Interior of the Embassy Suites (via Embassy Suites website)
(Updated at 4:45 p.m.) An Arlington man has been arrested and charged with murder after a woman fell from an upper floor of a Crystal City hotel early this morning.
Police were called to a hotel on the 1300 block of Richmond Highway — which corresponds to the Embassy Suites by Hilton Crystal City National Airport — for a report of a woman who fell from a height onto the hotel lobby below.
The victim, who died at the scene, was identified as 63-year-old Arlington resident Zelalem Abedje. Following an initial investigation, police arrested a 27-year-old man for murder.
“The circumstances preceding the fall remain under investigation,” police said in a press release, below. “Tebebe Makonnen, 27, has been charged with Murder and is being held in the Arlington County Detention Facility on no bond.”
Last year Makonnen was arrested in Arlington and charged with sexual battery in connection with a reported assault of a woman inside a local medical office.
Including today’s incident, there have been threehomicides in Arlington County in 2019 so far.
More from an ACPD press release:
Arlington County Police announce the arrest of an Arlington man following a suspicious death investigation in Crystal City. Tebebe Makonnen, 27, has been charged with Murder and is being held in the Arlington County Detention Facility on no bond.
At approximately 1:38 a.m. on August 20, police were dispatched to the 1300 block of Richmond Highway for the report of an EMS assist. Upon arrival, an adult female was located deceased inside the lobby of a hotel after falling from an upper floor. The circumstances preceding the fall remain under investigation.
The victim has been identified as Zelalem Abedje, 63, of Arlington, Virginia. Cause of death will be determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
This remains an active criminal investigation. Based on the preliminary investigation, this appears to be an isolated incident with no ongoing threat to the public.
Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact Detective R. Munizza of the department’s Homicide/Robbery Unit at 703-228-4171 or [email protected]. Information may also be provided anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).
Walter Reed Drive closed at Columbia Pike due to a ruptured gas line
(Updated at 2:10 p.m.) A reported ruptured gas line behind Papillon Cycles prompted evacuations and a road closure near the intersection of Columbia Pike and S. Walter Reed Drive.
As of 2:10 p.m., the gas leak has been stopped and police re-opened Walter Reed Drive, after temporarily closing it between the Pike and 9th Street S.
Some stores in the area, on the 2800 block of Columbia Pike, were evacuated during the incident, according to scanner traffic.
One restaurant owner said that means their business had to close, but told ARLnow, “but that’s fine, it’s a Wednesday so it’s slow anyway.”
A full fire department response has been dispatched to the scene as a precaution, as gas company crews work to stop the leak.
900 blk S Walter Reed Dr: @washingtongas has controlled the gas leak. ACFD crews have checked surrounding buildings to make sure they are safe. All units have returned to service and cleared the scene. pic.twitter.com/qt8nFF2i3H
At least two vehicles were involved: a sedan, which suffered heavy front-end damage, and an ART bus, which knocked over a light pole and street signs before coming to rest in the middle of the garden.
A passenger told ARLnow that the bus had a green light and was coming down the hill on Barton when it was struck by the sedan. The sedan’s driver was cited by officers for running a red light, Arlington County Police spokeswoman Ashley Savage said.
Passengers could be heard comforting the bus driver after the crash, saying it “could have happened to anyone.”
No serious injuries were reported, though one female passenger said her arm hurt. Drivers should expect lane closures on 10th Street and slow traffic in the area while crews work to clean up the crash scene.
The crash follows an incident on Tuesday in which an ART bus crashed into a building after rolling through a rental truck depot.
Aftermath of out-of-control ART bus crash along Columbia Pike
Aftermath of out-of-control ART bus crash along Columbia Pike
Aftermath of out-of-control ART bus crash along Columbia Pike
Aftermath of out-of-control ART bus crash along Columbia Pike
Aftermath of out-of-control ART bus crash along Columbia Pike
Aftermath of out-of-control ART bus crash along Columbia Pike
(Updated at 2:20 p.m.) An out-of-control Arlington Transit bus rolled into a number of parked vehicles and into a building along Columbia Pike.
