more than 4,000 US flights scheduled for Saturday had been cancelled, according to flight tracking website FlightAware. More than 9,400 US flights originally set for Sunday have also been cancelled.
Major US airlines warned passengers to stay alert for abrupt flight changes and cancellations.
In an update on Saturday morning, Delta Air Lines said it was continuing to make schedule adjustments, with additional cancellations in the morning for Atlanta and along the East Coast, including in Boston and New York City.
It added that it was relocating experts from cold-weather hubs to support de-icing and baggage teams at several southern airports.
A pedestrian waits at a traffic light during cold weather in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, US, Jan. 21, 2026. — Reuters
JetBlue said that as of Saturday morning, it had cancelled about 1,000 flights through Monday, with additional cancellations possible.
United Airlines said in an email that its weather preparations included proactively cancelling some flights in places with the worst weather.
US electric grid operators on Saturday stepped up precautions to avoid rotating blackouts.
Dominion Energy, whose Virginia operations include the largest collection of data centres in the world, said if its ice forecast holds, it could be among the largest-ever winter events to affect the utility’s operations.
Noem, speaking at a news conference about US government preparations for the storm, warned Americans to take precautions.
“It’s going to be very, very cold,” Noem said. “So we’d encourage everybody to stock up on fuel, stock up on food, and we will get through this together.”
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The fatal Border Patrol shooting of a man who the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says was armed with a 9mm pistol during a confrontation with agents on Saturday has sparked a clash among gun rights groups, pitting defenses of lawful carry and protest rights against warnings about escalating anti-law-enforcement rhetoric.
Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old Minneapolis resident, was shot Saturday morning while allegedly protesting an immigration enforcement operation targeting an illegal immigrant with a criminal record.
DHS officials say Pretti approached Border Patrol agents while armed with a handgun and “violently resisted” when they attempted to disarm him, leading to the shooting.
State officials said Pretti, who was pronounced dead at the scene, had a lawful Permit to Carry (PTC), and court records obtained by Fox News Digital indicate he did not have a criminal record.
So-called “armed community response” members patrol near the scene of a fatal shooting involving Border Patrol, Saturday, in Minneapolis.(AP Photo/Adam Gray)
The Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus quickly responded to the shooting, calling it “deeply concerning.”
“According to local officials, the man was legally armed, a firearm was recovered at the scene, and he is believed to have been a lawful gun owner and permit to carry holder,” the organization wrote in a statement.
They added many critical facts remain unknown, as the shooting happened just hours earlier.
This undated photo provided by Michael Pretti shows Alex J. Pretti, the man who was shot by a federal officer, Saturday, in Minneapolis. (Michael Pretti via AP)
“We do not yet have an independent account of what initiated the encounter or what triggered the use of deadly force,” the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus wrote. “Despite widespread speculation regarding intent, there has been no evidence produced indicating an intent to harm the officers. We are calling for a full and transparent investigation by both state and federal authorities.
“Every peaceable Minnesotan has the right to keep and bear arms—including while attending protests, acting as observers, or exercising their First Amendment rights. These rights do not disappear when someone is lawfully armed, and they must be respected and protected at all times.”
Contrasting Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus’ response, the National Rifle Association (NRA) released a statement on social media blaming Democrat leaders in the blue state for “incit[ing] violence” against law enforcement officers, and pleading with Minnesotans to lower the temperature amid ongoing unrest.
The National Rifle Association released a statement on social media blaming Democrat leaders in the blue state for “incit[ing] violence” against law enforcement officers.(Carlos Barria/Reuters)
“For months, radical progressive politicians like [Minnesota Gov.] Tim Walz have incited violence against law enforcement officers who are simply trying to do their jobs,” the NRA wrote in an X post. “Unsurprisingly, these calls to dangerously interject oneself into legitimate law-enforcement activities have ended in violence, tragically resulting in injuries and fatalities.”
The NRA noted that as with any officer-involved shooting, there will be “a robust and comprehensive investigation that takes place to determine if the use of force was justified.”
“As we await these facts and gain a clearer understanding, we urge the political voices to lower the temperature to ensure their constituents and law enforcement officers stay safe,” NRA officials wrote.
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As the gun rights groups sounded off, so-called “armed community response” members in Minneapolis patrolled near the scene of the shooting Saturday night.
At least two people were spotted at the location wearing tactical vests and open-carrying weapons.
DHS is leading the investigation into the shooting, with assistance from the FBI.
Alexandra Koch is a Fox News Digital journalist who covers breaking news, with a focus on high-impact events that shape national conversation.
She has covered major national crises, including the L.A. wildfires, Potomac and Hudson River aviation disasters, Boulder terror attack, and Texas Hill Country floods.
