A decade later, they have never been found.

The children’s mother, Catherine Hoggle, was charged with killing them, but the charges were dropped because she was found not competent to stand trial.

News4 has followed the case since the start. We recently combed through years of archival footage and spoke with the children’s father and prosecutors about finding the children and holding their mother accountable.

‘I’ll die looking for them’

In fall 2014, it seemed like you couldn’t go anywhere without seeing Sarah’s and Jacob’s faces.

The mystery of what happened to them gripped the D.C. area. Where were they and why wouldn’t their mother tell investigators what she did with them?

The Hoggle children’s father, Troy Turner, has spent the past decade trying to find them.

“I feel like my kids will be searched for until they’re found, or I’ll die looking for them. It could turn into 30, 40 years, or however long I’m blessed to live,” he said.

A father realizes his children are gone

Hoggle and Turner lived together with their three kids in Montgomery County.

According to multiple law enforcement sources, Hoggle took Jacob and Sarah separately by car and returned each time without them.

Investigators say she has told various stories about where they went: She took them for pizza. She took them to a friend’s house. She dropped them off at day care.

“She was able to abduct them while I was at work,” Turner said. “When I went to work that day, she was never supposed to be alone with the kids. There was a family plan in place. A family member threw her the keys, allowed her to take my son. When she came back without him, nobody called me. And then, because of that, she was also able to get Sarah later.”

Turner, who worked nights, didn’t immediately realize the kids were gone.

He said Hoggle told him the children were at a new day care. Later in the day, Turner tried to get Hoggle to take him to the day care.

“Whenever I turned back around and said, ‘OK, what’s the address?’ She said, ‘I don’t know.’ I said, ‘What’s the phone number there so I can call them?’ She said, ‘I don’t know.’ I said, ‘Well, what street is it on?’ She said, ‘I don’t know.’ I said, ‘You mean to tell me you don’t know what it’s called, you don’t know where it is, you don’t know the address and you don’t have a phone number? And you dropped our kids off there?’” he said.

After hours of driving to different places, Turner decided they had to go to the police.

But Hoggle wanted to stop at Chick-fil-A in Germantown for a drink first, Turner said.

She went inside but Turner never saw her head back out. She was gone.

“I go look in the women’s bathroom. I look in the men’s bathroom, check all the stalls in both, probably look like a crazy person,” he recalled. “I come back out, don’t see her anywhere, look out the other door, don’t see her in the parking lot anywhere. So, then I go get in the car and just drive directly to the police station.”

Hoggle went missing for several days. Surveillance video showed her in a building. She had changed her appearance.

Eventually, she was found and taken into custody. But Sarah and Jacob were not with her.

Police had Turner try to get Hoggle to say where their children were.

“She was saying that the kids were fine. She had given them to someone to watch until she could execute her plan to, like, go live somewhere else, like the beach or something like that. I don’t remember exactly what that was. But, she had a plan. Supposedly they were going to watch them while she got things together,” he said.

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‘We’ve not given up hope on this case’

Detectives, the family and the community searched for the children, and Hoggle was held on abduction charges. The charges were upgraded to murder in 2017.

Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy called the case one of the most frustrating he has ever prosecuted.

“I was very hopeful that we would ultimately find out where they were. That has not turned out to be the case,” he said. “I think probably what surprises me more is the journey that we’ve traveled and not being able to get her to trial because I was, you know, I was virtually certain that ultimately she would be found competent and we would go to trial in this matter. So, that to me, that’s the real surprise.”

Hoggle was found not competent to stand trial. That led to the murder charges being dropped in 2022.

“If you cannot restore a person to competency within a specified period of time, in this instance it was five years, the charges against her must be dismissed,” McCarthy said. “So as we sit here today, she’s not charged with the crime, but she’s not free in the community. And the reason she’s not free in the community is the same: Doctors who said she was incompetent to stand trial said that she continues to be a danger to herself or others. And so she was civilly and involuntarily committed, because of her dangerousness. And she remains, to my knowledge, remains incarcerated in an institution for treatment for that reason.”

Hoggle could be charged with murder again one day, McCarthy said.

The defense could still raise the argument that Hoggle was not criminally responsible, entering an insanity plea.

“We’ve not given up hope on this case,” McCarthy said. “You know, not giving up hope that someday she will improve satisfactorily, that the state doctors who are evaluating her will find that she’s competent or think that she’s no longer a danger to anyone else and release her back into the community. And if she’s released back into the community, we’ll reinstitute the charges.”

‘I think that justice was done’

David Felsen represents Hoggle.

“There was no question that she was incompetent to stand trial. Every doctor – and these were the state doctors – found that she was incompetent to stand trial. They basically agreed in their diagnosis and prognosis. Even when the state asked for a second state doctor, that doctor agreed with the diagnosis of the prior doctors and the subsequent doctors. And I think, under the law, I think that justice was done.”

Felsen contends that the answers people are looking for simply don’t exist. News4 asked him if he believes there ever will be a time when Hoggle will be able to tell her family and authorities what happened to the children.

“No, I don’t,” Hoggle’s lawyer said. “As I said, what happened back in September of 2014, she was in the throes of paranoid schizophrenia with delusions. And to think that anything she might recall or say that she recalls would not be credible in terms of any investigation.”

Hoggle’s lawyer declined to comment on whether he believes that Hoggle killed her children.

“I personally don’t know what happened. I do know what the records say, but I have never seen any forensic evidence of anything relative to the children. I’ve never seen any video evidence relative to the children. I don’t know what happened and, unfortunately, I don’t know that we will ever know.”

Felsen said he doesn’t know if Hoggle will ever be competent to stand trial. He said Hoggle has been “vilified.”

“There’s no question that she’s been vilified. There also is no question that she is a loving and caring mother, that she cared about her children, that she was also in the throes of probably some of the most profound mental health issues that that one could think of and one could describe,” he said. “This case is a tragedy. As I said, this case is a tragedy on many levels, including for her.”

Still asking why, all these years later

Questions that have never been answered are if Hoggle killed her children, why? And why did she take them in the first place?

Turner said he believes Hoggle resented choices he made when he had her committed a year earlier.

“When I had her committed in 2013. I think that created some resentment. I think the family plan that was put in place afterwards, where she could not be alone with the children and things like that, I think that definitely caused some resentment,” he said. “And I think she probably – and this is just me guessing, obviously – but I think that she probably kind of felt like maybe, you know, it was almost like having a life, her life be like a prison in a way where she wasn’t allowed to just do what she wanted.”

McCarthy, the prosecutor, said he was unsure of Hoggle’s motive.

“I think that’s a question that only Catherine can answer,” he said.

Turner said he believes the system failed Sarah and Jacob.

Hoggle “has more rights and protections than my kids. In the state of Maryland, victims are just not protected. There’s no hope for us out there, you know, in terms of the system itself. The system isn’t designed to protect, you know, people from crime. The system there right now is designed to protect criminals. And I’m not talking about punishing people for being mentally ill; I’m talking about protecting victims and handling criminals appropriately with a justice system.”

Turner said he refuses to give up his life’s mission and purpose.

“If the police are correct, then they were put in a dumpster and incinerated. So that’s why we possibly will never find the bodies, in which case I’ll die looking for my children,” he said. “If they’re not, then, I mean, we have to find them, if they’re out there somewhere and whatever that entails, and bring them home.”

Go here for more stories in our NBC Washington Rewind series, which takes a look back at some of the biggest news in our region using unforgettable NBC4 footage from over the decades.

Ernest Joseph Dyson, 39, was working on a water main break near the intersection of New Hampshire Avenue and Rodney Road about 4:40 a.m. when the driver of a black 2011 Volkswagen CC hit him, police said.

He died at the scene of the crash.

“WSSC Water is devastated by this tragedy,” WSSC Water General Manager and CEO Kishia L. Powell said in a statement Monday. “Ernest was the embodiment of professionalism and public service. He was a dedicated and highly respected member of the Utility Services Department and a beloved member of Team H2O with nearly 18 years of service to WSSC Water customers.”

Ernie Dyson was killed doing his job — a public service — one that he was proud of. He cared about giving back to his community.

“Anyone that came in contact with Ernie just loved him,” said his cousin, Alfonso Dyson. “Loved his personality. He’d do anything for anyone. He would give of himself in a moment’s notice.”

He says there’s a void in the hearts of his family members. Ernie Dyson was the youngest of five children and a loving son. 

“One of the things with Ernie is that he never lost sight of his family,” his cousin said. “That was most important to him.”

“We don’t have our loved one anymore,” he said. “He’s gone. He’s gone. And the family has to suffer through this.”

Ernie’s impact was also felt by his friends and coworkers. In a statement, WSSC Water said, “We are all heartbroken and honestly still in shock as we process this senseless tragedy. Our deepest condolences are with Mr. Dyson’s family during this incredibly difficult time.”

In the midst of tragedy, Ernie Dyson’s family hopes others don’t have to face the senseless pain they now feel.

“There’s no reason why this person had to get behind the wheel,” his cousin said. “Especially in today’s time. There’s Uber, there’s Lyft, call a friend, call a family member. This should be a lesson to everyone.”

Montgomery County Police have not identified the driver who struck Ernie Dyson. The investigation is still ongoing.

Police are asking anyone who might have seen the crash to call 240-773-6620.

The family says funeral arrangements are in the works, and he’s expected to be laid to rest in Clinton.

Stay with News4 for updates to this developing story.

Troy Turner pleaded for help finding Sarah and Jacob in a video released by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).

“As a dad, I want to have hope. And as a father, obviously, I love my kids and I want to hope that in some way, they’re still there,” Turner said. “We’re gonna keep fighting.”

In hopes of getting answers, the NCMEC released age-progressed images of what the Hoggle siblings may look like today. The hope is that the images may spark a memory, or inspire someone to come forward with information.

Sarah would be 13, and Jacob would be 12 years old.

“There’s tremendous frustration that we have gone 10 years and not had, sort of, a conclusion to this,” John McCarthy, the State’s Attorney for Montgomery County, said.

Murder charges against children’s mother were dropped

Sarah and Jacob were last seen on Labor Day weekend 2014, in the care of their mother, Catherine Hoggle, the NCMEC said.

Catherine Hoggle was later arrested and charged with murder. Despite extensive searches, Sarah and Jacob have never been found. According to the NCMEC, Hoggle continues to say her children are “safe.”

The last major update in the case came two years ago when a judge dropped charges against Catherine Hoggle.

Montgomery County courts repeatedly deemed Hoggle not mentally competent to stand trial, and Maryland law mandated the charges be dropped after five years. Police said she refused to cooperate, and prosecutors accused her of faking the extent of her mental illness.

