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Raiders run past Broncos for AFC West lead

Broncos logoOAKLAND, Calif. (AP) – Latavius Murray ran for 114 yards and three touchdowns and the Oakland Raiders showed they were ready for prime time, beating the defending Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos 30-20 on Sunday night.

In what was being billed as the biggest game in Oakland since the team went to the Super Bowl following the 2002 season, the Raiders (7-2) put together a complete effort to overpower the Broncos (6-3) and take over sole possession of first place in the AFC West.

Derek Carr threw for 184 yards and did not turn the ball over, Khalil Mack had two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery and the Raiders outrushed Denver 218-33 behind a dominant performance in the trenches.

The performance was to the delight of an energetic crowd at the Coliseum, excited to host a prime time Sunday night game for the first time in more than a decade. After 13 straight seasons without a playoff berth or winning record, the Raiders have shown they are ready to contend in the AFC in the second season under coach Jack Del Rio.

Oakland got off to its best start in 15 years by beating up on lesser teams, but the win over the defending champion Broncos showed the progress the franchise has made since starting 0-10 two years ago.

Trevor Siemian looked shaky at times for Denver but did throw two touchdown passes, including a short pass behind the line that Kapri Biggs turned into a 69-yard touchdown catch and run in the fourth quarter.

But Oakland still led by 10 points despite that defensive breakdown and held on for the win.

REPRIEVE: Carr played a smart game for the most part but did get bailed out by one potential big mistake. On the play after Mack recovered a fumble at the Denver 39 following his strip sack , Carr threw down the right sideline for fullback Jamize Olawale. But the ball went right to T.J. Ward for an apparent interception. A replay review showed the ball hit the ground and Oakland kept the ball, setting up Murray’s third score.

TONE SETTERS: The much-maligned Raiders defense started fast, forcing Denver into four straight three-and-outs to open the game. It was the first time since 2012 that Oakland didn’t allow the opponent to record a first down on the opening four drives. Siemian started the game 1 for 8 for 4 yards before connecting on four straight completions on the fifth drive capped by a 36-yard TD pass to Jordan Norwood.

FAST START: Oakland’s offense also started quickly. Carr threw for 108 yards in the opening quarter – the second most against Denver in the first quarter in the past three years – and Murray scored on two short TD runs in the second quarter for a 20-10 halftime lead. That was the most points scored against the Broncos in the first half since Cincinnati also had 20 in a 37-28 win on Dec. 22, 2014 – a span of 29 games including the playoffs.

DANCING PUNTER: Oakland’s Marquette King had two straight punts in the third quarter downed at the 2 by Andre Holmes. King then punctuated each with a celebratory dance not usually seen from punters. In a season full of excessive celebration flags, King was not penalized on either dance.

Cool, wet Monday

screen-shot-2016-11-07-at-5-03-16-amToday Showers, mainly before 11am. High near 58. Light and variable wind becoming north northwest 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Tonight Showers likely, mainly before 11pm. Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 41. North wind 7 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 60. North wind 9 to 14 mph.

Tuesday NightPatchy frost after 2am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 32. North wind 3 to 8 mph.

WednesdayAreas of frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 64.

Wednesday NightMostly clear, with a low around 35.

ThursdaySunny, with a high near 69.

Thursday NightMostly clear, with a low around 38.

UPDATE: Kansas rattled by large Oklahoma earthquake; damage reported

Earthquake damage in Cushing, Oklahoma on Sunday-courtesy photo
Earthquake damage in Cushing, Oklahoma on Sunday-courtesy photo

CUSHING, Okla. (AP) — The Latest on a magnitude 5.0 earthquake that struck Cushing, Oklahoma, a major oil storage hub (all times local):

7:10 a.m.

Geologists have recorded several aftershocks in Oklahoma following a 5.0 earthquake that struck Sunday night, causing damage in the town of Cushing.

The Oklahoma Geological Survey says the aftershocks near Cushing are expected to continue and that there is a 5 percent chance of an aftershock stronger than the initial quake.

Scientists have linked Oklahoma’s uptick in earthquakes to the underground injection of wastewater during oil and gas production. Last week, state regulators called for new restrictions on disposal wells near the town of Pawnee following a 4.5 magnitude earthquake on Nov. 1.

Pawnee is 25 miles north of Cushing.

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6:45 a.m.

Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin says there are no immediate reports of damage at a major oil storage hub following a 5.0 magnitude earthquake in the area.

Fallin tweeted that officials in Cushing are checking for building damage and natural gas leaks following Sunday night’s quake. It was the third earthquake with a magnitude 5.0 or greater this year in Oklahoma.

The governor says no damage was reported at the storage tanks at Cushing’s oil storage terminal, which as of last month held 58.5 barrels of crude oil.

Fallin also tweeted that about 40 residents of the Cimarron Towers assisted living center are staying at a shelter because of damage to the building.

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PAYNE COUNTY, OKLAHOMA -Emergency officials in Cushing, Oklahoma, have evacuated an assisted living center catering to the elderly after a magnitude 5.0 earthquake struck the city.

Assistant City Manager Jeremy Frazier said that while damage was reported at the Cimarron Tower after Sunday night’s quake, no injuries were reported among the home’s residents.

It wasn’t immediately known how many people lived at the building in downtown Cushing. Tulsa television station KOTV said some of those taken from the home were moved to the Cushing Youth Center.

Frazier said the temblor caused the most damage in and around Cushing’s century-old downtown. A number of brick facades had collapsed, and window panes in several buildings shattered. Frazier said city leaders could do a better assessment after sun-up.

Concerns were raised, too, about possible damage in a crude oil tank farm near the city that holds 58.5 million barrels, but there were no immediate reports of trouble.


SUMNER COUNTY, KAN – An earthquake measuring a magnitude 3.1 hit approximately 8 miles west of Conway Springs at 10:52p.m. Sunday.

At 4:30 a.m. on Saturday, an earthquake measuring 2.9 hit the same area.

There are no reports of damage.

——-

USGS Image of Sunday quake
USGS Image of Sunday quake

10:30 p.m.

The Cushing Public School District has canceled classes Monday in order to assess the damage from the magnitude 5.0 earthquake that rocked the central Oklahoma prairie town Sunday evening.

The earthquake, which struck at 7:44 p.m. caused what the Cushing Police Department described as “quite a bit of damage.” Photos posted to social media show piles of debris at the base of commercial buildings in the city of about 7,900.

According to USGS data, there have been 19 earthquakes in Oklahoma in the past week.

PAYNE COUNTY, OK- A large earthquake centered approximately 2 miles west of Cushing, Oklahoma rattled many areas of Kansas and several other states on Sunday evening.

The quake measured a preliminary magnitude 5.3, according to the U.S. Geological Survey and hit at approximately 7:44p.m.

Just after 9.m., the USGS updated the magnitude to 5.0.

Cushing is located approximately 2 hours south of Wichita.

See more on the quake here.

 

The quake is among the largest ever recorded in Oklahoma.

Officials are still working to collect reports of any damage.

 

No. 3 Kansas defeats Emporia State in final exhibition

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas basketball’s final exhibition game of the season ended with a resounding 104-62 win over Emporia State on Sunday night inside Allen Fieldhouse.

The third-ranked Jayhawks held the Hornets to 30.6 percent shooting with a 49 to 31 rebounding advantage. Kansas shot 61.3 percent from the field and scored 56 points in the paint to Emporia’s 16 points in the lane.

“We played better. I don’t know that we were great, but I thought they made shots early,” Kansas head coach Bill Self said. “They made six threes in the first half and a couple of them were really, really deep. If you take those things away I thought we actually defended decent, we rebounded better and I thought our big guys went after the ball pretty well. We shot well in the first half and the ball moved better – it was definitely a better outing.”

Senior guard Frank Mason III led the Jayhawks with 17 points on 7-of-7 shooting with five assists in just 20 minutes of action. In KU’s pair of exhibition contests this season, Mason totaled 38 points on 72.2 percent shooting with 14 assists.

A total of six Jayhawks reached double-figure points during KU’s 27th all-time 100-point exhibition contest. Junior guard Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk was KU’s second-leading scorer with 16 points on 5-of-9 shooting. Junior guard Devonte’ Graham added 10 points on 3-of-5 shooting with four assists.

The freshman trio of guard Josh Jackson, center Udoka Azubuike and forward Mitch Lightfoot all reached double-figures in points. Jackson slashed and dashed to a balanced 11 points, seven rebounds and five assists. All six of Azubuike’s six field goals came from dunks as he finished with 13 points. Lightfoot scored seven of his 12 points in the second half.

