bureau. good evening, i'm kristen sze. >> and i'm dan ashley. thanks for joining us. the president says this marks a new beginning for the fbi. late word from washington tonight that justice department officials agree former fbi director james comey mishandled the hillary clinton e-mail investigation. >> and we are learning more by the moment about what fuelled the president's decision. here's abc7 news reporter lana zach with the very latest. >> repor a stunning announcement effective immediately, fbi director james comey has been removed from office. president trump saying he was influenced in part by the recommendation of his attorney general jeff sessions. the firing coming just after the fbi issued a correction on comey's recent testimony about huma abadeen, clinton's aid in which she forwarded thousands of e-mails that had classified information. that wasn't quite true. none of those e-mails were marked classified at the time. just before the firing, abc asked the white house about the

president's confidence in comey. >> does the president have confidence, full confidence in the fbi director james comey? >> i don't, in light of what you're telling me i don't want to start speaking on behalf of the president without speaking to him first. >> reporter: the controversial comey has drawn ire from both democrats and republicans for his announcement he would not be recommending charges against former secretary of state clinton for her handling of confidential information, but that she also acted with gross negligence. and then just days before the presidential election, comey announced that they would be reopening the investigation into clinton's e-mails, the ramifications of that decision and its possible effects on the election he later testified made him nauseous. senate democrats like dick durbin of illinois are expressing concern about the investigation into russian influence in the most recent presidential election. he said he is awaiting clarification from the white house if and how this investigation may continue. lana zach, abc7 news washington. >> we are also learning president trump fired comey over

the phone. that is because comey is in los angeles to giving a speech. >> this is the recruitment of event where comey is expected to appear. we are told that comey will keep that commitment and that the president approved him doing so. >> one big change of plans, comey cannot use the fbi jet to fly back to washington, d.c. reaction to his firing was coming in from the nation's capital tonight. pcalifornia senator diane feinstein issued a statement, quote, president trump called me saying the fbi needed a change. the next fbi director must be strong and independent and will receive a fair hearing in the judiciary committee. >> meantime democratic congressman eric swalwell who represented a district in the east bay called it a massacre. >> said it came so soon after the investigation into russia's ties into the white house. >> it should send a chill down the spine of every american no matter who they voted for. >> this is not what an innocent

person would do. this is an abuse of power and shows a consciousness of guilt. swalwell has coauthored legislation to establish an independent panel to investigate the russian influence in the 2016 election. >> all right. let's turn your attention now to the other major story we're following tonight, the guilty verdict in the sierra lamar trial. >> today a santa clara county jury convicted torres for the murder of sierra lamar. >> her mother said she is relieved justice is finally served. >> it gives us peace knowing this isn't going to happen to another child and he can't get away with something like this. >> a verdict came down this morning. we sent out a push alert from our abc7 news alert at 9:15 after it was sent out. jury finds antolin garcia-torres guilty in sierra lamar kidnapping murder case. >> there was a gasp in the

packed courtroom when the verdict was read. outside sierra's family said they are happy with the outcome. since the body has never been found they don't have a sense of closure. >> that gives us some form offff relief, and it will never take away our grief. that will be with us forever. >> garcia torres was also found guilty of trying to kidnap three different women in a grocery store -- in grocery store parking lots three years before sierra's disappearance. >> so, what's next? a week from today the same jury will begin the penalty phase. they will decide whether antolin garcia torres will be sentenced to life without parole or the death penalty. that process could take up to one month. >> sierra had moved to morgan hill just a few months before she was abducted. she spent most of her childhood actually in fremont. >> abc7 news reporter laura anthony picks up that part of the story from washington high school. laura?

well, sierra only attended this high school for a short time. but she left a big impression. there is a bench here behind me to remember her. but i talked with her close friends today and they say they need no reminders. they will never forget her. >> i remember this is your shirt i was wearing here. >> reporter: the memories are still good and fresh for these young women, all friends, former washington high cheer leaders with then 15-year-old sierra lamar. >> she was my best friend at the time. >> reporter: sean a foreman said she and sierra were inseparable and thinks of her young friend often. >> she's a very, very interesting character. very on her own. she was outstanding and very bright. anyone knew who she was just by her presence in the room. >> reporter: and though each of these women has moved on with their lives they share an unbreakable bond with sierra at the center. >> the group, that were sierra's friends, we learned this. it's kind of turned us into a family. if anything, with her family as

well. >> they needed to find a way grief -- a way to deal with it. >> reporter: there is a lasting memory of sierra, a bench built in her honor in 2014. student activities director carolyn came up with the idea. >> i always stopped at this bench and i tell the story of sierra. and we need to do that. we need to be good citizens for this community that we live in. >> reporter: she's been gone now for five years, but sierra lamar clearly touched many people in fremont. and though there is some measure of relief with the verdict, there is still a longing foreclosure. >> we hope that you learn that, where she is? >> of koefrcourse, that's all i for. i don't care what happens to him. i care about what happens with her. >> reporter: in fremont, laura anthony, abc7 news. >> as we mentioned, the sentencing is expected to start next week and you can download the abc7 news app to get the push alert when it happens.