A judge ordered Hoggle to be involuntarily committed to a psychiatric institution civilly after it was determined that she remained a danger to herself and others. Hoggle, who had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia before the children went missing, has been held in a maximum-security psychiatric hospital since her arrest.

The State’s Attorney’s office continues to monitor Catherine Hoggle’s condition and would charge her again if they can, McCarthy said.

“If her mental health status improves to the point that she can be removed from the hospital because she’s no longer a danger to herself and others in the community, we’ll reindict this case,” he said.

In a release from the NCMEC, Turner, the father, said it’s time to move the focus onto finding his son and daughter.

“For the past 10 years the focus has been on her and whether she was competent to stand trial,” Turner said.  “I want the focus to be put back on finding my children. It is definitely time to have some movement in the case. If someone knows anything, if anyone saw anything, it’s time to come forward. It’s past time.”

Anyone with information can contact the NCMEC at 1-800-843-5688 or Montgomery County Police at 301-279-8000.

NBC Washington is looking back at the Hoggle case. Stay tuned for updates.

Montgomery County police say the same 12-year-old boy broke into five Montgomery County dealerships in August. News4 reported that police said they couldn’t charge him because he’s too young, due to a juvenile justice law.

The boy broke into a Porsche dealership in Bethesda on Monday, police said. Workers say he walked around inside before Montgomery County police arrested him.

“That young individual is in need of some supervision, and I think that it’s critical that he gets that,” said Assistant Chief David McBain.

Investigators say the 12-year-old has broken into six high-end dealerships, including BMW, Jaguar, Audi and Porsche. In some break-ins, he managed to steal cars.

“That is a D.C. resident, and we are actually actively working with the D.C. government,” McBain said.

Police say they weren’t able to take the 12-year-old into custody because of his age and a Maryland juvenile justice reform law passed in 2022. The legislation says children under 13 can’t be charged with property crimes.

“The system we are stuck in now has allowed these repeated occasions to occur,” Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy said.

Maryland state legislators passed a revised juvenile justice bill earlier this year that’s set to go into effect Nov. 1. The bill broadens consequences for 10 to 12-year-olds who commit crimes. It also expands probation, creates diversion programs and details when state’s attorneys can review certain juvenile cases.

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McCarthy said he believes the legislation was a great first step but that additional legislation is needed for young offenders who don’t live in Maryland.

“A juvenile offender who does not live in Maryland who has hit many of our car dealerships here shows you some of the shortcomings that exist in the solutions that were crafted last year by the legislature and it’s not, you know — sometimes these fixes are more complex than that,” McCarthy said.

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A girl at the party tells News4 Chase Lancaster stepped in front of her to shield her when the gunfire broke out.

When he first arrived at the hospital after being shot, he was so badly injured, doctors didn’t know if he would survive. But Chase is a fighter, his dad, Alex Lancaster says.

“No parent should have to experience this,” he said. “And we’re very fortunate we did not lose him, but it has been very hard for both his mother and I.”

On the night of August 9, Chase was at a gathering of high school students at the clubhouse at the Urban Green Apartments in Urbana.

A group of shooters wearing masks opened fire, according to witnesses.

The girl had never met Chase before, but he was shielding her with his body when he was hit.

“He has no, that we know of, enemies at all,” Lancaster said. “Very popular kid, very good kid. His whole life has been changed and shattered upside down.”

Nearly a month later, Chase is still in the hospital and has undergone 14 surgeries. He recently opened his eyes for the first time, and just today was able to suction his own breathing tube.

He’s on the football team at Northwest High School and has dreams of playing in college and the NFL.

“No one should be allowed to do what they did here – destroy a kid’s life, take away his dream or delay it significantly,” Lancaster said.

An online fundraiser for the family has raised more than $21,000.

No arrests have been made yet in the shooting, and the motive is still unclear.

“For those who did this heinous act, I want you to know – they’re going to find you,” Lancaster said. “They’re going to find you, and I hope you get prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

News4 reached out to the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office. They said they did not have any updates to provide on the investigation.

The county partnership with food delivery service Instacart is giving families monthly vouchers — and for Danielle Wood, the program means one less thing to worry about.

Wood is a working mother of three. Her family is one of 600 enrolled in the Montgomery County Groceries Program. She receives a monthly voucher of 300 dollars, which she can use to get groceries delivered to her door through Instacart.

“It’s a huge breath of relief, yeah,” Wood told News4 while enjoying the park with her youngest, who is just nine months old.

Wood and her husband work full time. But they’re not immune to the financial pinch being felt by millions of people nationwide.

Making ends meet has been difficult, so the opportunity to have one part of the problem taken care of — and have it delivered straight to their door — has been huge.

“You want to have a family and you also want to be able to care for your family,” Wood said. “You want to care for them well. To be supported by the county, by the community, and be seen by your community is a big deal.”

Montgomery County allocated $1.8 million toward the program. Collaboration with Instacart has been key, the county told News4.

Families are able to get $100 per child, per month, up to four children.

Here are the qualifications for the program:

• Households must have at least one child under the age of 18
• Households must NOT be recieving benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) program
• Households must have an income below 400% of the federal poverty level. That roughly equates to $124,000 a year for a household of 4.

Montgomery County says the program is specifically designed for families in the “SNAP gap” — where they make too much for federal assistance, but are still struggling to make ends meet.

“We have to make sure that programs like this expand, so that we can meet the needs of our community and meet them where they are,” said Montgomery County Councilmember Gabe Albornoz.

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For Wood, the financial breathing room lets her enjoy the little things even more, like spending quality time with her kids.

“There’s a lot of families who you wouldn’t look at them and expect that this would be such a boon and such a gift for them to receive this, but it’s life-changing,” Wood said. “It seems like the smallest thing. It’s just groceries, but it’s making a difference.”

The County has plans to expand the program to support up to 2,000 households.

More than 80 grocery stores in Montgomery County are part of the program. You can get more information on getting involved here.

Only on 4, surveillance video shows the boy jumping through a window, rifling through offices and getting behind the wheel of a van.

In some cases, the boy has managed to drive off with cars, sources say.

Video shows the boy opening a window at Pristine Auto in Rockville early Tuesday. He climbs in head first, wanders around the dealership for about 15 minutes and searches through drawers. He even opens the fridge to look for a snack. Finally, he goes outside and can be seen searching the dealership’s vehicles.

The boy is accused of targeting five dealerships in Montgomery County this month, including Audi and BMW in Rockville.

In each case, police could not hold him because he’s so young. Under a Maryland juvenile justice law passed two years ago, kids under age 13 cannot be charged with property crimes.

News4 sends breaking news stories by email. Go here to sign up to get breaking news alerts in your inbox.

Workers at Pristine Auto said that after the first break-in, the boy returned two days later to try to break in a second time. That time, workers were still there. They called police and officers were able to catch the boy just down the street.

Sources familiar with the investigation told News4 that after each time police have caught the boy, they have had to drop him off at home in D.C.

Brooks Brothers on Wisconsin Avenue in Chevy Chase had its glass door smashed. Police were on the scene at 4 a.m. to help cover the storefront with cardboard.

A window was smashed at Parkway Deli’s front door in Silver Spring located on Grubb Road off East-West Highway, leaving glass scattered on the sidewalk.

Several businesses were hit at the Glen Echo Center along MacArthur Boulevard in Bethesda, including a gas station, a pharmacy, a Domino’s and a sushi restaurant.

Security footage shows a picture of three people dressed in black outside of the pharmacy at 1 a.m.

It’s unclear if anything was taken.

We've reached out to Montgomery County police for more information and to see if these incidents might be related.

Stay with News4 for more on this developing story.

Ernest Joseph Dyson, 39, was working on a water main break near the intersection of New Hampshire Avenue and Rodney Road about 4:40 a.m. when the driver of a black 2011 Volkswagen CC hit him, police said.

He died at the scene of the crash.

“WSSC Water is devastated by this tragedy,” WSSC Water General Manager and CEO Kishia L. Powell said in a statement Monday. “Ernest was the embodiment of professionalism and public service. He was a dedicated and highly respected member of the Utility Services Department and a beloved member of Team H2O with nearly 18 years of service to WSSC Water customers.”

Ernie Dyson was killed doing his job — a public service — one that he was proud of. He cared about giving back to his community.

“Anyone that came in contact with Ernie just loved him,” said his cousin, Alfonso Dyson. “Loved his personality. He’d do anything for anyone. He would give of himself in a moment’s notice.”

He says there’s a void in the hearts of his family members. Ernie Dyson was the youngest of five children and a loving son. 

“One of the things with Ernie is that he never lost sight of his family,” his cousin said. “That was most important to him.”

“We don’t have our loved one anymore,” he said. “He’s gone. He’s gone. And the family has to suffer through this.”

Ernie’s impact was also felt by his friends and coworkers. In a statement, WSSC Water said, “We are all heartbroken and honestly still in shock as we process this senseless tragedy. Our deepest condolences are with Mr. Dyson’s family during this incredibly difficult time.”

In the midst of tragedy, Ernie Dyson’s family hopes others don’t have to face the senseless pain they now feel.

“There’s no reason why this person had to get behind the wheel,” his cousin said. “Especially in today’s time. There’s Uber, there’s Lyft, call a friend, call a family member. This should be a lesson to everyone.”

Montgomery County Police have not identified the driver who struck Ernie Dyson. The investigation is still ongoing.

Police are asking anyone who might have seen the crash to call 240-773-6620.

The family says funeral arrangements are in the works, and he’s expected to be laid to rest in Clinton.

Stay with News4 for updates to this developing story.

Sarah Katherine Magid was arrested Monday after police and special agents from the United States Drug Enforcement Administration executed a search and seizure warrant at her home in Burtonsville, police said.

DEA agents and police detectives discovered that a man who died in March from a fentanyl overdose had been in Montgomery County in the days leading up to his death and had been in contact with Magid, according to police.

Two days before the victim was found dead in a home for recovering addicts — according to a D.C. police report — he reached out to Magid for Xanax, according to charging documents. Montgomery County police say text messages show the teacher sold to the man for months before his death and knew how dangerous the drugs were.

The day before the man was found dead, text messages show Magid was trying to get in touch with him but he wasn’t responding, police said. The day after he was found, she texted him again, writing “Guess you died,” and expressing concern having not had contact with him for four days.

The next day, the man’s sister opened his phone and sent a message to Magid saying the man was dead. “I know who you are and I know what you did,” his sister wrote.

Documents also say an anonymous source alerted police to Magid allegedly leaving the classroom to sell drugs outside of school.

Magid teaches at Dr. Charles Drew Elementary in Silver Spring, according to the MCPS online staff directory.

Magid is in jail awaiting a bond hearing, police said.

Magid was placed on leave, according to an MCPS spokesperson.

Jala Carter, her fiancé and their four kids were home when fire ripped through their condo building about 8 a.m. She pulled the fire alarm, got her family out and alerted her neighbors.

