killed in today's blast. jonathan: an hour later this third blast happened a it the subway station near the european quarter where much of the european union is based. >> i saw many injuries, i saw people dead and everything broken. jonathan: isis claimed responsibility for the attack. belgium has raised the terrorist attack level to the highest response. they said a third was neutralized by police. president obama addressed the attacks from cuba. >> we will do whatever is necessary to support friend and ally belgium in bringing to justice those responsible.

we must unite. michelle: hours after the explosion airport and train stations around the u.s. stepped up security. we have team coverage of the brussels terrorist attack from the airport and metro to the city and social media. let's begin with stephen tschida live at dulles international airport. what are you seeing there? stephen: michelle, security is visible at dulles international airport. those heading to europe saying despite the security they are still on edge. 200 flights to brussels have been canceled or diverted. that includes the flight to brussels. united airlines was canceled. number of passengers scrambling to get out in alternative modes of transportation. strong presence in response to

this group of missionaries arrived in brussels en route home to oklahoma before the attacks. but they have come through the site of the bombings. >> canceling. it's, we are still in shock. it's pretty hard to fathom now. it's hard to wrap your brain around. >> at the united airline ticket counter the agents said they would transfer those who planned a night flight to other carriers. these young missiontary minds are on those left behind in brussels. >> we were watching the news and our hearts are sad, we were just there and made good friends. stephen: we understand that the airport in brussels will remain closed tomorrow. while authorities in belgium assess the situation there. we have learned from american airlines, uni

with waiving the transfer fees or fees for those who alter the travel plan in light of the tragedy today. reporting live from dulles international airport, stephen tschida, abc7 news. jonathan: thank you. not just airports increasing the security. metro increasing security as well hours after the attack. more officers are patrolling station and parking lot. signs inside the station encouraging riders to say something if they see anything suspicious. we will have more on metro's precautions coming up today at 5:00. michelle: that sent. see something, say something was echoed a lot around our area today. >> the first line of defense is the community. the people. the first sign of defense is the one person. you and i call the police and let us come look for it. michelle: police chief lanier says don't be surprised if you see more of a police presence around d.c. but she doesn't expect to call in additional officers.

jonathan: facebook did put the safety check feature. horace holmes is picking up the team coverage from the abc7 newsroom with the look at the reaction on social media. horace: look at the safety alert they put out. this was enacted this morning shortly after the brussels attack. what it does is allow you to check in on your friends and loved ones in a recent attack like this or an accident or natural disaster occurred. people in the region can mark themselves as safe, not safe, not in the area. and then the facebook friends will get an alert on the news feed. 950 million people received notification in 2015 that a loved one was safe in crisis. so let's come back to talk about twitter. twitter has been active today. we have chosen a few tweets to take a look at. the ones most popular are

this one outside the subway station. it was the first opportunity for people to get a look at what was going on. the first images from the attack. this is coming from inside the train tunnel. shortly after the blast occurred. then this one from just outside as one of the victims is being taken away. the number one trending hashtag is #stopislam. but it is getting a lot of backlash from around the world. that is the situation on social media. back to you. jonathan: thank you very much. coming up for us at 4:30 we get reaction from the local belgian community to today's attacks. we will check in with the chief correspondent scott thuman for analysis because he visited this area of brussels late last year. michelle: back at home, monitoring a developing story out of george mas

arrest after the police say they found bomb-making materials in their dorm room. northern virginia bureau chief jeff goldberg is live near campus with the latest on the investigation. jeff? jeff: students at george mason are shocked and disturbed by the incident that took place last year -- last week at george mason university. on the first floor of jefferson hall in this cluster of dorms behind me. last week, wednesday night, 9:00. the university police trying to report flames shooting from a dorm room window. authorities noticing a green leaffy substance in plain view. they seized that. in a subsequent search of the room they discovered a tool box with match box, mortar and ped central, tighter -- mortar and pedestal, lighter, hand

