Month: January 2026

An Illinois doctor accused of killing his ex-wife and her current husband in their Columbus, Ohio, home is now facing more serious charges, as authorities prepare to return him to Ohio for prosecution.

Michael David McKee, 39, has been charged with two counts of premeditated aggravated murder in connection with the Dec. 30 shooting deaths of Monique Tepe, 39, and her husband, Spencer Tepe, 37, according to Franklin County court records. McKee was arrested Saturday in Rockford, Illinois, after investigators linked him to a vehicle captured on surveillance footage near the crime scene.

The Tepes were discovered shot to death inside their Weinland Park home on North Fourth Street when Columbus police conducted a wellness check after Spencer Tepe, a dentist, failed to report to work. A co-worker called 911 and told dispatchers, “He is always on time, and he would contact us if there were any issues whatsoever. I don’t know how else to say this, but we are very, very concerned because this is out of character. And we can’t get in touch with his wife, which is probably the more concerning thing.” Police found no signs of forced entry and did not locate a weapon at the scene. Spencer Tepe had been shot multiple times, while Monique Tepe suffered at least one gunshot wound to the chest. Investigators believe the killings occurred between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. on Dec. 30. Their two children, a 1-year-old boy and a 4-year-old girl, were found in the home unharmed along with the family dog.

McKee appeared briefly in Winnebago County Court on Monday wearing a yellow jail uniform, with his hands and feet restrained. He did not speak during the hearing beyond stating his name. His attorney, public defender Carie Poirier, said McKee intends to plead not guilty and has waived extradition in order to be transferred quickly to Ohio. A status hearing on the transfer is scheduled for Jan. 19. The Columbus Police Department had previously released video of a hooded individual walking in an alley near the Tepe’s residence that night but have not confirmed whether McKee is the person shown, citing the ongoing investigation.

McKee and Monique Tepe were married in 2015 and divorced in 2017 after less than two years together. Court records show the divorce was granted on grounds of incompatibility, with no children from the marriage and no spousal support awarded. Monique later married Spencer Tepe in December 2020.

McKee, a vascular surgeon, holds medical licenses in Illinois and California and previously practiced in Nevada. His former hospital employer in Rockford, OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center, said it is cooperating with authorities. There are no known disciplinary actions on his medical record.

In a statement, family members of the Tepes said regarding McKee’s arrest: “Today’s arrest represents an important step toward justice for Monique and Spencer. Nothing can undo the devastating loss of two lives taken far too soon, but we are grateful to the City of Columbus Police Department, its investigators, and assisting law enforcement community. … As the case proceeds, we trust the justice system to hold the person responsible fully accountable.”

In a separate statement, Spencer Tepe’s brother-in-law Rob Misleh said, “Monique and Spencer remain at the center of our hearts, and we carry forward their love as we surround and protect the two children they leave behind. We will continue to honor their lives and the light they brought into this world.”

McKee remains held in the Winnebago County Jail as arrangements are made for his transfer to Franklin County, where prosecutors will pursue the upgraded charges.

Editorial credit: Eric Glenn / Shutterstock.com

President Donald Trump is reviewing a broad set of options for responding to Iran’s violent suppression of nationwide protests, as human rights groups report that more than 500 people have been killed and thousands detained during weeks of unrest.

U.S. officials say the president has been briefed on preliminary plans that include potential military strikes as well as non-military measures such as cyber operations, economic pressure and expanded sanctions. No final decision has been made, and there have been no U.S. troop movements signaling imminent action, per CNN.

The protests, which erupted in late December over the collapse of Iran’s currency and soaring inflation, have evolved into one of the most serious challenges to the Islamic Republic in decades. Demonstrators are now openly demanding the removal of the ruling clerical establishment. Iran has faced inflation above 50% and a rapidly devaluing rial, trading at more than 1.4 million to the dollar.

The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency has reported at least 538 deaths, while Iran Human Rights, a Norway-based group, cited unverified accounts suggesting the toll could be higher. The same activists group estimates that more than 10,600 people have been arrested across 574 locations in 185 cities. Iran has not released official figures. An ongoing internet blackout has severely limited independent reporting. Amnesty International said the shutdown appears intended “to hide the true extent of the grave human rights violations and crimes under international law they are carrying out to crush nationwide protests.”

