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Loudoun County, VA

News
FBI, Homeland Security Join 'High-Level' Probe Into Missing Student From DMV In DR FBI, Homeland Security Join 'High-Level' Probe Into Missing Student From DMV In DR
FBI, Homeland Security Join 'High-Level' Probe Into Missing Student From DMV In DR The search for missing Virginia college student Sudiksha Konanki has escalated into a major international investigation, with the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) now assisting Dominican authorities, officials announced. The Dominican Republic Attorney General’s Office confirmed that it has assembled a high-level joint task force to investigate the mysterious disappearance of the 20-year-old University of Pittsburgh student from Chantilly who vanished in Punta Cana last week. Authorities say they are exploring all possibilities. "The prosecuting authority is conducting extens…

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by Zak Failla
News
International Search Intensifies For Missing DMV College Student In Dominican Republic International Search Intensifies For Missing DMV College Student In Dominican Republic
International Search Intensifies For Missing DMV College Student In Dominican Republic The search for a missing Virginia college student who vanished while on vacation in the Dominican Republic is intensifying as officials establish a high-level commission to oversee the case, authorities announced. The Dominican Republic National Police, in coordination with the Attorney General’s Office, FBI, and the US Embassy Liaison, has expanded their investigation into the disappearance of 20-year-old Sudiksha Konanki, a University of Pittsburgh student from Chantilly who went missing on Thursday, March 6 while on a trip with friends in Punta Cana. Officials confirmed that Konanki, a c…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
$980K Fire Destroys Virginia Home, Family Dog Still Missing (UPDATED) $980K Fire Destroys Virginia Home, Family Dog Still Missing (UPDATED)
$980K Fire Destroys Virginia Home, Family Dog Still Missing (Updated) A Loudoun County family’s home was completely destroyed in a massive fire that left one cat clinging to life in the rubble and a dog missing. Firefighters rushed to the Jonella Farm property early on Thursday, March 6, where they found heavy flames ripping through both floors of the home in the Catoctin District, according to Loudoun County Fire and Rescue. The two adults and two children who lived in the house were not home at the time, and no injuries were reported. Initially, officials said one of the family’s pets—a cat—was found alive in the rubble, while a second dog remained unaccou…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
Schools Schedule Closures, Delays In Maryland Amid Latest Snow Storm Schools Schedule Closures, Delays In Maryland Amid Latest Snow Storm
Schools Schedule Closures, Delays In Maryland Amid Latest Snow Storm Many schools in Maryland and Virginia will be closed on Wednesday as the region continues to contend with the latest batch of winter weather that brought inches of snow and ice. Some schools were disrupted on Tuesday and dismissed students early, and even more are planning to close for the day on Wednesday, Feb. 12 with as many as six inches accumulating in some areas, leaving conditions on roadways tricky. Among the schools reported to be altering their dismissal times as of 7:15 p.m. on Tuesday:  Alexandria City Public Schools: All virtual; Arlington County Public Schools: Closed W…

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by Zak Failla
Obituaries
Prince George's Figure Skating Prodigy, Mother Killed In DC Plane Crash Prince George's Figure Skating Prodigy, Mother Killed In DC Plane Crash
Prince George's Figure Skating Prodigy, Mother Killed In DC Plane Crash The world lost a rising star in the Maryland figure skating community and a devoted mother far too soon, as 12-year-old Olivia Eve Ter and her mother, Olesya, were among those tragically killed in the DC, plane crash. Ter, who trained out of the Tucker Road Ice Rink in Prince George's County, was a young skater with big dreams, a joyful spirit, and an infectious energy that touched everyone she met, her loved ones said. A proud Loudoun County, VA native, she had already made a name for herself in the figure skating world, earning a spot at the prestigious developmental camp after placi…

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by Zak Failla
News
World-Renowned Virginia Skating Coach Confirmed Among 67 Killed In DC Mid-Air Crash World-Renowned Virginia Skating Coach Confirmed Among 67 Killed In DC Mid-Air Crash
World-Renowned Virginia Skating Coach Confirmed Among 67 Killed In DC Mid-Air Crash World-renowned ice skating coach Inna Volanskaya of Loudoun County has been confirmed as one of the 67 people who died in the mid-air crash over Washington DC this week. Volanskaya was a coach at the Ashburn Ice House and has connections to the Washington Figure Skating Club. "We are devastated to hear the news of American Eagle flight 5342," Washington Figure Skating Club officials said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with our skating family during this difficult time. More information will be posted when appropriate."  According to her biography there, Volanskaya has b…

