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Delaware victims lost in Washington D.C. crash remembered at memorial service

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Delaware victims lost in Washington D.C. crash remembered at memorial service


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A solemn memorial service was held on Sunday at the Fred Rust Ice Arena to honor five members of Delaware’s ice skating community who died in a collision between an American Airlines jet and a U.S. Army helicopter last Wednesday near Washington, D.C.

The victims — coach Alexandr “Sasha” Kirsanov, his students Angela Yang and Sean Kay, along with Angela’s mother, Zheheng “Lily” Li, and Sean’s mother, Yulia Kay — were returning from the U.S. Figure Skating National Development Camp in Wichita, Kansas, according to family and friends.

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Organized by High Performance Skating Center coaches Michelle Dumler-McKeever and Joel McKeever, the service drew a quiet, respectful crowd that filled one side of the 2,500-seat arena. Mourners from the Delaware skating community gathered to share memories, honor the lives lost and support one another in the face of this tragedy.

Reflections and remembrances

For over an hour, members of Delaware’s skating community walked the long black carpet to the center of the ice to deliver heartfelt tributes to their lost friends and colleagues.

“I can’t even begin to wrap my mind around the fact that I’ll no longer share the ice with him,” said Dumler-McKeever, her voice heavy with grief as she stood surrounded by others who knew and loved Kirsanov.

Sara Papillo, 24, who had trained under Kirsanov since age nine, shared touching memories of her mentor.

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“Never in a million years could I or any of us have imagined an accident like this. One that claimed the lives of our loved ones and left our small, close skate community in pieces,” Papillo said with her voice trembling with emotion.

Papillo also reflected on the budding talents of Sean and Angela, describing them as polite, respectful, and full of potential. “Sasha was so proud of them,” she added, recalling how he often spoke of their progress with pride during her training sessions.

Joel McKeever, Kirsanov’s close friend, colleague, and frequent travel companion, spoke fondly of their bond. He recounted Sasha’s sharp sense of humor and their daily interactions both on and off the ice, affectionately referring to him as his “work wife,” a testament to the deep friendship they shared.

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The lives behind the loss

Kirsanov, 46, was a high-performance coach at the University of Delaware Figure Skating Club and a coach for the University of Delaware Collegiate Figure Skating Team. A professional ice dancer, he competed for the United States, Azerbaijan, and Russia, earning numerous accolades, including a bronze medal at the 2003 Nebelhorn Trophy in Germany.

Angela Yang, 12, discovered her passion for ice dance after watching her siblings play ice hockey. Known for her dedication and talent, she quickly became a standout in the sport.

Sean Kay, 11, was remembered for his love of Metallica and his playful sense of humor, which he shared with his siblings, who are also figure skaters. His mother, Yulia Kay, worked nights as a nurse to support her children’s skating dreams, often sacrificing sleep to drive them to early morning practices.

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According to a GoFundMe campaign organized for Angela’s family, Li was a devoted mother who dedicated her life to raising her three children while managing her own business. She raised them largely on her own in the U.S. while her husband worked overseas, supporting her children’s academic and athletic pursuits with unwavering commitment.

Mourners praised Kay and Yang for their exceptional talent and advanced skating skills for their age.

“I have no doubt they would have achieved many of their dreams,” McKeever said.

Community support and GoFundMe campaigns

In the wake of this tragedy, members of Delaware’s skating community have rallied to offer comfort and support to the victims’ families and each other.

A GoFundMe campaign, organized by family friends, is raising money to support the surviving Kay children in continuing their skating journey in tribute to their mother’s steadfast dedication.

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A GoFundMe campaign has also been set up to support survivors in Yang’s family. Proceeds will benefit Yang’s siblings Tiki and Miller Wu and her father, Jianjun “Jacob” Wu who lives overseas.

Dumler-McKeever also organized a GoFundMe campaign in the memory of Alexandr “Sasha” Kirsanov for his wife and daughter’s expenses.

Other members of the skating club flew to the camp but booked flights arriving in Baltimore rather than Washington, D.C. As the Delaware skating community grapples with the profound loss, the memories shared and the support extended at the memorial service reflect the deep bonds forged on and off the ice.

The University of Delaware Figure Skating Club is offering counseling services to support those affected.

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You can contact Anitra Johnson at ajohnson@delawareonline.com.



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DC police issue 2 juvenile curfew zones to deter large gatherings of kids and teens – WTOP News

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DC police issue 2 juvenile curfew zones to deter large gatherings of kids and teens – WTOP News


Both juvenile curfew zones in D.C. will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

D.C. police are adding more dates for two juvenile curfew zones in Navy Yard and U Street that will be in effect to deter large gatherings of kids and teens.

