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Obituaries
Family, Friends Shell-Shocked After Maryland Grandmother Of Eight Killed In Virginia Carjacking Family, Friends Shell-Shocked After Maryland Grandmother Of Eight Killed In Virginia Carjacking
Family, Friends Shell-Shocked After Maryland Grandmother Of Eight Killed In Virginia Carjacking A beloved Maryland grandmother of eight and mother to four children who spent part of her life dedicating herself to healthcare services in Virginia left a family reeling after she was killed in a carjacking. Silver Spring resident Melody Waldecker, 54, was involved in a fatal carjacking this week in Sterling by Jose Aguilar-Martinez where she was killed by her own vehicle, police say. Now, friends and well-wishers in the community are coming together in support of her family, which is stunned days after she was identified as the victim by police. "Losing a mother (or) grand…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
Maryland Man Critically Injured In Pool Accident Was Days From 22nd Birthday Maryland Man Critically Injured In Pool Accident Was Days From 22nd Birthday
Maryland Man Critically Injured In Pool Accident Was Days From 22nd Birthday Hunter Palak planned to celebrate his 22nd birthday on Friday surrounded by friends and family. Instead, there will still be loved ones with him, but it will be around a hospital bed in a Baltimore ICU as he recovers from traumatic injuries suffered in a tragic pool accident.  On Sunday, July 28, Palak was injured in an incident and flown to a Baltimore shock trauma center, where he remained as of Wednesday, according to his aunt, who says that the outlook for the 21-year-old is still in question as he continues his difficult battle and faces an uncertain future. "His injuries are ver…

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by Zak Failla
Obituaries
'Life Had Its Own Plans:' Man Chasing American Dream Dies In Fatal Maryland Crash 'Life Had Its Own Plans:' Man Chasing American Dream Dies In Fatal Maryland Crash
'Life Had Its Own Plans:' Man Chasing American Dream Dies In Fatal Maryland Crash Isaac Akomanyi came to Maryland, leaving his wife and young son behind in Ghana, in search of the American dream. That dream was shattered in July when the Germantown man was involved in a fatal crash in Montgomery County, leaving 3-year-old Aden, wife Mavis, and other loved ones reeling in Africa. On the evening of Saturday, July 20, Akomanyi was driving a Nissan when he was involved in a crash with a Dodge Ram 1500 pick-up that ended with his car wrapped around a tree and the truck smashing through the back of his vehicle.  Now, the community is coming to the aid of the fa…

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by Zak Failla
Obituaries
Teen Killed In Maryland Mall Shooting Remembered By Family For Unique Sense Of Humor Teen Killed In Maryland Mall Shooting Remembered By Family For Unique Sense Of Humor
Teen Killed In Maryland Mall Shooting Remembered By Family For Unique Sense Of Humor Community support is swelling for the mother and family of the 17-year-old who was gunned down at the Columbia Mall in Howard County over the weekend. Officers were called late in the afternoon on Saturday, July 27, where there was a reported shooting in the area of the food court with on person - later identified as Angelo Little - dead in the mall before the shooter fled the area. It was believed to be a targeted attack. Little was described as a "beloved son, cousin, and brother."  "(He) was a funny, energetic young man who was always ready to care for the people he loved," Charell Wil…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
2nd Victim Of PA Trump Rally Shooting Released, Hospital Says 2nd Victim Of PA Trump Rally Shooting Released, Hospital Says
2nd Victim Of PA Trump Rally Shooting Released, Hospital Says The second of two men who were shot during a Trump rally in Pennsylvania has been released, Allegheny Hospital Officials told Daily Voice on Monday, July 29.  James Copenhaver, 74 of Moon Township, PA, was discharged on Friday, July 26, a hospital spokesperson told us. David Dutch, 57, New Kensington, PA, was previously discharged on Wednesday afternoon, July 24, according to the spokesperson Dutch and Copenhaver were in critical condition following the shooting by Thomas Matthew Crooks at the Trump rally on Saturday, July 13. Both of their statuses "have been upgr…

