a university of maryland student opens fire on his room mates before killing himself. who he was, his history of mental ill must, and a bizarre plot he used to distract his victims. a virginia police chief off the job. how chris brown is playing into the scandal. brand-new research about the risk of autism and something pregnant women take every day. this is the first t first place you will hear about this supplement. it is common in many diets. we have a lot to tell you about now. first this afternoon, it is what everybody is talking about -- the weather. it is so nice for february. the weather is about to change. in fact, it will be changing tomorrow. >> just how much and when? veronica johnsons that first forecast in the storm center. >> got to say it is going to turn wet around here tomorrow. as we take a look at rain. rain that will be changing to snow for a brief period of time tomorrow. let's start out by taking a look at radar. storm team 4 radar you can see behind me is completely dry.

no precipitation. showing up right now we have nothing more than just sunshine out there. the leading edge of the precipitation associated with our upcoming storm system now coming through northeastern tennessee into western north carolina as rain. through areas of georgia and, in fact, that area of low pressure that's producing all of this precipitation, is still in texas. we have just a little bit of snow showing up on the western side of all of that in western oklahoma. it is this leading edge of rain that will start falling around our area tomorrow. so not a lot changed since yesterday. still looking like nothing more than a nuisance storm. still mostly rain for us which is light snowfall to no accumulation at all. all depends on where you are. i do not think that we are going to have big-time problems with any wintry precipitation but do i think that our evening rush tomorrow could be slow with rain that will be falling across the area. our temperatures today under that sunshine we are in the 50s. mid and upper 50s throughout our

area from college park at 58 to bowie at 56. rockville at 56 degrees. point belvoir in 57 degrees. from montgomery village, maryland, falling through the 40s. under a clear sky. dry tonight. we will talk more about this system and the potential for another system that could follow after that. to the developing story now mere the university of maryland. police tell us a student set fires to lure his room mates outside before firing on them. killing one and wounding another one and taking his own life. they say the gunman suffered from mental illness. officers found more weapons in addition to the one that fired those deadly shots. this all unravelled early this morning along 36th avenue just off metzerott road. >> reporter: are this is one of the fires he set to lure his room mates out of the house so he could shoot them. it appears he used charcoal to start the fire. this one, melted-up plastic

patio table. bizarre murder-suicide involving three maryland students. the shooter identifies is devonn maurice green. a 23-year-old grad student at the university of maryland. a former member of the nasa student ambassador program. >> the family let our detectives know that this suspect had this condition for at least a year. and that in the past he had been prescribed medication for this mental illness. >> reporter: this happened around 1:00 this morning and a rental house close by the college park campus. police say that green set fires in and around the house and in an apparent effort to draw his room mates outside. when the two room mates came out, they say green open eed fi.

he killed one, wounded another, then turned the gun on himself. this afternoon dr. wallace lowe, the president of the university of maryland, came to the neighborhood to comfort students who live around here. >> this is a horrific situation. and i just feel terrible about it. >> reporter: what can you tell the students? >> i tell the students we must be strong for each other. that we -- we must watch for each other, and we have to come together at this moment of tragedy and sorrow. >> reporter: now the wounded room mates in the hospital, he is expected to be okay. 7:00 p.m. tonight, memorial service at the university chapel for the victims. coming up at 5:00, we will talk to neighbors who were here when this all went down. live in college park, pat collins, news4. >> stay with thus hour for coming coverage of the case. coming up at 4:30 we will tell

why you the tragedy has university of maryland students re-evaluating their they live. worldwide condemnation after north korea confirmed it has carried out its third nuclear test in seven years. the test was conducted underground overnight in a row moat area defying u.n. security council orders to shut down the nuclear program. this third test polls a rocket launch in december. today the security council called the test a clear threat to international peace and security. and said it will not be tolerated. president obama released a statement describing it as a highly provocative act. the president is expected to address the issue tonight in his state of the union message but overall, president obama's expected to focus on nation building here at home. when he speaks to congress. steve handelsman is live on capitol hill with more on that. steve? >> pat, thanks. good evening. if his inaugural address is my indication, this could be a tougher talking president obama. but no way to know for sure until tonight.

