Transcripts For WJLA ABC 7 News At Noon 20150331

By metropolitan police. We are standing by in virginia. Our John Gonzalez is on the scene where the Fairfax County police chief is expected to provide an update soon on exactly how this suspect was apprehended, exactly what the steps are now. Who was with him. If anyone was with him. How he was able to elude police for essentially eight hours now. Jummy we have also been able to show you ok lets head over to sam ford. Sam is on the scene of the arrest. Sam . Are you on the phone . Sam on the hood of the back of the car and right now, they are driving away in this district car. Sixth District Police followed by an f. B. I. Car,lowed by another sixth district car. Theyre going under the police tape and they are now leaving the scene with the suspect. Also, a number of cars here. But yeah, weve been talking to folks here. They said it happened very quickly. He was in the carryout and in fact, they took him out. Heres a lady i see that saw something. Well run over here and see if we can get this lady to talk to us. Maam, you saw a lot of what happened. Right . Tell us whats your name . Tell us what you saw. Well i could see him walking in the street just like he lived here, you know. Next thing we know the police were coming and throwing him against the car. He didnt look like the guy that showed up. He had on a red shirt. Boots. A black jacket. He was fully clothed. I dont know. All i know is when he came and the police was up on him. Yeah, from the gas station. Right here. The gas station. He looked really, really crazy. He looked crazy, yeah. He was walking down here. Yeah. Hes been talking to himself. Sam he was talking to himself . Yeah. Sam went over there. Then he walked this way and next thing we know the police was there. Yes, sir. Sam ok. So thats ruthy dixon, shes the woman who saw. She said she saw this arrest here a lot of cops here and minnesota avenue im not sure. Actually, i dont think this is minnesota but one of these tributary streets. It is minnesota. Its blocked off. And just a lot of Police Activity here. From her description, the police saw him walking the streets talking to himself, she said, after he had gone to the shell gas station and they took him down. She worked at a beauty shop which is right here at this intersection. So as i told you earlier, the procession of cars one we were told a sixth district d. C. Police cruiser which they told us the suspect was in. That car left followed by f. B. I. Cars and other vehicles and he has left the scene here. Thats the report from southeast washington at this point. Im sam ford. Back to you. Autria thank you so much and thank you for bringing us that first eyewitness account. We want to get to Stephen Tschida now live there from the scene as well. Stephen, what can you tell us . Stephen im going to show you first of all. You can see whats going on right here. This is where it all went down about 11 30, maybe a little bit before 11 30. Witnesses tell us that wes on Wossen Assaye the man who was identified as assaye was walking this direction possibly from a metro bus. Some of the witnesses say he was walking down here and he seemed to be somewhat disoriented, they said, at first. They also said he was not in hospital garb. That he was clothed in a jacket just moments ago before a cruiser took off. We saw that jacket on the back of the cruiser as they drove off. Now, people say that the police just swarmed on top of him. Grabbed him, put him into the Police Cruiser and was here until a few moments ago and then took off. A lot of confusion here at first from the people that were on the scene. But relief as well after what happened earlier to morning and the concern across the metro area about this dangerous individual potentially very dangerous individual on the loose. Thats the latest here from southeast reporting live Stephen Tschida, abc 7 news. Autria we were talking to sam ford a moment ago and he said he thought that the car that assaye was driving was also there on the scene. Can you confirm that at all . A hyundai elantra, thats the last car that we believe he was driving. Stephen thats the vehicle up there theyre talking about. That does not look to be gray. That looks to be white to me. Confusion about that. Again, lets point out, metro officials are here on the scene. Investigators from metro because the initial reports, again not confirmed are that assaye if that is indeed him got off of a metro bus and then was identified by passengers, perhaps, on the metro bus and that is what provided police here on the scene with the vital evidence to make this arrest. Autria he was riding the metro bus, hopped off at the gas station and thats when officers arrested him. Stephen we dont know thats confirmed. Thats coming from metro. Metro is telling me that they initially were informed that witnesses on a metro bus may have identified him. Thats what tipped off police. Again, all unconfirmed a volatile situation out here. Were still trying to hone the facts. Were giving you what facts weve been able to glean but again, its out here. Autria very fluid situation out there indeed. If that does turn out to be the truth and it was those passengers that recognized him, those are some astute and observant passengers. And kudos to them. Jummy absolutely. Autria thank you for the report. Jummy lets get to Jeanette Reyes live in annandale where the suspect is believed to have carjacked that first vehicle. Jeanette . Jeanette right now jummy, were off of backlick road here in annandale near cindy lane. And according to witness we talked to a woman who lived near fairfax hospital. Shes a nurse at fort belvoir hospital not too far from here. She got in her car remember this is near where that inmate escaped. Near that hospital. She was driving along this road here behind me on backlick road when a man popped up