squad the university police determining the items found were used to make fire bomb or explosive materials. >> it is good they arrest them. you know, you never know. it could have gone on. we never know what would have happened. >> surprising. >> i expect more like being normal, not trying to cause disruptions. >> three students were arrested. two for alcohol-related charges and one for bomb-making related charges. the identity has not been released by the university. despite the fact this happened a week ago, george mason university students say they were not informed about this by the administration until last night. some of the students are frustrate and angered with the university. they want to see changes. we're going to hear from some of the students tonight at 5:40. until then live at george mason university in

jeff goldberg, abc7 news. michelle: new developments today in the shooting that killed a woman and a prince william county police officer. in a pretrial hearing ronald hamilton's defense attorney said his client is mentally impaired as a result of two tours in iraq. prosecutor say the army staff sergeant killed his wife crystal hamilton after she called 911. he opened fire on the three officers who responded killing officer ashley guindon. it was her first shift as sworn officer. jonathan: one of the news crew found themselves in the middle of a story today. they were covering a stabbing on a bus stop between g and f street when a guy walked up to the truck after being shot. kevin lewis is live in southeast washington to explain the bizarre chain of events. kind of scary. >> wild stuff. start with the stabbing that we learned is a homicide investigation. m.p.d. said 9:30 this morning an 18-year-old girl

this bus stop. that is when the 16-year-old girl pulled out a knife and stabbed the 18-year-old. paramedics took the older teen to a local hospital where she stopped breathing. and was later pronounced dead. when we arrived on scene there was a lot of blood on the bus shelter, metal bench and concrete. in addition to considerable police presence. the 16-year-old we're told is in custody. 15 minutes after police left the bus stop, the man walked up to the live truck and told the photographer mike vaughn he had been shot and was thirsty for water. he saw blood coming from the man's body. helped him to the pavement. dialed 911 and gave the man a water bottle. officers are already en route, thanks to a shot spotter that police say four gunshots in the area. the man was taken in a d.c. ambulance to a hospital. alert and talking with police as he was put in the back of the ambulance. he i

i want to be clear in saying that the man, the shooting that involved the man and the stabbing has turned fatal involving the teen. they were not connected but were in close proximity and time. we are talking only a few blocks there. live in southeast. i'm kevin lewis, abc7 news. jonathan: thanks. turn to the weather. you may ditch your jacket tomorrow. michelle: chief meteorologist doug hill is in the stormwatch7 weather center with a check of the forecast. it's nice. doug: nice already. in the lower 60's. take a look outside. a lot of sunshine. 61 degrees at the reagan national airport. tonight is the warmest night in five or six days. good news more sunshine. we might hit 72. will the warm weather continue in the easter weekend? i have the forecast coming up. president obama: i have come here to extend the hand of friendship to the cuban people. michelle: president obama wraps up his trip to cuba with a plea for cooperation. >> emotional words from the sister of the

i'm brad bell in annapolis where the family is speaking out in hopes of saving lives. jonathan: in light of all that has happened today, stay connected on abc7 when news breaks. sign up for the text alerts on wjla.com or watch the facebook and twitter feed.

jonathan: life pictures of air force one about to take off from cuba. relations have normalized between the countries or in the process. interesting visit. president obama touched down and raul castro was not at the airport to greet him, seen as a snub a bit. others thought perhaps that they weren't really in tune with what you are supposed to do with a united states president visiting because it had been 80 years since it happened. under president obama's watch relations can be normalized and fair morris one is ready to take off. the devil rays were in cuba taking on the cuban national team. the president was at the game. that is a sport there. they go just as c for as we do here. so the president should be on his way fm

thought that is a cool live picture to share with you. michelle: court nominee merrick garland was on the hill today. he met with schumer and schumer said he was a brilliant legal mind. the visit coincides with the relief that shows 53% of americans say that the senate should vote on his nomination. jonathan: been a month since nashante davis and her 2-year-old daughter were shot and killed killed in the car int of her apartment. today her family went to annapolis to push for tougher laws when it comes to domestic violence. brad bell was there. brad: he was on her way to work. i was 7:00 a.m. she put her 2-year-old chloe in the car seat when it happened. chloe's father allegedly opening