Senior center Landen Lucas contributed the first basket of the game and finished with six points, seven rebounds in a limited 16 minutes of action. Lucas’ first bucket was followed by a Jackson perimeter jumper and fastbreak and-1 layup from Mason to put Kansas ahead, 7-0, at the 18:23 mark. Emporia State’s Jay Temaat made a pair of 3-pointers to cut KU’s lead to one, 9-8.

The Hornets’ Garin Vandiver, son of head coach Shaun Vandiver, made a 3-pointer to tie it, 11-11, at the 15:16 mark of the first half. Kansas responded as Mykhailiuk dished a behind-the-back pass to Mason for a contested fastbreak layup which brought the crowd to its feet and sparked a 23-2 run over seven minutes to give Kansas control for the remainder of the game.

The Jayhawks continued to dazzle the sell-out crowd with dominance in the paint, outscoring ESU 24 to four in the lane, and a trio of alley-oops featuring a variety of connections – Graham to Mykhailiuk, Mykhailiuk to Carlton Bragg, Jr., and Graham to Azubuike.

Kansas went into halftime with a 55-29 lead. Mykhailiuk paced KU with 12 points on 4-of-5 shooting, including two 3-pointers in nine first-half minutes. Mason and Graham each contributed 10 points while dishing out a combined seven first-half assists – five from Mason and two from Graham.

KU’s freshmen Jackson and Azubuike shined in the second half as the Jayhawks surged to a 42-point victory. Azubuike connected on four alley-oops in the second period as Jackson displayed his explosiveness and vision with seven points, five rebounds and a pair of assists in the second half.

UP NEXT
Kansas ventures on a grueling road stretch of playing two top-11 teams to begin the regular season. The Jayhawks’ season-opener is against No. 11 Indiana on Veterans Day, Friday, Nov. 11 during the State Farm Armed Forces Classic in Honolulu. Kansas then travels to New York City to face No. 1 Duke in the State Farm Champions Classic in Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, Nov. 15. Both games will be nationally televised on ESPN.

STARTERS
Kansas used a four-guard lineup on Sunday, featuring guards Frank Mason II, Devonte’ Graham, Legerald Vick and Josh Jackson with center Landen Lucas.

EXHIBITION 100-POINT GAMES
Sunday marked KU’s 27th exhibition game with at least 100 points scored. The Jayhawks’ last 100-point exhibition effort inside Allen Fieldhouse was a 109-56 victory over Emporia State on Nov. 11, 2014. In is KU’s 11th 100-point exhibition game under Bill Self.

KANSAS IS …
80-9 all-time in exhibition games, including a 2-0 mark this season … 47-0 in exhibition games at home since 1994 … 58-4 all-time in exhibition games inside Allen Fieldhouse.

SERIES
Kansas leads the all-time exhibition series with Emporia State, 8-0. The Jayhawks are 13-3 against the Hornets during the regular season, dating back to 1904.

Kansas Athletics

Kan. school district awarded $490K from estate after employee embezzlement

Ramon Mosate-courtesy photo
Ramon Mosate-courtesy photo

MAIZE, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas school district has recovered nearly half a million dollars from the estate of a former technology director who’s believed to have embezzled district money before killing himself.

The Wichita Eagle reports a federal judge has awarded the Maize school district roughly $490,000 from Ramon Mosate’s estate. Mosate worked for the district from 1997 until he was fired in February 2015, three months after the FBI executed a search warrant at district headquarters.

An FBI affidavit chronicled years of money transfers and cash payments between Mosate and vendors who were paid more than $4 million for technology-related services.

Maize superintendent Chad Higgins told school employees the award didn’t cover all of what the district lost, but it was positive news at a time of uncertainty on school funding.

Suspicious fire guts gym where Kansas Olympic medalist trains

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A fire has gutted the Wichita gym where Olympic medalist Nico Hernandez trains.

The Wichita Eagle reports the fire was reported Saturday at the Northside Boxing Academy, where Olympic bronze medalist Nico Hernandez trains. No injuries were reported.

Investigators said the fire caused an estimated $75,000 in damages to the structure and contents. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Emiliano Hernandez, the gym manager and Nico Hernandez’s uncle, says the gym also trains 30 to 40 neighborhood boys and adults and has non-profit charity.

Nico Hernandez won his bronze Olympic medal this summer in Rio de Janeiro. His uncle says Nico Hernandez has been training at the gym to stay in shape for the next chapter of his career.