Trump has issued repeated warnings to Tehran, saying U.S. involvement would be triggered if authorities escalated violence against protesters. Speaking last week at the White House, the President said if Iran began “killing people like they have in the past, we would get involved .. We’ll be hitting them very hard where it hurts,” stressing that action would not mean “boots on the ground.” On social media, Trump voiced support for demonstrators, writing: “Iran is looking at FREEDOM, perhaps like never before. The USA stands ready to help!!!” The State Department echoed that message, saying, “Do not play games with President Trump. When he says he’ll do something, he means it.”

Iranian leaders have responded with sharp warnings. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said Sunday that U.S. and Israeli targets in the region would be considered legitimate if Iran were attacked. “If the United States launches a military attack, both the occupied territory and U.S. military and maritime centers will be our legitimate targets,” he said, adding, “Within the framework of legitimate defense, we do not limit ourselves to reacting after an attack.” Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, dismissed U.S. threats, writing on X: “Our enemies don’t know Iran. In the past, the US failed due to their flawed planning. Today too, their flawed scheming will cause them to fail.”

In Washington, lawmakers remain divided. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., warned that U.S. military involvement would be a “massive mistake,” arguing it would allow Tehran to blame foreign interference rather than its own failures. Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., said bombing Iran could rally public support around the regime, while Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., cited the long shadow of the 1953 U.S.-backed coup in Iran. Others have taken a harder line. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., urged Trump to “embolden the protesters and scare the hell out of the regime,” saying, “If I were you, Mr. President, I would kill the leadership that are killing the people.”

Editorial credit: tanitost / Shutterstock.com

Authorities have taken a suspect into custody following a predawn fire that tore through Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, Mississippi, causing extensive damage to the state’s largest and only synagogue in the city. Investigators say the blaze was intentionally set, and the FBI is assisting local officials as they examine whether the attack qualifies as a hate crime.

The fire broke out shortly after 3 a.m. on Saturday. Jackson Fire Chief Charles Felton said investigators believe the fire started in the synagogue’s library before spreading toward the sanctuary. Fire officials said they quickly contained the blaze and extinguished the flames, confirming that no one was inside the building at the time, and no injuries were reported among congregants.  Images from the scene showed severe destruction in the synagogue’s library and administrative offices, where multiple Torah scrolls were either destroyed or badly damaged. Smoke and soot spread throughout the building, leaving the sanctuary’s floors, walls and ceilings coated in ash. Congregation leaders said that Two Torahs stored in the library were destroyed, while others are being evaluated for smoke exposure.  One Torah that survived the Holocaust, kept behind glass, was not harmed. Felton noted that the extent of smoke damage means the congregation will not be able to return to the building for some time, and will need to temporarily relocate its services.

Mayor John Horhn confirmed that a person was detained following a joint investigation involving city authorities, the FBI and the Joint Terrorism Task Force. Officials have not released the suspect’s name or motive, citing the ongoing inquiry. Fire investigators said the individual was found at a local hospital with non-life-threatening burn injuries and is expected to face arson charges once medically cleared. Horhn said in a statement: “Acts of antisemitism, racism, and religious hatred are attacks on Jackson as a whole and will be treated as acts of terror against residents’ safety and freedom to worship. Targeting people because of their faith, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation is morally wrong, un-American, and completely incompatible with the values of this city.”

Beth Israel Congregation holds deep historical significance. The synagogue was bombed by the Ku Klux Klan in 1967 because of its involvement in civil rights efforts, according to the Institute of Southern Jewish Life, which is headquartered in the same building. Michele Schipper, CEO of the Institute of Southern Jewish Life and a past president of the congregation, said in a statement “We’re all devastated, but we are ready to rebuild, and with the support and outreach from our community, we will continue to be a vibrant Jewish community in Jackson, Mississippi. The Institute of Southern Jewish Life also emphasized the outpouring of local support. “As Jackson’s only synagogue, Beth Israel is a beloved institution, and it is the fellowship of our neighbors and extended community that will see us through,” the organization said in a statement.

Jewish advocacy groups condemned the fire, pointing to a broader rise in antisemitic incidents nationwide. “This wasn’t random vandalism — it was a deliberate, targeted attack on the Jewish community,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League. “That it has been attacked again, amid a surge of antisemitic incidents across the US, is a stark reminder: antisemitic violence is escalating, and it demands total condemnation and swift action from everyone.”

Despite the destruction, the congregation has vowed to continue to rebuild, and local churches have offered space for services, including Shabbat observances, while repairs are underway. Synagogue president Zach Shemper said:“We are a resilient people. With the support from the community, we will rebuild. Beth Israel Congregation has been the Jewish spiritual home in Jackson, MS for over 160 years.”

Editorial credit: Matt Gush / Shutterstock.com