Category: Uncategorized

St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office Investigates Fatal Shooting in Lexington Park

The St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred Monday evening, October 27, 2025, in Lexington Park.

At approximately 6:40 p.m., deputies responded to a residence in the 21000 block of Bellevue Court following reports of an assault in progress. While en route, dispatchers informed officers that shots had been fired, and one individual appeared to have sustained gunshot wounds.

Upon arrival, deputies discovered a deceased male near the driveway of the residence. The victim, whose identity has not yet been released, appeared to have suffered gunshot wounds to the head and upper body.

A resident of the home, David Scott Jones, 58, was found holding a handgun. When confronted by deputies, Jones complied and released the weapon, before being taken into custody without incident.

Initial investigations by the Sheriff’s Office’s Criminal Investigations Division revealed that Jones and the victim had been involved in a verbal altercation just before the shooting.

Jones has been charged with multiple offenses, including:

• First-degree murder

• Second-degree murder

• First-degree assault

• Second-degree assault

• Use of a firearm in the commission of a crime of violence

• Possession of a loaded handgun

He is currently being held at the St. Mary’s County Detention and Rehabilitation Center in Leonardtown pending a bail hearing. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to gather more information.

Community Mourns the Loss of VCP Advocate Eduardo Pinheiro

The VCP disease community is mourning the loss of Eduardo Pinheiro, a longtime advocate and founding board member of Cure VCP Disease. Pinheiro passed away recently, leaving behind a legacy of compassion, advocacy, and courage.

A resident of São Paulo, Brazil, Pinheiro was first affected by VCP disease—a rare genetic condition that causes progressive muscle weakness—more than a decade ago. Despite the physical challenges he faced, he remained a tireless supporter of patients and families navigating the same struggle.

From 2018 to 2020, Pinheiro served on the founding board of Cure VCP Disease, helping to shape the organization’s early mission and outreach. Even after stepping down, he remained active in raising awareness and connecting with others in the community. Many remember him from patient conferences in St. Louis (2022) and Las Vegas (2023), where he traveled with his family despite severe mobility limitations.

His personal story was marked by resilience. VCP disease had deeply affected several members of his family over generations, but Pinheiro never lost his sense of hope. He often shared his journey publicly to inspire others, emphasizing perseverance and the importance of community support.

He is survived by his wife Marilda, daughter Ana, her partner Brenno, and nephew Fernando. Friends and advocates remember Eduardo not only for his leadership but also for his kindness and dedication to improving the lives of others living with VCP disease.

Man Charged After Fatal Hit-and-Run in Durham

A 37-year-old man has been charged in connection with a fatal collision that occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning in Durham.

Liam Bowes, of Langley Park, faces multiple charges including causing death by dangerous driving, perverting the course of justice, driving without insurance, and failing to stop after a road accident. He has been remanded in custody and is set to appear before Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court today, October 28.

Emergency services were called to Neville’s Cross on the A167 shortly before 2 a.m. on Sunday, October 26, following reports of a collision involving a woman and a car. The 22-year-old woman was transported to the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) in Newcastle, where she sadly died a short time later.

Three others—a 38-year-old man, another 38-year-old man, and a 59-year-old woman—were also arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. They have been released on bail as police continue their investigation.

Durham Police are appealing for any witnesses or dashcam footage from the area around the time of the collision to assist with ongoing enquiries.

Fatal Crash Claims Life of Log Truck Driver in Opp, Alabama

A tragic accident on U.S. Highway 331 in Opp, Alabama, claimed the life of a truck driver Monday morning. According to the Opp Police Department, the crash occurred around 11:13 a.m. on October 27, 2025, at the intersection of Covington County Road 38.

Emergency responders from the Opp Police and Fire Departments arrived to find a log truck partially submerged after crashing through a guardrail and into a nearby lake. The vehicle, identified as an 18-wheeler carrying logs, had its cab underwater when crews arrived.

The driver, identified as 51-year-old Jerry P. Watford of Abbeville, Alabama, was pronounced dead at the scene. Preliminary reports suggest that the truck was traveling west on County Road 38 before colliding with the guardrail and plunging into the water.

Recovery efforts took several hours, prompting the temporary closure of a section of Highway 331. The Alabama Department of Transportation has since reopened the roadway.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the crash. The Opp Police Department expressed its condolences to Watford’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.

Transgender Indiana Student Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy in School Shooting Plot

A transgender high school student in Indiana has pled guilty to conspiracy to commit murder after authorities foiled plans for a mass shooting at a local school. Trinity J. Shockley, 18, reached a plea agreement in Morgan Superior Court, where charges of intimidation and terrorism were dropped in exchange for the guilty plea.

Shockley, who identifies as a transgender male and is known by the names Jamie or Dex, was arrested earlier this year after a tip-off from the FBI revealed that Shockley had been planning a school shooting around Valentine’s Day. A search of Shockley’s home uncovered disturbing evidence, including a “shrine” to mass shooters such as the Parkland shooter, further intensifying the investigation.

The charges against Shockley initially included two counts of intimidation related to terrorism, but those were dismissed in the plea agreement. Shockley now faces sentencing for the Level 2 felony of conspiracy to commit murder, which could carry a prison sentence of 10 to 30 years. The defense has requested that Shockley serve no more than 12.5 years in prison, with the possibility of probation. If granted probation, Shockley will be required to attend mental health counseling, avoid searching for school-shooting content, and stay away from Morgan County school grounds.

The case highlights the continued importance of vigilance when it comes to preventing school violence, with law enforcement and community members working together to stop tragedies before they occur. As the sentencing date approaches, the community remains shaken by the fact that this potential tragedy was narrowly avoided.