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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

In brief: Officer, suspect die following shootout

From Wire Reports

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – A 24-year-old police officer and a suspect died after a shootout Saturday afternoon.

Officer Tyler J. Stewart died at Flagstaff Medical Center after he was shot by a man who was a suspect in a domestic-violence case, police said. Stewart is the second Flagstaff police officer ever to be killed in the line of duty.

Stewart was looking for the man – identified as Robert W. Smith, 28, of Prescott – about 1:30 p.m. when Smith fired several shots at the officer, police said. Smith then shot himself and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Investigators do not believe Stewart fired any shots, but they continue to investigate.

President Bush improves, remains in hospital

HOUSTON – Former President George H.W. Bush will remain in a Houston hospital at least through today after experiencing shortness of breath earlier this week.

Family spokesman Jim McGrath said Saturday the 90-year-old’s condition has improved and doctors are discussing dates for his discharge, but he will remain for now at Houston’s Methodist Hospital for observation.

Bush, the oldest living former U.S. president, was taken by ambulance to the hospital Tuesday for what was reported as a precaution.

Two years ago he spent nearly two months, including Christmas, at the same hospital for treatment of a bronchitis-related cough and other issues.

He suffers from a form of Parkinson’s disease that has forced him to rely on a motorized scooter or wheelchair, although in June he celebrated his 90th birthday with a skydive.

Fresno police reclassify Islamic center attack

FRESNO, Calif. – A 28-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of vandalizing the Islamic Cultural Center of Fresno on Christmas Day, causing investigators at first to suspect a hate crime, police said Saturday.

But relatives of the 28-year-old suspect, Asif Mohammad Khan, came public to say that schizophrenia – and not hatred – led to the unfortunate incident.

“It is a case of mental illness,” said his sister, Samia Khan. “There’s no question about that.”

Asif Mohammad Khan has been booked into jail on charges including felony vandalism for more than $10,000 in damage done Thursday to the Islamic Cultural Center and a nearby medical office.

In the search for a suspect, Fresno police Chief Jerry Dyer had said the broken windows and bleach poured on an American flag inside the Islamic center appeared to be a hate crime. Saturday, Dyer said that investigators interviewed Khan, and their theory has changed.

Khan confessed, telling officers he was upset with people at the Islamic center for talking down to or bullying him, Dyer said.

Former energy secretary Edwards dies at age 87

CHARLESTON, S.C. – James B. Edwards, South Carolina’s first Republican governor since Reconstruction and later energy secretary for two years in the Reagan administration, has died. He was 87.

His son-in-law Ken Wingate confirmed that Edwards died Friday.

Edwards, an oral surgeon, helped build the modern Republican Party in South Carolina, serving as Charleston County party chairman and supporting Barry Goldwater’s presidential campaign in the 1960s. He later won a seat in the state Senate and then, in 1974, was elected governor.

Edwards was limited to one term under state law at the time.

Lava flow again moving toward shopping center

PAHOA, Hawaii – Lava that had been stalled on its way to a shopping center on Hawaii’s Big Island has started moving again and has advanced 15 yards since Friday afternoon.

The molten rock is about 700 yards from Pahoa Marketplace and 0.6 miles from the intersection of Highway 130 and Pahoa Village Road.

Civil Defense officials say the movement at the flow front is sluggish and the leading edge is a narrow 25 yards wide. They say the activity doesn’t pose an immediate threat to residents or businesses.