The Navy Yard restrictions cover Interstate 695 to the Anacostia River and from 8th Street, SE, to South Capitol Street.

(Courtesy D.C. police)

The U Street perimeter covers V Street to Vermont Avenue, NW, and from 9th Street at Florida Avenue to 15th and T Streets.

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(Courtesy D.C. police)

These two zones were in effect on Nov. 15 and 16 as well.

Both juvenile curfew zones will be in effect from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser recently signed emergency legislation to reinstate the summer juvenile curfew at 11 p.m. for youth under 18 years old.

Under the order, those under 18 are “prohibited from gathering in a group of nine or more in any public place or on the premises of any establishment” unless they are taking part in certain exempted activities, police said.

The youth curfew comes after a hectic Halloween night that brought hundreds of teens to Navy Yard.

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Family of man killed by DC police questions officer’s tactics

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Family of man killed by DC police questions officer’s tactics


The family of a 25-year-old man who was shot and killed by a D.C. police officer last week is questioning the officer’s tactics and training after viewing the body camera video.

David Warren Childs, of Northeast D.C., was shot the night of Nov. 17 after police say he refused to obey the officer’s commands and appeared to reach for a firearm in his waistband. It happened near the Deanwood Metro station.

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) says officers spotted Childs with a gun in his waistband and gave chase.

The body-worn camera video released by police this week doesn’t show the initial interaction. It begins in the middle of a foot pursuit that ended outside an apartment building on 47th Place NE.

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It’s very hard to tell from the video, but the officer — who had Childs at gunpoint standing between a fence and the building — was without backup and alone for one minute and 23 seconds before the officer opened fire.

The video shows the moment the officer cornered Childs and said, “I’m gonna shoot you.”

“Why wasn’t the matter de-escalated?” Childs’ cousin Da’jon Mason asked. “If it’s the law enforcement’s job to de-escalate matters, why wasn’t the situation de-escalated? If you had 10 to 15 officers out here, why was there no other officer present to assist in the matter to de-escalate the situation? Why did you continue to escalate the situation, threatening to continuously shoot someone when they are telling you, ‘Don’t shoot me’?”

As soon as Childs was cornered near the fence line, the officer apparently got on the radio and said, “One at gunpoint” and “behind the building.”

“The officer used great restraint, gave multiple commands, multiple commands asking the subject to please, to raise his hands and not to reach for the firearm, and for some reason the subject did not obey those commands and reached for his firearm,” Executive Assistant Police Chief Andre Wright said.

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It’s difficult to see on the video, but police say Childs moved his left hand toward his waistband and that’s when the officer opened fire.

After the shooting, other officers arrived and began to render first aid to Childs.

Police say this is the weapon Childs had in his waistband.

“The point where he was saying, ‘You know what, OK, if this is how it’s going to go, then do it,’ when we are the same amount of distance that we are now in this conversation, you could have taken him down,” Mason said. “You didn’t have to keep the gun pointed at him. You could have holstered your weapon and proceeded to take him down. You could have tased him. You could have used OC [pepper] spray.”

D.C. police declined to comment on the family’s concerns and referred News4 to the statement the police department made when the body camera video was released.

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MPD said in a Nov. 18 news release in part: “The involved members have been placed on administrative leave, pursuant to MPD policy.”

The Internal Affairs Bureau’s Force Investigations Team is investigating the shooting, according to MPD.

“The United States Attorney’s Office will independently review the facts and evidence in the case,” MPD said.



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Bellingham, WA man under investigation after D.C. shooting of 2 Guard members

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Bellingham, WA man under investigation after D.C. shooting of 2 Guard members


The suspect accused of shooting two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., was identified as an Afghan national who lived in Bellingham, Washington. 

he shooting suspect, who law enforcement officials identified as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, is an Afghan national who entered the U.S. in September 2021. He was reportedly living in Washington state before the Wednesday attack, but authorities are still working to fully confirm his background.

What we know:

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On Wednesday, the suspect, later identified as Rahmanullah Lakanwal, opened fire on two National Guard members just blocks away from the White House. The West Virginia service members, 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom and 24-year-old Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe, were both sworn in less than 24 hours before the attack. 

National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom dies after Washington, D.C. shooting

On Thursday, President Trump revealed that Sarah Beckstrom had died. Wolfe remains in critical condition.

