The D&D Daily will continue to track this data throughout the summer to capture the weekend violence trend in our nation's big cities as warm weather typically brings about more crime and violence.

Click here to see the list of incidents per city and follow along each week this summer as this spreadsheet will be updated every Monday. docs.google.com

Read more coverage about America's crime and gun violence epidemic in the section below
 

Regional AP Leader's Murder Case
Man stabbed teen in the back, slit her throat before dumping body in Flowery Branch, detective says
A Duluth man stabbed a 19-year-old Atlanta woman in the back and drove around in a panic before dumping her body in a wooded area of Flowery Branch, according to testimony Friday, Aug. 19, in Gwinnett County Magistrate Court.

Timothy Krueger Sr., 49, appeared in court with defense attorney Scott Drake for charges of felony murder and aggravated assault in the June 16 death of Sarai Llanos Gomez. Gomez's body was found June 20 in a wooded area of Paradise Point Road in Flowery Branch after a homeowner smelled a strong odor in the neighborhood.

Gwinnett County Police Cpl. John Jorstad said Gomez was a female escort, who used a separate number advertising her services. With phone records, Jorstad said they were able to determine that Krueger's number communicated with Gomez's number more than 70 times between June 10 and June 16.

When interviewed by police after his Aug. 4 arrest, Krueger said he did not know Gomez's name and was expecting a different woman to show up at his house that night. Krueger told police he thought the woman he was communicating with and Gomez "were trying to play some kind of trick on him," Jorstad testified.

Jorstad said there was a language barrier between them during a disagreement, as Krueger thought he was being swindled. At one point, Gomez became fearful and grabbed a kitchen knife from the knife block, Jorstad said.

"He said he just remembered kind of tussling with her, grabbing the knife from her and then she turned to walk away, at which point he stabbed her in the back," Jorstad said. Gomez fell to the ground, and Krueger "stated he just wanted it to be over, so he stabbed her a few more times and then he cut her throat," Jorstad said.

"When my client was talking about the stabbing, did he indicate that he was acting in self defense?" Drake asked "It did not seem that he was acting in self defense," Jorstad said. "He said that she had turned her back to him and was walking away." gainesvilletimes.com

   Read the D&D Daily's original reporting of this case here

Kentucky Debates Whether to Enact INFORM Act to Battle ORC
Judiciary committee hears testimony on law to combat organized retail crime
The Interim Joint Committee on Judiciary heard testimony on Thursday about a potential law to address the threat of organized retail crime.

Shannon Stiglitz, the senior vice president of government affairs for the Kentucky Retail Federation, was joined by representatives from Walgreens and Kroger to share the effect of organized retail crime in Kentucky.

The FBI defines organized retail crime as "professional burglars, boosters, cons, thieves, fences and resellers conspiring to steal and sell retail merchandise obtained from retail establishments by theft or deception." Much of the stolen merchandise ends up on online marketplaces.

Stiglitz emphasized that organized retail crime refers to organized groups of people, not an individual shoplifter who will steal only the things they want or need. She also noted that some of these groups are violent toward anyone who interferes with them as they steal.

Stiglitz encouraged lawmakers to consider enacting the Integrity, Notification and Fairness in Online Retail Marketplaces for Consumers, or the INFORM Act. It would require online marketplaces to collect certain information from high-volume, third-party sellers to verify that the products are legal. Eleven states already have the INFORM Act in place.

"What you all are presenting to us, it's not going to get any better until we change our philosophy," Sen. Danny Carroll, R-Benton said. "Until we go back to treating criminals as criminals and holding them accountable for what they do, it's not going to get any better."

Stiglitz did mention laws Kentucky already has to combat organized retail crime during her presentation. KRS 506.120 makes organized retail crime a class C felony. She said some prosecutors and law enforcement officers are not aware of this law and how to use it, so education is an important factor in addressing the issue. richmondregister.com

U.S. Mass Killing Data
Mass killings database reveals trends & details in every US event since 2006

High profile public shootings in the US are only a portion of the country's mass killings AP, USA TODAY and Northeastern University analysis shows.