support, sir? >> killing first davis and then little chloe later telling police he was angry about $600 a month in court ordered child support. >> it devastated us. we have to stay strong. >> her sister a month and a half later. summoning the courage to tell a state senate committee of the family tragedy. testifying on behalf a bill to find a task force to find solution to discourage domestic violence. >> we have to keep the memory of my sister and my niece alive. the bill's sponsor says the community has endured too much not to act. >> this did not have to happen. >> there are very little time left to happen but he believes he

he has co-sponsorship of 44 out of 47 senators. in annapolis, brad bell, abc7 news. michelle: tonight d.c. mayor muriel bowser will deliver her state of the district speech. she is scheduledded to share her take where the city stands at 5:30 arena stage in southwest. you can watch it on newschannel8. jonathan: time for a check of the traffic wation. jamie sullivan has the details. a lot of red behind you. jamie: i'm starting off with the waze map. if you have the waze app you know what i'm talking about. it helps you on the road. the way to find us is traffic watch 7 to become a wazer. look here. northbound kenilworth avenue. as we move north, we are still slow closer to route 50. we

again. not too much to worry about. as we take a live look outside, moving to virginia. south of the occoquan, bumper to bumper traffic driving in the sun. we have sun glare and now taking a look at the volume. the heaviest volume on the inner loop. on the american legion bridge, about 15 minutes, but 270 is clear once you get there. that is a look at traffic. back to you. michelle: better late than never. just returned an overdue library book nearly 50 years after after it was checked out. it was 1967 when he joined the marines. the book was sent with the other belongings to the parents where it sat until they passed away. the university officials say they won't charge late fee. that would have been

jonathan: some are interested about that. game against cuba. it's 3-0, rays are in charge. top of the seventh. michelle: looking good. jonathan: cuba has a good team. michelle: for sure. our weather is on the right track. finally. doug: looking up. we are low, 60's now. that is good. lower 70's tomorrow. mid-70's on thursday. a lot of sunshine. same time the cherry blossoms are out. look high above the campus college. 57 there. winds are much lighter today. a beautiful picture with the cherry blossoms. looks like the next couple of days are the best bloom. that will coincide with the temperatures. the warm temperatures and the cherry blossoms has you traveling around the tidal basin, get your phone or your smart phone and send us a picture. if you see it,

we will be happy -- send it to us at pics@wjla.com. the temperatures climbing. upper 50's to the lower 60's. 61 in manassas. 64 in fredericksburg right now. high pressure moved out of the way to the east. turned from the southwest. lower 70's. the warmth will build more to look for high of 75 degrees on the day on thursday. on friday, possible shower in the morning. cold front late thursday or friday morning. to give us 60% chance of the scattered showers. 65 on saturday afternoon. plenty of sunshine and 62. sunday, easter sunday. we may pull it off without any rain until after sunset the way it

chance of showers monday morning. 67. back to sunshine. pleasant temperatures tuesday. jonathan: the easter bunny appreciates not having rain to deal with. doug: it's difficult. he has to wear special bools. that's what i heard. michelle: coming up at "abc7 news at 4:00" -- ready to pop. as we get closer to the peak bloom, find out where the original trees still stand today. >> later for us -- fighting for the right to be buried at arlington. the next step in the process for the women known as wasps in world war ii. michelle: we are monitoring developments out of belgium. still ahead a look at how and

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jonathan: ford led canada's canada's largest city until 2014 but made news around the world after the revelations about his drinking problem and smoking cocaine. he was frequently videotaped and photographed intoxicated in public but he was later elected by a landslide to a city. he was 46 years old. jonathan: president obama wrappinged up a historic trip to

michelle: president obama was there for a ballgame and a speech to the cuban people. michelle: president obama leading cuba shadowed by the attack in brussels. president obama: the thoughts and the prayers are with the people of belgium. >> he went on to focus on the mission here. rebuilding the communist country after decades of tension. >> i have come to bury the last remnant of the cold war and the americans and extend the hand of friendship to the human people. >> an area we continue to have trouble. listening and