“We grabbed our keys, stuff we saw, came to the side, and that’s when noticed the building was engulfed in flames,” she said. “It happened really fast.”

The fire happened after they had done their back-to-school shopping for the kids, and they only got some items out.

“One week before school, all the stuff we bought for them and school, like new shoes and book bags, everything’s just, like, gone,” said Elton Addisson. “But they’re still in high spirits. We took them to the Clarksburg Closet; they acted like they were at the mall. They were happy. If they’re happy, I’m happy.”

Clarksburg Closet, which offers clothing to anyone in need, provided free items to families at the fire scene, and it’s offering additional free assistance to help with immediate needs.

“We were told if we needed something immediately, we could come here and pick it up,” displaced resident Arif Koreishi said. “So, I walked out with just pajamas, so I needed to get some clothes.”

Some residents were still asleep in their units when firefighters arrived, investigators said. 

“Crews did a great job in getting the rest of the residents out, preventing anybody from getting more seriously injured,” Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Assistant Chief David Pazos said.

Residents who spoke with News4 said they are grateful for the help they received.

“Things like this teach you that tomorrow isn’t promised, life is very short, and just tackle every day the best that you can,” Carter said.

Montgomery County nonprofit Making Home Possible is collecting and managing financial donations for those impacted.

Four people were injured, including two firefighters. They’re all expected to be OK.

The damage is estimated at almost $1 million. The building was condemned.

The fire is under investigation.

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First responders say at least 43 people are now displaced, and four residents and four firefighters suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

Elton Addison lives on the first floor of the building. He smelled smoke and immediately went into action.

“I ran in the house and got my kids,” Addison said. “Like I said, my two youngest ones were in the bath, so they literally went out of the building, no clothes on.”

When firefighters arrived at the scene, they saw flames coming from the top floor. Lori Rummers, a neighbor, saw the fire from the street.

“I was very scared because it was right here next to me, and so I just moved here three months ago, and so it was very scary just knowing that that could happen, and then being in a condo myself,” she said.

Several of the windows are broken in, and now the building is condemned.

Firefighters Saturday were clearing the debris and examining if the building could collapse due to fire and water damage.

Residents of the building now have to find a new place to live.

“It’s devastating. You know, schools about to start, all the school stuff, everything, everything’s in there,” Addison said. “I mean, this is hard. This is so unfortunate.”

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

News4 sends breaking news stories by email. Go here to sign up to get breaking news alerts in your inbox.

Ernest Joseph Dyson, 39, was working on a water main break near the intersection of New Hampshire Avenue and Rodney Road about 4:40 a.m. when the driver of a black 2011 Volkswagen CC hit him, police said.

He died at the scene of the crash.

“WSSC Water is devastated by this tragedy,” WSSC Water General Manager and CEO Kishia L. Powell said in a statement Monday. “Ernest was the embodiment of professionalism and public service. He was a dedicated and highly respected member of the Utility Services Department and a beloved member of Team H2O with nearly 18 years of service to WSSC Water customers.”

Ernie Dyson was killed doing his job — a public service — one that he was proud of. He cared about giving back to his community.

“Anyone that came in contact with Ernie just loved him,” said his cousin, Alfonso Dyson. “Loved his personality. He’d do anything for anyone. He would give of himself in a moment’s notice.”

He says there’s a void in the hearts of his family members. Ernie Dyson was the youngest of five children and a loving son. 

“One of the things with Ernie is that he never lost sight of his family,” his cousin said. “That was most important to him.”

“We don’t have our loved one anymore,” he said. “He’s gone. He’s gone. And the family has to suffer through this.”

Ernie’s impact was also felt by his friends and coworkers. In a statement, WSSC Water said, “We are all heartbroken and honestly still in shock as we process this senseless tragedy. Our deepest condolences are with Mr. Dyson’s family during this incredibly difficult time.”

In the midst of tragedy, Ernie Dyson’s family hopes others don’t have to face the senseless pain they now feel.

“There’s no reason why this person had to get behind the wheel,” his cousin said. “Especially in today’s time. There’s Uber, there’s Lyft, call a friend, call a family member. This should be a lesson to everyone.”

Montgomery County Police have not identified the driver who struck Ernie Dyson. The investigation is still ongoing.

Police are asking anyone who might have seen the crash to call 240-773-6620.

The family says funeral arrangements are in the works, and he’s expected to be laid to rest in Clinton.

Stay with News4 for updates to this developing story.

The Bethesda Central Farm Market takes place at the school every Sunday. Families who came out to enjoy the year-round farmers market noticed the vulgar graffiti outside the school as they walked up to the school on Aug. 11.

In addition to the graffiti along the school’s sign, there was also graffiti on the sidewalk.

“To have such graphic, hateful speech at that particular location is despicable,” Guila Franklin Siegal, chief operating officer of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, said.

Montgomery County police were called to the school about reports of vandalism and hate speech plastered around the property.

The incident happened overnight into Sunday, according to police. The person or people responsible for the incident spray-painted antisemitic phrases in the school’s parking lot and at a nearby building.

Community members came together to scrub away the graffiti from the school sign and other areas around the school on Sunday morning.

“Unfortunately, we have seen skyrocketing in anti-semitism nationally and locally,” Franklin Siegal said.

Franklin Siegal said in a statement that with school starting in two weeks and Jewish High Holidays coming up, local leaders and law enforcement should “make it clear that hateful ideologies of any kind have no place in our communities.”

Police are still investigating this incident.

Stay with NBC Washington for more details on this developing story.

Dozens of firefighters responded to Spencerville Seventh-day Adventist Church on New Hampshire Avenue about 1:45 a.m. to put out the fire. Photos showed flames blazing through the roof of the church.

The exact source of the fire is unknown, but it appeared to be an electrical issue that sparked a fire in the audio-visual control booth at the back of the sanctuary, the church posted on its Facebook page.

Damage to the church’s sanctuary was extensive, and photos from inside show scorched pews and singed hymnals. The church’s organ, piano, roof and ceiling planks were also damaged.

No one was hurt in the fire.

“We mourn the loss of the house where the Spencerville family has worshipped our Savior, Jesus Christ for nearly 45 years,” Senior Pastor Chad Stuart said in a statement. “But we do not mourn without hope, because we know that worship of Jesus is not limited to a building and that the church is not a place, but it is the collective people of God coming together—believing that out of ashes Jesus gives life and revival.”

The church will hold Sabbath worship services at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists at 12501 Old Columbia Pike in Silver Spring.

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The police department said its Drone as First Responder program that launched in November allows officers, who are monitoring 911 calls in real-time, to deploy the drone to emergency situations – like assaults, shootings, robberies and carjackings. The average response time is 67 seconds.

“We’re getting there quick, and that’s the name of the game. Speed’s the name of the game. The faster we can get the drone there, the faster we can see what’s going on, see who needs help, see where they are,” Cmdr. Jason Cokinos, the supervisor of the program, told News4.

So far, the drones are used in Silver Spring and Wheaton. Police will start using them in Gaithersburg later in August, and in Bethesda by September.

Cokinos said the drones have already proved beneficial when allocating resources, especially as the police department – like many other departments nationwide – faces a staffing shortage.

“Over 150 calls, we’ve been able to cancel the need for officers to continue. So the drone has put over 300 officers back in service,” he said.

The drones can dramatically change the way officers approach a scene.

Earlier this year, Cokinos said they received reports of a man with a gun outside of a 7-Eleven. The drone was able to capture an image that painted a different picture.

“The camera is so powerful, we’re able to zoom in and see it’s a cellphone. We’ve been able to de-escalate the intensity of officers responding to an event. De-escalate the need to use force, and prevent the use of force by giving officers better information that puts them in a safer position,” Cokinos said.

But the technology can also create new challenges. Police held several public meetings to discuss the rollout of the program, and residents overwhelmingly voiced their concerns about privacy.

“When the drone takes off and it flies to an emergency the camera is pointed up toward the sky-line. It’s not recording anything. When drone gets on scene, the camera comes down and focuses on the area of the emergency, and then we’re recording. When we’re done with the emergency, we stop recording and the camera goes back up,” Cokinos said.

The drones also don’t record audio, they’re not used during protests – as long as they remain peaceful – and they cannot be used with facial recognition software, according to the department.

Cokinos said all videos are stored the same way as body-cam and dashboard camera videos, which are subject to audits and are logged by the department.

“It is a level of transparency that technology allows with a commitment from the police department to actually follow through on that and we’re seeing that from our police department which is something I think residents should and do appreciate,” Montgomery County Council President Andrew Freidson said.

Drone operators work 12-hour shifts so the program is not 24/7 at this point. That could change if funding for the program increases.

Crews responded to the house on Byrd Road about 2:45 p.m. Firefighters at the scene reported a gas-fed fire involving the gas meter and the electric meter, the Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service said.

All residents got out of the house, but a cat is missing, officials said.

As of about 3:15 p.m., firefighters were making an interior attack on the flames amid Thursday’s sweltering heat. The temperature outside is 99°, fire officials said.

Stay with NBC Washington for more on this developing story.

Five men and a woman attacked three men and a woman while they slept outside in a plaza early July 16, police said.

The woman was sleeping at a table when someone punched her in the face, police said. When she went for her phone to call for help, one of the attackers took it from her and broke it.

Surveillance video of one of the attacks — edited by police — begins with a car described as a dark-colored Honda Civic approaching the plaza near Fenton Street and Ellsworth Drive before 5 a.m. July 16. Then it shows three people walking onto the plaza before showing the vicious assault of one of the victims, who was punched and kicked while on the ground.

Another man was asleep on a bench when he was attacked, police said.

Another man was chased on Ellsworth Drive toward Georgia Avenue, police said. The suspects stopped chasing him, eventually.

“It’s terrible,” a homeless woman in the plaza told News4 Tuesday. “It’s not right. People deserve to sleep and be comfortable wherever they are without being attacked.”

She said the attacks don’t make her afraid to sleep in the plaza.

“I’m used to it,” she said.

Jonathan Goldstein, who described himself as an urban camper, and he’s never been assaulted in the plaza but is not surprised by the attack or its viciousness.

“These are people who have pent-up hostility and clearly wanted to vent it on someone that they seemingly could get away with venting it on,” he said.

Two of the victims were taken to the hospital for treatment.

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“I will never, ever stop the parties so long as I am not doing anything illegal,” he told News4’s Walter Morris.

The parties were infuriating to his neighbors, who complained about lewd behavior and so much traffic it was difficult to get to their homes.

But once the News4 I-Team dug into Tataw’s background, there was more to the story than just the parties.

“We’re not here about the parties,” the I-Team’s Ted Oberg told Tataw as he emerged from the home on a recent afternoon. “We’re here about the federal indictment and the activities in Cameroon.”