>> a family doctor in walnut creek is accused of sexual battery against a female patient. the contra costa county sheriff's office rajeshssingla posted bail this morning. melanie woodrow is outside where the doctor practiced. melanie. >> reporter: this is where the detectives executed a search warrant and arrested the doctor on monday. they say they believe there could be more victims. investigators say a female patient in her 40s reported 36-year-old doctor rajesh to authorities earlier this month. after an investigation lasting several weeks, detectives arrested the family medicine doctor without incident while he was at work monday. >> and the charges are two counts of sexual battery, two counts of indecent exposure and one count of attempted oral copulation. >> reporter: the spokesperson said the woman reported the incidents following two separate visits. in an e-mailed statement john

muir health writes, we are shocked and saddened by the arrest of dr. rajesh. the safety of our patients is always our highest priority and we are cooperating fully with the contra costa county sheriff's department on their ongoing investigation. the doctor had been working here the medical center will be sending a letter to all his patients and have people available to answer any questions. he is currently on leave pending the outcome of the investigation and legal process. >> given that he was a doctor for several years in this area as well as being part of the john muir health network, you know, we believe there may be additional victims. >> reporter: the contra costa county sheriff's office said if anyone had a situation that felt a little awkward or uncomfortable to contact them. he was booked into the detention facility. he posted $130,000 bail this morning. in walnut creek, melanie woodrow, abc7 news.

>> dna has unlocked the mystery of a girl found in a century-old coffin in san francisco. researchers today say her name was ee digt howard cook. she died in 1876 at the age of two. her coffin was found last may during construction work on a home built on a former cemetery in lone mountain. researchers at santa cruz used dna to the girl's hair and linked it to peter cook, her grand nephew. she was reburied last june in colma. now that she's been identified another ceremony will be held for her on june 10th. an apparent race against a train ended in a crash on the tracks in richmond. an amtrak train with 123 passengers on board plowed into a big rig near cutting boulevard. two people suffered minor injuries. amtrak says it appeared the truck driver was trying to beat the train that was traveling between bakersfield and oakland. two other trains were stuck because of the crash. buses and b.a.r.t. trains picked

up those passengers. >> well, still to come here, on edge in golden gate park. >> this man ran up, knocked me to the ground. >> scary moments at what was supposed to be a tranquil spot, place of repose. why this area is quickly turning into a magnet for robbers. >> carbon monoxide alarms are supposed to protect you but some could put your family at risk. >> i'm abc7 news meteorologist sandhya patel. it warmed up today but big changes are ahead. i'll show them to you coming up. >> thanks, sandhya. aclu is warning people about traveling to texas. >> celebration for place to stay is a

there has been a series of grab and run robberies in golden gate park. many are at stow lake. people have been punched and thrown to the ground for their cameras, all because they were

bird watching. abc7 news reporter vic lee is live at the park with the story. vic? >> reporter: well, dan, bird watchers here believe they are being targeted. now, san francisco police tell us they are investigating and they do have a license plate number of the get away car which a witness gave them during the last incident. and rec and park tells us that they are increasing patrols around stow lake these next saturdays when the crowd of bird watchers is the biggest. stow lake in may, great blue her on nesting season. chicks are nest nesting. down below, crowds watch with scopes and cameras. bill is one of them. >> we look up in the trees and we're watching the babies grow. >> reporter: as the crowd watches the chicks, they're being watched by robbers. >> select the victim and bam like that. >> reporter: that's what

happened on saturday about 11:00 in the morning. about 30 people were watching the herons, many of them volunteers working with nancy. she holds workshops for visitors on the blue herons. one of her volunteer photographers became a victim of a grab and run. >> this man ran up, knocked her to the ground. she has a huge gash on her arm. took the whole camera and tripod, jumped in the car and got away. >> reporter: there have been two other robberies in recent weeks. one of them, four teens jumped a man, punched him and took his camera. she has been leading this program for 15 years. it's the first time this has ever happened to her. >> to me, it shows there is a real outbreak of robbery and violence here in the park, and we really need our officials to take some strong steps about it. >> reporter: if not, she says she'll stop her program. she can't put the public in harm's way. vic lee, abc7 news.