The horror and tragedy of mass shootings in American schools, churches, grocery stores and other public places capture the nation's attention. But these are only part of the larger violence of mass killings - deaths by guns, knives, fires, vehicles and other weapons in public and in private - that plague the U.S., research shows.

Over the past decade, USA TODAY, along with Northeastern University and The Associated Press, has been tracking all mass killings in the United States. When it comes to gun violence, our database is narrower than other tracking sites, such as the Gun Violence Archive, that include shootings that injure large numbers of people but kill no one. However, our data is broader in other ways. It includes every mass killing since 2006 from all weapons in which four or more people, excluding the offender, were killed within a 24-hour time frame.

The number of mass killings in 2022 is about average compared with previous years despite recent shootings that captured public attention. The number of victims is somewhat higher than average but still below previous highs.

Cases in which someone shoots strangers in a public place usually get the most attention. But fatal public shootings are a small fraction of all mass killings. There has been a spike in these types of killings over the past few years, but the rate of occurrence has remained relatively flat since the mid-2000s. usatoday.com

Have You Updated Workplace Violence Prevention Plans?
3 ways to update a workplace violence prevention plan

A decade-old plan won't cut it anymore, according to one expert. Employers must address changes brought about by COVID-19 and advancing technology.

Recent reports of workplace violence - coupled with an increase in certain violent crimes, generally - mean it's time for employers to update their workplace violence prevention and mitigation plans, according to one expert.

The last few years have brought a jump in homicides, Daniel R. Pascale, executive vice president at Margolis Healy and Associates, pointed out in an August 3 webinar. And sadly, he said, "we're going to see that spill into the workplace."

Update protocols affected by technology

Technology has evolved such that employers cannot rely on workplace safety plans drafted 10 years ago, Pascale said. Company plans often called for reliance on tools like pay phones or worksite landlines, for example. Employers must go through their facilities, he said, and rewrite policies with today's tech landscape in mind. Similarly, cybersecurity protocols should be updated, he said.

Add hybrid work risks

The increase in remote and hybrid work driven by the coronavirus pandemic also necessitates a shift in how employers think about workplace safety, Pascale said. Some employees are on video calls with co-workers or clients all day, with the contents of their home on full display. Some have work-related packages arriving to and shipping from their homes daily, meaning a range of couriers know where they work and that they're shipping legal documents or IT hardware.

Conduct de-escationation and active assailant training

Finally, employees should know how to "lower the temperature" in situations that could escalate into violence, Pascale said. Employers cannot expect that workers will know how to handle an employee or co-worker who is screaming, for example; they need training on when and how to create distance between people, when to reach out for help and ways to ensure they remain physically safe, Pascale said. This is particularly important for the healthcare and retail industries, he added. The same goes for active assailant training, Pascale said. Such efforts empower employees, teaching them what action is best for them. hrdive.com

'Most Sweeping Law to Seal Criminal Records'
California advances broadest US law sealing criminal records
California would have what proponents call the nation's most sweeping law to seal criminal records if Gov. Gavin Newsom signs legislation sent to him Thursday by state legislators.

The bill would automatically seal conviction and arrest records for most ex-offenders who are not convicted of another felony for four years after completing their sentences and any parole or probation. Records of arrests that don't bring convictions also would be sealed.

It would take effect in July, and excludes those convicted of serious and violent felonies, and felonies requiring sex offender registration.

Proponents say about 8 million Californians have a criminal or arrest record, or about one of every five state residents. A criminal record can trigger nearly 5,000 legal restrictions in California, many of which can limit job opportunities as well as the ability to get housing and educational opportunities, supporters said.

They estimate that 70 million people nationwide face nearly 50,000 legal restrictions based on a criminal or arrest record.

Nationwide, 37 states and more than 150 cities have adopted laws preventing employers from asking candidates about their criminal histories prior to a job offer, according to the National Employment Law Project. This law would go further by automatically sealing convictions for people who meet certain conditions. mercurynews.com

Gun sales spike in wake of mass shootings
FBI firearm background check data suggests gun sales rose in Texas, Illinois and New York in the wake of shootings that collectively killed 38 people.