“Oh,” Tataw replied.

Tataw may not be well known past his Gaithersburg cul-de-sac, but in his home country of Cameroon in West Africa, Tataw is a leader, advocate and supporter of a long-simmering, sometimes violent separatist fight to break off English speaking portions of the country.

In frequent online videos, Tataw has called himself “a key factor in this revolution.” In others he boasts he has no fear of being well known for his views. “Quote me anywhere. My name is Eric Tataw,” he told viewers in a video posted on news site Downtown Info.

Tataw told the I-Team he is a journalist and an advocate. In past videos the I-Team uncovered online, Tataw discussed kidnappings and blockading Cameroonian government leaders in their homes. “I will have my men at your houses, and you may not be able to leave,” he warned Cameroonian government officials in one video.

In others, fellow Cameroonians accused him of supporting amputations of opponents’ limbs. That’s a claim he denies or at least distances himself from.

When asked about the claims of violence, Tataw told the I-Team, “What I think is important is to look at where, at a point, somebody makes contrition and makes a positive shift. That’s what life is about.”

It is likely he hasn’t been back to Cameroon for years despite his ongoing support for the separatist movement.

“I’ll be killed,” he told the I-Team. “I’ll be killed (if I return to Cameroon).”

“Because you have been active in the fight against the government there for more than a decade?” Oberg asked him.

“I agree. Yes, I’ve been active,” Tataw replied.

At least some of his neighbors are worried by Tataw’s outside-the-cul-de-sac activism. “It is alarming. It is of a concern,” said Jung Lee, who lives right next door.

But the I-Team found there’s another reason Tataw might not be traveling. He is facing a multicount indictment alleging bank fraud, wire fraud, ID theft, money laundering and obstruction of justice. He had to surrender his passport and is restricted to Maryland.

Tataw pleaded not guilty, but in an indictment, federal prosecutors allege he lied to get $163,000 from the COVID-era Paycheck Protection Program and then intimidated witnesses during the investigation.

“Anything related to the further indictment, only my lawyer can talk,” Tataw told the I-Team when asked about the charges. His lawyer hasn’t called back or replied to News4’s detailed emails. If he does, News4 will update this article.

An affidavit seeking a warrant for Tataw’s arrest filed in federal court says he “instructed (a witness) how to respond if the grand jury asked if Tataw has an army, about Tataw’s role in the Cameroonian separatist movement or about various kidnappings and acts of violence in Cameroon.”

Oberg asked Tataw, “Why would you talk to someone about how to answer questions about that?”

“Well, you see,” Tataw replied, “I’m a law-abiding citizen and I have absolute respect for the laws of this country. And if I have a gag order by the judge not to discuss my further indictment, I will not say it anywhere.”

There is no gag order in the case. When reminded of that, Tataw told the I-Team he just wanted his lawyer to talk about the case. The lawyer has not spoken to the I-Team, and federal investigators aren’t saying anything to the I Team, either.

Court records show if Tataw is found guilty of the charges, a judge could force him to forfeit the home used for the pool parties to pay back some of the loan.

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Hassan, who was also nonverbal and had autism, was last seen at about 3 p.m. Saturday at Bohrer Park.

An autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death, but foul play is not suspected.

Members of the community spotted the little boy’s body in the pond. Police rushed over, roped off the area and confirmed it was Hassan.

Montgomery County police and fire departments searched overnight for the child and deployed drones with the assistance of Maryland National Capital Police – Montgomery County, authorities said.

Police say they had searched that pond twice, but he was not initially found. They chose not to use dive teams because there are snapping turtles in the water. News4 was there when searchers were in the pond trying to find him.

“What’s underneath, we don’t know and how it can affect our instruments and reading signals and things like that,” said Lt. Kristina Hedgepeth with Montgomery County Police. “So I think that’s what a lot of it had to do with, not that anyone missed a spot. Everything was gone over very thoroughly.”

Hassan’s mom told News4’s Derrick Ward before the body was found that the boy’s grandmother was watching him at an Ethiopian community event at the park. She went to look for his sister and when she returned he was gone.

“It’s a sad day for the community,” said Azeb Adere with the Ethiopian Eritrean Special Needs Community.

She helped organize search volunteers and says there are a lot of questions about why he wasn’t found sooner, but those will need to wait.

“I’m so sorry for the parents,” Adere said. “I feel so bad and for communities to learn this so it doesn’t happen to another child.”

When asked about the message to the community, police say parents need to stay vigilant.

“It’s a tough thing to say to anyone in this situation, but I just know as a parent myself, your head’s gotta be on a swivel,” Hedgepeth said. “You have to constantly be watching and it’s even harder when you have a child with special needs.”

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Resident Kenny Turner isn’t among the detractors.

“This is Silver Sprung, baby!” he said

“I’ve been living here since 1976,” Turner said. “I should be mayor, right? Or the grandfather of Silver Sprung. It’s a very great place to live.”

Fortune’s report cites the vibrant downtown area with bars, restaurants and entertainment like AFI and the Fillmore. It notes multi-generational living and an ethnically and racially diverse population.

While the designation is a point of pride for Montgomery County leaders, others raised concerns about shootings, carjackings and homicides downtown.

County Executive Marc Elrich said crime has gone down.

“We’ve done a lot to deal with that, but you’re also not going to find anyplace that’s vaguely urban that doesn’t struggle with some of the same things we struggle with,” he said. “But I think despite those struggles you have a pretty solid community.”

There’s no indication crime was considered for the Fortune report.

Elrich pointed out that Silver Spring is more than the downtown area, with parts that are suburban and somewhat rural.

“It’s beautiful because you have everything you need,” resident Maria Armstrong said. “You have all the different types of people who try to come together and be one.

She acknowledged the crime but said it doesn’t take away from the good aspects of the city.

“We have to talk to the people and let them know this is a good place to be,” she said. “Let’s keep it that way. Let’s just keep it that way. Let’s just love one another.”

Fortune analyzed more than 2,000 cities across the country. Silver Spring ranked third last year. Chantilly, Virginia, ranked third this year.

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The statue of the Montgomery County native was unveiled on Tuesday in front of her loved ones and hundreds of fans, celebrating her trailblazing career and contributions to the sport of gymnastics. 

During the ceremony, Dawes expressed her gratitude and highlighted the importance of inspiring future generations. 

“You want to have these inspiring women, inspiring figures that make people realize that anything is possible and that if they believe and they don’t give up and they don’t settle, they can achieve their full potential,” Dawes said. 

Dawes, who emphasized the importance of family during her speech, said that her family is more important than any Olympic accolade. She also expressed pride in her efforts to make gymnastics more accessible. 

Dawes grew up in Silver Spring, MD, and opened the Dominique Dawes Gymnastics and Ninja Academies in Montgomery County to promote a healthy and compassionate culture in the sport. 

“I never envisioned that it would be this diverse of a sport,” Dawes said of Team USA. “Honestly, if there weren’t the injuries that occurred, it would’ve been a 100% diverse team. It’s wonderful to see the girls get along as friends and they’re going to inspire the next generation.”

The sculpture, created by Brian Hanlon, took a year to complete and was inspired by a photo from the Atlanta Olympics. 

“Picking a pose is the first step and it was clear that that photo from the Atlanta Olympics was the photo I should use,” Hanlon said. “That changed women’s gymnastics forever.” 

Looking ahead to the 2024 Paris Olympics, Dawes is optimistic about Team USA’s chances. 

“Team USA is going to do extremely well. I do hope they bring home a gold medal,” Dawes said. “Simone Biles making it to her third Olympic games– I was the last female gymnast to do that in America and so it’s exciting to know that she’s going to follow in my footsteps.”

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Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and Councilmember Gabe Albornoz were among the officials who attended the ceremony. 

“Dominique Dawes has not only made history in the world of gymnastics but also left an indelible mark on our community,” Elrich said. “Her achievements as an Olympic athlete are extraordinary, but what truly sets her apart is her unwavering commitment to giving back to our community.”

The SSRAC, located at 1319 Apple Avenue, offers a range of recreational and leisure amenities, including pools, a gymnasium, fitness center, and more. The center is also home to Montgomery County’s Sports Hall of Fame. 

All afternoon, people came to the doors of Montgomery District Court in Rockville only to realize the court was closed. Some said they missed out on important hearings, and others missed out on the chance to tie the knot. It’s an unwelcome sight on your wedding day: a sign announcing the closure of the place you were supposed to say “I do.”

Panic set in for Devon and Jerico Pritchett. They’re supposed to leave for their honeymoon Saturday, and the outage threw them for a loop.

“I already shed a tear,” said Devon, the bride.

“Yeah, she was devastated,” Jerico interjected. “We were all sad.”

“We didn’t think it was going to happen today,” she said.

As luck would have it, Rev. Daniel Kane was called to the courthouse by another couple who ran into the same problem. Kane saved the day for both couples by officiating their weddings outside the courthouse, with little advance planning.

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“Necessity is the mother of invention,” he said.

“It’s the happiest day of their life, and this is how they want to celebrate their life,” he said. “They came here with the intention of being married.”

And while the newlyweds were lucky to have someone to help them out, others will have to wait until next week to get their court issues resolved.

It’s worth noting, though, that some emergency services having to do with public safety were not impacted by the outage.

“I will say that if there are any emergency-type issues, my office deals with peace orders and protective orders,” Montgomery County Sheriff Maxwell Uy said. “I still certainly encourage those to respond to the commissioners’ office if the court is closed, because we want to make sure that those types of exigent domestic violence-type orders are still issued.”

News4 also looked into how the outage impacted other services.

The DMV in D.C. had limited services at its offices and redirected people to its website. Some hospitals, such as Johns Hopkins and Children’s National Hospital, were not affected. Inova Health and the University of Maryland Medical System had to implement downtime procedures as some of their technology had trouble, but they were still able to serve patients.

As for the Pritchetts, they’re thankful for their unforgettable wedding experience – even if it wasn’t exactly how they planned it.

“Amazing!” the bride said, laughing. “I’m Mrs. Pritchett! I’m amazing! He’s amazing!”

The victim, an 82-year-old retiree, drained her life savings and converted $900,00 into gold bars after being fooled by people posing as federal agents, the Montgomery County state’s attorney told News4.

The scammers pounced after the victim clicked on a pop-up ad.

“When she clicked on the pop-up ad, they let her know that she had been compromised and that Russian spyware was being used against her and that if she did not cooperate with them and buy a product from them that cost $46,000, they could basically take everything,” John McCarthy said.

The victim converted her funds into gold bars at the direction of scammers and handed them over to a courier.

She was about to hand over more gold bars, worth more than $2 million, but she learned she was dealing with criminals, not federal agents who were trying to help her.

