NBC Washington reporter Derrick Ward, who has delivered local news in the D.C. area for decades, died Tuesday. He was 62.

The local news outlet reported Wednesday Ward died following complications from a cardiac arrest.

As a general assignment reporter, Ward was known for his coverage of tragedies and triumphs in the D.C. area. The D.C. native reported on a swath of historic local events including the 9/11 attacks on the Pentagon and the D.C. sniper shootings, according to his biography on NBC Washington’s website.

Before Ward began reporting for the local NBC affiliate in 2006, he worked in radio at WTOP, WAMU and WPFW.

Joel Oxley, the president of WTOP News and Federal News Network, shared memories of Ward.

“Derrick Ward was truly an outstanding journalist. His passion and dedication shown through every day. But what set him apart was what a great person he was. His warmth and caring were evident at every turn. Everybody liked Derrick. I saw why right away. He’ll be missed tremendously.”

In a statement to WTOP, Ward’s family said:

It is with profound sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Derrick Ward, Sr., on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, following complications from a recent cardiac arrest. Derrick has been an inspiration and cherished member of our family and his hometown community, as a longtime reporter at News4 Washington, and previously WTOP Radio. As a distinguished journalist, Derrick’s storytelling, prolific writing, warmth, and humor touched countless lives. Our children and our entire family will miss him dearly.

We ask for your thoughts and prayers during this time, and we extend our gratitude to everyone for the outpouring of love and support. Details regarding his memorial service will be shared in the coming days.

-The Ward, Rampersad, and Sermons Families

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Ward grew up in D.C. and graduated from H.D. Woodson High School in Northeast and the University of Maryland.

Ward is survived by his three children.

See NBC Washington’s announcement of Ward’s death below.

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Neko Williams was walking his dog, King, near 19th and M Streets in the snow Monday evening when his pet suddenly collapsed. He said he could feel mild electrical shocks coming from the ground as he knelt to help his beloved boxer.

“I felt electricity on the ground, and throughout his body.”

News4 has learned King was not the only dog to die at the same spot that same evening after being allegedly electrocuted.

“I touched the ground, and I felt electricity, and I generally don’t know what happened,” Neko Williams said.

Witnesses said he was on the ground cradling his dog.

Nicole Williams said King was family and did everything with them. She said he was a support dog for her son, a gentle protector.

“We’re at a loss for words,” she said. “It’s hard to understand that someone could walk down the street and step and end up electrocuted. It’s just a freak accident. We really want to know what happened.”

The Humane Rescue Alliance told News4 it received calls about two dogs dying after being allegedly electrocuted at the same spot in front of 1140 19th Street Monday.

It said in a statement, “The first dog was taken to an emergency clinic by the owner and pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. A report of a second dead on arrival stray dog has been forwarded to Animal Control.”

News4 saw a large presence of Pepco employees and equipment at the scene Tuesday. A portion of the sidewalk was cordoned off and closed to pedestrians.

In a statement to News4, Pepco said, “Our thoughts are with the individuals impacted by this event. The safety of our customers, communities and employees is always our top priority. We are working closely with local authorities and are continuing to investigate this matter.”

The Williamses say they are grateful to learn King’s death is being investigated and that no one else was harmed.

By Michael Martina and Chris Kirkham

(Reuters) – Washington’s addition of CATL to a list of firms it says work with China’s military could put Tesla founder Elon Musk in a tight spot, challenging how he balances his role in the Trump administration with his ties to China.

CATL, the world’s largest battery maker, is a major supplier of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries to Tesla for its Shanghai factory, the U.S. automaker’s largest. Tesla has been exporting these cars equipped with CATL batteries to other markets such as Europe and Canada.

Lawmakers have decried some of CATL’s battery storage projects across the United States, arguing they represent potential security threats. The U.S. market accounted for 4% and 35% of CATL’s electric vehicle (EV) and electric storage systems (ESS) batteries, respectively, in 2023, according to Citi estimates.

The U.S. Department of Defense on Monday designated CATL and other Chinese companies including tech giant Tencent Holdings as linked to China’s military. While the designation does not involve any restrictions on CATL’s business, it can be a blow to the reputations of affected companies and serves as a stark warning to U.S. entities about the risks of doing business with them. It could also add pressure on the U.S. Treasury Department to sanction the companies.

Tesla and CATL are working on an agreement to license CATL technology for battery production in Nevada. A person familiar with the matter said that the deal is expected to launch in 2025.

CATL is also set to supply battery cells and packs to Tesla’s Shanghai plant for Megapack, its energy storage product, people familiar with the matter said. The two are also in talks over how CATL can increase its supplies as the Megapack business grows.

Tesla and Musk did not respond to requests for comment.

No near-term impact is expected for Tesla, but Seth Goldstein, a Morningstar analyst, said “being potentially excluded from military contracts may give everyone considering a partnership with CATL a pause.”

Last February, under pressure from lawmakers, U.S. utility company Duke Energy said it would decommission energy-storage batteries produced by CATL at one of the nation’s largest Marine Corps bases and will phase out CATL products at its civilian projects.

Goldstein added he expects Tesla to continue its partnerships with CATL because of the importance of the company’s relationships with the Chinese government. Upending those ties “could potentially be worse than any political ramifications in the U.S.,” he said.

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