U.S. Marshals end Operation 'Triple Beam Honey Badger' against Wisconsin crime

Op-Ed: Gun safes and trigger locks are key in curbing gun violence

Grocery Stores Fueling a Shopping Mall Revival
Can Grocery Stores Save the American Mall?

Under siege even before the pandemic struck, the suburban shopping meccas may have hit upon a survival strategy.

With pandemic precautions falling by the wayside and brick-and-mortar shopping eyeing a revival, it's looking like there may be a strategy for the old standby to survive amid the hordes of Amazon delivery vans. Grocery stores.

When the Westfield Oakridge mall in San Jose, California opened the popular Asian grocery store chain 99 Ranch Market in March, its debut saw lines snaking out the door. Since then, the mall's foot traffic has jumped, with customer visits up more than 10% in July compared to pre-pandemic levels, according to traffic analytics firm Placer.ai.

In addition to grocery store staples like produce and meat, the supermarket has also attracted shoppers with its dining hall and tea bar. What's surprising is 99 Ranch took up residence in one of the mall's anchor spots, which had typically gone to massive chains like Target Corp. or Macy's Inc. It's the supermarket's first location inside a megamall.

Grocery stores have been a growing US consumer segment over the last few years. Except for so-called value outlets and "dollar" stores, grocers have had the most store openings, outpacing home improvement, electronics and superstores, according to an analysis of store openings between 2019 and 2021 from Green Street. The firm's research shows adding a grocer can boost traffic by upwards of 20% at a shopping center. bloomberg.com

Walmart Wades Into Abortion Debate
Walmart will cover abortion care for 1.6 million employees

Leaked memo says retailer will cover abortion costs when the mother's health is at risk and cover travel costs in other cases.

Walmart is expanding its healthcare coverage to include abortion care for its 1.6 million workers.

Insider reviewed a leaked memo from the chain's chief people officer, Donna Morris, that read, "Effective immediately, the Walmart self-insured healthcare plans will cover abortion when there is a health risk to the mother, rape or incest, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage or lack of fetal viability."

The company will also "provide travel support for our associates and their covered dependents so they can access services covered by our Walmart self-insured plan when they are not available within 100 miles of their location."

The memo said that "more information regarding these benefits" will be released in "the coming weeks." Experts say that Walmart, along with other top employers, will face recruitment and retention struggles in red states due to the repeal of Roe v. Wade. businessinsider.com

Amazon Continues to Struggle with Physical Stores
Amazon is pressing pause on dozens more self-checkout grocery stores amid disappointing sales, report says

Amazon has struggled to open physical stores amid high costs and tension

Amazon is pausing the rollout of self-checkout Amazon Fresh stores following disappointing sales and economic headwinds, The Sunday Times reported. Sources told the UK newspaper that Amazon had walked away from talks on dozens of new sites for its grocery stores and ended searches for new locations.

Most existing Fresh stores had fallen short of sales projections, according to the report, while the costs of building the outlets dwarfed those typically associated with other convenience stores. The Sunday Times reported that some store openings would go ahead if leases had already been signed.

The news marks the latest in a stunted rollout of Amazon's physical presence, after years of success as an online retailer. In addition to poor sales and rising costs, Insider reported that a dysfunctional team culture and tension with Whole Foods, the retailer it bought for $13.7 billion in 2017, were also contributing to delays. businessinsider.com

A wave of layoffs is sweeping the US
Here are firms that have announced cuts so far, from Shopify to Peloton.

