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Video: White Army Sergeant Assaults Young Black Man For Walking On Public Sidewalk

Deandre being harassed by U.S. Army

Deandre being harassed by Sergeant First Class Jonathan Pentland
Deandre and Sergeant First Class Jonathan Pentland (screen capture)
UPDATE: According to the Command Sergeant Major at Fort Jackson, SFC Jonathan Pentland has been charged by the Richland County Sheriff’s Department just hours after video of his encounter with a young Black man named Deandre went viral on social media. The sheriff confirmed Jonathan Pentland has been arrested and charged with third-degree assault and battery. That charge carries a maximum penalty of a $500 fine or 30 days in jail.

What in the hell??? The aggressive man in the video below is reportedly Sergeant First Class Jonathan Pentland, who is being investigated over a viral video incident that took place in Columbia, South Carolina. The 42-year-old Pentland, currently based at Fort Jackson in Columbia, was identified by social media users on Tuesday, April 13, 2021, a day after the video was posted online.

SFC Jonathan Pentland in a photo by the US Army
SFC Jonathan Pentland (image via US Army/Heavy.com)
In the video, Pentland can be seen pushing, threatening and yelling at a young Black male, who has been identified as Deandre, in the Columbia neighborhood where Pentland lives. There’s no indication in the video as to what precipitated the altercation. The incident apparently took place on a public sidewalk in the Lakes at Barony Place development in the Summit neighborhood of Columbia. Pentland continually questions Deandre as to where he lives as he orders the young man over and over to leave the neighborhood, “You’re in the wrong neighborhood, mother-f*cker. Get out!”

The video was posted on Facebook by a Columbia woman, Shirell Johnson, who said she was walking in the neighborhood with a friend on Monday night, April 12, 2021, when they saw the incident unfolding. Johnson says the video was recorded by a “young lady,” Shadae, and given to her to post online. Johnson said she, Shadae and her friend did not know Deandre before Monday night. She adds that when the police arrived on the scene Deandre was informed Pentland could only be charged with “malicious injury to property” for slapping Deandre’s phone out of his hand and cracking the screen. But no assault charge even with the video recording. Facebook post by Shirell Johnson Twitter got the video to Fort Jackson Commanding General Milford Beagle Jr. who tweeted, “This is by no means condoned by any service member. We will get to the bottom of this ASAP.”

Beagle followed up with a post on Facebook: Fort Jackson spokesperson L.A. Sully told the Charleston Post and Courier in a statement, “This type of behavior is not consistent with our Army Values and will not be condoned. We have begun our own investigation and are working with the local authorities.”

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Officer Charged With 2nd Degree Manslaughter In Shooting Of Unarmed Black Man

Kim Potter, who shot and killed Duante Wright, has been charged with second-degree manslaughter

Kim Potter, who shot and killed Daunte Wright, has been charged with second-degree manslaughter
L-R Kim Potter, Daunte Wright
CBS News reports that Kim Potter, the former Brooklyn Center police officer who shot and killed 20-year-old Daunte Wright, will be charged with second-degree manslaughter.

Potter, a 26-year veteran who killed Wright, 20, resigned on Tuesday, along with the city’s police chief, officials said.

Wright’s killing has sparked nights of protests and more than 60 arrests were made overnight following clashes with law enforcement, CBS Minnesota reported.

On Monday, Police Chief Tim Gannon said Potter meant to use her Taser but instead grabbed her gun. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating the fatal shooting.

Potter was reportedly taken into custody this morning at 11:30 a.m. The charge of second-degree manslaughter has a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine. Many have questioned how a 26-year veteran police officer could confuse a gun and a taser which, according to reports, feel, look, and weigh very differently. “Tasers are often produced in bright colors, or with neon accents, to distinguish them from pistols,” reports the New York Times. “The Brooklyn Center Police Department manual cites the Glock 17, 19 and 26 as standard-issue for the department. All three pistol models weigh significantly more than a typical Taser.”