The crash happened around noon today at the intersection of the Pike and S. George Mason Drive.
Around 10 passengers were on the bus, according to a fire department spokesman, when it rolled through a rental truck depot on the southeastern side of the intersection, near a 7-Eleven store. The bus struck several trucks and a car, which was pushed into a small building on the lot.
The bus passengers were evaluated by medics on scene. One person suffered a minor injury and was taken to the hospital, according to Arlington County Fire Department spokesman Capt. Ben O’Bryant.
Three witnesses told ARLnow that the bus started rolling downhill after the driver exited the bus at a bus stop. Two of those witnesses, who were on the bus at the time, said one of the passengers jumped into the driver’s seat and steered the bus off to the side, away from traffic, thus running into the parking lot and the building.
The person who was injured was inside the building at the time of the crash, the witnesses said.
Police were unable to immediately corroborate the witness accounts provided to ARLnow. Officers remain on scene investigating the cause, an ACPD spokeswoman said, and a building inspector has been called to “evaluate structural integrity of the building.”
ART buses have been involved in a series of significant crashes over the past few years, including:
Overturned cement truck on I-395 ramp to Glebe Road
Overturned cement truck on I-395 ramp to Glebe Road
Overturned cement truck on I-395 ramp to Glebe Road
Overturned cement truck on I-395 ramp to Glebe Road
Overturned cement truck on I-395 ramp to Glebe Road
A cement truck flipped on its side on the ramp from northbound I-395 to S. Glebe Road.
No injuries have been reported and the occupants of the truck were able to get out before emergency responders arrived on scene, according to scanner traffic. The circumstances surrounding the crash, which happened shortly before 1:30 p.m., are unclear.
The ramp is blocked as the crash cleanup gets underway.
Flooded road at Lee Highway and N. Kirkwood Street
Williamsburg Blvd at N. Harrison Street flooded
Standing water on N. Glebe Road at Rock Spring Road
Four Mile Run Drive flooded near the Dept. of Motor Vehicles office
Three cars disabled in the aftermath of flooding at Lee Highway and N. Kirkwood Road
Aftermath of flooding on N. Kirkwood Road
Numerous road closures in eastern portions of Arlington County (via Google Maps)
Several cars flooded at 11th Street N. and N. Kennebec Street
Man who helped rescue those in floodwaters at N. Kennebec and 11th interviewed by a local TV news crew
Several cars flooded at 11th Street N. and N. Kennebec Street
Flooding in Arlington
Flooding in Arlington
Chain Bridge closed on the Arlington side of the Potomac
Flooding at N. Harrison Street and Yorktown Blvd (Image courtesy Judy T./Facebook)
Four Mile Run flooding (photo courtesy Kim C./Facebook)
Flooding in the Ballston Quarter parking garage
Flooding in the Ballston Quarter parking garage (Staff photo by Ashley Hopko)
Flooded parking lot at Marine Corps base Henderson Hall (photo courtesy anonymous)
Update at 5:25 p.m. — It’s “too early to tell” whether a disaster declaration will be made due to the extensive damage from today’s flooding, an Arlington County spokeswoman tells ARLnow.com.
Per Arlington’s Office of Emergency Management:
Arlington County continues to work with state and local partners to assess the damage from today’s storms. Detailed damage assessments, especially for roadways and bridges, will take additional time as crews continue to assess impacts. Arlington PSCEM is in contact with VDEM and FEMA Region III and working to assess what assistance, if any, is available to our residents from state and federal programs.
Update at 5:20 p.m. — Chain Bridge has reopened.
Update at 4:25 p.m. — In Westover, a portion of 18th Street N. is closed due to the roadway being damaged by flooding. In High View Park/Hall’s Hill, a portion of 20th Street N. is closed at N. George Mason Drive for road repairs.
— Arlington Department of Environmental Services (@ArlingtonDES) July 8, 2019
Update at 3:45 p.m. — Today’s event was classified as an “extraordinarily dangerous” Flash Flood Emergency by the National Weather Service. An NWS official said it was the first Flash Flood Emergency for Arlington and D.C. since the agency started using the classification in 2011.