How US Retail Sales Are Impacting Giants Such As Walmart, Target

DoorDash ending partnership with Walmart after 4+ years
 

Senior LP & AP Jobs Market

Director of Security job posted for Goodwill Industries Of Michiana Inc. in South Bend, IN
This position oversees the security operations, serves as a liaison with prosecutors and police agencies, establishes guidelines and protocols for security officers, conducts ongoing needs assessment for security, assists in the design and implementation of strategies and policies for corporate security, oversees general security and enforcement, video system review and response to emergency situations. This position reports directly to the President and CEO, who evaluates performance annually. paycomonline.net
 

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Why some people still haven't had COVID

National Cybersecurity Alliance & Amazon Launch Cybersecurity Partnership
Protect yourself online with tips from Amazon & National Cybersecurity Alliance

Amazon and the National Cybersecurity Alliance's PSA campaign features actor Michael B. Jordan and actress-producer Tessa Thompson as "internet bodyguards."

You can protect yourself online-that's the message Amazon and the National Cybersecurity Alliance want to share with millions of consumers through a newly launched cybersecurity awareness campaign. The public service announcement (PSA) campaign, Protect & Connect, stars Prime Video actor Michael B. Jordan and actress-producer Tessa Thompson as internet bodyguards.

As phishing scams and other online cyberattacks become increasingly common, consumers can grow apathetic. In fact, research shows that even as the number of cyberattacks increased, concern around internet security fell between 2019 and 2020. But consumers can take simple steps to help protect themselves and their information online-no security expertise required.

"Empowering people with the knowledge and tools to operate safely online can help them protect their own personal information while combatting cyber threats of all kinds," said Steve Schmidt, Amazon's chief security officer. "Our goal is to give people simple, concrete steps to take, like enabling multi-factor authentication, that have meaningful security impact despite the complex security threats that exist."

Amazon leveraged the creative power of the Prime Video team to conceptualize the PSA and connect with top talent. They brought the message of personal agency to life with the help of Jordan and Thompson.

"The importance of protecting yourself online can't be overstated. With this PSA, we wanted to create a memorable, informative, and actionable piece of content that will inspire our communities to consider their online safety more carefully," said Sarah Hamilton, head of Global Brand Creative and Strategy at Prime Video. "Audiences will see celebrated action heroes Michael B. Jordan and Tessa Thompson naturally slip into the role of 'internet bodyguards,' sharing simple ways everyone can be safer online."

In addition to the PSA, the campaign includes a microsite for consumers, protectconnect.com. It includes additional videos for visitors to learn more about multi-factor authentication (MFA) and how to identify and avoid phishing attempts. The site also has interactive content to test consumers' knowledge on best practices for keeping safe online. aboutamazon.com

Collecting Data on Employees
Workplace Monitoring: 3 Steps to Balance Employee Productivity and Privacy

Collecting and analyzing employee performance data can improve efficiency, but make sure employees see the value in it.

According to an Insider Threat Report, 94% of companies deploy some method of monitoring users. They do so despite the fact that very often workplace monitoring results in adverse employee reactions, low employee morale, and high turnover.

According to a Harvard Business Review survey, "90% of employees are willing to let their employers collect and use data on them and their work, but only if they benefit in some way."

1. Tell the Employees

The first step is to share with employees the goal of the effort. Articulate a vision guided by a simple but powerful principle: you can't fix what you can't see. Passive observation and data collection will be one way to gather, measure, and improve performance. Tell them which data you plan to collect, how it will be collected, why it is important, and how it can improve their day-to-day jobs.

2. Involve Employees in the Process

Bring the finance team into the conversation about how this data could be used. Let them share their concerns, but also ask them how they could benefit. Discuss how they and their manager can use these metrics to identify areas where they have process or application expertise.

3. Provide Value to Employees

Harvard Business Review notes that if companies wish to collect data, "they will need to forge a new 'give and get' relationship with employees and share more control with them over their own data." Giving employees direct access to the data can provide valuable and tangible "evidence" of their expertise (and potentially help them advocate for themselves) as well as identify areas for improvement. Giving them control over their data can also illuminate best practices that can be shared among coworkers. Better insights make for more engaged team members, and this is mutually beneficial for the employee and the employer. cfo.com

$100M in Losses for Apparel Manufacturer Hit by Ransomware Attack
Ransomware attacks increasing in frequency, spreading in reach
Ransomware attacks, like the one that cost Hanesbrands Inc. about $100 million in second-quarter sales, are increasing in frequency among corporations facing uncertain prospects of a complete restoration and recovery.