Suspect Zhenyong Weng, 19, of Brooklyn, New York, was arrested after he showed up in Silver Spring to collect what scammers believed was a box full of gold, McCarthy said. The box actually was handed off by a Montgomery County detective posing as the victim.

The suspect had an initial court appearance and was held without bond.

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Gold bar scammers have repeatedly targeted Montgomery County seniors. News4 reported in March that one victim lost $800,000. In May, another victim lost about $230,000.

Real government officials will never ask you to turn your hard-earned cash into gold, McCarthy reminded residents.

“The federal government and federal agents are not gonna call you, tell you that your life savings is in jeopardy and coach you into buying gold bars and then asking you to deliver them to them,” he said.

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Families said students with special physical requirements and emotional concerns were thriving in the academy.

It seems their persistent pleas have paid off. State Del. Joe Vogel stopped by a protest rally outside Rockville High School to hear their concerns and offer encouragement.

Later, inside the school, the new superintendent lent them an ear.

“His first step as the new superintendent for the Montgomery County Public Schools was to host his first public listening session with the Montgomery Virtual Academy staff and families, and so we really applaud his openness to us,” said Virtual Academy parent Kristen Lasko.

The stories they would share with Superintendent Thomas Taylor told of a world of change, improved GPAs and more confidence. Once enrolled, students found that distractions of violence and bullying were removed.

Arnold Rojas said that’s been true for all of his children.

“He had a jump from one to one hundred,” Rojas said.

“I have made honor roll,” Brianna, one of Rojas’ children, said. “I got 4.0s, and I don’t have to worry about bullying.”

Taylor began the listening session by apologizing to parents and students for the way they learned about the end of the Virtual Academy — late in the budget process, which was a process already well underway when he was hired last month.

But he stressed that, as superintendent, he couldn’t overturn a board decision or redo an already-passed budget

He did offer some encouragement for the future: “Our commitment to meeting your child’s needs has not changed, even though some of the programming has,” Taylor said. “I share your disappointment in where we are today and why we are where we are today, but we do need to think about what happens after this.”

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Supporters of the Virtual Academy cite an 86% graduation rate and high achievement levels as reasons for saving the program.

“If Montgomery County Public Schools value equity and inclusion, then the Virtual Academy meets that criteria for everyone,” Lasko said.

But commuters shouldn’t hold their breath. Passengers aren’t expected to be riding the Purple Line until winter 2027 at the earliest.

According to MDOT, the new Purple Line vehicles are the longest of their kind in the United States. Each vehicle is 142 feet long, which is about half the size of a football field. The vehicles can carry 430 passengers with seating for 80. The light rail vehicles feature eight bike racks and can accommodate up to eight wheelchairs.

The entire light rail vehicle is one continuous space, unlike Metro’s current trains, which are composed of multiple separate cars.

The vehicles are electric and designed to reduce noise as they travel through communities, MDOT said.

The Purple Line is without a doubt the region’s most notoriously delayed transportation project, so the light rail vehicle delivery and reveal marks a major step forward.

The Purple Line project is about 65% done, MDOT Secretary Paul Wiedefeld told News4 Thursday. He said he can’t guarantee that the project won’t be delayed again, but says he’s been aggressively working toward completion.

“Today marks a major milestone for the Purple Line and a major step forward for Maryland’s public transit future,” Maryland Transit Administrator Holly Arnold said in a press release.

The Purple Line is set to consist of 16 miles of track and 21 stations connecting New Carrollton and Bethesda. It will directly connect to the Metrorail’s Red, Green and Orange Lines at Bethesda, Silver Spring, College Park and New Carrollton. The Purple Line will also connect to MARC, Amtrak, and local bus services. 

Montgomery County police were called to the 200 block of Ashton Road at about noon. When they arrived, they found that a 39-year-old man had died. His name was not immediately released, pending notification of his family.

The man’s death is being investigated as accidental.

Images from Chopper4 show emergency crews and workers in the area. Roads nearby were still closed as of mid-afternoon.

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Stay with NBC Washington for more details on this developing story.

Ernest Joseph Dyson, 39, was working on a water main break near the intersection of New Hampshire Avenue and Rodney Road about 4:40 a.m. when the driver of a black 2011 Volkswagen CC hit him, police said.

He died at the scene of the crash.

“WSSC Water is devastated by this tragedy,” WSSC Water General Manager and CEO Kishia L. Powell said in a statement Monday. “Ernest was the embodiment of professionalism and public service. He was a dedicated and highly respected member of the Utility Services Department and a beloved member of Team H2O with nearly 18 years of service to WSSC Water customers.”

Ernie Dyson was killed doing his job — a public service — one that he was proud of. He cared about giving back to his community.

“Anyone that came in contact with Ernie just loved him,” said his cousin, Alfonso Dyson. “Loved his personality. He’d do anything for anyone. He would give of himself in a moment’s notice.”

He says there’s a void in the hearts of his family members. Ernie Dyson was the youngest of five children and a loving son. 

“One of the things with Ernie is that he never lost sight of his family,” his cousin said. “That was most important to him.”

“We don’t have our loved one anymore,” he said. “He’s gone. He’s gone. And the family has to suffer through this.”

Ernie’s impact was also felt by his friends and coworkers. In a statement, WSSC Water said, “We are all heartbroken and honestly still in shock as we process this senseless tragedy. Our deepest condolences are with Mr. Dyson’s family during this incredibly difficult time.”

In the midst of tragedy, Ernie Dyson’s family hopes others don’t have to face the senseless pain they now feel.

“There’s no reason why this person had to get behind the wheel,” his cousin said. “Especially in today’s time. There’s Uber, there’s Lyft, call a friend, call a family member. This should be a lesson to everyone.”

Montgomery County Police have not identified the driver who struck Ernie Dyson. The investigation is still ongoing.

Police are asking anyone who might have seen the crash to call 240-773-6620.

The family says funeral arrangements are in the works, and he’s expected to be laid to rest in Clinton.

Stay with News4 for updates to this developing story.

Marvin Guevara died June 30 after a dispute with his neighbors over his dogs. He was just 40.

Two weeks ago, the confrontation happened on June 14 on Bucklodge Road near Germantown, Maryland.

Two of Guevara’s dogs got out through a hole in a fence and ran onto the next-door neighbor’s property.

Video shows the chaos that Flor Flores, Guevara’s daughter-in-law, captured on her cellphone. The confrontation ended with fists flying.

Flores said Guevara went next door to apologize and find their dogs when their neighbors got hostile and eventually physical.

Flores said a female neighbor hit her father-in-law in the back of the head.

“She went then and like slapped him on the side of his face and she wanted to hit him again,” Flores said. “But this is when I grabbed my phone and I recorded. He did not deserve that.”

News4 cannot verify what happened before or after Flores started recording.

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According to police, Guevara was taken to a nearby hospital, where he later died.

The woman shown in the video has not been charged. On July 2, the Montgomery County Police Department said they are investigating Guevara’s death.

“This is just something that didn’t have to happen over some dogs,” Flores said. “We just want peace from everything. We just want things to get done right.”

News4 went to the neighbor’s house to try to ask what happened but a man there didn’t want to talk and asked News4 to leave. He did say that Guevara had been trespassing.

Guevara’s loved ones describe him as kind, loving, generous and active in his church.

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Flores said he had been thrilled to welcome his first grandchild next month. The family is devastated that he’ll never get to meet his granddaughter.

“I was like, ‘You’re going to teach her how to walk,’” Flores said. “And he said, ‘I’m going to teach her how to ride a horse.'”

Police said they could not provide additional information until they get an official cause of death from the medical examiner.

The store on Wayne Avenue in downtown Silver Spring equipped its refrigerators with locks. Customers must ask an employee to unlock them if they want to buy a beverage.

Customer Linda Leakes said she goes to the store since the one closest to her, in D.C.’s Columbia Heights neighborhood, closed earlier this year after a long-running battle with retail theft that made national news.

“The one in D.C. — on 14^th Street — large, large shop, but it’s closed, now,” Leakes said. “So, that means all those people that were working there are without a job.”

In a statement about the locked-up beverages at the Wayne Avenue CVS, the company issued a statement to News4 that reads, in part, “Different products experience different theft rates, depending on store location and other factors, and our product protection decisions are data driven. We utilize a variety of different measures to deter or prevent theft and locking a product is a measure of last resort.”

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“To me, personally, it’s like you’re not being fair to the public when you do stuff like that,” customer Phillip Joy said. “You’re not being fair to everybody else. You’re judging the masses for what certain individuals do.”

Many drugstores throughout the D.C. area lock up laundry detergent and other frequently stolen items.

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Rockville, Maryland, grandmother Shuchen Wang was mowing the lawn when she accidentally cut off two of her fingertips.

Amid her shock and pain, her daughter Yiyu Chen called 911 and they took an ambulance to Suburban Hospital.

Yiyu says that at the hospital, a physician’s assistant told them they had no one who could treat that type of injury. The family says the PA gave them a piece of paper and told them to take an Uber to Dr. Shahreyar Hashemi in D.C. because he was the only local doctor qualified to help.

“Her bleeding has not fully stopped at that time,” the victim’s daughter said. “We were really traumatized and terrified and really scared, and then we were not informed.”

Once they got to the Nerve Bone & Joint Institute in Foggy Bottom, the clinic allegedly told them they did not take insurance and required full payment for surgery up front, for nearly $12,000.

Yiyu said she tried to call other clinics to find one that did take insurance but that Hashemi allegedly told her to stop.

“He said, ‘This is a private property and you are not supposed to make phone calls to other providers,’ I felt the sense of emergency that my mom needs to be treated the same day. I feel like we had no option but to accept the surgery he suggested,” Yiyu said.

The family provided News4 with receipts for four payments made that day to the Nerve Bone & Joint Institute on different credit cards, totaling more than $11,600.

Wang underwent surgery that day.

The next day, the family went back for a follow-up where Hashemi allegedly said she would need a second surgery, for another nearly $12,000.

“I don’t know if they did that because we were in a panic situation, and maybe we are immigrants and my mom does not speak English,” Yiyu said.

They instead flew to Taiwan, where they’re originally from, to get surgery.

Last Friday, the family filed a complaint against Hashemi with the DC Health Department. They said they were “forced under coercive conditions to pay about $12,000 to be treated” and that the surgeon in Taiwan told them “Dr. Hashemi’s procedure might be incorrectly done.”

Hashemi did not respond to our request for an interview but did send this statement to News4: “I respectfully but strongly disagree with Shuchen’s allegations. I neither pressured her into having surgery nor requested that she pay up front, and I gave her the opportunity to obtain a second opinion. She opted to proceed with surgery, which was medically indicated and performed without complication.”