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Colton Underwood Of ‘The Bachelor’ Comes Out In Emotional Interview

Colton Underwood of 'The Bachelor' comes out as gay

Colton Underwood of 'The Bachelor' comes out as gay Former ‘Bachelor’ star Colton Underwood came out as gay in an interview with Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts this morning. Underwood, who was a former pro football player prior to his time on ‘The Bachelor,’ said the past year of pandemic quarantine led to face some truths about himself. From GMA:

“I’ve ran from myself for a long time. I’ve hated myself for a long time,” Underwood told Roberts in a pre-taped chat. “And I’m gay. And I came to terms with that earlier this year and have been processing it. And the next step in all of this was sort of letting people know.”

“I’m still nervous, but yeah,” he continued. “It’s been a journey for sure.”

Underwood said he finally got to a place where he could be honest with himself after 2020, the year that turned everyone’s lives upside down, and made people “look at themselves in the mirror and figure out who they are and what they’ve been running from or what they’ve been putting off in their lives.”

When Roberts, who is also openly gay, said she could “see the joy” and “see the relief” in Underwood, he said he was “emotional in, like such a good, happy, positive way,” and is “the happiest and healthiest” he’s ever been.

The nervousness in Underwood’s voice is palpable as he gets to the words “I’m gay.” Having gone through my own coming out process years ago, I immediately felt that rush of nerves and emotion that happens for people in that moment. And then I tried to imagine being someone known by millions and handling such a personal life episode in such a public forum. Bachelor Nation, as the fandom of the franchise is called, first met Underwood when he was a contestant during the 14th season of “The Bachelorette” in 2018. He reappeared on the 4th season of “Bachelor in Paradise,” and was then the lead of season 23 of ‘The Bachelor’ were he was famously nicknamed the ‘Virgin Bachelor.’ “I fully was a virgin before that, and I could never give anybody a good enough answer about why I was a virgin,” says Underwood about  his “Virgin Bachelor” status during his time on the show. “The truth is I was the ‘Virgin Bachelor’ because I was gay, and I didn’t know how to handle it.”

Colton Underwood sits down with GMA's Robin Roberts
Colton Underwood sits down with GMA’s Robin Roberts
Since his time on the show, Underwood continued to give interviews saying ‘The Bachelor’ helped him realize that he was not gay after many in his life had questioned if he were gay since he was a football player and a virgin. Last year, he released his book The First Time: Finding Myself and Looking for Love on Reality TV where he shared having questioned his sexuality through his teen years, after relentless bullying from teammates. In the book,  he remembers searching online “Am I gay?” as far back as elementary school. Today, it seems Colton Underwood has moved past those personal demons. “I’m still the same Colton everybody met on TV. I’m still the same Colton to my friends and my family, I just happen to be able to share with people now all of me,” he tells Roberts. “And I am proud of that, you know? I am proud to be gay.”  

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News Round-Up: April 13, 2021

Tucson Police Chief Chris Magnus

Tucson Police Chief Chris Magnus
Tucson Police Chief Chris Magnus (photo: city of Tucson)
Some news items you might have missed: • The Advocate: President Joe Biden is nominating Tucson, Ariz., Police Chief Chris Magnus, a gay man and an advocate for progressive policing policies, to be commissioner of Customs and Border Protection. Magnus would be the first out member of the LGBTQ+ community to lead CPB, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security. Magnus made national headlines for his support for the Black Lives Matter movement and for his criticisms of former President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. • Out: The hit British reality series ‘Love Island’ has teamed with Tinder to find straight and gay islanders for their upcoming season. • Fox News: Speaking on the “Today” show, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson confirmed his position that if the American people truly want him to run for president, he’ll do it. “I do have that goal to unite our country,” he told host Willie Geist. “I also feel that, if this is what the people want, then I will do that.”