>> ending with a game between tampa bay rays and the national team. observing a moment of silence for the victims in brussels. >> the whole premise of terrorism is to try to disrupt people's ordinary lives. as long as we don't allow it to happen we'll be okay. >> president obama is facing criticism for continuing his trip instead of returning home after today's attack. he and the first family are heading to argentina. marci gonzalez, abc7 news, havana, cuba. michelle: coming up on "abc7 news at 4:00" -- the role a local university is taking in the fight to unlock terrorist cell phone. >> embassy in northwest washington stresses condolences. a number of

belgium

michelle: breaking news out of fredericksburg. police are investigating a shooting by an officer at a traffic stop. we understand the officer pulled over someone and fired

the person shot is at the hospital with serious injuries but taken to the hospital to get checked out. that is all we know now. as soon as we get more information and details we'll bring it to you. jonathan: right now the search is on for a suspect. the man we see here in right on the white side with a black hat. investigators believe the two other men in the dark right there, the black shirts, they believe those were suicide bombers who killed themselves in the attacks at the brussels airport and subway system this morning. 31 people were killed. that number could go up. 190 others were wounded. that includes three nowhere mon missionaries in utah. belgium declared three days of national mourning. michelle: people have been leaving flowers at the ai

sam ford has more. sam: people have been coming to the embassy today, including a u.s. official. the belgian and the european flags that you can see behind me in half staff in memory of those who lost their lives. ambassador to the media. >> president obama spoke with the prime minister of belgium. spoke with him. just saying we don't deserve that kind of treatment. >> belgian restaurantuer showed the flag at his restaurant b-2 on 14th street north. >> whoa this is too much. >> he says there are about a hundred belgian families in the washington area and they are stunned. >> checking on people. a lot of

texting us. >> far from home they are trying to make sense of the level of hate. >> drink a beer and eat a belgian waffle. that would be better. sam: back live out here outside the belgian embassy. the u.s. home land security secretary jeh johnson went in. he is inside with the ambassador. the ambassador plans to meet with the other u.s. officials as they deal with the situation in washington. jonathan: we have told you about the neighborhoods around brussels being a breeding ground for terrorist group. scott thuman joining us. they think it's one or two lone wolfs but there is a culture breeding there about this.

scott: yeah. per capita they will tell you there are more foreign fighters and jihadist from any other spot in europe. they hate the title of "breeding ground" sometimes it's the appropriate way to look how it is happening in belgium. people are radicalized or they feel they are outsiders in the country and are more suck sentable to be preyed upon for someone looking to carry out attack like this. jonathan: four days ago belgium captured in a gun fight the head of the paris attack. took him out. he was living in plain sight. one block away from the home he grew up in. so maybe the neighborhood who he was there and didn't do anything. the guy you are looking at is right here. scott: talking about salah abdeslam. it's believable the someone

not necessarily in plain sight but people in molenbeek. that prompted the attack today. the concept is if you have a neighborhood like that where there are multiple foreign fighters, cocoons in them. this is where shariah in belgium were created. if you have that sort of thing continuing, you can't solve it in one day. it takes generation to rid the community of the feeling. jonathan: so now paris, we have in belgium. we need to shut the borders down. michelle: that is the big story. there are concerns that is the open border policy. for 28 countries in europe. you can go

without any real check. it's in jeopardy. i was several months ago and even more so now after the attacks. jonathan: thank you for the insight. we want you to know. if breaking news on your cell phone from abc7 news, easy to do. if anything happens your phone lights up. go to our website at wjla.com. sign up for the alerts. michelle: a team at john hopkins university may have given the f.b.i. a way to work around apple. federal prosecutors asked to delay the court hearing over the f.b.i. demand for apple to unlock one of the san bernardino shooter's phones. that call for a delay came after researchers published report about a glitch in i message app to make it susceptible to hackers. >> they want to know what is inside the phone. they have a group that could get them inside

michelle: f.b.i. is working with a third party. the f.b.i. wants to keep the organization private to prevent backlash. jonathan: if you were out overnight and saw military helicopters overhead, don't be alarmed. nowhere rad is conducting -- norad is conducting tests between midnight and 2:00 in the morning. they will be participating in the drill. >> the weather will be cooperating with the exercises for nice clear skies for them. >> chief meteorologist doug hill has the forecast. doug: we are warming up.

