>> from the cbs broadcast center in philadelphia, this is cbs-3 "eyewitness news". >> now at 11:00, shot out of the sky. the us says the crash of malaysia flight 17 was no accident. it was a missile strike. the two big question tonight who did this and why? >> good evening, i'm jessica dean. >> i'm chris may live in the cbs-3 sat center tonight. this passenger jet was blown out

of the skies over eastern ukraine earlier today close to 300 lives were lost. it is a disaster for the families and a major escalation in the violence between ukraine and russia. and some fear this may draw the us even closer to that conflict. this picture captured the doomed malaysian airlines jetliner taking off from amsterdam around 6:00 o'clock eastern time thursday morning. less than four hours later, this video captured its fiery end. flight 17 with 298 lives on board crashed in a field in war torn eastern ukraine. >> it looks like it may ab terrible tragedy. >> president obama spoke about the crash during an appearance in wilmington, delaware, but soon after u.s. intelligence officials began telling cbs news this was not an accident. they believe the plane was destroyed boy a missile launched by either pro russia separate at this timing or ukrainian military forces their fighting debris was spread out over several miles indicating it broke up in the air. and on the ground, villagers

found bodies large sections of the plane intact. passports and other personal items. while the family members of the passengers gathered at airports in amsterdam and kuala lumpur president obama spoke by phone with ukraine's president promising us help in finding out what happened. investigators will examine the wreckage looking for residue of a missile propellant and for signs that the jet's skin was punctured boy a high speed impact. the pro russian rebels do say tonight they are not responsible for bringing this jetliner down and the russian president vladimir putin says he believes ukraine is to blame. at this hour we're still waiting that see a full list of passengers who were on board that plane. there are some reports that a americans were on board but that is not yet been confirm. another big question that many are asking tonight, why would a passenger plane fly over this dangerous air space? our natasha brown joins us live now from or news center with more on what's on the minds of local aviation and national security experts tonight. natasha?

>> chris, there is certainly an element of surprise from both the experts that we talked to tonight as to why a passenger plane fell victim to this kind of violence. >> the shoot down non combatant it's and forgivable. it's beyond comprehension. >> us intelligence officials confirm you not unthinkable did indeed happen over the skies of eastern ukraine. flight 17 is believed to have have been shot down by a ground to air missile. >> lots of airlines flight over this area because it's the straight line to where they want to go in asia. >> reporter: aviation expert arthur wok says the plane traveling from amuser dam to kuala lump mr. took route that many commercial airline travels but unrest on the ground between ukraine and pro russian separatists makes air space in that region extremely dangerous. >> there were enough warnings out there that there were very sophisticated weapons with tremendous capability to bring down high flying airplanes. to me, it makes no sense to

deliberately fly over a war zone when that capability exists oh the ground. >> reporter: while the investigation into who fired the missile and why continues, counter terrorism expert ed turzanski says he doesn't believe this flight may have been the target. >> i don't think they would want to bring down a passenger jet. i think what very likely happened is they mistook this plane for a military aircraft. >> reporter: the government forces and pro russian rebels denied responsibility for the deadly crash. but a conflict happening half a world away may now force a world response. >> for the first time we've had something that goes beyond russians and ukrainians and now forces the international community to respond. >> reporter: experts do say that more provisions do need to be put in place for commercial airlines flying over war zones. we're live in the news center tonight, natasha brown, cbs-3 "eyewitness news". >> natasha, thank you very much. well tonight we are learning

the faa warned u.s. airlines in april not to fly over the parts of ukraine as a result unrough. aviation authorities in several countries issued warnings as well this of course is the second disaster that malaysian are a lines had to deal with in just the past six months. malaysian airlines flight 370 disappeared en route from kuala lumpur to beijing back in march. 239 on board that plane that boeing 77s searchers have still found no trace of the airliner. >> today's crash shares a date with another major airline disaster. it was 18 years ago tonight twa flight 800 crashed off the coast of long island. there was speculation then that that plane was shot down. but federal investigators determine the accident was likely caused by an explosion in a fuel tank. well, we will be tracking developments all night long in the search for answers in this unfolding tragedy. tune into "eyewitness news" in the morning starting at 4:30 for all the latest developments.

