Generally, there could be cooled a in the koolaid in the red cups. There was probably beer in the red cups. I didnt stick my nose in and see. And maybe i should have. Reporter he said he saw no evidence of alcohol in the time he was there. 10 days ago, he defended his deportment as a passenger, as his security ordered them to break traffic laws. First drying, now drinking. If the dirt innuendo is going to continue . Absolutely. Were 8 1 2 months away from an election. I assume it will get more and more. Reporter what he wont do, he says, is quit. Im a big boy. Ive been doing this a long time. And when im wrong, im wrong. When i could have done something differently, ill tell you. And if this case in this case, i could have done something differently. Reporter gansler said in hindsight, he should have at least checked in with the chaperones while he was in the house. He said he does have a moral responsibility to other peoples children, as well as his own. Im pat warren, reporting live. Now, back to you. Pat, thank you. The party took place at a South Bethany beach rental house in june. The massive manhunt for the suspect who should the a Howard County police officer, is over. That suspect is now in custody, being treated for a gunshot wound he apparently suffered in the gun battle with police. Wjz is live with complete coverage. Linh bui takes a closer look at the suspects criminal background. But we begin with derek valcourt, live at the scene with more on the shooting and the officers condition. Derek . Reporter well, the shooting happened back here in this stretch of route 1. Police say the suspect then ran into these woods and hid overnight. He emerged from these woods this morning, apparently unarmed. And surrendered without incident. This is 29yearold steven prather, now in custody, rushed to shock trauma, with a gunshot wound to the leg. Arrested, alongside route 1 in savage, wednesday morning, just feet from the spot, where Howard County police say he shot an officer wednesday afternoon, before escaping into the woods. You know, i just saw a guy standing there. And he looked looked like, i dont know. Looked like the guy that they describe in the news. Reporter auto mechanic freddie pena spotted prather and alerted a nearby officer who made the arrest. He just put his hands up and went to the ground. Reporter Police Believe prather may have been hiding out in this storm drain here at the edge have had edge of the woods. It was deep inside this storm drain. They found what they believe was his gun. Reporter police say wednesday afternoon, drivers first spotted prather holding that gun and pacing near this red pickup truck. When officers approached the man, he opened fire, hitting officer steven houk. As the gunman jumped over the guardrail and ran into the woods, i mean, another officer was running along the guardrail, firing shots into the wood. Woods. Reporter one of the shots apparently struck prather in the leg. While he hid, police launched a massive manhunt that lasted throughout the night until his arrest thursday morning. Ee have a tremendous we have a tremendous amount of work to do. And we have a tremendous amount to make sure hes accountable for that. Reporter and wjz complete coverage continues now. Outside shock trauma, where prather is still being treated. Snip buoy linh bui investigates his violent past. And also spoke to some family and friends. Reporter wjz found a lengthy criminal record. But Family Friends are very shocked and describe a very different person. Reporter a shooting suspect with a violent history. Its a lengthy one. And it includes violent crimes, including a charge for attempted murder. Reporter according to Maryland Court records, stefon prather has been arrested several times. In 2002 for vehicle theft. In 2004 for assault. And in 2006, attempted first degree murder and assault. Prather pled guilty that time and served five years. But then in 2011, he was arrested again. This time in north carolina, charged with breaking an entering, traffic violations and more. Reporter police say prather has no fixed address. But according to court records, he used to live here in this Upper Marlboro neighborhood. Reporter these residents live near prather on old colony drive and say they knew him well, calling him a nice guy. I was shocked. I was really shocked. His brother is my best friend. So i called him to see if he was okay. I just couldnt believe he would do Something Like that. I dont believe that. I cant believe that. You know, everybody changed. Reporter prather is in police custody, once again. Reporter prather is currently on supervised probation in connection with that attempted murder charge from 2006. Reporting live outside shock trauma, linh bui, wjz Eyewitness News. Linh, thank you. Once prather is officially charged, more details will be release said about this investigation. Well, wjz continues to update the breaking news from Baltimore County. A large house on fire in glen arm. Sky eye chopper 13 is over the scene. Captain jeff long has the latest for us. Jeff . [ no audio ] reporter white smoke, billowing out of the roof of this house in glen arm. And you can see most of the smoke is coming out of that hole, where firefighters earlier vented the roof. And when they did that, as expected, flames shot up through the roof. We were here, taking a look at that. Those flames lasted only a few minutes. Nay got some they got some fire on them, knocked the flames down quickly. Then weve seen the smoke here change from light smoke to dark smoke back to light smoke. Good indication that the fire may be under control at this time. Reporting live, im captain jeff long. Back to you. Thank you very much, captain jeff. And of course, well continue to follow this fire and bring you more information as it becomes available. Brisk fall weather outside this evening. In frederick, wjz found one couple braving the chilly temperatures to feed some hungry swans and ducks at A Middletown Blake lake. And lets take a live look outside right now. Mix of sun and clouds. But a freeze warning will soon go into effect. And wjz is live with first warning weather coverage. Meteorologist tim williams is with the wjz mobile weather lab in towson. But first, lets check in with bob turk and the weather center, with the updated conditions. Bob . Temperatures this afternoon, ran about 11 degrees cooler than normal. Normal high is around 64. Only got to 53. Right now, were at 48 degrees. To the west of us, its even colder. Only 30 in oakland. They got to about 32, 33 this afternoon. Thats about it. 41 in cumberland. And 50 in d. C. And pax river. 