moment. lower 60's around the area. 53. picking up a bit of a breeze. cooler there. as far as what will happen around the area we have a chilly night. the past several nights in the low 30's. 32, 31 degrees. so things are starting to change. the high position now over georgia. it will swing offshore tonight to bring warmer temperatures. lower 70's tomorrow. mid-70's on thursday. the system up south. stationary front is not moving. it will turn into the cold front. late thursday night and friday morning. when it happens, it's friday. plenty of sunshine. 72 tomorrow afternoon. 75 on thursday. the morning front with a chance of the rain in the morning. 60% chance. then we will clear and high temperatures to 65 degrees. cooler. we'll talk about the weekend in detail in a f

back to you. michelle: thank you. coming up at "abc7 news at 4:00" -- help feed hungry. starbucks plan to fight hunger in the u.s.. jonathan: later for us. >> i never dreamt in a million years. >> paying tribute to women who made difference during world war ii.

we need women in congress. if we want to be heard, it was the women who forced republicans to include women's health and contraceptive coverage in the affordable care act. in congress, i'll fight for pay equity, family leave and tougher gun safety laws. and, as an environmentalist, i'll work combat climate change. i know as a journalist and as a senior executive in business that when women are at the table, we get things done. i'm kathleen mathews

michelle: we are back now with a look at the potomac river on the world water day. reagan national in the foreground. river in background. the united nations established this in 1929 to draw attention to water-related issues around the world in an effort to get everyone around the world clean water. jonathan: starbucks is taking steps to feed the hungry. the coffee chain says it plans to donate all the food left over at the u.s. locations to a national network of food banks. that should add up to 5,000 meals this year alone. they estimate 30-40% of the food supply is wasted, thrown out every year. 48.1 milio

sure where to get the next meal. michelle: pope francis will wash the feet of young refugees in holy week. it will be held on holy thursday in rome. the vatican didn't say if non-catholics would be among the 12 refugees participating. it reenacts the ritual jesus performed on his apostles before being crucified. >> with a day before the trees are in bloom i look at the history of these trees. that story coming up. >> but first, pushing for a proper burial. the latest effort to let some world war ii veterans into arlington national cemetery. that's next. >> we continue to cover developments out of brussels after three bombings this morning. two bombs went off at the airport. another at a subway statio

killed. nearly 200 others injured.

glenn:threateningicans: gofederal workers;ns over 60 votes to repeal obamacare. now they're refusing to even consider president obama's nominee for the supreme court. it disrespects the president and all of us -- and we won't put up with it. in congress, i'll protect president obama's legacy, defend obamacare, and stand up for social security and medicare. i'm glenn ivey and i approve this message. i'll take on republicans - for all of us.

michelle: new developments today in a push to bury female pilots at arlington. an hour ago the bill to let the pilots known as wasps be buried at the cemetery passed unanimously at the house. the women air force service pilots were granted the burial until the secretary of the army changed the policy last year. we are told the pill has support from the lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. jonathan: abc7 salutes some of the women with the work ror and they worked hours and kept us in the war. diane cho was there when rosie the riveter hon more flight landed this morning. diane: with smiles ear to ear, the original rosie the riveters of world war ii were greeted with signs as children sang patriotic songs. dozens lined up

american flags for a chance to mon nowhere the women. >> we were on airplane wings. >> they remember it as if it were yesterday. >> the minute i turned 18 they grabbed every female they could get ahold of because the boys were leaves for the service. >> the women took on roles traditionally done by men at the time such as working on bombers and building planes. >> i saw henry ford three times. he walked through the plant and thank us whole heartedly and say i promise you the day the war is over you may go back home to your loved ones. >> one of the women became the character of the icon. >> it would mean the world if they said thank you for what you do to

what i want to do. >> the first time it was made up of only rosie the riveters. >> for some of them it's a chance to see the capital for the first time. >> we should never forget what they did in the war. they worked round the clock. if you see the a.p. reels they put the fuselages together, build the tanks, assembly line, round the clock. michelle: cha thanked the thinking and got more women in the workplace. jonathan: they realized if you don't do this, we will lose the war. this time of year people block

they snapped this picture of the tree a day ahead of the peak bloom date. >> this is not a job to be taken lightly. >> with over a million people swarming the tidal basin in early spring the cherry trees need the t.l.c. >> if anything they are over loved the cherry trees. >> 125, you might say the extra love gives them character. >> it's not too difficult to figure out where the trees are. diane: the national service says over a hundred years old it has doubled the life expectancy.