>> state lawmakers propose legislation today to fund educational programs about japanese-american internment camps during world war ii. the measure was set aside $3 million to fund the program. it comes 75 years after president roosevelt issued the order, sending thousands of japanese immigrants and japanese americans to internment camps. supporters say the timing of the bill is important considering president trump's proposed travel ban which critics say targets muslims. >> we are here because it's important that we not only never forget, but if they come for any of us, they come for all of us. >> lawmakers say the bill would appropriate funds to programs administered by the state library. >> the aclu is warning californians about traveling to texas after the state approved a law banning sanctuary cities. the aclu said visitors should anticipate the possible violation of their constitutional rights when stopped by law enforcement. the governor signed the law

which would punish local governments that do not cooperate with federal immigration authorities. the aclu says it is concerned the law could lead to widespread racial profiling as well as illegal arrests. the group is planning to challenge that law in court. >> all right. this is important. if you have purchased a carbon monoxide alarm you'll definitely want to hear about this review from consumer reports that they may not work. >> which is a real problem. of course 7 on your side's michael finney is here with the story. michael. >> they did some good research on this. this is interesting. consumer reports warns about carbon monoxide alarms that do not operate the way they're supposed to and they could put your family at risk. in consumer reports' most recent tests, carbon monoxide alarms three similar looking off-brand alarms, the foho and go they were sold on amazon and ebay, failed critical

performance tests and have been labelled "don't buy, safety risk." co alarms are designed to sound when the level would reach a dangerous level. >> we test each carbon monoxide alarm at three seal levels. first 100 parts per million where the alarm should sound after 40 minutes. then we test at 400 parts per million when the alarm should sound between four and 15 minutes. >> all three alarms failed some aspect of consumer reports' testing. either going off too quickly, or not at all. also important, the three failed alarms do not have a ul certification, a mark given to all co alarms that meet a voluntary industry safety standard. if you already own one of the oe alarms, we recommend you replace them with one of the recommended alarms that meet the ul

certifications. the first alert co 615, a stand alone alarm, or the first alert one link sco 501 cn, an interconnected alarm that syncs with multiple alarms in your home. after being contacted by consumer reports, amazon said the two products that failed the test are no longer available for sale, and that it had also removed similar-looking models. consumer reports pointed out they did not list a ul certification. amazon says it will work with consumers who may have purchased these alarms under the terms of its return policy. ebay responded that based on consumer reports, it has removed the specific carbon monoxide alarm listing from the seller and requested the seller contact any buyers who may have purchased these alarms. consumer reports is unaware of any injuries related to those products. >> good. all right, thank you michael, very much. >> an organization that helps

families bury 6 children marked a special milestone today. abc7 news was in the mission bay area hosted a party to celebrate the first anniversary of its new home. 80 families a night stay there for free while their children are treated for serious illnesses at ucsf children's hospital. all the families live at least 50 miles away from the hospital. >> they try to create as home-like an environment as possible because about 60% of the children who stay with us are being treated as outpatients. >> family house operated for 35 years near ucsf in the inner sunset, it runs solely on private donations. it also depends on volunteers to operate. that includes cooking, cleaning, or even doing arts and crafts with the children. >> announcer: now your accuweather forecast with sandhya patel. >> good evening, everyone. i hope you had a chance to get out and enjoy the warm weather because look at where temperatures are going. this is the hour by hour forecast for concord, 6:00

tonight, 82 degrees, by 7:00 p.m. dropping to 70. by morning you're going to feel the cooler air. temperatures bottoming out in the low 50s. right now on live doppler 7 we really don't have much in the way of fog to speak of, but that is going to change as we head towards tomorrow morning. hazy sunshine from our emeryville camera as you see the sun glistening on the bay there. beautiful picture. 61 in san francisco, 68 oakland, currently 80 in san jose. highs so far up everywhere, anywhere from upper 50s to the upper 80s. here is a live look from our mount tam cam and we are looking clearly across the bay. but visibility isn't so great so it's definitely hazy out there. mid 70s santa rosa, napa, concord. you can feel the bawarmth, but t terribly hot. this will be a bigger player the next few days. much cooler tomorrow, a chance of sprinkles on thursday, and gusty winds at the end of the week and trust me you're going to notice a difference. here's the hour by hour planner for tomorrow. it will be foggy at the beaches.

40s, 50s tomorrow morning to start off your day. at noontime 50s, 60s and the clouds will linger near the coast well into the afternoon. you will see sunshine, though inland. as we head into the evening we'll drop your temperatures to the 50s and 60s. speaking of dropping tomorrow will be a cooler start. upper 40s to the low 50s. look at the fog not just near the coast but around the bay. allow extra time for that morning commute because you will need it. the hour by hour forecast showing the development of the fog. 7:00 p.m. tonight, you only see a few patches near the coast. notice it fills in as we head towards tomorrow morning. 5:00 a.m. most of the coast is socked in, also parts of the bay, your morning commute will include that fog for the afternoon, it sits around, keeping you company. you know we're headed toward summer when you see this kind of pattern. wide range of temperatures today but we're not going there tomorrow. tomorrow is going to be a narrower range. 50s at the coast, breezy here with the fog lingering. inland areas you will see the sun, but it will be mixed in with high clouds.

