Missing Mom's Blood | Record Guns Seized | Tinder Shooting: VA News

VIRGINIA — On the weekend, we present a week in review of the top stories and headlines from across Northern Virginia and DC. Here's a roundup of some of the biggest and quirkiest stories across the state. You can also find your local Patch and catch up on those stories by clicking here.

$109K Scam Targets GMU Men's Basketball Team, Arrest Made: Court

An Atlanta man faces wire fraud charges for scamming the George Mason University men’s basketball team out of more than $109,000 meant to pay for a five-day trip to the Bahamas, according to court documents.

Mamta Kafle Bhatt's DNA Matched Blood Found On Power Saw: Report

A blood sample found on a power saw is a likely match for DNA collected by investigators from missing Manassas Park mother Mamta Kafle Bhatt, according to a report.

Record-Setting Firearm Stopped By TSA At Washington Dulles Airport

Authorities at Washington Dulles International Airport intercepted the 26th firearm of the year, breaking the record for most guns TSA has detected in a single year, according to the Transportation Security Administration.

• Record Tied For Finding Most Loaded Handguns At Airport In Single Year

Cell Phone Ban In Classrooms: Take Our Virginia Patch Survey

While the start of 2025 marks the deadline for Virginia school districts to adopt cell phone-free policies in the classrooms, many school districts have already implemented restrictions on student cell phone use during the school day.

1 Hospitalized After Bus Crashes Into Parking Structure, Catches Fire

One person was taken to the hospital after a bus crashed into a parking structure and caught fire, according to a fire and rescue spokesperson.

2 Harmful Insects Found In Flower Shipment At Dulles Airport: CBP

An entomologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed that two insects found in a flower shipment arriving at Washington Dulles International Airport recently posed a potential threat to the country's agricultural and environmental resources, according to reports.

Bullet Found at Elementary Recovered By Police

Police recovered a bullet that was found at an elementary school on Monday, according to the daily crime report.

Tinder Meetup Leads To Shooting: Police

A man arranged to meet a woman from the Tinder dating app in person. Instead, he encountered two unknown suspects and was shot.

Sexual Assault Attempted At Park: Police

A woman escaped a sexual assault attempt in a park Tuesday, according to police.

School Threat Leads To Charge For Teen At Potomac High School

A school threat on social media resulted in a charge for a teen, according to police.

Officer-Involved Fatal Shooting At Metro Investigated: Police

An officer-involved fatal shooting that took place Tuesday afternoon near the entrance to the Metro Station is being investigated by the Critical Incident Response Team, according to police.

Skipping Metro Fare Leads To 3 Assault On Police Charges

A 45-year-old man is facing three charges of assault on police after he was stopped for not paying his fare at the Metro Station, according to police.

Stolen Vehicle Pursuit Leads To Arrest

A pursuit of a stolen vehicle Monday led to one arrest, according to Virginia State Police.

3-Year-Old Son Inspires Family's Blood Donation Advocacy

Heather Bohon recalls having a healthy pregnancy with her son, Alfie. But at the hospital, doctors found an infection that moved to his lungs. The newborn experienced sepsis and organ failure.

Community Shelter Upgraded Under Carpenter's Shelter Operator

Nonprofit Beyond the Blueprint, which seeks to empower domestic violence survivors through design, redesign the space with a goal of providing more comfortable, brighter living areas. A teen in the community also helped spearhead a makeover for the children's area at the shelter.

15 Child Porn Charges Levied Against Man: Police

A 31-year-old man faces more than a dozen criminal charges after investigators found electronic evidence of child pornography on devices he owned.

Temporary Meals Tax Proposal Deferred Again By Town Council

The temporary meals tax proposal isn't moving forward, at least in 2024.

More Top Headlines:

• Christmas Lights 2024: Guide To Holiday Displays Around NoVA
• Digital Data Center Ruling Appealed By Opponents
• Education Association Chosen For Collective Bargaining
• Police Chief Erin Schaible Announces Retirement
• Expansion Of Manassas Micron Facility Gets Proposed Federal Funds
• Teen Driver Charged In Oakton Crash Killing Vienna Resident
• Accessory Living Units Allowed With Vienna Council Approval