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House explodes as police in Arlington, Virginia, try to execute search warrant, police say
A house exploded in Arlington, Virginia, as police were attempting to execute a search warrant, authorities said Monday.
Police were sent to the home around 4:45 p.m. after receiving a report about someone firing a flare gun from inside the house. After getting a search warrant, police officers approached the home several hours after they initially arrived. Then “the suspect inside the residence discharged several rounds,” Arlington County police spokesperson Ashley Savage said, after which the blast occurred.
The suspect, who was not immediately identified, was inside the house at the time of the explosion, Savage said. Police were not aware of anyone else inside the house, which was a duplex, but said they could not rule out the possibility others had been inside Savage said.
The suspect’s condition was not immediately known and fire officials said they were waiting for a utility company to arrive before they could enter the remains of the structure.
Several officers suffered minor injuries, but none required hospitalization.
Police and fire officials could not immediately say what caused the explosion. Savage said it wasn’t clear if the rounds that were fired as officers approached were from the flare gun or some other weapon.
The aftermath of the blast could be seen from several blocks away.
Here is a video. pic.twitter.com/4Gn3JEIZAy
— Mark Raymond (@markraymond) December 5, 2023
Carla Rodriguez, a resident of South Arlington, told The Associated Press she heard the explosion from more than 2 miles away and said she “thought a plane exploded.”
The Arlington County Fire Department said the fire was under control as of roughly 10:30 p.m., but crews were still dealing with small spot fires.
The ATF and FBI were both assisting with the investigation.
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Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to release her medical history and records Saturday, as her campaign is now planning to put pressure on former President Donald Trump to release his own.
The report will say the 59-year-old Harris has the physical and mental resiliency to serve as president, according to a senior Harris aide.
It is unknown yet how detailed Harris’ records will be, but her campaign views the release as an opportunity to turn the conversation towards the physical health and mental acuity of her opponent, the 78-year-old Trump. Harris’ advisers argue they can contrast her age and Trump’s — daring him to disclose more recent information.
Harris did not release her medical records during the 2020 campaign. In November 2023, Trump posted a letter from his doctor of osteopathic medicine, Bruce Aronwald, that said he had been examined in September 2023 and that his “overall health is excellent.” No specifics on his vitals or medications were shared.
In an interview with CBS News in August, Trump said he would “gladly” release his medical records and that he recently had a medical exam and had a “perfect score.”
If elected in November, Trump would be the oldest president in U.S. history by the end of his term.
The Harris campaign’s attempt to highlight Trump’s age mirrors the Republican campaign’s approach to President Biden while he was the candidate. When Biden was still running, Trump’s campaign would often post clips of him stumbling up the stairs of Air Force One, or of his verbal gaffes.
Biden left the 2024 race in July after Democratic infighting and skepticism he could serve a full second term, which was spurred by a June debate performance where he appeared to show signs of his age, 81, by speaking with a hoarse voice and stumbling through answers.
On social media, Harris’ campaign has been leaning into references to Trump’s age, pointing out moments where Trump slurs his words or meanders.
“Americans are tired of your lies and slur-filled delusions. It’s getting…old,” the Kamala HQ X account posted in August.
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