5 Things to Know This Wednesday Dec. 12
By: ABC News
Updated: December 12, 2012
1. Police Tentatively Identify Oregon Shooter
Police have tentatively identified a shooter who opened fire at a busy shopping mall in Porland, Oregon on Tuesday afternoon. At least three people were killed, including the gunman from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
2. Rain Soaks Florida, Floods Areas
Up to 10 inches of rain fell in parts of Florida on Tuesday, flooding mall parking lots, homes and gas stations in a matter of hours. Miami is just 2.5 inches away from setting a record for its wettest year in recorded history. More flooding is possible today.
Federal prosecutors say two Alabama men have been arrested on terrorism charges. The FBI says the men planned to travel from the U.S. to Mauritania with intent to prepare to wage violent jihad.
4. North Korean Missile Launched
Officials from the North American Aerospace Defense Command acknowledged that U.S. missile warning systems tracked the launch of a North Korean missile on Tuesday night local time. The missile or its debris was never a threat to North America.
5. Top Vatican Astronomer Says World Won't End
The top astronomer at the Vatican says that, despite predictions, the world will not end in 10 days. The Rev. Jose Funes says "it's not even worth discussing" the idea that based on the Mayan calendar, the apocalypse will not come on Dec. 21.