• Pink News: Joe Biden’s senior LGBT+ advisor, Reggie Greer, says the White House is focused on “educating people” in its approach to getting the landmark Equality Act passed into law. • Sun-Sentinel: Silversea Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Lines have both announced they will require COVID-19 vaccinations for all passengers when it resumes global itineraries on June 5. The decision could set up a confrontation with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis who has issued an executive order barring businesses in Florida from requiring proof of vaccinations. • Instinct Magazine: So-called ‘White Lives Matter’ rallies led by tragic Trump supporters flopped all over the country this past weekend. My Instinct colleague Corey Andrew writes, “In a blaring example of the public’s discontent with these vile people and all they represent, the turnout at these rallies across the country was far less than impressive.” https://www.instagram.com/p/CNk_ge1h5Sy/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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Pro Bowler Picks Up 7-10 Split On National TV

Anthony Neuer makes history at Pro Bowlers U.S. Open

Anthony Neuer makes history at Pro Bowlers U.S. Open
Anthony Neuer makes history at Pro Bowlers U.S. Open
I spent much of my childhood in bowling alleys. It was the only sport I was ever actually good at. My god mother was a pro-bowler, and she would take me to tournaments where I loved hanging out with the major players of the Professional Women’s Bowling Association. At the age of 14, my bowling average was something like 209 and I considered maybe going pro myself. But, anyway… All that to say: anyone who’s ever rolled a ball down an alley can appreciate this accomplishment by the ‘Ginger Assassin,’ Anthony Neuer. Neuer converted the 7-10 split on national television marking only the fourth time in TV history that’s happened. AND, the first time in 30 years. USA Today reports the moment came Sunday during Neuer’s semi-final matchup at the U.S. Open. Despite the amazing feat, the 18-year-old would go on to lose the game to 26-year-old Jakob Butturff 257-203. Still, give it up for Neuer. If you’ve never seen it done, check it out below.

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CDC Hits Pause On Johnson &Johnson Vaccine

Image of a vaccine shot

Image of a vaccine shot The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention hit the pause button for injections of the Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine after 6 women developed a rare blood clotting disease. From the New York Times:

All six were women between the ages of 18 and 48 and all developed the illness within one to three weeks of vaccination. One woman died and a second woman in Nebraska has been hospitalized in critical condition.

As of Monday, nearly seven million people in the United States have received Johnson & Johnson shots so far without any other serious adverse reactions reported, and roughly nine million more doses have been shipped out to the states, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

At this point, there’s no hard evidence there’s a connection between the blood clotting and the J&J vaccine. With 6 patients out of nearly 7 million vaccinated with the vaccine, experts point out the odds of getting COVID-19 are far greater. But, the development is sure to cause even more vaccine hesitancy in those who were already unsure about getting vaccinated. There are no reports that the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines – which are based on a different scientific approach – have been connected to similar blood clotting.

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Police Officer & Chief Both Resign After Deadly Shooting Of Unarmed Black Man

Brooklyn Center Mayor Mike Elliott

Brooklyn Center Mayor Mike Elliott Brooklyn Center police officer Kim Potter, the officer who shot 20-year-old Daunte Wright, resigned from her position Tuesday, effective immediately. The police chief, Tim Gannon, also tendered his resignation. From the local NBC News affiliate KARE11:

In a letter to Brooklyn Center Mayor Mike Elliott, Acting City Manager Reggie Edwards and Police Chief Tim Gannon, Potter wrote:

“I am tendering my resignation from the Brooklyn Center Police Department immediately. I have loved every minute of being a police officer and serving this community to the best of my ability, but I believe it is in the best interest of the community, the department and my fellow officers if I resign immediately.”

Elliott said the city did not ask Potter to resign, and that it was a decision she made herself. The mayor said he hasn’t officially accepted Potter’s resignation, and that the city is completing its internal process “to make sure we’re being accountable to the step that we need to take.”

Elliott would not comment on whether Gannon gave a reasoning behind his resignation.

Kim Potter, who shot and killed a 20-year-old Black man, resigned from the Brooklyn Center Police Dept No word on if Potter will be arrested for the homicide of Daunte Wright any time soon. It also came to light today that none of the 49 members of the Brooklyn Center Police Department live in Brooklyn Center.