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by Zak Failla
Weather
Winter Storm Alert: Maryland, Virginia Brace For Snow, Arctic Freeze Winter Storm Alert: Maryland, Virginia Brace For Snow, Arctic Freeze
Winter Storm Alert: Maryland, Virginia Brace For Snow, Arctic Freeze Maryland and Virginia residents are preparing for a possibly significant winter storm that is expected to deliver heavy snowfall and dangerously low temperatures starting Sunday afternoon according to the National Weather Service (NWS). Forecasters warn that snow accumulation in the region could range from four to eight inches, with the heaviest snowfall expected during the afternoon and evening hours.  The NWS Baltimore-Washington office tweeted, "A winter storm will impact the region Sunday with accumulating snow likely. Travel could become hazardous, so plan accordingly." Officials…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Maryland Investigators Release Report On Deadly Virginia Home Explosion That Killed Firefighter Maryland Investigators Release Report On Deadly Virginia Home Explosion That Killed Firefighter
Maryland Investigators Release Report On Deadly Virginia Home Explosion That Killed Firefighter The Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System (LC-CFRS) has released its comprehensive report on the February 2024 house explosion in Sterling that tragically claimed the life of Firefighter Trevor Brown and injured 13 others. The blast occurred on Feb. 16, 2024, after first responders were called to a gas leak at 347 Silver Ridge Drive.  Investigators discovered a leaking underground propane tank behind the home and quickly evacuated the residents, but before the Hazardous Materials Team could secure the scene, the home exploded, trapping firefighters in the fiery wreckage. …

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by Zak Failla
Business
Serial Thief From Maryland With Specific Tastes Linked To Thefts At Virginia Mall: Sheriff Serial Thief From Maryland With Specific Tastes Linked To Thefts At Virginia Mall: Sheriff
Serial Thief From Maryland With Specific Tastes Linked To Thefts At Virginia Mall: Sheriff An alleged thief from Maryland with high-end taste is behind bars after being busted stealing from the Leesburg Premium Outlet Mall, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office. Takoma Park resident Cleiderson Requena Ramos, 27, is facing new charges after being busted while attempting to burglarize the Burberry store at the mall. Investigators say that officers were called to the store last week to investigate a report of two people who removed merchandise without making an attempt to pay. One of the suspects fled on foot, while Ramos got into a car and took off. Ramos was quickly t…

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by Zak Failla
News
Maryland Man Arrested For DWI, Hit-Run While Driving On Virginia Sidewalk, Police Say Maryland Man Arrested For DWI, Hit-Run While Driving On Virginia Sidewalk, Police Say
Maryland Man Arrested For DWI, Hit-Run While Driving On Virginia Sidewalk, Police Say A teen from Maryland who drove along the sidewalk of a busy Virginia trail while allegedly intoxicated before bailing on his vehicle was apprehended, police say. Luis Funez Medina, 18, of Columbia, Maryland, is facing multiple charges following an incident that played out on Saturday on the Washington and Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail in Loudoun County. According to investigators, at around 11:30 a.m. on Aug. 17, officers from the Leesburg Police Department were called to investigate reports of a driver who was on the sidewalk in the area of Crosstrail Boulevard SE.  Police say that F…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Warrants Issued For Man Wanted After Breaking Into Trump Campaign HQ In Virginia, Police Say Warrants Issued For Man Wanted After Breaking Into Trump Campaign HQ In Virginia, Police Say
Warrants Issued For Man Wanted After Breaking Into Trump Campaign HQ In Virginia, Police Say The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office has identified a 39-year-old man with a criminal history who is wanted in connection to the burglary of a campaign headquarters for former President Donald Trump over the weekend. Warrants have been issued for Toby Shane Kessler, who has no fixed address, for burglary and other offenses after breaking into the presidential hopeful's Virginia headquarters. Shortly before 8:15 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 11, a burglary that was caught on camera found that Kessler forced his way into the building and "spent a brief period of time before leaving."   The o…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Trump Campaign Headquarters In Virginia Burglarized, Sheriff Says Trump Campaign Headquarters In Virginia Burglarized, Sheriff Says
Trump Campaign Headquarters In Virginia Burglarized, Sheriff Says Recognize him?  A suspect is wanted in Virginia after burglarizing a campaign headquarters for former President Donald Trump in Loudoun County, authorities announced. An alert was issued by the sheriff's office following an incident reported at the Trump For President 2024 campaign office in Ashburn at around 9 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 11.  The office, which is in the 20000 block of Ashbrook Place, is currently being leased by the Trump campaign, officials said, and also serves as the HQ for the Virginia 10th District Republican Committee. According to the Loudoun County Sherif…

