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USA Update

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Newly promoted NYPD sergeant becomes fourth in his blue blood family to attain the title: ‘Something we all grew into’

A Queens police officer was promoted to the rank of sergeant Friday, becoming the fourth in his blue-blooded family to achieve the honor. Mustafa H. Young’s mom, dad and sister — all members of the force — watched on with other family as he and 75 other officers were celebrated during a ceremony at 1 Police...

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Mystery deepens over GOP aide who died after setting herself on fire in own backyard as congressman boss goes quiet

Collage of a man in a suit and a woman smiling.

A CONGRESSMAN has gone silent after one of his top aides died in a shocking backyard fire – leaving unanswered questions and blocked records surrounding the tragedy.

The bizarre case centers on the death of 35-year-old Regina Santos-Aviles, a married mom and longtime political staffer, who fatally set herself ablaze in Uvalde, Texas.

UNITED STATES - JANUARY 18: Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, is seen in the U.S. Capitol before the House voted to keep the government funded into March, on Thursday, January 18, 2024. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
Regina Santos-Aviles worked as a regional district director for Representative Tony Gonzales (stock)
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Regina Santos-Aviles, a congressional staffer for U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, smiling while seated.
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Santos-Aviles doused herself in gasoline before she went up in flames on September 13[/caption]

She worked as a regional district director for Representative Tony Gonzales, whose district spans San Antonio to El Paso.

Authorities said Santos-Aviles doused herself in gasoline before she went up in flames on September 13, with no one else believed to be present at the scene.

Her devastated mother revealed chilling final words, telling the San Antonio Express News that her daughter screamed, “I don’t want to die,” before collapsing.

Santos-Aviles was airlifted from her home to San Antonio, where she died the next day from her catastrophic injuries.

Her exact cause of death is still not confirmed, with the Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office saying autopsy results remain pending.

Despite the unusual circumstances, police have classified the incident as self-immolation and say no foul play is suspected.

But public records tied to her death, including the 911 call, police reports, and any video evidence, have been sealed by Uvalde police, the Daily Mail reported.

In a letter to multiple outlets, the department insisted it would make its case to the Texas Attorney General to keep the files secret.

That decision raised eyebrows, given police typically release information in active cases even when investigations are ongoing.

Meanwhile, her boss, Rep. Gonzales, abruptly shut out reporters days later, canceling press access to a major event in San Antonio.

The congressman had been set to attend the opening of a new Southwest Research Institute facility on September 22.

Although he still showed up at the ribbon-cutting, the media were told they were no longer welcome to attend.

Gonzales’ office has only issued a short statement on Santos-Aviles’ death, calling her a passionate public servant devoted to Uvalde.

“We are all heart-stricken by the recent news. Regina devoted her profession toward making a difference in her community,” he said.

Republican Texas representative Tony Gonzales' statement

“We are all heart-stricken by the recent news. Regina devoted her profession toward making a difference in her community.

She will always be remembered for her passion towards Uvalde and helping the community become a better place.”

“She will always be remembered for her passion towards Uvalde and helping the community become a better place.”

The lack of transparency has fueled speculation, especially after questions surfaced over Gonzales’ ties to Uvalde’s police chief.

Chief Homer Delgado publicly endorsed the Republican lawmaker in his re-election bid – a move one local official blasted as inappropriate.

City councilman Ernest Santos said, “Here we have a chief of police endorsing this candidate, and we have this happen with an employee of Tony Gonzales. We must remain neutral.”

He added, “We need to make sure we do everything by the book.”

After the backlash, Gonzales’ campaign quietly scrubbed flyers that touted Delgado’s endorsement.

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