<sh>Shot Fired from Vehicle
<bt>Fairfax County Police arrested Charles Murray, 53, of Independence Circle in Alexandria, following an incident that occurred Saturday, Sept. 21. Patrol officers from the Mason District station were flagged down by a 45-year-old woman who told them that a man had just fired a gun at her during a traffic altercation. One officer stayed with the woman, while several other officers searched for the suspect, based on the description given by the woman. Officer Jason Long spotted the vehicle and suspect in the parking lot of Brighton Mall on Manitoba Drive near Little River Turnpike in the Lincolnia area. Long, along with fellow officers, conducted a felony traffic stop and took the suspect, later identified as Murray, into custody without incident. Investigation revealed that Murray and the victim are acquaintances. Murray had attempted to get the victim to pull her car over so they could talk, but the victim refused. Police said Murray fired a shot from his handgun into the air to further get the victim's attention. The victim continued driving until flagging down police officers to assist her. A .38 caliber revolver was recovered from Murray's car. Murray was transported to the Adult Detention Center, where he was charged with discharging a firearm from a motor vehicle and released on a $5,000 bond.
<sh>Springfield House Fire
<bt>Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department units responded to a fire in a two-story, single-family home at Seabrook Lane in Springfield at approximately 9:10 a.m., Monday, Sept. 23. The home is located in the Springfield area of Fairfax County.
First-arriving units reported heavy smoke showing from the rear of the house. The fire started in the basement area. The fire was brought under control in 20 minutes. There were no reported injuries. Five adults and one juvenile have been displaced. Damages are estimated at $100,000.
Fire investigators determined that combustibles placed too close to a hot-water heater caused the fire.
<sh>Fire Maintenance Facility Opens
<bt>The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department will conduct a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 28, at 10 a.m., for the South Maintenance Shop and Reserve Apparatus Facility. The new facility is the first of two buildings to be constructed in Fairfax County
A crew of four will man the facility and operate its crane, heavy-duty portable vehicle wheel lifts, welding device, hydraulic break and pump test. The building also has eight bays to house reserve fire and emergency medical services vehicles when not in use.
<sh>School Boundary Meetings
<bt>The community meetings to discuss the boundaries for the new Island Creek Elementary School site have been set. The first will occur on Oct. 8 at Key Middle School and will provide a forum for ideas and opinions. The other meetings, held on Nov. 12 and Dec. 3 at Edison High School, will be to held to offer possible boundary solutions and receive feedback. Each meeting is expected to run from 7:30-10 p.m. and will be moderated by professional meeting facilitators. All interested citizens are encouraged to attend.
<sh>Goblin Gallop Fund-raiser
<bt>The ninth-annual Goblin Gallop 5K race and 1K fun run will be Sunday, Oct. 27, at the Fair Lakes Shopping Center, off the Fair Lakes Parkway, in Fairfax. The fun run begins at 8:30 a.m. and the 5K starts at 9 a.m. Proceeds go to The John Quadrino Foundation to Benefit Children with Cancer. The event will be held, rain or shine, and will kick off in front of Jared's in the shopping center.
The 5K entry fee is $20 if postmarked by Oct. 22; late and race-day registration is $25. Entry fee for the 1K is $15 if postmarked by Oct. 22; late and race-day registration is $20. It's a USATF-certified course, and the first three overall male and female finishers will win $150, $100 and $50, respectively. Top age-group finishers will also receive prizes. Register online at www.racepacket.com. For more information, call 703-536-2027, e-mail GoblinGallop@MWZB.com or see www.goblingallop.org.
<sh>Springfield Woman Sentanced
<bt>The State's Attorney for Montgomery County, Md. announced that Bianca T. Coleman, 23, of Springfield, Virginia, was sentanced on Tuesday, Sept. 24 to life imprisonment, with all but 25 years suspended, by the Circuit Court of Montgomery County. Coleman entered a plea of guilty on January 11, 2002 to one count of first degree murder before Judge McGuckian. She was found guilty in the murder of Kennes Falconer, 26, in Takoma Park. Through Coleman, police were led to a co-defendent, Ramieka Fowler, who entered a plea of guilty to one count of first degree murder on Aug. 16 and will be sentenced on November 14, 2002.