>> and "eyewitness news" will keep you a top any breaking ne news. you can follow us on twitter at cbs philly and search breaking news with the hash tag cbs-3 breaking. we'll also have the latest on our website cbsphilly.com. president obama is calling the downing of the malaysian jet a terrible tragedy. as chris mention add moment ago the president addressed that situation in wilmington today where he traveled to talk about our nation's infrastructure. the president made his comments with now closed i-495 bridge behind him. >> i directed my national security team to stay in close contact with the ukrainian government, the united states will offer any assistance we can to help determine what happened and why. and as a country our thoughts and prayers are with all the families of the passengers wherever they call home. >> at the event in wilmington the president signed an order creating a build america invest many initiative. it eighty three yates opportunities for private sector

funding of infrastructure projects. >> and will in town the president stopped for lunch at the charcoal pitt he sat down with a woman named benjamin. she wrote letter to the president last eighty three to tell him about her struggles as a single mom. >> now to the major case laying in the middle east fighting today israel sent ground troops into the gaza strip to destroy hamas terror network sites after that rejected truce. the battle has already raged for 10 days with both sides trading rocket fire. earlier today a humanitarian cease fire allowed palestinians in gaza to restock food and water. more than 240 palestinians and one israeli have died in the fighting. >> there's new information tonight about the man accused of killing laura, the woman whose body was found in a dufflebag in north philadelphia. that man worked as security guard episcopal hospital according to the firm that employed him. this is jeremiah jackson. he was charged with theft back in 2011. but was not convicted. the security firm tells us that

information was not in the pennsylvania stat police database so jackson passed a pre higher background check. >> meanwhile a grand jury exonerates philadelphia police officer in a stop and frisk search. during which this teenager claimed he was injured. a senior old darren manning says that the officer injured one of his testicles during a pat down on january 7th. the grand jury said it found no medical evidence of that injury. the officer who was placed on desk duty during the investigation is now back to full active duty. we also heard tonight from the attorney for the teenager. says eddies grease with the grandeur's findings. >> well police are awaiting word tonight from the medical examiner on the mysterious deaths avenue and elderly couple in strawberry morning. rufus and gladys per perry were found dead overnight by one of their six children. the couple showed in science of trauma and there was no sign of forced entry into their home on spangler street. their family members are devastated by their loss.

>> terrible. terrible. i never got to say goodbye to them. >> the family members tell us that both members of the couple were in good health. new tonight, remembering the four children lost in the deadly fire on gesner street in southwest philadelphia. but as elizabeth hur shows to us knit there's concern the victims of that fire actually get the help need. ♪ >> reporter: with a song and a prayer the victims, families and community leaders stood in solidarity this they say to start the healing process. >> amen. >> the need to rebuild evident with homes still boarded up and the red cross still assisting 14 families following the jun june 5th inferno that killed four children. since the tragedy all agree the public has answered the call for help with donations still

pouring in. >> it seems to be big problem. a lack of communication. >> but on this night, some contend -- >> who is going to be the auditor to check this money out? >> they are left with mounting concerns. >> too much funds touching too many hands and write the check for that is one. deeper into where these funds are going and what's really going on. >> we're told leaders of the christ international baptist church have said up a finance committee. no word yet on a dollaring in but officials say reps assured this is a work in progress. >> we are really working to establish some level of stability for the families and i think it's to suggest all in light of all we're doing things are not -- >> city leaders at the vigil say they understand the concern and they will monitor this process. this to ensure that only the victims benefit from the donated funds. officials here in the meantime

tell us the cause of the fire remains under investigation. reporting from fire headquarters i'm elizabeth hur cbs-3 "eyewitness news". >> a burglary spree in montgomery county. what the criminals are doing before they strike. plus -- >> hands come around the door and i saw a man's head come underneath. >> also on the way a woman says she was spied on in a popular department store. the victim tells "eyewitness news" what -- why she wants an apology from the store. >> kathy. >> it's starting off to be very beautiful night across the delaware valley. will it be a perfect weekend? could come close. i'll show you the numbers coming up. chris? >> and after spending what's believed to be thousands of years underground, pieces of hidden history revealed right here in