in her back seat and tried to get her attention. Now, she was startled understandably so and lost control of the car. You can see the tire marking there chipped off the side of the sidewalk and traveled about 30 yards or so. Take a look at the tire imprints on the grass. She managed to avoid this tree fortunately. But she did slam right into this car here. Thats the car of the home owner here and let me show you something. Look at that damage. How significant it is. The only thing left of that car that slammed into it is this piece of it. Its a silver toyota camry. That suspect took off with that. We managed to talk to the home owner here and he said the woman was screaming bloodyer. He had no idea what was going on. Take a listen as he describes these chilling moments earlier this morning. She was screaming like crazy in the front seat and as the car went down, i thought i can get out and see what i can do. Everybody have their mikes and ready to go . Autria Police Briefing us on the very latest since this capture. Lets listen in. Well begin with chief ed rossler. Good afternoon. First, i want to thank our community not only in Fairfax County but in the entire region. Its an Alert Community member that has led to the arrest of mr. Assaye in this case so i must thank our Community Members for the support through social media and also the media yourself here today helping us get the message out and take a violent felon off the streets of our region so thank you. On march 20th, mr. Wossen assaye was arrested for a series of Bank Robberies in Fairfax County and our region. Mr. Assaye was detained in the alexandria city jail. On march 27th mr. Assaye attempted suicide in his cell. He was then eventually transported to Inova Fairfax hospital for treatment of his selfinflicted injuries. While at the hospital the United States Marshals Service that coordinated the transportation had a private security contracted firm maintain custody of mr. Assaye. At 3 00 this morning, mr. Assaye got into a struggle with one of the Security Guards and a round was discharged from the Security Guards weapon. Its unknown at this time who fired the round but fortunately, no one was reported to be injured. Mr. Assaye then fled with the weapon into a nearby residential neighborhood where he then broke into the trunk of a residents vehicle. The resident came out of their house and was proceeding to commute to work. While commuting to work in the area of the hospital mr. Assaye started to kick out the back seat from inside the trunk. The vehicle then crashed and mr. Assaye then committed a carjacking of the vehicle and fled with the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle was slightly injured and treated. Mr. Assaye then fled in an unknown direction. At the same time that we were looking for the vehicle, we were methodically going through every single building at the campus of Inova Fairfax hospital. We then around 10 30 this morning found mr. Assayes car in the annandale area abandoned. Mr. Assaye then carjacked a second car and fled the area. The Fairfax County police has recovered the first vehicle that was carjacked including what we believe to be the Security Guards weapon inside the car. Moments ago in the District Of Columbia in the sixth Police District an Alert Community member identified mr. Assaye through all the social Media Outlets where we put our message out and called the metropolitan Police Department and then mr. Assaye was arrested by the metropolitan police. And we are glad that he is in custody and that no one was greatly harmed during this event. I have with me representatives from the f. B. I. And the United States Marshals Service that are prepared to provide brief comments and to help answer your questions. Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Im bobby matsen United States marshal for the Eastern District of virginia. As the chief said the prisoner came into our custody on march 20th. His initial hearing in the alexandria federal courthouse. He was booked into the Alexandria Detention Center on the 20th. On the 27th shortly after 1 00 p. M. In the afternoon, the prisoner at that time tied a bed sheet around his neck and dove off one of the tiers in the Alexandria Detention Center in an attempt to commit suicide. He was treated by medical personnel at the time in alexandria city jail and was then transported by the rescue squad to Inova Fairfax hospital. For the first 24 hours of the hospital stay his observation, alexandria deputy sheriffs maintained custody of him and maintained observation over him. After 24 hours, contract Guard Services allied protective services took over with a two person detail to maintain 24hour observation and in custody while assaye was being treated for his injuries. To my knowledge, his only injury at the time was a broken nose. This morning, i guess shortly around 3 00 a. M. While under observation by the two Contract Security officers the prisoner overpowered the female Security Officer, managed to get her weapon from her and confronted the male Security Officer. One shot was fired by the male Security Officer from allied protective services. Thank god no one was hit. No one was injured. The prisoner then escaped through a stairwell in Inova Fairfax hospital. As the chief probably said the man hunt started shortly after 3 00 a. M. This morning with numerous events and carjackings. Thats all i have from the Marshal Service at this point. Reporter was he handcuffed this morning when he overpowered the guards . Yes he was. Reporter he overpowered them with handcuffs . He was shackled but i dont know because its an active investigation at this point, i dont know exactly what restraints were on him at the time. But he was in his on the hospital gurney bed. [inaudible] we have no knowledge of anything preplanned. Reporter can you talk about changes that youd