The family is also in the process of filing a complaint with Suburban Hospital’s patient relations department. They’re accusing the hospital of breaking a federal law called EMTALA, or the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act. It says, “If a hospital is unable to stabilize a patient within its capability, or if the patient requests, an appropriate transfer should be implemented.”

The family says they feel they shouldn’t have had to take a rideshare somewhere when they were already at a hospital seeking care.

“I just wish that this will not happen to anyone, because I feel like they took advantage of our vulnerability,” the victim’s daughter said.

News4 sends breaking news stories by email. Go here to sign up to get breaking news alerts in your inbox.

The DC Health Department told News4 they review all complaints thoroughly. They said their investigations are confidential and the department can’t discuss them with the public.

News4 also reached out to Suburban Hospital for comment. They said they couldn’t discuss specific cases because of federal privacy laws.

As for Wang, she plans to spend the next two months recovering in Taiwan and said her pain levels have been decreasing.

Editor’s Note: After publication and declining two requests for an interview, the doctor’s attorney provided an additional lengthy statement to News4. You can watch the follow up story here.

They said they’ve called police but are told there’s not much they can do because the parties wrap up before 9 p.m.

“We want peace and quiet,” said Ashley, one of the homeowners who did not give her last name to News4. “We want to be able to live in our home.”

Cellphone videos captured the comings and goings of hundreds of people arriving for two back-to-back pool parties at the home on Woodfield Road near Damascus.

“It was just mayhem,” said Seth, one of the homeowners who also did not give his last name to News4. “I didn’t know where to look first because there was just so much activity going on in every single direction. “

They said these wild parties have been going on for over a year, but this weekend was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

On Saturday and Sunday, the house on a quiet cul-de-sac drew large crowds that left a mess behind.

“We have, you know, 200-400 strangers coming into our small, seven-house community, drinking, littering, peeing, defecating, we have people that are just screaming at the owners,” Ashley said. “We live here, I mean, my neighbor’s dog ate a condom this morning, so is that something you want your children to deal with?”

Homeowner pictures and videos show dozens arriving by bus and what looked like armed security at the driveway. The homeowners say it makes them fear for their safety, and they don’t know what to do.

“As the night progressed just more drunken, disgusting behavior, people being impatient because they wanted to get in quicker so they’re driving up on people’s properties across lawns,” Seth said.

Here’s what the homeowner said about the pool parties

News4 also spoke to the owner of the house, Eric Tawtaw.

“When you have a party at your house, the county does not specify the number of people you have in the property,” Tawtaw said. “My neighbors, they also have parties.”

Tataw said the parties are part of his culture, and he isn’t breaking the law.

When News4 asked about the complaints and safety concerns of his neighbors, the conversation took a few turns.

“Can I say that you are a very biased journalist,” Tataw said. “You come like you’ve been hired and bribed and paid by my neighbors to drive a narrative. You have a conspiracy.”

“I have not been paid by your neighbors,” News4’s Walter Morris replied.

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When asked again, he said, “I have parties, I have the right to have parties, I respect the noise ordinance, I respect the cutoff time, which is 9 p.m. You have been paid by my neighbors to do this.”

Despite questions about how security got there, or if all of those people actually came to his house, Tataw said no one paid to party at his pool.

“I can take responsibility for certain things, but I will not take responsibility for things I didn’t do,” Tataw said. “And if I have an idea that my neighbors feel unsafe, I have to understand the specific things that make them unsafe.”

Tataw said until he sees videos showing the bad behavior that his neighbors are alleging, it’s party on.

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“With these parties, we’re in the preliminary stages of figuring out what has been violated, if anything, while still being able to afford the homeowners the ability to host people within reason,” said Cody Fields with the Montgomery County Police Department. “We really just want them to know that the police are trying. However, this does take a little time.”

Montgomery County police told News4 they are concerned about future events in the neighborhood, and they are working with the county attorney to weigh all legal options. They are also coordinating with other local and state agencies to address the issue.

Ernest Joseph Dyson, 39, was working on a water main break near the intersection of New Hampshire Avenue and Rodney Road about 4:40 a.m. when the driver of a black 2011 Volkswagen CC hit him, police said.

He died at the scene of the crash.

“WSSC Water is devastated by this tragedy,” WSSC Water General Manager and CEO Kishia L. Powell said in a statement Monday. “Ernest was the embodiment of professionalism and public service. He was a dedicated and highly respected member of the Utility Services Department and a beloved member of Team H2O with nearly 18 years of service to WSSC Water customers.”

Ernie Dyson was killed doing his job — a public service — one that he was proud of. He cared about giving back to his community.

“Anyone that came in contact with Ernie just loved him,” said his cousin, Alfonso Dyson. “Loved his personality. He’d do anything for anyone. He would give of himself in a moment’s notice.”

He says there’s a void in the hearts of his family members. Ernie Dyson was the youngest of five children and a loving son. 

“One of the things with Ernie is that he never lost sight of his family,” his cousin said. “That was most important to him.”

“We don’t have our loved one anymore,” he said. “He’s gone. He’s gone. And the family has to suffer through this.”

Ernie’s impact was also felt by his friends and coworkers. In a statement, WSSC Water said, “We are all heartbroken and honestly still in shock as we process this senseless tragedy. Our deepest condolences are with Mr. Dyson’s family during this incredibly difficult time.”

In the midst of tragedy, Ernie Dyson’s family hopes others don’t have to face the senseless pain they now feel.

“There’s no reason why this person had to get behind the wheel,” his cousin said. “Especially in today’s time. There’s Uber, there’s Lyft, call a friend, call a family member. This should be a lesson to everyone.”

Montgomery County Police have not identified the driver who struck Ernie Dyson. The investigation is still ongoing.

Police are asking anyone who might have seen the crash to call 240-773-6620.

The family says funeral arrangements are in the works, and he’s expected to be laid to rest in Clinton.

Stay with News4 for updates to this developing story.

New signs were posted around Veterans Plaza about the rules already on the books.

“The sound has gotten, the best way to describe it is oppressive, at times,” Montgomery County Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Earl Stoddard said. “Maximum volume on speakers; yelling into the microphone.”

Officials say they want to restore peace and tranquility to the area while still encouraging entertainment that creates the character there — but within a reasonable volume.

“It’s like speeding,” Stoddard. “We’re not looking for the speeders going 66 in a 65-mile-an-hour zone; we’re looking for the person whose flying at 90, 100, 110.”

Volumes will need to be lowered after 9 p.m. County leaders say if people are making excessive noise with an amplifier, they’ll be asked to turn it down.

Enforcement of the posted rules begins next month. Flyers in English and Spanish will be passed out, and crews will use a sound-measuring device to monitor the noise level and gather data to assess the issue.

Violators could face a fine of $750.

The county will hand out flyers in English and Spanish, and a sound measuring device will be used to monitor the noise level and gather data on how bad the problem really is.

“It’s not like we come out here with bad intentions,” musician KC Lewsey said. “We come out here, we try to share what we’re passionate, what we love … with everyone that kind of can relate … I feel like music is a way to connect people.”

He hopes he’ll be able to continue playing music there as Montgomery County begins to enforce its noise ordinance.

“We’re playing for the people,” Lewsey said. “We’re playing for the community.”

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The decadent waterfront estate at 6699 MacArthur Boulevard is on the market for $23.5 million. News4 got an exclusive tour.

The three-story home overlooks the Potomac River and was in renovation for three years by the previous owner. It feels like a boutique hotel, with layers upon layers of upgrades.

The six-bedroom and eight-full-bath house was built in 2013 and spans more than 12,000 square feet. 

The estate has full-width upper terraces that descend to the lower floor, where you’re met with an infinity pool and hot tub. 

The house is built off a private road, allowing for the home to be hidden by an English garden. 

Features include a wine cellar, a library with a fireplace, a chic bar and fitness centers distributed across the three floors. 

The kitchen has an oversized marble island with breakfast nooks, a 60-inch Wolf range and many windows to let the ample sunlight pour in.

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Moving to the upper level, you will find a primary suite occupying an entire wing of the house.

The home is filled with gorgeous chandeliers and has herringbone flooring. 

Want to know what’s up for your weekend? Sign up for The Weekend Scene, our newsletter about events, experiences and adventures for you and for your family around the DMV.

Ernest Joseph Dyson, 39, was working on a water main break near the intersection of New Hampshire Avenue and Rodney Road about 4:40 a.m. when the driver of a black 2011 Volkswagen CC hit him, police said.

He died at the scene of the crash.

“WSSC Water is devastated by this tragedy,” WSSC Water General Manager and CEO Kishia L. Powell said in a statement Monday. “Ernest was the embodiment of professionalism and public service. He was a dedicated and highly respected member of the Utility Services Department and a beloved member of Team H2O with nearly 18 years of service to WSSC Water customers.”

Ernie Dyson was killed doing his job — a public service — one that he was proud of. He cared about giving back to his community.

“Anyone that came in contact with Ernie just loved him,” said his cousin, Alfonso Dyson. “Loved his personality. He’d do anything for anyone. He would give of himself in a moment’s notice.”

He says there’s a void in the hearts of his family members. Ernie Dyson was the youngest of five children and a loving son. 

“One of the things with Ernie is that he never lost sight of his family,” his cousin said. “That was most important to him.”

“We don’t have our loved one anymore,” he said. “He’s gone. He’s gone. And the family has to suffer through this.”

Ernie’s impact was also felt by his friends and coworkers. In a statement, WSSC Water said, “We are all heartbroken and honestly still in shock as we process this senseless tragedy. Our deepest condolences are with Mr. Dyson’s family during this incredibly difficult time.”

In the midst of tragedy, Ernie Dyson’s family hopes others don’t have to face the senseless pain they now feel.

“There’s no reason why this person had to get behind the wheel,” his cousin said. “Especially in today’s time. There’s Uber, there’s Lyft, call a friend, call a family member. This should be a lesson to everyone.”

Montgomery County Police have not identified the driver who struck Ernie Dyson. The investigation is still ongoing.

Police are asking anyone who might have seen the crash to call 240-773-6620.

The family says funeral arrangements are in the works, and he’s expected to be laid to rest in Clinton.

Stay with News4 for updates to this developing story.

Montgomery County Public Schools’ board voted, though, to cut the Virtual Academy program. The board unanimously approved a new budget with several cuts, in response to a $30 million deficit.

The Yanevskyy family will have to figure out what to do in the fall.

Virtual Academy student Yaroslava Yanevskyy said she’s alarmed by the news.

“When I found out, I was so stressed that I did not know what I was gonna do,” she said. She said she has epilepsy and regularly has seizures.

“When she was in person, I would get daily phone calls from the school that she had seizures at school. Every single day, I would drop her off at school knowing I would have to turn around and pick her back up,” her mother, Emma Yanevskyy, said.