>> new at 11:00 warning for some montgomery county homeowners about recent rash of burglaries. the thieves apparently forced their way in when no one is home

and police are especially interested in what they're doing just before they break in. diana rocco is live for us in upper providence with the story tonight. diana? >> reporter: chris, police say these burglars are steaking out homes in secluded neighborhoods and when they see that homeowner leave, well that's when they make their move. >> a rash of break in throughout montgomery county has neighbors talking. >> a little concerning but i think we have a pretty good neighborhood and everyone is watching out. >> employees say as many as seven homes have been hit and there were numerous other failed attempts throughout june and july. in collegeville, royersford and phoenixville, west of route 29 and in upscale developments off of south mennonite road. the burglars are hitting during the day and at night. and police believe they're stalk stalking the houses waiting for the homeowners to leave before making their move. >> they've occurred when the residents were away from home. all of them involved forced entries. some windows were pride. in other cases doors were kicked

in. >> reporter: burglars are looking for items they can grab quickly without taking a lot of time in the house. >> they focus on stealing money and jewelry from the residences. for anyone going away on vacation stop your male service, your paper deliveries. at nighttime, keep your flood lights and exterior lights activated. >> police have increased patrols to the targeted areas. neighbor michael immediate says he's had a break in down the street and neighbors are watching each other's homes and reporting anything out of the ordinary. >> it's little surprising but overall i think that we, people are being extra cautious. >> reporter: police say these thieves have already gotten away with thousands of dollars in stolen items. they are working their leads trying figure out if this is one or more group of burglars involved in these recent break ins they're asking anyone who sees anything suspicious to give them a call. live in upper providence township, montgomery county tonight i diana rocco cbs-3

"eyewitness news". >> thank you. >> "eyewitness news" exclusive tonight. police are looking for a peeping tom who spied on a woman inside a department store dressing room. this happened at the kohl's store on west state road in warminster, bucks county. the man crawled into her fitting room monday around 6:30 in the evening. she's 28 but she was using the juniors fitting room and that leads her to believe the man was looking to attack a child. >> hands come around the door and i saw a man's head come underneath. i had just been afraid if this man and curled up in the corner i think, yes, i think the situation would have been right for something hike that. >> police believe that suspect was loitering in the juniors section for five hours. the suspect left before police got there. libby wants an apology from kohl's for not going any information on that man before he left. another member of governor cristae's administration testified before lawmakers investigating the new jersey bridge scandal today. regina agia oversaw the port authority and other state

agencies. she testified that the george washington bridge lane closings in fort lee last year were part of legitimate traffic study. she blamed confusion about the traffic jams on lack of communication between the port authority and local officials. >> i think they would have been able to coordinate and maybe changed it. i don't know. to be honest i don't know what would have come out of that communication. so the trial -- the tests might have been different if they had improved their communications. >> she was recently tapped to governor christie' next chief of staff. legislative panel is investigating whether those bridge lane closures were carried out as an act of political retribution. >> frustrating traffic detours you may have have been experiencing lately might be coming to an end. the new i-95 southbound off-ramp at the cottman of a interchange will open early tomorrow morni morning. penndot closed and demolish the old ramp more than year ago. all to make way for this new wider ramp.

it's all part of a $212 million project to improve i-95. >> bob kelly will let you know about any traffic delays when you wake up with cbs-3 "eyewitness news" tomorrow at 4:30 a.m. well now to some rare finds that have been uncovered from a deep below the city of philadelphia. >> penndot showed off incredible art facts during the i-95 girard of a interchange project. tableware and glass wear were some of the items found in port richmond in the fishtown neighborhoods. during its work penndot uncovered some 5,000 years of philadelphia history. >> the earliest art facts that are here are associated with native americans people that loved here before there was a city of philadelphia. the oldest art fact that is we have native american artifacts have been date to do around 3,560bc. >> art facts tell a lot about the fishing, ship building and glass making industries here in philadelphia.

good to have kathy back from a back breaking day of work at ocean city. it was great that you had a beautiful night -- beautiful day down the shore for orr at the shore. >> you earned it. >> the day before arthur. we had flooding rains. >> rough going. we had the all this year but, yeah, beautiful day. almost perfect. it may have even been perfect. great day to be outdoors with low humidity. just comfortable conditions and deep blue skies everywhere. will it stick that's the question that answer is in the seven day forecast. outside, skies are color. it is beautiful. let's take you back to ocean city because earlier this evening, boardwalk was getting a little crowded but nothing like it is now. it's 11:19 and no one wanting to home. it's summer. you try to expand that and extent it as long as you possibly can. storm scan3 showing clear skies. the clouds wl offshore so very pretty comfortable night. crack the windows if you have the chance to do so because it's not usually this comfortable in the month of july. philadelphia's temperature 76. but lock at the north.