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Washington, D.C. shooting suspect’s ties to the CIA

Dig deeper:

Authorities say Lakanwal entered the United States in September 2021 under humanitarian parole as part of the Biden administration’s Operation Allies Welcome in the aftermath of the country’s withdrawal from Afghanistan. 

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Lakanwal was part of a CIA-associated unit in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Officials say these units were highly trusted by the CIA and played crucial roles in operations against the Taliban.

From Wednesday night into Thanksgiving morning, the FBI and federal agents executed search warrants at his home in Bellingham, Washington, where he lived with his wife and five children. Investigators seized electronic devices including laptops, cellphones and iPads as the case expands into a coast-to-coast investigation.

From Wednesday night into Thanksgiving morning, the FBI and federal agents executed search warrants at his home in Bellingham, Washington, where he lived with his wife and five children. Investigators seized electronic devices including laptops, cellphones and iPads as the case expands into a coast-to-coast investigation.

“All the individuals found in that house have been interviewed, and some interviews remain ongoing,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “We will not stop until we interview anyone and everyone associated with the subject, the house and every piece of his life.”

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The Seattle FBI office says it is assisting the Washington office but declined to comment further. 

Bellingham, WA officials respond to D.C. shooting suspect’s investigation

What they’re saying:

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Bellingham’s police chief says the department immediately stepped in to support federal investigators.

“Our hearts are heavy for the two West Virginia National Guard members who were shot while on active duty yesterday in Washington D.C.,” said Bellingham Police Department Chief Rebecca Mertzig. “We stand with them, their loved ones, and all the National Guard members across the nation.

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“Violence like this is horrific and unacceptable. As soon as I was notified of the situation, investigation and the possible connection to Bellingham, I called our local FBI partners to offer Bellingham Police Department’s assistance with their criminal investigation of this case. We are closely monitoring the situation for any updates.

“People who serve and protect our communities, like the two wounded West Virginia National Guard members, represent the best of what we strive for, and we honor their service, sacrifice, and courage.”

Bellingham Mayor Kim Lund also says the city is actively coordinating with investigators.

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“It takes courage to say yes to the job of protecting fellow community members and protecting our country. We honor the courage of the two National Guard members who were wounded in service yesterday. There is no excuse for the heinous, violent attack they suffered.

“We are holding them and their loved ones in our hearts today, wishing them a full return to health.

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“As mayor of Bellingham, I am directing local resources to be ready to support the FBI’s investigation. We share the resolve to see justice and accountability for this violent attack.

“The terrible actions committed in Washington, D.C. yesterday are the actions of one person, not a community. They don’t represent Bellingham’s values. They don’t reflect the values of either Washington. They don’t represent what makes our communities great.”

FOX 13 Reporter Alejandra Guzman spoke to some neighbors living near the suspect’s home.

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“It’s less than 50 feet away from my apartment, so it kind of scares me,” said Bill Beveridge. “Who knows what can actually happen after this.”

Big picture view:

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The shooting came a week after a federal judge ordered an end to the National Guard deployment in the Washington, D.C., area. President Trump has since ordered 500 additional National Guard members to the capital.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Joseph B. Edlow has directed a full-scale, rigorous reexamination of every green card issued to immigrants from countries of concern at the direction of President Trump. 

The Afghan American Cultural Association, a nonprofit, non-political community-based organization registered in Washington state, released the following statement:

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“We are deeply saddened and outraged by the tragic incident in Washington, D.C., where an Afghan national shot two National Guard service members. As an organization representing Afghan Americans across Washington State, we strongly and unequivocally condemn this heinous and cowardly act. There is no justification for violence against those who protect and serve our communities.

Our thoughts, prayers, and unwavering support are with the injured National Guard troops and their families. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them during this difficult moment and pray for their full and speedy recovery.

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At the same time, we must be clear: one person’s actions do not define an entire community. Afghan Americans have built lives here grounded in safety, hard work, and service. Many of us came to the United States precisely because we fled war, extremism, and instability. We left everything behind to pursue a future rooted in peace, dignity, and opportunity.

We remain fully committed to the safety, unity, and progress of the United States, the nation that welcomed us and gave us a chance to rebuild. Afghan Americans are teachers, soldiers, doctors, business owners, neighbors, and taxpayers who contribute to the growth and resilience of this great country every single day.

We stand for peace. We stand for accountability. We stand with America.”

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This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

The Source: Information in this story came from original reporting by FOX 13 Seattle, reporting by FOX News Digital, the Associated Press and officials in Bellingham, Washington.

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