In addition to ending the Virtual Academy program, the school board voted to:

• delay pre-K expansion
• reduce tutoring
• create fewer STEM opportunities
• cut 76 central office jobs
• increase class sizes by one student

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Virtual Academy parent Aisha Henderson said her family will have to home school their three kids, who need the flexibility of online learning because of regular hospital visits. Bullying is a factor too.

“My other child, she dealt with a whole lot of bullying and things like that,” she said. “People doesn’t understand that when you’re bullied, it affects you academically.”

Interim Superintendent Monique Felder wrote in the budget proposal that both attendance and graduation rates for the Virtual Academy program “significantly are less than that of the overall district.”

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Montgomery County Public Schools previously said that about 120 teachers could potentially be laid off because of the budget cuts. The school system now says all current teachers will likely be able to keep their jobs due to upcoming retirements and increased class sizes.

Court documents reveal disturbing new details in the killing of a Maryland parole agent who was found dead last month in a registered sex offender’s apartment.

The suspect, Emanuel Edward Sewell, 54, was ordered held without bond Monday on a charge of second-degree murder. Prosecutors said they plan to update that to first-degree murder.

The agent, 33-year-old Davis Martinez, had gone the morning of Friday, May 31, for a routine check on Sewell, a registered sex offender who was living in an apartment on Terrace Drive in Chevy Chase. But the agent didn’t return to work after going to Sewell’s apartment, police said.

According to charging documents, Montgomery County officers went to Sewell’s apartment to check on Martinez after someone called 911 at 5:50 p.m. They found the apartment “secured with blinds drawn.”

When no one answered the apartment door, officers forced their way inside and found a gruesome crime scene, according to the court documents.

Officers found a bloody towel near the front door and Martinez’s body under a bed. The body had been wrapped in plastic bags, the documents said.

Martinez’s car was still in the parking lot, and investigators believe his phone was thrown in a dumpster.

The medical examiner determined Martinez’s manner of death was homicide, Montgomery County Police Chief Marcus Jones said. While the cause is not yet known, Jones said Martinez suffered multiple injuries.

Police arrested Sewell the next day in West Virginia, about a six-hour drive from Chevy Chase.

Martinez was a six-year employee of the Maryland Department of Public Safety & Correctional Services and worked in the Silver Spring field office.

According to Maryland’s Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, Martinez had been Sewell’s parole agent for awhile, and Sewell had not posed a risk prior.

“He was alone in the home visit, and it is typical that they go alone on those visits,” Maryland Secretary of Public Safety and Correctional Services Carolyn Scruggs said. “The suspect has done 25 out of 29 years, and he had mandatory release.”

Sewell was released from prison in 2021 after serving decades in prison for a violent sexual assault. According to charging documents from October 1996, Sewell broke into a man’s apartment while he was sleeping, bound his hands and feet, and sexually assaulted him.

Union officials have raised concerns about agents not being armed and being by themselves during home visits with those convicted of violent crimes. Those visits have been paused while the investigation continues.

Martinez is the first Division of Parole and Probation agent allegedly killed by a client while on duty in the state, Moore’s office said. The Maryland flag will be flown at half staff through Martinez’s interment.

His death is a stark reminder of the dangers these agents face.

“These are the unsung heroes that you often do not hear about, but they are part of law enforcement and they do a great job,” Scruggs said.

As a tornado left a trail of destruction from Poolesville to Gaithersburg, many residents received national alerts on their phones while some received notifications from Alert Montgomery.

But some say they didn’t get them.

“We’re not aware of anyone, at this point, who had an actual problem with their alerts. That’s not to say someone didn’t,” said Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security Director Earl Stoddard.

He said the alerts are highly focused to areas that are impacted, which is determined in coordination with the National Weather Service.

“All of these alerts for tornado warnings are dictated by the National Weather Service polygons,” Stoddard said. “So, they tell us where the alert is. They send the information over to us, and it automatically goes, meaning we do no interpretation, no manipulation of the data. It’s an automatic feed to allow for expedited release.”

He said the county hasn’t found a problem with the system but will look into concerns if someone didn’t get an alert and believes they should have.

“So, I’ve had about a dozen people reach out to me personally, and in a couple of cases we haven’t had enough information to really figure out what happened with them, but inevitably I think the most common thing is that people were outside the alert zone and they believe they should have been inside the alert zone

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They will work with the National Weather Service to make sure the system works as it should.

“If people were supposed to get alerts and they didn’t, that’s an error that we need to fix either with ourselves or with National Weather Service, but right now, so far, the users that we’ve gotten — and we’ve provided feedback to every person that we’ve been able to confirm — all we’ve talked to were outside the alerting zone,” Stoddard said.

To get notifications from Montgomery County, residents must register with their address.

Veronica Contreras Fuentes was moved to tears as she expressed gratitude for the outpouring of love from family, neighbors and friends who have helped her.

They set up a fundraiser to help her family pay a hefty home insurance deductible and replace things such as the food and kitchen items that were lost when a tree snapped and plunged through the roof of their home on Tulip Drive.

They’ve owned the home for only two years and are raising their 5-year-old son and infant daughter.

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As workers from a local landscaping company cut up the tree from their backyard, Contreras Fuentes and her husband described their horror as they watched TV news and realized a possible tornado was headed directly at their little house, which has no basement.

“Next thing I know, the house started shaking, the ground was shaking, and my husband came in screaming, and he pulled me out of her room to go in my son’s room that’s right here in the front,” Contreras Fuentes said. “And as soon as we walked from her room, just electrical sparks were there, the whole house sounded like – I can’t even explain it – it was just a roaring.”

Contreras Fuentes described doing something profoundly instinctive as she held 3-month-old Eliana in her arms: She bent her back over her daughter so that if the walls and ceiling collapsed, she would shield her child with her body.

“I’m so grateful, I really am, and I’m just happy that we’re alive,” Contreras Fuentes said. “You know, material things, they can always be re-bought and fixed, but our lives can’t.”

She said she has special gratitude for the neighbor who took them in after they ran out of the house. As the neighbor saw Contreras Fuentes cope with her shock, she took the baby and told her, “Just breathe.”

Resident Mark Monis saw the storm happen in real-time while filming from his car in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

“I had this dream of chasing tornadoes when I was younger and I took this opportunity,” Monis said.

He said he was watching Storm Team4’s Doug Kammerer when the meteorologist said the tornado would be near Gaithersburg High School. That’s when he decided to go out and see the tornado for himself.

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Monis was near the intersection of South Frederick Avenue and South Summit Avenue when he saw trees shaking while branches started hitting his car, describing the scene as “earth-shaking.”

In the video, the skies are dark and you can hear the debris hitting his car.

While filming, Monis said he saw what he thought was a power transformer blowout.

“You see all the debris flying up in the air and I was like, this is probably it right here,” Monis said.

Monis said that the situation could have been worse.

“Thank God it was probably just an F0 or F1,” Monis said.

Monis said that if the tornado was stronger, it probably would’ve picked up his truck and he “probably would have been dead.”

The crash investigation between Connecticut and Georgia avenues shut down all lanes of the Inner Loop of the Beltway (Interstate 495) for hours.

Debris spread out across the interstate and the three wrecked cars forced crews to shut down the Inner Loop, according to Assistant Fire Chief David Pazos.

Lanes were back open before 8 a.m., but traffic backups on the Inner Loop were stretching 5.5 miles, according to the Maryland State Highway Administration. Rubbernecking delays on the Outer Loop stretched onto Interstate 95, officials said.

Three vehicles were involved in the crash shortly before 3 a.m., according to Montgomery County Fire spokesperson Pete Piringer.

A Honda Accord struck a Jeep Wrangler and a Honda Civic while entering the Beltway via a ramp from southbound Georgia Avenue, according to Maryland State Police’s preliminary investigation.

At least one person was ejected from the vehicle, and another was trapped and pulled from the wreckage, Piringer said.

All those injured were treated as trauma patients, Piringer said. Six adults were taken to hospitals, but the adult passenger from the Honda Accord died on the scene, police said.

“We had to provide enough advanced life support as well as manpower to assist with those patients and that takes time,” Pazos said. “And then after that getting them to the right hospital so they can get treated for their injuries.”

Further information on their conditions wasn’t immediately released.

Photos from the scene show the Jeep flipped onto its roof, resting near a concrete barrier wall, near the two Hondas.

Maryland State Police are investigating. Authorities haven’t detailed what may have caused the crash.

Montgomery County police were rerouting traffic from the Beltway before the Inner Loop reopened.

Stay with News4 for more on this developing story.

Ernest Joseph Dyson, 39, was working on a water main break near the intersection of New Hampshire Avenue and Rodney Road about 4:40 a.m. when the driver of a black 2011 Volkswagen CC hit him, police said.

He died at the scene of the crash.

“WSSC Water is devastated by this tragedy,” WSSC Water General Manager and CEO Kishia L. Powell said in a statement Monday. “Ernest was the embodiment of professionalism and public service. He was a dedicated and highly respected member of the Utility Services Department and a beloved member of Team H2O with nearly 18 years of service to WSSC Water customers.”

Ernie Dyson was killed doing his job — a public service — one that he was proud of. He cared about giving back to his community.

“Anyone that came in contact with Ernie just loved him,” said his cousin, Alfonso Dyson. “Loved his personality. He’d do anything for anyone. He would give of himself in a moment’s notice.”

He says there’s a void in the hearts of his family members. Ernie Dyson was the youngest of five children and a loving son. 

“One of the things with Ernie is that he never lost sight of his family,” his cousin said. “That was most important to him.”

“We don’t have our loved one anymore,” he said. “He’s gone. He’s gone. And the family has to suffer through this.”

Ernie’s impact was also felt by his friends and coworkers. In a statement, WSSC Water said, “We are all heartbroken and honestly still in shock as we process this senseless tragedy. Our deepest condolences are with Mr. Dyson’s family during this incredibly difficult time.”

In the midst of tragedy, Ernie Dyson’s family hopes others don’t have to face the senseless pain they now feel.

“There’s no reason why this person had to get behind the wheel,” his cousin said. “Especially in today’s time. There’s Uber, there’s Lyft, call a friend, call a family member. This should be a lesson to everyone.”

Montgomery County Police have not identified the driver who struck Ernie Dyson. The investigation is still ongoing.

Police are asking anyone who might have seen the crash to call 240-773-6620.

The family says funeral arrangements are in the works, and he’s expected to be laid to rest in Clinton.

Stay with News4 for updates to this developing story.

Andrew Winter, the principal at Ritchie Park Elementary School in Rockville, was captured on school cameras on Feb. 9 assaulting the child, police allege in court documents.

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Winter was seen grabbing the student by their clothing, sitting them down on a bench and then stomping on their foot, according to the arrest warrant. When the student began to cry, Winter wrapped his arm around them.

Two other students saw what happened and told a teacher, police say.