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Song Of The Day: Mary Chapin Carpenter ‘Beautiful Racket’

Mary Chapin Carpenter performs 'Songs from Home' during the pandemic

Mary Chapin Carpenter performs 'Songs from Home' during the pandemic
Mary Chapin Carpenter (screen capture via Instagram)
Longtime readers know I’m a huge fan of Mary Chapin Carpenter. Balancing catchy melodies with lyrics that explore our ever-evolving human condition, Mary Chapin has enjoyed a faithful fanbase for over 3 decades. The 5-time Grammy Award winner is the only artist to have won four consecutive Grammy Awards for Best Female Country Vocal Performance (1992 to 1995). With more than 12 million records worldwide, Carpenter was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame on October 7, 2012, Her most successful album to date remains 1992’s Come On Come On, which scored 7 charting country singles and was certified quadruple platinum selling more than 4 million copies. I happened to hit play on her ‘Beautiful Racket’ this morning as I was getting ready for the day. With so much going on in all of our lives – between ‘getting it done’ at work and at home, paying attention to the news landscape, and more – the song landed for me as it cites the constant opposing forces we cope with.

And a beautiful racket, in whispers and roars The bitter and sweet, between the truces and the wars The noise and the quiet, the courage and the fear And all of the wisdom between a smile and a tear

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News Round-Up: April 12, 2021

Nigel Shelby

Nigel Shelby
Nigel Shelby
Some news items you might have missed: • The Advocate: The parents of a Huntsville, Ala., teen Nigel Shelby – who killed himself in 2019 after being bullied at school for being gay – are now suing that school district. They allege that school officials knew their son was considering taking his life. • Kenneth-in-the-212: The NYC-based blog has a new weekly feature – ‘Manspread Monday.’ You know you want to hit that link… 🙂

• Buzzfeed: This hilarious SNL skit about period lesbian dramas is so accurate it hurts. “My parents died before I was born.” “Mine too.”

• Variety: Nomadland dominated at the BAFTA Film Awards, where the Frances McDormand-led road movie picked up four prizes including lead actress, cinematography, director, and best film. • Bloomberg News: Video chat on you TV? Apple is working on a product that would combine an Apple TV set-top box with a HomePod speaker and include a camera for video conferencing through a connected TV and other smart-home functions. • Detroit Free Press: Ted Nugent, the aging rocker, mocked health guidelines regarding the COVID-19 pandemic in a recent Facebook video asking, “Why weren’t we shut down for COVID one through 18?” Of course, the coronavirus that has killed close to 560,000 people in the U.S. was named for the year in which the first infection was reported — 2019.

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New Music: Kat Cunning ‘Could Be Good’

Alt-pop artist Kat Cunning

Alt-pop artist Kat Cunning
Alt-pop artist Kat Cunning (promo photo)
Alt-pop artist Kat Cunning recently released her upbeat, downtempo single “Could Be Good” today reminding us to focus on the light around us, not the dark. “’Could Be Good’ is a portrait of the optimism that kept life rich for me this past crazy year,” Kat says of the new track. “I wrote it in a swing of hope as I was falling in love during the pandemic and the lyrics are an intimate retelling of some of those special little moments.”

The non-binary actor and singer shares they would “love for it to inspire hope and courage for others to take a risk.” “There was a lot of darkness in 2020, but this song is a snapshot of the light,” adds Cunning. “Could Be Good” comes a week and a half after Kat Cunning teamed up with The Ally Coalition for Give A Yes! (G.A.Y.), a voicemail bank where fans can leave messages of encouragement, affirmation and hope at (971) 202-0021. Later this Spring, these voice messages of love will be compiled and featured on GiveAYes.com. Hit play to check out “Could Be Good” above. You can follow Kat Cunning on Instagram here. https://www.instagram.com/p/CNffdKnjay7/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link