make changes right off the bat that you should make in terms of security . Based on the full facts of the investigation, well have to find out what happened. If the Contract Security personnel violated the policy in terms of shackles and restraints and once that full investigation is done well certainly make changes to protocol. Do you typically use contract instead of marshals . Im told as much as 10 years ago headquarters okd these for security personnel. Reporter can you tell me how he was shackled . I dont at this time. The shot was in the hallway, it was lodged in actually in the room. The bullet was lodged in the wall in the room. I dont know at this point. Reporter chief, can you tell us the man hunt that went on in annandale to where this man was captured in washington, d. C. After that second carjacking i believe on cherry lane what happened between then and the actual capture . We had reports from Community Members that they observed a man running through the woods. And he came upon another house and there were occupants there and then he took their vehicle and fled. Reporter did he threaten in any way . I dont have any information at this time. Obviously they were threatened by him and turned over their vehicles to them. Thats all i know at this point in time. As i mentioned earlier, we conducted a ground search and an air search in this area and through social media and the partnership in the region with the community and other Law Enforcement agencies an Alert Community member spotted him on the streets of d. C. Right now the second car has not been located so we still need help in locating that vehicle. Our Public Information offices put out that vehicle information. Well give it to you again at the end of this conference. We need your help in locating that second vehicle. If we could hold the questions to then we have a representative from the f. B. I. To provide some Additional Information for you. Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. My name is greg cox, im the acting assistant director. Reporter talk into the mikes please. Yes, sir. My name is greg cox, im the acting assistant director in charge of the f. B. I. s Washington Field office. We had since october 2013 the f. B. I. Washington field office through the Violent Crimes task force has been conducting an investigation into the 12 Bank Robberies that have occurred in Northern Virginia between october of 2013 and march of 2015. Assaye is believed to be responsible for each of these Bank Robberies. We can at this point confirm he was arrested in the vicinity of minnesota avenue and 25th street in southeast d. C. And we want to thank the public for their assistance during this search because their tips were critical to his capture. Now, well turn it back over for questions. Was he taken into custody without incident . What happened . I dont know the answer to that. Reporter was he on a metro bus or walking down the street . We dont know that information yet. Reporter when captured, how was he dressed . I dont know the answer to that. No additional charges at this time. I can let you know that for the crimes in Fairfax County we are actively processing the crime scenes and we will place appropriate charges for each of the offenses he committed in Fairfax County. Well work with our federal and local partners on that. Reporter anything he might have expressed to these people as he was, you know, encountering them throughout the process. Were actively in people as we speak right now. But i dont have any details of that. Im sorry. I cant hear, too. Reporter how does a man with no shoes get into the trunk of a car . Thats currently under investigation. I dont know if the car was open or if he had to force his way in. Well bring the updates on those. Reporter his girlfriends picture had been put out. Can you tell us more about that . That was originally put out because he might have been in the company of her. That was not the case today. Reporter do you know anything about her . Was she involved in this in any way . I have no information to link her to this today. Reporter can you tell us how many officers and agencies were involved . Id be giving you a guesstimate of several hundred. We had a full contingent of Virginia State police, the f. B. I. , the Marshal Service, alcohol, tobacco and firearms staff, Vienna Police Fairfax County Sheriffs Office multitude. But ill have a better answer once we debrief and account for everybody. Reporter can we get back to the shackled thing. Was he not shackled in that hospital room . To my knowledge he was shackled. Reporter how did he get out of those shackle . Thats still being investigated. Reporter is it possible that he had one of the guards let him loose . Theres no indication at this point. Reporter you mentioned a violation of policy. He took down the woman. Where was the male guard . Were they together at that point . No she was in the room by herself at this point. He had gone out for a restroom break. Reporter is that a violation of policy . Im not certain at this point. Reporter what would you be looking at at this point in regards to the number of guards that you have taking care of an inmate . This is highly unusual were told by the chief. Yes, two people should be able to certainly guard a prisoner. Securely. What were investigating right now is what his shackles were they loosened were they not on . Was something not followed . Thats currently being investigated. Can you tell us how much experience they have. Can you tell us where he was in the hospital and what it took for him to get out of the stairwell, first floor, second floor, out the stairwell. Im not certain if it was the second or third floor. But it was an end unit an end e initial shot was fired, he walked down the hallway with the female contract guard sort of as a shield. At some point released her and ran down the