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by Zak Failla
News
Cops ID Maryland Woman Killed In Sterling Carjacking Cops ID Maryland Woman Killed In Sterling Carjacking
Cops ID Maryland Woman Killed In Sterling Carjacking A 54-year-old Maryland woman who was carjacked and killed by her own vehicle in Loudoun County on Sunday morning has been identified by the sheriff's office. Silver Spring resident Melody Waldecker was in the 21000 block of Towncenter Plaza when she was carjacked at around 11:40 a.m. on July 29 in Sterling by a suspect who has yet to be named by investigators. According to the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office, Waldecker was carjacked, then struck by her own vehicle as the suspect sped away from the area. She was pronounced dead at the scene by first responders. Investigators say that one p…

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by Zak Failla
News
Wanted Man From Maryland Busted For Shoplifting From Lowe's In Virginia, Police Say Wanted Man From Maryland Busted For Shoplifting From Lowe's In Virginia, Police Say
Ronald Canan, Jr. Arrested For Shoplifting From Lowe's In VA A Maryland man who was already wanted in multiple jurisdictions crossed state lines into Virginia and is behind bars after being busted by police in Loudoun County on Thursday afternoon, police say. Laurel resident Ronald Canan, Jr. 41, who is no stranger to law enforcement, is facing new charges in Leesburg after being caught attempting to steal from Lowe's on Russell Branch Parkway SE. Shortly before 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 13, officers were called to the store to investigate a reported shoplifting incident when Canan walked out of the store with a shopping cart loaded with unpaid mercha…

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by Zak Failla
Weather
Here's Who Got The Most Snow In Maryland, Virginia Here's Who Got The Most Snow In Maryland, Virginia
Here's Who Got The Most Snow In Maryland, Virginia The National Weather Service has released snowfall totals for the DMV in this week's storm. In Maryland, Sabillasville which appears to have gotten the most amount of snow: 8.5 inches on Tuesday, Feb. 13, the NWS said. In Virginia, Gavel Springs in Frederick County got about 4.5 inches. Here's the breakdown by county: BALTIMORE Lineboro: 3.5 inches Bentley Springs: 3 Owings Mills: 1 Pikesville: 0.4  CARROLL Millers: 4.7 Manchester: 4.3 Taneytown: 4 Westminster: 2 Uniontown: 1.1 CECIL Elkton: 3.0  Rising Sun: 1  Port Deposit 1 FREDERICK Sabilla…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
Commanders' Jamin Davis Had Virginia Reckless Driving Plea Rejected: Here's What Happens Next Commanders' Jamin Davis Had Virginia Reckless Driving Plea Rejected: Here's What Happens Next
Commanders' Jamin Davis Had Virginia Reckless Driving Plea Rejected: Here's What Happens Next Washington Commanders’ linebacker Jamin Davis will have a few more weeks to shore up his defense after a judge rejected his revised plea for alleged recklessly driving in Loudoun County. The Commanders' first round pick in 2021 is accused of driving 114 mph in a 45 mph zone on Loudoun County Parkway near Evergreen Ridge Drive, just outside Leesburg, in March 2022. The 24-year-old linebacker, who is famously passionate about NASCAR, was convicted in May of reckless driving and sentenced to 30 days in jail, which he appealed. Davis was scheduled to make his next court appearance last we…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Murder Suspect Released From Virginia Prison Back In Custody, Sheriff Says Murder Suspect Released From Virginia Prison Back In Custody, Sheriff Says
Murder Suspect Released From Virginia Prison Back In Custody, Sheriff Says A murder suspect who was accidentally released from a Virginia prison is back in police custody, authorities announced. Stone Colburn, 25, was apprehended in Georgia by the Pooler Police Department in Chatham County following his release from prison for allegedly stabbing his brother’s girlfriend to death and wounding her 9-month-old in 2021, officials said. Stone Colburn was arrested late this evening by the Pooler Police Department in Chatham County, GA. More information on his arrest will be released when available. — Loudoun County Sheriff (@LoudounSheriff) October 8, 2022 Colburn…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
OOPS: Murder Suspect Accidentally Released From Virginia Prison OOPS: Murder Suspect Accidentally Released From Virginia Prison
Oops: Murder Suspect Accidentally Released From Virginia Prison Loudoun County police are searching for a man, who was charged with murder, after his recent release from prison, officials said. Stone Colburn, 25, was behind bars for stabbing his brother's girlfriend to death and severely wounding her nine-month-old  in 2021, according to the Loudoun County Times. He was released from the Loudoun County Adult Detention Center on Oct. 6, 2022, due to a paperwork error, but new charges came to light the following morning, the website said. Colburn is now wanted, though his original charges were dismissed, for concealment of a dead body, according to …