FHSU wrestling has three champions at Oklahoma City Open

Full Results

OKLAHOMA CITY – Fort Hays State had an excellent showing on Sunday when it kicked off the season with three champions and 10 total placers at the Oklahoma City Open. All three Tigers that participated in the open division placed and Jon Inman won the 197-pound class. Brandon Ball (141 pounds) and Christian Lance (285 pounds) claimed titles in the Freshman/Sophomore Division, while five others placed.

Inman, the No. 4 ranked wrestler in the nation at 197 pounds, started the 2016-17 season the right way as he went 3-0 on his way to a first place finish in the Open Division. Inman defeated Oklahoma City’s Riley Fielder with a 12-1 major decision in the opening round. In the semifinals he ousted Greg Wilson of Central Oklahoma with a 3-1 decision to secure a spot in the championship bout. In the finals, seven minutes was not enough to determine a winner as overtime ensued after a 1-1 tie. Inman got the better of Oklahoma State’s Derek White (formerly with University of Nebraska) as he managed an escape to seal the 2-1 win in the first tiebreak session.

Ball claimed first place in the Freshman/Sophomore Division at 141 pounds for FHSU after going 3-0 on the day. After a bye in the first round, Ball claimed a victory in the in the quarterfinal by pinning Oklahoma City’s Matt Landgraff with three seconds remaining in the match. Ball advanced to the semifinals where he defeated Cy Trindle of Central Oklahoma with a 6-0 decision. In the finals Ball was in full command defeating Harrison Bamman of Ouachita Baptist by 14-3 major decision.

Lance took home the title in the Freshman/Sophomore Division heavyweight class. After a 7-3 decision in the first round, Lance went on to pin his next two opponents in 2:08 and 2:57 to advance to the semifinals. There he defeated Ouachita Baptist’s Austin Hailey with a 3-1 decision. In the championship bout Lance got the better of Oklahoma City’s Korey Walker, the No. 3 ranked heavyweight wrestler in NAIA, with another 3-1 decision.

Jacob Kay took second place at 149 pounds in the Open Division by going 2-1 on the day. After a bye in the first round, Kay earned a technical fall over Texas A&M’s Brady Pitzer by shutting him out 17-0. In the semifinal Kay claimed victory once again when he picked up the 12-8 decision over Central Oklahoma’s Will Steltzlen. In the finals, Kay ran into a Division I All-American Geordan Martinez from Oklahoma State, suffering a tech fall. Martinez was a two-time Pac-12 champ and national qualifier, and a 2015-16 All-America performer at Boise State before transferring to Oklahoma State.

Rakim Dean took fourth place in the Open Division at 184 pounds going 3-2 on the day. He started the day with a fall in 6:32 over Jacob King of Oklahoma City then cruised to a 10-3 decision over John Finn of Central Oklahoma. He dropped the semifinal match to Oklahoma State’s Andrew Marsden by fall. Dean received a forfeit in the consolation round only to drop the consolation final to Finn by an early first period fall.

The Tigers had two placers in the Freshman/Sophomore Division at 157 pounds in Efe Osaghae and Greg Tooley. Osaghae took third, going 5-1 on the day, and Tooley was fourth with a 4-1 day. Tooley bowed out of the tournament and did not wrestle Osaghae in the third-place match. Tooley’s wins were impressive, racking up four tech falls (20-1, 18-2, 16-0, and 21-3). Osaghae had two decisions, a fall, a win by injury, and a forfeit win to his collection.

Austin Brandt and Macquille Robinson tied for third place at 174 pounds of the Freshman/Sophomore Division. They did not wrestle the third-place match. Conrad Cole took fourth in the 125-pound class going 4-1 with two falls and a major decision to his credit. He opted not to wrestle the third-place match.

The Tigers are scheduled to compete at the Northern Colorado Open in Greeley, Colorado on Sunday.

FHSU Sports Infromation

2 accused in domestic terror plot rejected by Kan. militia group

Wright, Allen and Stein-photos Sedgwick Co.
Wright, Allen and Stein-photos Sedgwick Co.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas militia group says it rejected two men who are accused of plotting to kill immigrants.

Those two men, Patrick Stein and Gavin Wright, face federal charges accusing them of conspiring with another man, Curtis Allen, in what federal prosecutors said was a domestic terrorism plot targeting immigrants in Garden City. They’ve pleaded not guilty to conspiring to use a weapon of mass destruction.