hallway not far you know, within 10 yards or so. Reporter in a locked unit or standard room. Reporter standard room on a standard floor. Correct. Reporter security risk. Correct. Reporter was the shot fired after assaye had the weapon and then after he sort of, i guess, shed this woman and when the shot was fired. Im not sure when the shot was fired. Thats under investigation. Reporter the male Security Officer fired the shot did the chief say that . Yes. Reporter the male Security Guard fired one shot. Thats correct. Reporter all right. Did he go to a house and hid in the trunk . What i do know is the apartment complex adjacent to the hospital is where he secured himself inside the trunk of a car. And as the chief said and i have no knowledge of how he got into the trunk of that car. Reporter the gun for the female guard to his head or back . How was he holding her hostage . I dont know at this point. But he obviously had her weapon. Reporter has that weapon been recovered . I know you have a lot of questions. This is a very active investigation. And i promise to you we will get more information to each and every one of you as this unfolds. Some of the questions you have were interviewing people as we speak, as i mentioned earlier. I just want to be absolutely clear that im thanking each and every Community Member in this region and all of you for your support apprehending a violent felon thats no longer on the street. Thank you very much. At this point, well go ahead and conclude the news briefing. When all the federal aeggencies and all the local agencies, well continue to have debriefings throughout the day. Its an ongoing investigation. There are multiple interviews going on multiple people that they have to speak with. As the Additional Information becomes available, we will continue to share that with you through our twitter feed. Through our word press plug as well as with our federal partners. Absolutely. So its chief ed win. Edwin. Rossler from the Fairfax County Police Department. From the u. S. Marshals office. We have bobby mathisen. Mathieson. And from the f. B. I. , we had f. B. I. Acting assistant director in charge greg cox. Cox. I do not anticipate any. Thankfully we have him in custody. As the chief explained, there are some debriefings that are going to be n very shortly here. All the federal partners and local partners need to theres several meetings they have to have to piece together the details. We have the same questions that you have. So as we move forward with this investigation, those are things that we hope to have answered for you and as that new information becomes available, we will have that put out. One g. Jummy all righty. That News Conference just wrapped up with Fairfax County police. We want to get back to the scene of where the arrest happened. Stephen tschida live there for us in southeast d. C. Stephen . Stephen all right. This is what weve got going on now. We can show you the scene here. It is pretty well cleared out. We have a police presence. This is where it went down after 11 00 this morning and this is where the suspect was finally captured. We have learned a bit more of what transpired in the moments. He apparently got off of a bus, a metro bus. It was then that a passenger recognized him and called 911 and the series of events evolved and wrapped up down here. Talking to the people at the scene, they say the suspect was walking this way and they say he appeared to be somewhat disoriented at the time. One witness said he seemed like he might be confused or something. Then she said all of a sudden the police just swooped down on him. Put him into a Police Cruiser and it all went down in just a matter of seconds but this lengthy, lengthy search, obviously, had a lot of people especially those out in virginia on edge throughout the Early Morning hours and into the late morning. Back to you. Autria ok. Live on the scene in southeast where the prisoner was taken into custody. Some good news for everyone that was on the hunt for him today. All right. We want to get over to doug hill. Quick check of the forecast before we leave you this noon. Doug . Doug all right. Kind of gusty winds out there. Mild temperatures. Sunshine. Live look at the rooftop camera and show you full screen on the graphics and weather story, enjoy warmth and sunshine while it lasts because clouds are coming in and eventually some showers as well. 65 at reagan national. Gusty winds now to 29 miles an hour. We can see the camera bouncing a little bit right now. 65 at reagan. 64 in frederick and 66 degrees in fredricksburg. Very mild afternoon will continue. Over the next couple of hours, gusty winds will pump the temperatures up a few more degrees. At the same time, the clouds will be moving in from the north and west ahead of the s system and cold front. Rain across cumberland and South Central pennsylvania and we expect those showers to be in the metro Washington Area just in time for the rush hour. A little larger view shows a fairly solid area of rain ahead of the system and State College into the northeast in pennsylvania, its snow and the snow is going to spread across new york state and northern new jersey. But in our area, just some spring showers and some gusty winds. Temperatures will start to fall a little bit later this afternoon. And that is the latest from the stormwatch 7 weather center. Back to you. Autria thank you very much. To recap for you, that guy assaye was taken into custody after an eighthour man hunt. Joint effort between multiple jurisdictions. Everybody happy to report he was taken into custody in the district around 11 30 and the man hunt is now finally over. Jummy weve got several crews on the scene continuing to work all angles of this story. Tune in right now to newschannel 8 for the live continuing coverage. And you can join us for abc 7 news at 4 00. Have a great day