>> this is exciting. >> the original, the trees have seen a history in the nation's capital. >> sometimes i wish they could talk. i imagine they have quite a few stories to tell. >> gnarled limbs and over a hundred years of blossom and blooming again. >> i want to experience it as well. michelle: with the up and down temperatures this year was tricky to forecast to peak bloom dates. despite chilly temp

tomorrow and thursday. jonathan: we're proud to be a sponsor of the cherry blossom festival. we could see a gallery of the pictures on wjla.com. michelle: we're not at peak yet. >> another beautiful picture shared with us. look at the washington monument. we will continue to look forward to the weather conditions cooperating for tomorrow and again for the day on thursday. the cold front comes through friday morning to give us a chance of the showers.

for saturday against d.c. united against dallas the temperatures are at the lower 60's for the start of the game. through easter sunday the outlook hour-by-hour. a slight chance of a shower and better sunday morning. jamie: an accident in d.c. the waze maps and they are saying this is a major accident. because of this, we are already seeing the backup. from the 11 street bridge. some spots were 10 miles per hour. move to the map the stretch from the 11 street bridge closer to the baltimore parkway with take you under 20 minutes now.

the sun glare toward centreville. that is a look at traffic. >> i head at 4:00, as the voter goes to the polls we look at how the millennials might ill pact the election. jonathan: our coverage of the brussels terror attack continues and we'll see why the small nation is a breeding ground for terrorists. >> new at 6:00, controversial debate with a new chapter. who is offering to unlo

♪ discover every way to easter at target. get a $10 target gift card when you spend $50 on groceries.

it's about taking a stand. for too long, wall street banks had their way. they crashed our economy. but democrat donna edwards won't take their money because she stands up for us. as a single mom, she knows the challenges our families face. she'll be our voice. tightening regulations on the big banks and fighting to keep dark money out of politics. democrat donna edwards, maryland's next senator. michelle: today voters in western states head to the polls. this year millennials are getting out the vote. technically they're democrats but we take a closer look at the rising tide of the young

republicans. >> their enthusiasm and energy doesn't translate to votes. charlie kirk is hoping to change that. >> i saw barack obama and the army organize incredibly effectively. with effectiveness on the college campus. >> he started turning point usa while in high school. now has his own army. >> we'll get you plugged in and involved. the company is making waves on a thousand college campuses. >> a major scene in the election cycle. the so-called snap chat generation overwhelmingly supports democrats. 56%

recent poll. they believe the tide will turn. calling the young conservatives the uber generation. >> it's a bottom up, grassroot entrepreneurial model that people should be in charge of your own choices or decisions. that is competition. that is what we are fighting for. >> the organization circle crumpled the numbers and found the youth vote in the ten states exceeded the margin of victory in the 2012 election. the shift in their vote could change the overall result. >> we are fearing terrorist attacks. >> there was an eng explosion. >> retaliation. federal prosecutors say the two men in block are responsible. >> the number of citizens are injured in the attack.

>> a real time of heartbreak and worry. leon: it sends fear across the globe. dozens of terror attacks. this time in belgium. [inaudible] leon: jonathan elias leads off the coverage. jonathan: at this hour, anti-terror raids are underway in a massive manhunt for a suspect believed to be still at large. that serge so far has turned up at least one other explosive. two bombs blew apart part of the brussels airport but not past the security line. before security. another ripped through brussels sunway station. on board one of the cards.

suspect. 31 people are confirmed dead. that is the number that could go up another 190 others were wounded. two suspected attackers are dead and believed to be the suicide bombers with the allegiance to isis. isis was already celebrating after the bombs went off. for the latest on the global response we will turn to suzanne kennedy who is joining us live with the satellite center and the latest. >> this is what authorities feared would happen after paris terrorist suspect salah abdeslam was arrested last week. brussels is grieving and on a heightened sense of alert. >> smoke at the airport. two bombs explode. one at rush hour and the second outside a starbucks. manhunt now underway for a possible suspect in the airport prior to the explosion. >> one detonated by a suicide