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by AJ Goldbloom
News
Alert Issued For Missing Teen Girl In Region Alert Issued For Missing Teen Girl In Region
Alert Issued For Missing Teen Girl In Region Police agencies in Virginia are seeking the public’s assistance in tracking down a teen girl who has been reported missing by friends and family in Loudoun County. An alert was issued by the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday, Sept. 28, regarding 13-year-old Hailey Delgado Lopez, who was reported missing from her family's Ashburn home. Lopez was reported missing by her family on Tuesday, Sept. 27 after leaving her family’s home on Dodge Terrace on her own accord, police said. Officials noted that she may be traveling to Waynesboro in Virginia, where she has ties to the area. Th…

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by Zak Failla
News
Teen Girls Believed To Be Together Reported Missing By Families In Virginia Teen Girls Believed To Be Together Reported Missing By Families In Virginia
Teen Girls Believed To Be Together Reported Missing By Families In Virginia Seen them? An alert has been issued by law enforcement agencies in Virginia as they attempt to locate a pair of teen girls believed to be together who have been reported missing. The families of Gabriella “Gabby” Benitez and Adriana Membreno, both 14, were reported missing in Loudoun County after last being seen in the overnight hours of Tuesday, Sept. 20, according to police. Both teens are believed to be together after going missing from their Ashburn homes. Benitez was described as being 5-foot-6 weighing approximately 120 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen weari…

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by Zak Failla
News
Supreme Court Allows Grand Jury Probe In Loudoun County School Sexual Assaults Supreme Court Allows Grand Jury Probe In Loudoun County School Sexual Assaults
Supreme Court Allows Grand Jury Probe In Loudoun County School Sexual Assaults The Supreme Court of Virginia has rejected an attempt by the Loudoun County School Board to shut down a Grand Jury investigation connected to the handling of two sexual assaults, confirms officials.  The court's decision will allow an investigation to continue into the handling of the sexual assaults in the two Loudoun County schools last year, states Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares.  "The Loudoun County School Board has tried to block our Grand Jury investigation on what happened last year in the sexual assaults that made national headlines last year for all the wrong reasons", sa…

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by Annie DeVoe
Real Estate
Amazon Buys Land In Northern Virginia For $87.8 Million Amazon Buys Land In Northern Virginia For $87.8 Million
Amazon Buys Land In Northern Virginia For $87.8 Million Google and Microsoft have a new neighbor in Prince William County. Reports said Amazon recently purchased nearly 60 acres of land to in Gainesville for nearly $90 million.  BizJournal announced earlier this week that Amazon Web Services had purchased the land at 5845 Wellington Road for $87.8 million. The report said AWS purchased the same-sized lot next door for $52.4 million last year.  Amazon has not commented on its plans for that location, but it adds to the company's holdings in northern Virginia.  The land is in the county's Data Center Opportunity Overlay District. T…

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by Josh Lanier
News
MURDER SUICIDE: Details Emerge In Ashburn Parents' Deaths MURDER SUICIDE: Details Emerge In Ashburn Parents' Deaths
Murder Suicide: Details Emerge In Ashburn Parents' Deaths The deaths of two parents found dead at an Ashburn home have been ruled a murder-suicide, authorities announced. John Sharmoukh, 45, and Mariam A. Farouk Kamal, 31, were found dead at their home on Old Line Terrace just before 9:30 on Tuesday, May 24, authorities in Loudoun County said. Though, investigators have not said who was the aggressor in the slayings.  Reports say detectives found the body of Sharmoukh on the the front lawn of the house. He apparently jumped from a third story window while on fire, Fox 5 reported. A neighbor rushed over with a fire extinguisher …

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by Josh Lanier
Police & Fire
MURDER: Girlfriend Wanted For Killing Boyfriend Arrested After Landing At Dulles Airport MURDER: Girlfriend Wanted For Killing Boyfriend Arrested After Landing At Dulles Airport
Murder: Girlfriend Wanted For Killing Boyfriend Arrested After Landing At Dulles Airport A 23-year-old Prince George's woman, who fled the country after allegedly murdering her boyfriend in 2021, was arrested at Dulles International Airport. after her flight landed, according to authorities and NBC4. Norma Rivas-Villacorta, of Riverdale, is accused fatally shooting 20-year-old Kayshaun Daly, also of Riverdale, in the 6700 block of Oakland Avenue on May 22, 2021, Prince George's County Police said.  Rivas-Villacorta allegedly left the country in the days after the murder. She was eventually arrested on Sunday, May 15, police said. The motive for the murder remains unde…

