THE BLOTTER

Published July 5, 2009 4:00am ET



Two die in July 4 house fire

Two people were killed in a late-night house fire in Upper Marlboro.

Prince George’s County fire officials did not release the identity of the victims.

Fire and rescue officials responded to the home on the 12300 block of Wheeling Avenue just before midnight Saturday.

One body was found on the first floor, and the other was found in the basement. The investigation into the fire was ongoing.

D.C. investigates 3 homicides

A man was killed early Sunday in D.C., and police identified the victims in two fatal shootings that occurred Saturday.

Shortly after midnight Sunday, a man was fatally shot on the 600 block of Morton Place NW.

On Saturday, police responded to a report of a shooting on Ord Street. One of the victims, Lee-Ante Brown, 19, of Northwest Washington, died at the hospital.

In another incident, officers found Marcus Brinkley of Temple Hills, Md., with multiple gunshot wounds on the front porch of a house on Third Street. Brinkley was pronounced dead hours later.

Blast destroys NW home

D.C. fire officials say a natural gas leak likely caused an explosion that destroyed a Northwest Washington home.

No one was at the home around 6:15 p.m. Saturday, when the blast shook the neighborhood near the intersection of Oregon and Nebraska avenues. The explosion caused more than $1 million in damage.

A preliminary investigation indicates a natural gas buildup caused the explosion.

Cheverly man killed outside home Police are investigating the shooting death of a Cheverly man.

Around 5:15 p.m., Cheverly police responded to a report of a shooting on the 3300 block of Cheverly Avenue. Spencer Morris III, 22, was pronounced dead on the scene, according to Prince George’s County police who were assisting with the investigation.

Anyone with information can call Prince George’s police at 301-772-4925. A cash reward is being offered for the tip that leads to the arrest and indictment of a suspect.

Compiled by Scott McCabe