The Winston-Salem-based apparel manufacturer reported in a May 31 regulatory filing that it began experiencing the ransomware attack on May 24. Hanesbrands disclosed Aug. 11 in its second-quarter earnings report that its global supply chain network and ability to fulfill customer orders were affected for about three weeks.

"At this time, we believe the incident has been contained," the manufacturer said in a separate quarterly regulatory filing Aug. 11. "We have restored substantially all of our critical information technology systems, and manufacturing, retail and other internal operations continue. There is no ongoing operational impact on our ability to provide our products and services."

A 2021 study by Cloudwards determined that 37% of all U.S. businesses and organizations have been a ransomware victim, with 32% of those group paying the ransom, but only 65% getting all of their data back. A 2022 survey by HornetSecurity.com found that 21% of respondents to a ransomware study had been a victim and 9.2% "were left with no choice but to pay the ransom to recover their data."

HornetSecurity said the average downtime a company experiences after a ransomware attack is 21 days, while the average ransomware amount that companies were forced to pay in 2020 was $170,404.

"While the cost of that downtime alone can be fatal for many companies, that is without taking into consideration the cost of data recovery, the payment of the ransom and long-term brand damage," HornetSecurity said. journalnow.com

From Russia With Love
Russian citizen faces federal money laundering charge in alleged $400,000 ransomware attack
A new indictment alleges a Russian citizen extradited this week from the Netherlands to Portland laundered more than $400,000 in cryptocurrency extracted from ransomware attacks in the United States in July 2019.

Denis Mihaqlovic Dubnikov, 29, entered a not guilty plea through his attorney to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering during his first appearance in federal court on Wednesday afternoon.

According to the indictment , Dubnikov and his alleged accomplices laundered payments extracted from victims of what's known as Ryuk ransomware attacks. Altogether the conspiracy is alleged to have laundered more than $70 million in ransom proceeds worldwide, the indictment says.

Ryuk attempts to delete any backup files present on a computer or network and then begins to encrypt files, according to prosecutors. A "ransom note" is also placed onto the computer system when files are encrypted, providing email addresses typically via a foreign, web-based provider that the victims can use to contact the individuals deploying the ransomware. The alleged Ryuk actors also provide a bitcoin wallet address that victims are directed to use to pay a ransom to have their files decrypted, according to the indictment.

The ransomware conspiracy attacked thousands of victims worldwide, including thousands in the United States and multiple in Oregon, the indictment says. The indictment, heavily redacted, doesn't identify the victims of Dubnikov's alleged crime. oregonlive.com

LockBit claims ransomware attack on security giant Entrust, leaks data

Cybercriminals are using bots to deploy DDoS attacks on gambling sites

Schererville, IN: 1 shot, 2 in custody after robbery suspects ram police SUV while trying to get away
A police-involved shooting ended with one man in the hospital and two others in custody after a robbery at an Indiana sporting goods store Saturday. Authorities said as the suspects were trying to escape, they rammed their vehicle into a police squad SUV and that's when officers opened fire. "It's horrific! I'm in this shopping mall multiple times a week, sometimes 9 o'clock at night and I have never felt unsafe, un-secure, or worried about my safety," said Mary Kate Tesky, who lives in Munster, Indiana. A shattered window and a looming police presence is what remains in the aftermath of a violent scene that blocked the entrance of Dick's Sporting Goods in Schererville for hours. The area was closed after Lake County, Indiana, sheriff deputies said officers with the Schererville Police Department shot one of three people trying to get away with stolen merchandise. "It's unfathomable and it's unacceptable," Tesky said. Police were called to the store around 4:30 Saturday afternoon. When officers were confronted by the trio, who were trying to drive away, the suspects rammed their vehicle into a police squad SUV, officials said. That's when shots were fired by officers, striking one of the suspects. No officers were hurt. Police said the two other suspects were taken into custody. It is believe these suspect may be connected to multiple Dick Sporting Goods robberies in the Chicago area.  nbcchicago.com

