death

Teen shooting victim’s death mourned at county school

Teen shooting victim’s death mourned at county school

Pedro Ortiz-Perez (Courtesy photo) Southwestern Randolph sophomore played on soccer team ASHEBORO – Southwestern Randolph High School has been mourning the loss of 16-year Pedro Ortiz-Perez, who was the victim of a fatal shooting earlier this month. Ortiz-Perez died May 14 from injuries sustained in the incident near North Asheboro Park, Asheboro police said. Ortiz-Perez was injured in a shooting May 3 and transported to the emergency room at Randolph Hospital by vehicle with a gunshot wound to the jaw and neck. He was later transferred to UNC Medical Center in Chapel Hill, where he had remained in critical condition. Ortiz-Perez…
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NC Zoo mourns giraffe calf Fenn

NC Zoo mourns giraffe calf Fenn

ASHEBORO — The North Carolina Zoo announced the untimely death of Fenn, the beloved six-month-old giraffe calf, whose birth and presence at the zoo delighted individuals around the world. A grief counselor was brought in to support staff members as they navigate the emotions associated with the tragic loss. Fenn was nursing when he was startled by another giraffe. He bolted, colliding with a nearby gate and falling to the ground. Unfortunately, Fenn sustained head and neck trauma from the fall and passed away in the late evening on Dec. 13, despite rapid medical intervention from veterinary staff. Fenn was born…
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North Carolina Zoo mourns loss of polar bear Payton

North Carolina Zoo mourns loss of polar bear Payton

The North Carolina Zoo announced the loss of male polar bear Payton on Oct. 25. Payton was being transferred to the Louisville Zoo in Kentucky as part of a polar bear breeding partnership recommended by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). During the transfer, the care team, which accompanied Payton, performed routine checks on the 1,000-pound bear. Less than two hours into the trip, the team found Payton unresponsive. He was immediately transported to a nearby large animal veterinarian, who confirmed Payton had passed. The bear was returned to the North Carolina Zoo, where a necropsy was conducted by…
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