Canal Road NW in D.C., meanwhile, will remain closed between Chain Bridge and Foxhall Road during the afternoon rush hour, officials said.
Update at 3:30 p.m. — A number of businesses in Westover Village are closed following this morning’s flooding.
Updated at 3:15 p.m. — Video posted to social media shows major flooding this morning in the area of 33rd and 34th streets at N. Kensington Street, several blocks from Yorktown High School. At least one home was reported to have been evacuated while several homes were damaged by floodwaters that reached mid-way up a front door.
Update at 3 p.m. — Flooding has prompted the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington to cancel all events and activities, the church said via Twitter.
The GW Parkway has reopened near the airport after it was closed due to flooding.
The Cherrydale Branch Library is closing early due to “power issues.” Dominion is currently reporting 434 customers without power in Arlington, mostly in and around Rosslyn.
Update at 2:15 p.m. — Arlington’s Solid Waste Bureau says it will help residents track down waste carts the floated away during this morning’s rain and flooding.
As a result of today's flooding, the Solid Waste Bureau will be tracking down missing carts to return them to their proper residences. Please refrain from submitting lost cart requests before noon Wednesday, July 10. https://t.co/WWY66ITtC1
— Arlington Department of Environmental Services (@ArlingtonDES) July 8, 2019
Update at 1:05 p.m. — Video (below) shows flooding in the Westover Market and its attached, outdoor beer garden.
Update at 1 p.m. — “As flood conditions continue, please be safe and avoid standing and moving water,” writes Arlington County Board member Katie Cristol. “As the weather moves on, you can find more resources about cleanup, protection and water damage at https://emergency.arlingtonva.us“
Meanwhile, WAMU is reporting extensive flooding in Arlington’s Waverly Hills neighborhood. And a Flood Warning has been issued for Arlington until 6 p.m., replacing the earlier Flash Flood Warning.
The National Weather Service in Sterling Virginia has issued a
* Flood Warning for… The City of Fairfax in northern Virginia… Arlington County in northern Virginia… The City of Falls Church in northern Virginia… Fairfax County in northern Virginia… The City of Alexandria in northern Virginia…
* Until 600 PM EDT.
* At 1252 PM EDT, reporting gauges indicate larger streams are still rising from the earlier torrential rain, and many road closures
are still being reported. Although the threat of rapid rise life threatening flooding is diminishing, some flooding is likely to continue for the rest of the afternoon. Therefore, this Flood
Warning replaces the Flash Flood Warning.
* Some locations that will experience flooding include… Arlington, Alexandria, Reston, Annandale, Springfield, Herndon, Fairfax, Fort Hunt, Vienna, Groveton, Falls Church, Huntington, Lowes Island, Mantua, Fort Belvoir, Pimmit Hills, McLean, American Legion Bridge, Reagan National Airport and Rosslyn.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
Turn around, don’t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.
A Flood Warning means that flooding is imminent or occurring. All interested parties should take necessary precautions immediately.
Update at 12:35 p.m. — Route 110 is being opened back up, per scanner traffic.
Video sent to ARLnow shows a parking lot at Marine Corps base Henderson Hall completely flooded. Also, videos posted to social media (below) shows raging waters along Four Mile Run creek near the Shirlington dog park and along N. Kirkwood Road at the height of the storm.
And this is why it took me almost 3 hours to get to work on Rt. 110. Stay safe drivers. Watch @ABC7News for what you need to know for the rest of the day. pic.twitter.com/XnWXXkLtTS
Update at 12:15 p.m. — “Crews continue to inspect storm drains for blockages but many lines remain over capacity because of stream water levels,” says Arlington’s Dept. of Environmental Services.
Update at 12:10 p.m. — Flooding along Lubber Run may have washed out a pedestrian bridge, per a social media post.
Update at 12 p.m. — In addition to flooded basements, high standing water has been reported in a number of parking garages — including the Ballston Quarter parking garage and a garage used by Arlington County Police.