Tucson, AZ: Man sentenced to 1 year in prison for ORC scheme
A man was sentenced to prison after he pleaded guilty to an organized retail theft scheme. On Aug. 18, Joseph James Mierzejewski was sentenced to one year in prison, followed by four years of probation after he plead guilty to one count of theft and one count of attempted trafficking in stolen property, a news release from the Arizona Attorney General's Office said. Mierzejewski was indicted in April and accused of participating in an organized retail theft ring that defrauded retail stores in Southern Arizona, including Target, Home Depot and Walmart, the news release said. Mierzejewski would enter the store and place an incorrect Universal Product Code on an item, which included a significantly lower marked price than the retail value, the news release said. He would then pay the lower price at the register and resell the items at pawn shops for profit. tucson.com

Menomonee Falls, WI: Police seek help in finding Ulta Beauty retail theft suspects
Menomonee Falls police are seeking help in finding the suspects involved in a retail theft at Ulta Beauty. Police say it happened on Friday, Aug. 19 at 1:15 p.m. Authorities say the suspects are a male and female who stole $2,895 worth of merchandise. The female suspect placed the items in a bag and left without paying or attempting to pay. Police say the suspects both fled the area. cbs58.com

Grapevine, TX: Texas women accused of stealing 460 gallons of fuel from 7-Eleven gas station
Two Texas women were caught stealing 460 gallons of fuel from a 7-Eleven gas station earlier this month as fuel thefts continue across the country amid high gas prices, according to police and a local report. The incident happened on Aug. 11 in Grapevine, Texas. Police were called to the 7-Eleven for a reported theft in progress, Grapevine Police Department said. A driver parked next to a pump sped away as soon as officers arrived, police said. Officers were able to track down the vehicle and capture the two thieves.  foxbangor.com

Fort Wayne, IN: Suspect sold items - bought with stolen credit - at pawn shop
A 26-year-old Davenport man faces felony charges after Davenport Police were forwarded a case of identity theft from the Fort Wayne, Indiana, Police. Jeffrey Stoffers faces charges of identify theft over $1,500 and under $10,000, and second-degree theft, court records say. On April 22, Stoffers acquired merchandise from Best Buy fraudulently, police say in arrest affidavits. Police say Stoffers used identification information of a victim to obtain credit through Progressive Leasing, a separate entity through Best Buy for customers to make payments on purchases. The credit received was between the amount of $1,500 and $10,000, affidavits say. Around 8:22 a.m. on April 22, Stoffers made an online purchase, using that credit, for several items at Best Buy in Davenport. Best Buy surveillance shows a black 2013 Ford Focus enter the Best Buy parking lot. Stoffers was the driver, affidavits say. The Best Buy transaction was set for curb-side pickup. Stoffers left the parking lot with merchandise fraudulently purchased with the victim's personal information, affidavits say. On June 2, Davenport Police served a search warrant on Stoffers' home address. An item from the Best Buy purchase was located inside the residence along with packaging and instructions from the other products. Information was received that the defendant had pawned another item from the Best Buy transaction, affidavits say. Detectives responded to Premier Jewelry & Loan, picked up the item and confirmed Stoffers pawned it using his state-issued identification card. Stoffers, who was released on his own recognizance, is set for a preliminary hearing Sept. 9 in Scott County Court. ourquadcities.com

Ithaca, NY: Woman arrested by NY State Police for grand theft from Target
A Cortland County woman has been arrested for stealing more than a thousand dollars worth of merchandise from the Target in Lansing. On August 18, 2022, New York State Police at Ithaca arrested Miranda M. Fairchild, age 30 of Cortland, NY for the class "E" felony of Grand Larceny in the fourth degree. An investigation revealed that Fairchild, who was the passenger in the vehicle had left target without paying for numerous electronics and houseware items totaling over $1,000. Fairchild was arrested and transported to SP Ithaca for processing. rochesterfirst.com