48, ocean city. Dew point, very dry air. Down to 23 degrees. Its going to get cold tonight. This morning, we were 38, 30 in oakland this morning. Thats where they are right now. 37 in cumberland. And a milder 42 in d. C. , down by the river, is, of course, milder. Staying milder tonight. Anywhere on the bay in the city. But southwest of us, north of us, and northeast of us, we have freeze watches and freeze warnings in effect for all of that area you see. From the city on south and east, no issues expected. Although temperatures will probably get in the upper 30s. But dont expect to see any freezing conditions, except in those areas you see north and west. Which means some spots could get down to 29. 30, 31, 32 degrees. That means bringing in those tender plants. Speaking of tender plants. Tender feet. Lets take it out to tim williams with the wjz mobile weather lab in towson. Tim . Oh, that robert. I tell you. Were here on burke avenue. And we have been talking about these tender plants. Bob mentioned it. If you have any, you can bring them in tonight. Probably a good night to bring them in, not just cover them up. Here in towson, its been 46 degrees here for the last few minutes. When the wind blows, we drop, down to around 40. Weve seen it as low as about 39. Thats what folks here and across northern Baltimore County are going to experience. And the temperatures are going to drop. All courtesy now of High Pressure in control. To get an idea of what is going on. High pressure to the west. Its the clockwise flow around that high that is directing in these cold, canadian winds. Its been a little blustery through the afternoon. And the winds are going to bring the chill down. And bring the temperatures down to about freezing in the north and west suburbs. Now, our temperature swing. This october chill has been a little unusual. And definitely below average for this week. We started off this week, with temperatures around 67 degrees on monday. Low, about 38 degrees on that night. To put this in perspective for you. Normal low is 43. Just look at our temperatures and youll see how the progression has gotten lower. 64 on tuesday. 58 on wednesday. 54 on thursday. Thats today. And then 54, roughly tomorrow. And temperatures expected to be down around freezing. So there you have it. So were expecting for the next few days. Feels like football weather. Well talk about some of the plants here that might give you a little bit of a rains feel coming up here in the next few minutes. Were here in the wjz mobile weather lab, on burke avenue in towson. Meteorologist tim williams, sending it back to you on television hill. Okay, tim. Thank you and bob. Several suspects are taken in after a syringe is found on a playground. Reporter the syringe was found at rippling woods elementary in glen burnie. School Officials Say the kindergarteb kindergarten class was at recess. It was determined a total of seven students touched that syringe. The children were not injured, but they were taken to the area hospital as a precaution. A note was sent home with children today to inform them what happened. The schools custodial staff is cleaning the playground to make its safe for the children. Baltimore police say as the man tried to stop the brawl on his block, he was stabbed to death. Wjz is live. Rochelle ritchie spoke with the victims family and has the latest on the investigation. Rochelle . Reporter well, denise, it is such a troubling story. A man simply trying to do the right thing, ends up being killed. Now his family is heartbraken and desperate for an arrest. Reporter emotional family members of 25yearold durrell gatskin speak to wjz about the tragic death of the father of two. It hurts the most. I was right here with him. Reporter gaskins uncle was getting ready for work when he heard a violent commotion outside. Thats when she said her uncle ran out to stop a fight between high school students. Somebody else jumped and hit them. They were fighting. Turned back around. He got stabbed. Had him in my arms. And then, he started getting lightheaded. Reporter has father ran down the street to his son. His last words, devastating to any parent. I actually helped held my son in my hand. And the last thing he told to me is daddy, i love you. Im not going to make it. The killing happened just a few blocks from forest park high school. Police would not say whether the attackers were students from the forest park high school. But witnesses say they had School Uniforms on. How did he get inside and out of this school with a knife . They have metal detectors. I dont get that. Reporter mayor stephanie rawlingsblake says the city must do all it can to change the mentality of its youngest citizens. We have to find a way to break through and give our young people other options. Reporter gatskins father said his son was one of the good guys and didnt deserve death for doing what was right. One of you guys out there know who killed my son. You know who killed my son. Reporter Baltimore City police say they do not have any suspect at this time. If you know anything about this, you should call police. Im rochelle ritchie, live tonight. Wjz Eyewitness News. All right. Thank you very much, rochelle. And the second stabbing victim was treated and released from the hospital. Anne arundel county, a 4 monthold baby was hit in the head and police say alcohol may be partly to blame. Police say the infant son of the driver was sitting on a passengers lap when the driver crossed into oncoming traffic and hit another vehicle. The child is