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by Annie DeVoe
Police & Fire
Virginia Teens Nabbed In Maryland For Stealing Car, Leading Police Chase: Police Virginia Teens Nabbed In Maryland For Stealing Car, Leading Police Chase: Police
Virginia Teens Nabbed In Maryland For Stealing Car, Leading Police Chase: Police Two teenagers who fled from police in a stolen vehicle from Virginia have been arrested in Montgomery County, say authorities. The teens stole the car from Loudoun County and were caught after a police pursuit in Silver Spring that ended near Sherwood Forest Drive, according to the Montgomery County Police.  A juvenile female passenger remained in the vehicle and was taken into custody, say officials. The driver was arrested with the assistance of other officers and a K9 unit.  Both teens were transported to be interviewed and the driver was charged with multiple motor …

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by Annie DeVoe
Police & Fire
Construction Barges Carrying Excavator Break Loose, Float Down Potomac River Construction Barges Carrying Excavator Break Loose, Float Down Potomac River
Construction Barges Carrying Excavator Break Loose, Float Down Potomac River Barges carrying construction equipment including an excavator broke loose and began floating down the Potomac River Mother's Day, authorities said. There was some concern that the barges would impact area bridges between Maryland and Virginia before they got stuck in Harper's Ferry, the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office said. Never a routine day in #Loudoun. LCSO has been coordinating w/ MD authorities after two barges became loose in the Potomac River & there was concern they could impact area bridges. At this time the barges are no longer moving down river & remain static in Har…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Virginia Woman, 65, Killed In Loudoun County Car Crash: Sheriff's Office Virginia Woman, 65, Killed In Loudoun County Car Crash: Sheriff's Office
Virginia Woman, 65, Killed In Loudoun County Car Crash: Sheriff's Office An Ashburn woman has died in a recent Loudoun County car crash, authorities said.  Deborah Michel, 65, was killed in a crash that happened at the intersection of Windmill Drive and Claiborne Parkway in Ashburn around 11:20 a.m. on Thursday, May 5, the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office said on Facebook. The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal crash that occurred this morning at the intersection of... Posted by Loudoun County Sheriff's Office on Thursday, May 5, 2022 Initial investigation revealed Michel was traveling west on Windmill Drive when she struck another vehi…

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by David Cifarelli
Police & Fire
'Unimaginable': Beloved Leesburg Brewer Believed Murdered By 21-Year-Old Son 'Unimaginable': Beloved Leesburg Brewer Believed Murdered By 21-Year-Old Son
'Unimaginable': Beloved Leesburg Brewer Believed Murdered By 21-Year-Old Son A 21-year-old man has been charged in the death of his father, a beloved brewer in Loudoun County, authorities said. Schuyler Lake was charged with second-degree murder after his dad, Dean Lake, was found dead with trauma to his upper body around 7:30 a.m. at a home on South King Street on Saturday, April 30, local police announced Sunday morning. The younger Lake was found after an hours-long manhunt Saturday afternoon near Russell Branch Parkway SE and Battlefield Parkway SE, police said. The cause of death was not immediately known. No other persons of interest in this investi…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
'Unimaginable': Beloved Leesburg Brewer Believed Murdered By 21-Year-Old Son 'Unimaginable': Beloved Leesburg Brewer Believed Murdered By 21-Year-Old Son
'Unimaginable': Beloved Leesburg Brewer Believed Murdered By 21-Year-Old Son A 21-year-old man has been charged in the death of his father, a beloved brewer in Loudoun County, authorities said. Schuyler Lake was charged with second-degree murder after his dad, Dean Lake, was found dead with trauma to his upper body around 7:30 a.m. at a home on South King Street on Saturday, April 30, local police announced Sunday morning. The younger Lake was found after an hours-long manhunt Saturday afternoon near Russell Branch Parkway SE and Battlefield Parkway SE, police said. The cause of death was not immediately known. No other persons of interest in this investi…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Maryland Man Charged With Attempted Murder In Fender Bender Shooting Maryland Man Charged With Attempted Murder In Fender Bender Shooting
Maryland Man Charged With Attempted Murder In Fender Bender Shooting The 29-year-old man accused of attempted murder in a shooting over a fender bender dispute in Silver Spring has been taken into custody, authorities confirmed. John Tomlinson was identified as the suspect in a shooting that occurred near Thayer Avenue and Mayor Lane just before 2:15 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 13, the Montgomery County Police Department said. According to police, Tomlinson saw his friend physically fighting with an impaired driver who hit his car parked on Mayor Lane. Tomlinson then retrieved a handgun from another vehicle and was caught on video surveillance footage firing …

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by Valerie Musson