Miles Evans of the Kansas Flatlanders Militia told The Kansas City Star that Stein and Wright contacted his group. But Evans says their views were too extreme for his group, which he says seeks to serve their communities in times of natural and man-made disasters.

Hunters boost Kansas economy

Corey McAvoy, Offerle, takes aim during Opening Day of pheasant hunting in Kansas
Corey McAvoy, Offerle, takes aim during Opening Day of pheasant hunting in Kansas

KDWPT

PRATT – On Nov. 11, sleepy little towns in western Kansas will transform into centers with crowded motel parking lots, busy streets and packed cafes. If you’re up before dawn on Nov. 12, you’ll see men and women dressed in khaki and orange looking happy, despite the hour, while feeding and watering hunting dogs or grabbing breakfast at the local “Hunters’ Pancake Feed.” Everyone is upbeat because opening day is finally here.

This year’s positive bird forecast has hunters raring to go. But there are others who anticipate this day almost as much: the business owners in these small rural communities. Hunters are good for the Kansas economy.

On the second Saturday in November, 40,000 to 50,000 hunters will be in the field pursuing pheasants and quail in Kansas. Many hunters will have traveled hundreds or thousands of miles to get here and those hunters will spend a minimum of $150 per day on lodging, food and fuel. Most will stay three or four days, and when bird populations are good, the second weekend can be just as busy. When all the revenue generated by hunters in Kansas during the year is added up, it will top $400,000,000.

Josh Konrade, J.J. Konrade, Roger Konrade, Jeff Stauth, Andy Stegman, Brian Stegman, Corey McAvoy, Casey McAvoy, Jay Chamberlain and Connor Chamberlain hunt together in northern Edwards County.
Josh Konrade, J.J. Konrade, Roger Konrade, Jeff Stauth, Andy Stegman, Brian Stegman, Corey McAvoy, Casey McAvoy, Jay Chamberlain and Connor Chamberlain hunt together in northern Edwards County.

The pheasant hunting is expected to be best in northwest and southwest Kansas.

According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, hunting is responsible for nearly 8,000 jobs in Kansas, generating $2.9 million in salaries and wages and $60 million in state and local taxes. Through the purchase of annual hunting licenses and permits, hunters generate more than $20 million and qualify Kansas to receive nearly $10 million in federal aid that is derived from excise taxes on hunting and shooting equipment. The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism’s wildlife programs receive no general tax funding, so hunters pay for all wildlife conservation and law enforcement efforts.

1 killed in Kansas mobile home fire

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A fire broke out in a Topeka mobile home, killing one person.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports the fire was reported Saturday in a mobile home near Forbes Field in south Topeka.

Shawnee Heights Fire District Capt. Ken Balsmeier says the victim was found dead inside the structure. The victim’s identity hasn’t been released.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

No. 21 FHSU men’s soccer shutouts No. 12 Lindenwood in regular season finale

ST. CHARLES, Mo. – The 21st-ranked Fort Hays State men’s soccer team ended the regular season with a big 2-0 win over 12th-ranked Lindenwood on Sunday. With the victory the Tigers improve to 13-4-1 overall and 6-2 in the MIAA. Lindenwood, the MIAA regular season champion, suffered its only conference loss of the season. The Lions end the regular season with an overall record of 13-3-2 and a conference record of 7-1.

Derick Gonzalez started the scoring for FHSU as he recorded his 10th goal of the season in the 12th minute. After receiving a ball from Mauricio Castorino, Gonzalez ripped a shot from about 25 yards out that found the upper right 90. Maurizio Costa extended the Tiger lead at the 68:10 mark when he found the back of the net for the eighth time this season. Costa found himself in a one-on-one with the goalkeeper after taking a pass from Arsenio Chamorro. With the advantage Costa buried the shot easily and the Tigers cruised to the 2-0 win.

Alex Rodela picked up his second shutout of the season and remains unbeaten this year, now 5-0. He kept the Tigers in front by making five saves on the day.

The Tigers await postseason news on Monday night during the NCAA Tournament Selection Show. Lindenwood and FHSU have separated from the rest of the Central Region field and are likely to be the two representatives from the region chosen for the NCAA Tournament. Now it’s just a matter of where they will play as the NCAA will choose which team gets the top seed. Both teams finished with 13 wins and went 1-1 against each other in head-to-head play.

