Infant hostage rescued from captor after 4-hour standoff

An infant has been safely rescued by St. Petersburg authorities after a hostage situation this morning. The captor was the child’s father.

According to a press release from the St. Pete Police Department, Matthew Perkins left his home in a pick-up truck after a domestic dispute at 11:39 p.m., taking the 3-year-old boy with him.

With the help of a Pinellas County Sheriff’s helicopter, officers were able to locate them at Gandy Boulevard and Interstate 275, where Perkins crashed the truck. Authorities closed all lanes on Gandy and began a series of failed attempts at negotiation.

This is video given to us by the @StPetePD of the 3 YO child being carried away from the truck his dad barricaded the both of them in all morning. SWAT team did a fantastic job getting this little boy to safety. Matthew Perkins, the boy’s father, has been arrested. @abcactionnews pic.twitter.com/saH6T2t22O

— HeatherLeighWFTS (@HLeighWFTS) October 25, 2022

After a 4-hour standoff, at about 4:30 a.m., officers decided to move in as concerns for the well-being of the child rose. The child was safely extracted, and Perkins was taken into custody facing a number of charges, including two counts of kidnapping, aggravated assault and child abuse.

DeSantis, Crist debate marked by vivid crowd, personal attacks

Gov. Ron DeSantis faced off with Democrat candidate Charlie Crist last night for Florida’s sole gubernatorial debate.

Throughout the night, both candidates engaged in heated debate, tackling topics like hurricane relief and COVID-19. The crowd responded with cheers and boos after every take.

The highlight, however, came as Crist challenged DeSantis’ intent to serve a full 4-year term as governor, hinting that the Republican has his sights set on the oval office.

i am just catching up on the DeSantis-Crist debate and OMG

Crist: "Yes or no, Ron. Will you serve a full four year term if you're reelected governor of Florida? It's not a tough question. It's a fair question. He won't tell ya."

DeSantis: *looks like he's malfunctioning* pic.twitter.com/y1fnua6ZQj

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 25, 2022

DeSantis clapped back at Crist, saying “the only worn-out old donkey I’m looking to put out the pasture is Charlie Crist.”

After Desantis calls Crist a “worn out old donkey I’m looking to put out to pasture,” Crist responds by pointing how out Desantis likes to call people names and bully people, like when he yelled at little kids to take their masks off at a press conference. pic.twitter.com/g6WNZGeXuf

— Ron Filipkowski 🇺🇦 (@RonFilipkowski) October 25, 2022

The election is set to take place on Nov. 8. Early voting is already taking place in some counties.

Credits

Anchor: Diego Adesso 
Producer: Eduardo Reksiedler 
Reporters: Gabe Glassman, Kacie Crown, Diego Adesso, Leali Shalabi 
Teleprompter: Leali Shalabi 
Graphics: Kacie Crown 
Video Editor: Antonio Delucca 
Cameras: Gabe Glassman 
Web Editor: Eduardo Reksiedler 
Web Managing Editor: Chrisovaladou Pantelis 
Graduate Assistant: McKenzie Muskett 
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Stephanie Anderson, Wayne Garcia