65 degrees in allentown. 60 in the poconos. 64 in millville. and in wildwood in rio grant it is 69. in cape may the same, sea isle, ocean city, 69 degrees. beach haven 70 degrees. you may actually need a sweater on the boards late this evening or early tomorrow morning. a nice day on friday with plenty of sunshine. high pressure sits right over us. our winds are clocking wise north northeasterly wind which is good. you'll have an on shore flow keeping it comfortable humidity still low for friday. and for saturday. we're going to watch this frontal boundary see how close it gets saturday and perhaps few more clouds but no weather issues. by sunday, we could see some additional clouds down the sho shore. as stationary front inches toward the north. moving those clouds from the south toward the north. but we look to be dry at this point sunday temperatures will still be able to mack it into the 80s. overnight, skies will be starlit comfortable. low temperature 64. northwesterly winds about 5 miles an hour. really not an issue. friday, sunshine the high

temperature 85. with a northwesterly wind. and if you're heading to the poconos just pleasant weather. almost fall like. i hate to say that but temperatures comfortable in the mid 70s. down the shore the uv index is high. temperature 80 for friday. more clouds on saturday. the high temperature 78. i think by sunday down the shore it will be mostly cloudy. the exclusive eyewitness weather seven day forecast looking good saturday, sunday, monday, tuesday getting steamy, back to the 90s on wednesday. and then next thursday look good. 80s as well. nothing too extreme as far as the heat is concerned which is a good thing. remember if you're in the poconos in the city at the shore get your updates any time with a new cbs philly weather app. check live radar and share your storm pictures or vacation pictures with us. download the app now onism tun tunes. it ising soon to an android near you. >> what great night outside. we were out earlier it's almost cool. dare i say it. it is. it won't last long, though.

>> kathy, thanks. >> beasley is here now. have we ever been this interested in nba summer league. >> it's really been big this year. sixers doing pretty good. eliminatioeliminations games go. round two taking on the bulls. a possible trade that could be a major shift for the nba. first overall draft pick andrew wig begin on the block, is he? sports

>> two for two last four games sixers face another tough test in vegas tonight. round two of the elimination game. sixers and bulls tippin tippingf about an hur ago. nerlins noel, mc ray and mcdaniels get the star. noel had to have his left ankle retaped during the game. right now the game is all tied up at 52. other big news in the nba, the cavaliers are reportedly talks with the timber wolves

over draft pick andrew wiggins in return cleveland would get three time all star kevin love. love would sign a long hiv term deal to play a alongside lebron james. >> the phillies back in action tomorrow night in atlanta mean wool chooch could be back with the team as early as next week he got some playing time in clearwater today. part of his rehab for a concussion. if everything stays on track he could be back as early as next week. all right. we're now two weeks from the trade deadline. a lot of rumors circulating around the front office. marlon byrd one of the big names being shopped around. the mariners had previously shown interest in the outfielder but new reports say they're now in talk with tampa bay rays instead. bird has two-year contract for 16 until i don't know dollars. >> few teams also eager to see how cliff lee look when he returns next week. he should have a couple of starts before the trade deadline at the end of the month.

that includes monday's home game against san francisco. if the elbow is okay, the phillies could get a lot of telephone calls and round one of the britt turn open today. rory mcly roy and tiger woods among the big names playing fit pretty good after that first effort. mcilroy got off to great start. a birdie on 16 put him on top of the leader board at six under par for the day. tiger woods also with a good o outing. in his return a few missed puts early in the day but he ended up strong and at three under par round two picks up tomorrow morning very early and finally, to the beach in sea isle, the city getting a special visit from the stanley cup earlier today. hundreds of hockey fans lined up to take picture with the thee foot trophy. these are just few of the shots taken during the event. we have more posted online at cbsphilly.com

>> dress to impress was the theme of the night at the kimmel center tonight. "eyewitness news" was there as philadelphia steal magazine celebratcelebrated the tenth any of it's best of style guide. chris and oy were there along with other members of the "eyewitness news" team. it was magnificent you can say. >> you might say that. it was fun. >> we'll be right back. ♪'s

>> thank for watching eyewitness news at 11:00. we return tomorrow morning a the 4:30 with ukee washington and erika von tiehl. for beasley, kathy and everyone her at "eyewitness news" i'm chris may. >> i'm jessica dean. war always on at cbsphilly.com. the late show with david letterman is next with guest colin firth. have a good night. we'll see you tomorrow. have a good night. we'll see you tomorrow. ♪ >> male announcer: the following is a paid presentation for 10 minute trainer, brought to you by beachbody. >> as a new mom, it was hard for me to find time to work out. >> i have my career as a police officer and, also, as an army officer. >> with the restaurant, i wear a lot of hats. >> hey, i know you're busy. >> this is probably the busiest i've ever been in my life.