MCPS sent a letter to families on Monday. They said Winter has been and will remain on leave after Rockville police arrested him on June 3.

Winter turned himself in and will have an initial appearance before a district court commissioner, police said.

“It is considered a personnel matter and by law what can be shared is limited,” Dr. Tamitha Campbell of the Office of School Support and Well-Being said in the letter.

Some neighbors complained that the party violated county laws due to the large number of people and alcohol being sold in a residential area. Montgomery County says it has ordered the homeowner to stop the activity.

Video shows just part of what happened at the mansion party on Memorial Day weekend: Cars parked over most of the expansive lawn, people walking to the house and vans and coach buses dropping off partygoers. It was advertised on social media by a promoter as a birthday bash.

Some neighbors said they got scared as the night went on.

“There had to be at least 10, 15, 20 buses coming in. There were shuttle buses, there were vans. People were just pouring out. I can’t begin to tell you what a thousand people looks like on a small, residential street,” neighbor Mindy Farber.

County officials tell News4 the house was rented. A promoter advertised it on social media, offering alcohol, food, hookah and pool party cabanas rented for as much as $2,000.

“It was a powder keg ready to ignite, and we were just lucky wasn’t ignited because it could have been a disaster,” neighbor John Camp said. Camp and Farber first detailed the ordeal to MoCo360 last week.

Multiple sources told News4 people were told to park at the Potomac Community Center about a half-mile away, and buses dropped them off in the neighborhood.

Farber and Camp, who both live in the neighborhood, said they called the police that night, but they were disappointed when they say the party wasn’t shut down right away.

“This has to stop. And the fact that there was no interest in it and still seems to be no interest because we called the police, and they said it’s under investigation. What’s under investigation? The party’s over. They’re giving us baloney,” Farber said.

Police were called to the home on Stapleford Hall Drive twice.

 “If I’m not mistaken, shift three was out there for the same thing earlier,” a dispatcher can be heard saying on a recording. “Large house party at the location.”

Montgomery County police say officers shut down the party at 10 p.m.

An official says the county issued a zoning violation notice to the owner to stop because it’s illegal to have commercial activity in a residential neighborhood.

“We hear you, here. This should not something that should appropriately happen in communities, they’re residential for a reason,” Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Earl Stoddard said. “They’re supposed to be quiet, they’re supposed to be safe and they’re supposed to be secure. These are not the kind of activities that should be happening.”

County officials say they learned there were plans for a second party at the home later this month. They say the owner agreed to cancel.

News4 knocked on the door of the mansion, but no one answered.

We have not been able to reach the homeowner or the promoter for comment. The county is also looking at ways to prevent these types of parties in residential areas and go after promoters.

The pigs, Dani and Sunshine, now live at a farm sanctuary in Potomac, Maryland, and just turned a year old.

Michele Waldman, the founder of Rosie’s Farm Sanctuary, recalled the day the pigs came to live on her farm after leaping off a truck in North Carolina.

“They came in and it was really cold and they were wearing little sweaters,” she said.

The five-acre farm in a residential area is home to about 45 animals, including goats, horses, cows, sheep and hens. It’s a labor of love for Waldman, who said she finds joy in seeing the animals learn to trust humans.

“Whenever we have tours here, all the animals come running out because they now view humans as being so kind,” she said.

The farm offers public tours and education programs. Waldman said she hopes that when people interact with the animals, they will adopt new attitudes on agricultural farming and learn to treat farm animals with compassion and dignity.

“They’re so much more than a meal. They are intelligent beings that have lives and dreams and best friends,” she said.

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Go here for more info on the farm sanctuary.

On Friday, the agent, 33-year-old Davis Martinez, went to check on a registered sex offender who had been released from prison in 2021. But after Martinez didn’t return to work, Montgomery County officers went to the offender’s apartment. There, they found the body of the missing parole agent.

Martinez was pronounced dead at the apartment in the 2800 block of Terrace Drive in Chevy Chase, police said.

Sex offender arrested in West Virginia in the death of Officer Davis Martinez

The man Martinez had gone to see, 54-year-old Emanuel Edward Sewell, was not in the apartment, prompting police to launch a manhunt for just over 24 hours.

On Saturday evening, U.S. Marshals task force officers found Sewell on Interstate 64 near Hurricane, West Virginia, about a six-hour drive from his Chevy Chase, Maryland, apartment.

They arrested him on a warrant for second-degree murder.

‘Agent Martinez served with distinction and our state is safer because of him’

Martinez was a six-year employee of the Maryland Department of Public Safety & Correctional Services (DPSCS) and worked in the Silver Spring field office.

“Agent Martinez served with distinction and our state is safer because of him—our entire state grieves his loss along with those he held dear,” Gov. Wes Moore said in a statement Saturday night. “I would like to thank our dedicated law enforcement community for their relentless and successful efforts in apprehending the suspect and for their unwavering pursuit of justice for Agent Martinez, his family, his friends and colleagues.”

According to the Maryland DPSCS, Martinez had been Sewell’s parole officer for awhile, and Sewell had not posed a risk prior.

“He was alone in the home visit, and it is typical that they go alone on those visits,” Maryland Secretary of Public Safety and Correctional Services Carolyn Scruggs said. “The suspect has done 25 out of 29 years, and he had mandatory release.”

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The medical examiner determined Martinez’s manner of death was homicide, Montgomery County Police Chief Marcus Jones said. While the cause is not yet known, Jones said Martinez suffered multiple injuries.

Martinez was the first Maryland Division of Parole and Probation agent in the state to be killed by a client while on duty, the Maryland DPSCS said.

His death is a stark reminder of the dangers these agents face.

“These are the unsung heroes that you often do not hear about, but they are part of law enforcement and they do a great job,” Scruggs said.

The agent, 33-year-old Davis Martinez, had gone Friday to check on Emanuel Edward Sewell, a registered sex offender who had been released from prison in 2021. But the officer didn’t return to work after going to Sewell’s apartment, police said.

That evening, Montgomery County officers went to Sewell’s apartment in the 2800 block of Terrace Drive in Chevy Chase for a welfare check. Inside the apartment, they found the body of the missing parole agent. He was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Sewell, 54, was not in the apartment, prompting police to launch a manhunt for the suspect. Just over 24 hours after police found the body of the officer, authorities found Sewell on Interstate 64 near Hurricane, West Virginia, about a six-hour drive from his Chevy Chase, Maryland, apartment.

U.S. Marshals task force officers conducted a traffic stop and arrested Sewell on a warrant for second-degree murder.

‘Our entire state grieves’: Maryland governor says flag will be flown at half staff in honor of Officer Davis Martinez

Martinez was a six-year employee of the Maryland Department of Public Safety & Correctional Services and worked in the Silver Spring field office.

“Agent Martinez served with distinction and our state is safer because of him—our entire state grieves his loss along with those he held dear,” Gov. Wes Moore said in a statement Saturday night. “I would like to thank our dedicated law enforcement community for their relentless and successful efforts in apprehending the suspect and for their unwavering pursuit of justice for Agent Martinez, his family, his friends and colleagues.”

According to Maryland’s Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, Martinez had been Sewell’s parole officer for awhile, and Sewell had not posed a risk prior.

“He was alone in the home visit, and it is typical that they go alone on those visits,” Maryland Secretary of Public Safety and Correctional Services Carolyn Scruggs said. “The suspect has done 25 out of 29 years, and he had mandatory release.”

Maryland May 31

Montgomery County honors 88-year-old foster mom who raised over 40 children

Montgomery County May 30

Montgomery County executive's nominee would be department's first Black fire chief

The medical examiner determined Martinez’s manner of death was homicide, Montgomery County Police Chief Marcus Jones said. While the cause is not yet known, Jones said Martinez suffered multiple injuries.

Martinez is the first Division of Parole and Probation agent allegedly killed by a client while on duty in the state, Moore’s office said. The Maryland flag will be flown at half staff through Martinez’s interment.

His death is a stark reminder of the dangers these agents face.

“These are the unsung heroes that you often do not hear about, but they are part of law enforcement and they do a great job,” Scruggs said.

But now in her 80s, Patterson is retiring. She was honored by the county Friday.

Patterson is what could be called a “super” foster mom. She started taking in children in the early 1980s. Over the past four decades, she raised more than 40 foster children. It began when her biological children started bringing home friends who needed food or a place to stay.

“I was raised in a home where I was just loved and adored by my parents,” Patterson said. “So for a child not to experience that — not to have someone to love you and care for you and nurture you — I just felt awful.”

Patterson’s home in White Oak became a safe place for children of all ages.

“Some of them were babies that were brought to me, some of them were 5 years old, some of them were 10, all different ages,” she said.

Madison Scott was 5 months old when she came to Patterson’s home. She now plays basketball at the University of Mississippi.

“I wouldn’t be here without Nana,” Scott said. “She took my mom in and took me in and treated us like we were her own. She’s loved us, she’s cared for us, she’s done everything.”

It was a great experience for Patterson’s birth children and grandchildren, too.

A lot has changed — especially technology — and Patterson says it’s time to step back.

“Now, everything is done online, so I can’t compete with that,” Patterson said. “It’s time for me to retire because I don’t know anything about computers.”

Montgomery County has more than 300 kids in care and about 115 foster families. More fosters are needed. To help, reach out to child welfare services at 240-777-1664.

“What’s more important for me is that they looked at my credentials and experience,” Smedley said.

His 33 years of experience includes serving as Prince George’s county deputy chief and former fire chief for the City of Alexandria. Before that, he was deputy chief for Emergency Management and Homeland Security in Alexandria as well as a deputy chief in that city.

However, the initial spark was lit at home.

“My sister started in the fire service before me, Andrea Smith, and she was the first firefighter in my family,” Smedley said. “And I got to see my sister do great things and challenge herself, and I was like, ‘Wow, that’s my big sister.’”

His sister was with the Prince George’s County fire department, and now he’s blazing his own trail in Montgomery County amid the changing demographics.

“It is a benefit to have people who serve people look like the people they’re serving,” Elrich said. “Particularly young people should feel that they can be anything, and if you only see white people at the top of every chain in the universe, you could pretty quickly conclude that there’s no room for you in the system.”

“It’s important that we say qualifications are most important, but it’s also important to say that diversity brings strength,” said Montgomery County Councilmember Will Jawando. “It also brings lived experience.”

Smedley says he has no initial plans for major changes in the department. Coming from a neighboring county, he’s familiar with Montgomery County’s system and bridging any gaps between volunteer firefighters and career firefighters, strides he’s already made in Prince George’s County.

“It’s about valuing everyone,” Smedley said. “It’s about giving people a seat at the table and working through our problems so we can find the solutions so we can serve our community.”

The County Council is expected to hold confirmation hearings by the middle of June.

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