Chain Bridge remains closed at N. Glebe Road, with traffic being diverted onto Chain Bridge Road. Citing broadcast media, the National Weather Service reports major flooding along Canal Road:
NUMEROUS VEHICLES SUBMERGED ON CANAL ROAD NW NEAR FLETCHERS COVE BOATHOUSE. DRIVERS STRANDED ON VEHICLE ROOF TOPS, SOME SWAM TO SAFETY, AND OTHERS WERE ESCORTED TO SAFETY BY DC FIRE AND EMS.
More rain looks to be on the way, but we should start drying out later this afternoon.
Video posted to social media, meanwhile, shows a significant roof leak in the Virginia Square Metro station.
Update at 11:35 a.m. — A trained spotter in the Westover neighborhood reports 4.5 inches of rainfall so far this morning, per the National Weather Service, while Reagan National Airport reports nearly 3.5 inches of rainfall.
Arlington’s Emergency Communications Center says it has received 600 calls since 8:40 a.m., including 25 water rescues in Arlington and 27 flooded buildings.
ACPD Officers are hard at work addressing traffic complaints related to today’s storm. Remember: it is never safe to drive or walk into flood waters. pic.twitter.com/BUhhykt4CL
Shooting scene in the Pentagon City mall parking garage
Shooting scene in the Pentagon City mall parking garage
A gun on the ground of the Pentagon City mall parking garage after a shooting
A gun on the ground of the Pentagon City mall parking garage after a shooting
8. Shooting scene in the Pentagon City mall parking garage
Shooting scene in the Pentagon City mall parking garage
The man who was shot in the parking garage of the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City mall has died, police say.
In a press release, Arlington County Police say the shooting happened during an attempted robbery. The man who died was wearing a mask and brandished the gun, demanding the cell phone of a man inside a car, police say; a struggle ensued and the alleged, would-be robber was shot.
The deceased robbery suspect’s name has not yet been released. Police say they have not filed charges against the victim of the robbery attempt “at this time.”
More from ACPD:
The Arlington County Police Department’s Homicide/Robbery Unit is investigating a fatal shooting that took place in the Pentagon City area of Arlington on the afternoon of July 1, 2019.
At approximately 1:43 p.m. on July 1, police were dispatched to the report of shots fired in a parking garage in the 800 block of Army Navy Drive. The preliminary investigation indicates that the victim was inside of his vehicle when he was approached by a masked subject displaying a handgun. The subject brandished the firearm and threatened the victim demanding his cell phone. A physical struggle ensued between both parties outside of the vehicle, during which the firearm was discharged.
Arriving officers located the suspect suffering from an apparent gunshot wound and immediately began to render aid. He was subsequently transported to an area hospital with life threatening injuries and later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased.
The identity of the decedent is being withheld pending proper identification and notification of next of kin.
This incident remains an active criminal investigation. No charges have been sought at this time.
Anyone with information related to this investigation is asked to contact Detective G. Seibert of the Arlington County Police Department’s Homicide/Robbery Unit at 703-228-4199 or [email protected]. Information may also be provided anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).
A gun on the ground of the Pentagon City mall parking garage after a shooting
A gun on the ground of the Pentagon City mall parking garage after a shooting
Shooting scene in the Pentagon City mall parking garage
Shooting scene in the Pentagon City mall parking garage
Shooting scene in the Pentagon City mall parking garage
8. Shooting scene in the Pentagon City mall parking garage
Update at 1 p.m. on July 2 — The man who was shot was also the suspect in a robbery, police say. He has died from his wounds.
Update at 8:45 p.m. — “ACPD continues to investigate this incident,” police said in a tweet. “Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective G. Seibert at 703-228-4199 or [email protected].”
Earlier: Arlington County Police are on scene of a shooting outside of the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City mall.
One person was shot in the mall’s parking garage, near the entrance to Macy’s.
Police were dispatched to the scene just before 1:45 p.m. for a report of four gunshots heard and a man seen with a gun on the fourth level of the parking garage, following a possible robbery attempt.
Officers located one person suffering a gunshot wound to the abdomen, according to scanner traffic. The victim has life-threatening injuries, according to ACPD.
The shooting occurred during a struggle between two people, but police are still investigating what led up to the struggle and how the shooter and the victim know each other, according to ACPD spokeswoman Kirby Clark.
