The Memorial Service held on Liberty Island to commemorate those who perished in the Iliad Helicarrier crash in late October descended into utter chaos this morning. World Security Council Secretary Alexander Pierce had only begun his address honoring the fallen crew when shots rang out at approximately 11:25 AM EST, resulting in widespread panic among those in attendance. However, the area was quickly locked down by a joint effort between S.H.I.E.L.D. security agents and NYPD, who had been requested to standby, preventing further violence.
As of press time, the tragedy has claimed Secretary Pierce as its only victim. He was pronounced dead at Mount Sinai Hospital earlier this afternoon, and pending a full report from the City’s Medical Examiner, the World Security Council has issued a statement indicating the possibility that the shooting was a premeditated assassination attempt.
Currently, sources inside S.H.I.E.L.D. and the NYPD confirm that an investigation into the incident has already begun; however, there is currently no evidence that accurately identifies the suspect, who is believed to still be at large. To aid in the investigation, the NYPD have released the above image, and urge anyone who may have knowledge or evidence that could lead to the apprehension of Alexander Pierce’s killer contact 311.
Bugle readers will recall that following the wreck of S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier Iliad in New York’s Upper Bay in late October, both Captain Steven Rogers and Sergeant James Barnes remain wanted at large by local and federal authorities for their involvement in the crash, which claimed nearly a thousand lives. Since then, the World Security Council continues to enthusiastically back S.H.I.E.L.D.’s implementation of the so-called “Superhuman Registration Act” (the ACCORDS), despite rising tension between the enhanced and civilian communities and continued opposition from several charitable and humanitarian organizations.
However, a recent report released by Stark Industries indicates an overwhelmingly positive response to the ACCORDS’ registration efforts, with over 198 enhanced individuals already included in their confidential database within New York alone. Conversely, the Hart Island Prison has seen a recent surge in inmate population, due in part to S.H.I.E.L.D.’s continued ‘Clean Streets’ enforcement efforts. The Oscorp-funded penitentiary’s records show an estimated total of 435 inmates from across the country. With projections showing that this number may not decrease any time soon, a source close to the prison’s advisory board told The Daily Bugle there’s a possibility that the facility may expand in the near future.