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by Jillian Pikora
News
Mother Calls For End To Gun Violence After Toddler Shot During Day Care Walk In DC Mother Calls For End To Gun Violence After Toddler Shot During Day Care Walk In DC
Mother Calls For End To Gun Violence After Toddler Shot During Day Care Walk In DC A mother whose toddler was struck by gunfire in Southeast DC is calling on the community to cease the violence that has plagued the city for years. A 2-year-old girl was caught in the crossfire of a shooting earlier this month that left two dead and two others with serious injuries, now she is recovering in a hospital bed a week later. The girl was reportedly struck while going on her daily walk with her day care class, and she was still in the ICU as of Thursday afternoon. Her mother said it was only the second week she was at the facility after she was hesitant to enroll her. "I have car…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Home Torched By Fatal Fire Housed Four Generations Of Mourning Maryland Family Home Torched By Fatal Fire Housed Four Generations Of Mourning Maryland Family
Home Torched By Fatal Fire Housed Four Generations Of Mourning Maryland Family A family is coming to grips days after a fatal Maryland fire claimed the life of a beloved patriarch and left their childhood home with extensive damage. Early in the morning of Friday, July 19, first responders were called to the 11400 block of Neelsville Church Road near Shakespeare Boulevard in Germantown, where there was a reported house fire with a person trapped inside. Firefighters were able to rescue an 80-year-old man from a burning bedroom, while several others inside the home were able to escape safely. The man later died from his injuries after being airlifted to MedSTAR i…

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by Zak Failla
Police & Fire
Teens Charged As Adults For Fatal Shooting Of 19-Year-Old In Maryland, Police Say Teens Charged As Adults For Fatal Shooting Of 19-Year-Old In Maryland, Police Say
Teens Charged As Adults For Fatal Shooting Of 19-Year-Old In Maryland, Police Say Two teens have been charged in connection to the fatal midday shooting of a 19-year-old Chillum man in Prince George's County earlier this year, authorities announced. Shortly after noon on April 10, officers were called to the 500 block of Chillum Road, where they found Carlos Hernandez-Ortiz suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was rushed to an area hospital, where he was later pronounced dead from his injuries. According to a GoFundMe campaign set up by his brother following Hernandez-Ortiz's death, "he was innocently shot from bullets that were intended for someone else."&nb…

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by Zak Failla
Obituaries
Father Of Five Killed In 'Tragic' Maryland Motorcycle Crash Father Of Five Killed In 'Tragic' Maryland Motorcycle Crash
Father Of Five Killed In 'Tragic' Maryland Motorcycle Crash Support is swelling for the family of a father of five who was killed in a motorcycle accident in Maryland over the weekend. On Saturday, July 13, Germantown resident Rolando "Roly" Balcazar, Jr. was killed in what was described as "a tragic accident" while riding his motorcycle, leaving behind his loving family and children. Following his death, the community has rallied around his loved ones as they continue to grip with his unexpected passing. "Dripz, you're 1 of a kind my brother," a friend posted on social media. "I will NEVER forget you (and) your beautiful soul. Love you forever.&nb…

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by Zak Failla
Politics
Conditions Improve For Injured Victims From PA Trump Rally, Hospital Says Conditions Improve For Injured Victims From PA Trump Rally, Hospital Says
Conditions Improve For Injured Victims From PA Trump Rally, Hospital Says The two men who were shot during a Trump rally in Pennsylvania and left in critical condition have had their conditions upgraded, Allegheny Hospital Officials told Daily Voice on Wednesday, July 17.  David Dutch, 57 of New Kensington, PA, and James Copenhaver, 74 of Moon Township, PA, were in critical condition following the shooting by Thomas Matthew Crooks at the Trump rally on Saturday, July 13. Both of their statuses "have been upgraded from critical to serious condition as of 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 17," a spokesperson from AGH told us that evening. To clarify, this means both o…

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by Jillian Pikora
Obituaries
Motorcyclist Killed In Maryland Crash Leaves Behind Two Children, Reeling Family Motorcyclist Killed In Maryland Crash Leaves Behind Two Children, Reeling Family
Motorcyclist Killed In Maryland Crash Leaves Behind Two Children, Reeling Family Friends and family are still shell-shocked days after a doting dad of two young children was killed in a motorcycle crash in Calvert County. Paul O'Neal, 36, was killed on July 14 after crashing into the back of a Dodge 3500 pick-up on Maryland Route 4 in Lusby near the intersection of Nursery Road.  O'Neal was treated at the scene by first responders, but was pronounced dead at the scene, now the community is rallying around his struggling loved ones. "I can’t believe I even have to write these words," one family member said. "Please keep my cousin and her babies in your prayers.  "We’ve…

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by Zak Failla
News
Injured Victims From PA Trump Rally ID'd By Police Injured Victims From PA Trump Rally ID'd By Police
Injured Victims From PA Trump Rally ID'd By Police The two men who were shot during a Trump rally in Pennsylvania and left in critical condition have been identified by the Pennsylvania State Police on Sunday evening. David Dutch, 57 of New Kensington, PA, and James Copenhaver, 74 of Moon Township, PA, have serious injuries following the shooting by Thomas Matthew Crooks at the Trump rally on Saturday, July 13 but were listed in stable condition on Sunday, July 14, state police explained.   Former fire chief, Corey Comperatore, 50 of Sarver, was identified as the man who was shot dead, as Daily Voice previously reported. &nbs…

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by Jillian Pikora