“The are no outstanding suspects,” the police department said. “Police are on scene investigating. Avoid the area.”
A gun believed to be the weapon used in the shooting was found by police and roped off by crime scene tape near the Macy’s entrance.
Portions of the mall and the parking garage have been blocked off by police.
UPDATE: At approx. 1:43 pm police were dispatched to the report of shots fired. Prelim. Investigation indicates that a struggle ensued between 2 subjects, in which a firearm was brandished and one subject shot. 1 Subject transported to an area hospital w/ life threatening injury
One person being treated *life threatening injuries – no outstanding suspects – investigators reviewing/collecting evidence – Pentagon City Mall 4th Floor Garage. FULL STORY @fox5DC 5PM #Arlingtonpic.twitter.com/GxhI9EPHfF
A tree branch fell and seriously injured a woman along the S. Walter Reed Drive bike path
2600 block of S. Walter Reed Drive (map via Google Maps)
A tree branch fell and seriously injured a woman along the S. Walter Reed Drive bike path
(Updated at 5:35 p.m. on June 30) A woman was killed by a falling tree limb on the 2600 block of S. Walter Reed Drive this afternoon.
The incident happened shortly before 2 p.m. Initial reports suggest a portion of a tree fell and landed on an older adult woman, who was knocked unconscious and trapped underneath.
Arlington County Fire Department spokesman Capt. Ben O’Bryant tells ARLnow a large tree limb fell and struck the woman on the bike path that runs along the street. First responders freed the woman and rushed her to a nearby hospital with serious injuries, O’Bryant said, but she later died at the hospital.
Arlington County Police are asking anyone who may have been in the area and witnessed what happened to call 703-558-2222.
Thursday evening, Arlington County released a statement about the incident, which happened on county-owned parkland, offering condolences to the woman and her family.
Arlington County is heartbroken that a community member was struck by a falling tree limb in a park this afternoon. Our condolences and thoughts are with the family.
The incident occurred around 1:45 p.m. when a woman was walking along a path in Lucky Run Park. Apparently, a tree limb fell from an 80-foot oak and struck her. Firefighters responded to the scene and transported her to a local hospital with serious injuries. She was later pronounced deceased.
Safety is our number one priority. The County is investigating further to determine as many details of what happened as possible.
A resident tells ARLnow the woman lived nearby and had recently retired.
Suspect in police custody after stabbing in Virginia Square
Knife bagged as evidence during arrest for stabbing
Suspect in police custody after stabbing in Virginia Square
Stabbing in Virginia Square
Stabbing in Virginia Square
A suspect is in custody after a man was stabbed in the Virginia Square area Monday morning.
The incident happened near the intersection of Fairfax Drive and N. Pollard Street, a block from Arlington Central Library. Initial reports suggest a man was stabbed in the arm, suffering a non-life-threatening injury.
The victim was transported to a local hospital via ambulance. A suspect could be seen in police custody near the intersection of Wilson Blvd and N. Pollard Street, as officers nearby examined what appeared to be a pocket knife.
Pollard Street was closed to traffic as police conducted an investigation.
Crash at Columbia Pike and S. Glebe Road (Photo courtesy @LAGATAF1NA/Twitter)
Crash at Columbia Pike and S. Glebe Road (Photo courtesy @LAGATAF1NA/Twitter)
Crash at Columbia Pike and S. Glebe Road
Crash at Columbia Pike and S. Glebe Road
Crash at Columbia Pike and S. Glebe Road
Crash at Columbia Pike and S. Glebe Road
(Updated at 4:05 p.m.) Police and firefighters are on scene of a major crash at the intersection of Columbia Pike and S. Glebe Road.
The westbound lanes of Columbia Pike and at least one northbound lane of Glebe are blocked by the crash and the emergency activity. Drivers should expect significant evening rush hour traffic impacts in the area.
Initial reports suggest three vehicles were involved and at least two people were injured, one of whom suffered serious injuries and was rushed to a local trauma center.
The victim, who died at the scene, was identified as 63-year-old Arlington resident Zelalem Abedje. Following an initial investigation, police arrested a 27-year-old man for murder.