in Critical Condition at Johns Hopkins childrens center. Police say price may have been intoxicated. A soft spot for those doing hard time. Alex demetrick reports, inmates who are military veterans, are using their time behind bars to help make life a little easier for wounded vets, with some fourlegged help. Housing inmates doing serious time for serious crimes am but locked up doesnt necessarily mean shut off. For us who have done something wrong, its all we can do to return to try to do something right. Reporter that something is the early training of service dogs. Its done in other prisons. But this is the first time veterans who have been convicted of crimes are raising the dogs to aid wounded veterans, returning from iraq and afghanistan. This is an opportunity for you to step up to the plate. And do something unselfish to somebody else. Its a payback to the people who help us so much. To the disabled veterans. Reporter but help flows both ways when a dog is in the middle. To be incarcerated. To have a dog. This is like no matter how bad my day is. That dog is always wagging its tail. Reporter after a year of care and training, the first three dogs graduated to the next step in the program. [ applause ] reporter from their home behind bars, the dogs now go on to new york for advanced training. A goodbye that isnt easy. Its like losing a friend. And i dont know. Its going to be very, very difficult. Reporter although the next recruits waiting outside the prison gate might help ease that loss. Alex demetrick, wjz Eyewitness News. Now, that advanced training could run 3 to 6 months before the dogs are matched with a disabled veteran. Cute puppies. They certainly are. Still to come tonight on wjz Eyewitness News. Massachusetts math teacher murdered. Shocking new details on how she was killed. And the latest on the student charged with her death. Baltimore police, making major changes to the way they present photo lineups. Im monique griego. Coming up, what they hope it prevents. And a cold snap in maryland. How long will the chilly temperatures last . Bob turk will update the first warning forecast. ,,,,,,,, it is mostly clear. 48 degrees in central maryland right now. The complete first warning forecast is coming up. In an effort to cut down on what can be devastating mistakes, Baltimore Police are making major changes to the way the department conducts photo lineups. Wjz is live. Monique griego has more on what drove the commissioner to take action. Monique . Reporter well, denise, the commissioner freely admits that mistakes had been made in the past. And he believes these changes can help fix what many considered to be a flawed system. Reporter when a crime is committed, an eyewitness account to be can be crucial to an investigation. But its also where devastating mistakes can be made. In an effort to curtail misidentification, Baltimore Police are making major changes to their photo lineup. Double blind sequential photo array is a very extremely progressive technique. Double blind means neither the person showing the lineup or the person with the picture knows the real suspect. Only in the past, the witness is in the dark. Police say they want to make sure they dont unintentionally influence or sway a partner. You now have a third party administrator. Nearly 75 of all dna exonerations are tied to bad eyewitness accounts. These changes not only promise to protect the innocent, they will help to protect public safety. Reporter in addition to the double blind, Baltimore Police are also changing the way they present photo lineups. Presenting them to the witness, one by one. Victims and witnesses tend to compare the photographs during this process. They tend to make assumptions. Reporter they believe this will greatly improve the credibility of the systems justice system. Help to ensure that individuals are convicted, based on credible, reliable evidence. Reporter and Baltimore Police began using this new system just this week. Denise, back to you. Thank you, monique. The commissioner said he decided to make the change, after working with harvard on a paper to identify errors in Law Enforcement and how to fix them. Boy, its pretty chilly out there today. Boby . Yes. I called you last night. Ure went out without a coat. Tonight, hes got a good, warm coat. Youre bringing it up again. [ laughter ] you have a warm coat. You wont be cold. Hes still mad. 48. 37 humidity. West winds, 15. The barometer rising. Frosty and freezing temps tonight. Well have a forecast after this. ,,,,,,,,, were with the wjz mobile weather lab in towson. Wind chill. Theres a slight one. When the winds are blowing. Talking about bringing in tender plants. Moms mums are kind of hardy. So maybe theyll make it through tonight. There is a freeze warning. Giving a little football feel. For more on how this is going to play out for the next weekend, were sending it in to bob. That is the biggest moment ive ever seen. That thing is gorgeous. That thing is very old, by the way. If you have mums, by the way theyre outside. Theyre fine in the spring. Cut them back each year. You might cover them with leaves. A night like tonight is not going to hurt the mums. Around the Baltimore Metro area, some areas in the low to mid40s. 48, columbia. And 50, down by the bay, where they will not see fleeting temps tonight. Still have that breeze. As long as the breeze warms up, it will not get as cold as were predicting. But looks like the winds, already to the west, are down below 10 miles per hour. Once we get below 5 or so, thats when temperatures can drop. Were now at 15. 10 in d. C. Ask only 3 in ocean city. 14 in elkton. The average normal now is 64, 43. And the records, 82. In 2001. And 25 in 1969. Yeah, it was a cold morning. Thats for sure. Here in the east, generally what single is the jet stream has dipped from this general flow. Winds are coming out of central canada. Even portions of florida got dry, cool air today. Right now, in central florida, mid70s. And dew points are around 60. Thats very dry for those folks enemy this part of the world, we have snow showe