temperatures upper 60s to the low 70s, so close enough to where you need to be this time of year. now we're going to fast forward to thursday. there is a waerk system that is going to bring northern california some rain. it will slide south ward. weakening as it moves south ward but by 11:00 a.m., can't rule out thursday morning a few showers or sprinkles as we head towards the noontime hour to 2:00 p.m. that chance in the north bay. the rest of us from drizzle could see some measurable precipitation for thursday. so just keep that in mind. you can download the app and it will help you keep track of changes. it will feature much cooler weather tomorrow. mid 50s to low 70s, that fog, the breeze will knock those temperatures down. that cooling trend takes us into friday which will be a windy one. saturday is going to be breezy and blue and for mother's day near to slightly below average temperatures, upper 50s to low 70s with a chance of showers on monday, but that's just one model. the other model is actually going dry. right now we'll keep it as a

chance. the important thing is we're keeping it dry for mom. >> mother's day. dan and kristen. >> thank you very has crazy low prices. do you know how we do it? - how? - bargainomics! say, if california has a bumper crop and produces too many oranges. or a winemaker in sonoma suddenly has 1000 bottles too many. we've got name-brand, top-quality groceries priced 40-70% off every day. bargainomics. that's our business model. and our business model is... delicious. ♪ grocery outlet bargain market ♪ are making the move to nissan. ♪ because of rogue,

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updating some breaking news, live from los angeles. this is a motorcade in which we are told former fbi director james comey is riding. it's heading to an fbi recruitment event where comey was scheduled to speak tonight before president trump fired him this afternoon. that's why i said former fbi director. there are conflicting reports about whether comey will still speak at this event, but we are keeping an eye on the situation. >> it's not bad reviews giving yelp that sinking feeling. reviewers saying 25% in after hours trading, after san francisco company reported slower than expected growth. and it said there are few signs that will change this year. yelp's revenue was up 24% in the first quarter, but still short of wall street expectations. and all eyes will be on

snapchat tomorrow. the social media company will present its first earnings report since it went public in march. snapchat rose 44% during its ipo, but shares have dropped since then as investors question its growth potential. snapchat is trying to gain momentum by announcing new features, starting today me messages won't disappear after 10 seconds. they can actually replay forever. other new tools will let users loop videos, draw on pictures, and use an eraser tool to remove unwanted objects or place emojis over them. >> two astronauts over the international space station are preparing for a space walk friday. astronaut jack fisher tweet this had photo saying he was test driving his space suit and couldn't wait to go out with peggy. he asked if shane kimbro during a weiss entitrecent space walk. it was taken by tomas more than

250 miles above the earth. well, speaking of all things space, the maiden voyage may be at hand. the private space company released this video today showing the first major test of its falcon heavy rocket at its development facility in texas. spacex plans to use the falcon heavy to fly two tourists around the moon as early as next year, and send aircraft to the surface of mars in 2020. >> just in time for mother's day, a new mom and her new

i'm alma daetz. coming up on abc7 news at 6:00, the story of i dal glad being hired for a teaching job. only one problem, he was 17. also. >> it's tough for all of us. it casts a shadow on the victory. >> the amazing outpouring of support for a rugby player paralyzed after a freak accident during a nationl championship game. and one historic figure is

out, another is in. find out why usf students decided to rename one of the most popular residence halls on campus. that is coming up in half an hour on abc7 news at 6:00. kristen, dan? >> see you then. >> this year will be special at the oakland zoo. >> three new river otter pups are on exhibit. it shows the little pups pestering their mother rose. she gave birth to two girls and a boy in february. >> zoo keepers say she's taking good care of the pups. they're eating solid food like fish. they brought in the dad and they hoped he would be a successful breeder. guess what, he was. >> way to go, wiet. "world news tonight with david muir" is coming up next. i'm kristen sze. >> i'm dan ashley. for all of us here, we appreciate your time. we'll see you again at 6:00. >> connect 24/7 in the meantime at abc7news.com and download the

abc7 news app for the very latest breaking news any time. tonight, breaking news as we come on the air. a short time ago, president trump firing fbi director james comey. inside the president's stunning decision. comey under fire for his handling of the hillary clinton e-mail investigation. his decision to go public, then reigniting the investigation 11 days before the election, only to then reveal it turned up nothing. and tonight, we ask what happens now in the current fbi investigation into russian meddling. >> also breaking tonight, the emergency declared at a nuclear site here in the u.s. a tunnel collapsing, thousands of workers told to shelter in place. the new and stunning case tonight. a brawl on a passenger jet from dallas, the flight attendant caught in the middle. our team standing by. and the list of college students being charged grows. after that student fell down the