To watch the tournament selection show Monday night at 5:30 pm, CLICK HERE.

Chiefs shut down Bortles, Jaguars to escape with win

Chiefs LogoKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) – The Kansas City Chiefs stuffed the offensively inept Jacksonville Jaguars on fourth down with less than 2 minutes left deep in their own territory on Sunday, preserving a 19-14 victory despite finishing without five offensive starters.

Nick Foles threw for 187 yards and a first-half touchdown toss to Albert Wilson, and helped to set up four field goals by Cairo Santos, as Kansas City (6-2) won its 10th consecutive home game.

Meanwhile, the Jaguars (2-6) couldn’t overcome four turnovers – including a fumble at the goal line in the fourth quarter – in their first game with quarterback coach Nathaniel Hackett directing the offense .

Blake Bortles threw for 252 yards and two touchdowns with a pick, showing little improvement after a week spent with his personal coach, Adam Dedeaux . His wide receivers hardly helped him, dropping several passes, including an early fourth-down throw that cost Jacksonville a chance at points.

Chris Ivory rumbled for 107 yards in the biggest bright spot for Jacksonville, but he fumbled going over the goal-line with 8:28 left in the game. The Jaguars quickly got the ball back, and Bortles hit T.J. Yeldon to get within 19-14 with 4:10 to go, but the extra time it took to score proved costly.

They got the ball back with 3:01 remaining, and a long scamper by Bortles gave them a chance. But his pass on fourth-and-3 at the Kansas City 32 was batted to the ground and the Chiefs ran out the clock.

They played the whole way without quarterback Alex Smith and running back Spencer Ware, who were out with concussions, and offensive guard Parker Ehinger, who went on injured reserve with a knee injury.

Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin hurt his groin on the Chiefs’ first series and did not return, and tight end Travis Kelce was tossed from the game in the fourth quarter after arguing over a pass interference no-call, then tossing his towel at the official as if it was a flag.

Their lackluster offense didn’t matter the way the Chiefs’ defense was playing.

INJURIES

Jaguars wide receiver Allen Hurns left early in the second half with an ankle injury. He returned to the game, only to sustain a concussion while trying to make a catch later in the half.

LONG TRIP NOWHERE

Chiefs running back Knile Davis played after re-signing with Kansas City on Saturday. Davis was traded to Green Bay three weeks ago, cut after two games and signed with the New York Jets. He was cut again hours later, allowing him to return to Kansas City.

UP NEXT: The Jaguars return home to face the Texans on Sunday, while the Chiefs expect to have Alex Smith back when they visit Carolina.

Kansas soldier among 3 killed in Jordan

Staff Sgt. Matthew C. Lewellyn -Photo U.S. Army
Staff Sgt. Matthew C. Lewellyn -Photo U.S. Army

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — A U.S. official described the shooting deaths of three U.S. military trainers in Jordan as a “very tragic incident.”

The Americans were killed Friday while driving into an air base in southern Jordan. A Jordanian was wounded.

Brett McGurk, White House envoy to the U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State extremists, said Jordan’s King Abdullah II expressed condolences in a meeting Sunday. McGurk says an investigation is continuing.

McGurk praised Jordan’s role in the fight against IS, which holds territory in neighboring Syria and Iraq.

He says that “nothing will come between Jordan and the United States.”

U.S. officials identified the three as 27-year-old Staff Sgt. Matthew C. Lewellen, of Lawrence, Kansas; 30-year-old Staff Sgt. Kevin J. McEnroe of Tucson, Arizona; and 27-year-old Staff Sgt. James F. Moriarty of Kerrville, Texas.

————–

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Defense Department has identified three soldiers killed in a shooting this week outside a military base in Jordan.

The department said in a release Sunday that 27-year-old Staff Sgt. Matthew C. Lewellen, of Lawrence, Kansas; 30-year-old Staff Sgt. Kevin J. McEnroe of Tucson, Arizona; and 27-year-old Staff Sgt. James F. Moriarty of Kerrville, Texas, died Friday after the convoy they were in came under fire as it entered a Jordanian military base.

The Defense Department said it’s investigating.

Moriarty’s death previously was announced by family members.

The department says the soldiers were assigned to the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and were supporting Operation Inherent Resolve.

The public affairs office for U.S. Army Special Operations Command didn’t immediately return a call seeking additional comment Sunday.

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