will president obama talk compromise in his speech or vow to win his way on the big issues? >> everything i have to say tonight. >> reporter: the headline could be the obama announcement that he will bring home 34,000 u.s. forces from afghanistan but he will warn the military could be hurt by spending cuts march 1. the sequester. outside the capitol union members protested the automatic cuts that will also hit social servic services. preventing sequester cuts calls for a deal on taxes and spending the president is called for in previous state of the union speeches. there's still no agreement. >> we had a spending debt crisis. not a receive knew debt crisis. you have to make the right diagnosis. >> reporter: the obama prescription is to spend more and put americans back to work and pay for that by higher taxes on the wealthy. the liberal agenda he laid out

at his inaugural and angering republicans. >> saying things that position him on the far left of the political spectrum is not a great way to achieve accomplishments out of divided government. >> reporter: the president will push measures to stop gun violence. like the shooting death of 15-year-old pendleton in january in chicago. >> her murder is heartbreaking. >> reporter: her mother had a message for lawmakers. >> signed up for the job. do something. >> reporter: do something on guns, on the budget and on immigration. be sure to be the obama message mitt. for their prime time response, the republicans will turn to a rising gop star, senator marco rubio of florida. i'm steve handelsman, news4. >> as you might expect traffic near the capitol will be impacted by the state of the union address tonight. capitol police will close several streets starting at 7:00. you can find a full list of those closures on

nbcwashington.com. >> be sure to watch the president's state of the union address tonight at 9:00 here on news4. we will stream it live on nbcwashington.com. new information this afternoon about pope benedict's health. what we learned one day after the pope's announcement that he is stepping down. should teenagers be banned from tanning beds? the idea that could become law in virginia. and let the good times roll. we are heading live to new orleans where mardi gras and the party are in

something goes terribly long.

t the accident of this dangling crane.

we just checked with crew as half hour ago. it looks like a crane that collapsed on a church will not be removed until tomorrow. it forced the evacuation of a preschool that happened around 11:00 this morning at st. luke's episcopal church. a crew was inspecting a steeple. the workers are going to be okay. and will is no major damage to the church. 60 children were sent home more did t day. hear from a teacher that witnessed the whole thing. morning virginia bureau chief julie carey will have that story coming up at 5:00 tonight. thousands of people who watched in texas today as a 2 00-mile funeral procession took an american hero to his final resting place. the funeral for chris kyle was in texas. kyle was murdered in february on february 2 along with a friend

chad littlefield by a man reportedly struggling with ptsd. the processional was led by military personnel. first responders and patriot guard. authorities in texas say that it may be the longest in american history. all this week nbc news is running a series of reports on guns in america. tonight at 5:45, tom brokaw will join us live for preview of his story on "nbc nightly news" and a look ahead to the state of the union address. mixed message was your valentine's day flowers. what your bouquet may be saying without you even knowing it. veronica is back to tell you who might, might, see some snow tomorrow and just how much.

i'm keith russell. this just in. police in new york say they located a man charged with the murder in our area last year. now about an hour ago, police announced the arrest of 51-year-old michael. they found him at jfk this morning. she charged with murdering john ryan of frederick. he was first reported missing in november. his body was found in the trunk of his car december 3.

stallnecker is being held in new york pending extradition. we bring you the latest developments on this story. ♪ valentine's day flowers really mean and get the freshly delivered pizza smell any time. >> making us hungry. joining with the story to have people buzzing, 99.5, kane. make sure we know the flower code before you place your order. >> did you know there was flower code when it came to roses and flowers at valentine's? >> i didn't. >> red, yellow, blue, thornless. they all mean something when it comes to flowers. people you send flowers to this valentine's, are you sure you are sending the right message? this dates back to victoria days to send a message to someone without the world mowing. red roses is love.

yellow, friends. someone you are married to gives you yellow roses. >> that's the code. >> that's not a good sign. >> we knew this. we knew these codes. >> i have your pink roses in the greenroom. that's admiration. orange is desire. if you get thornless roses from someone, that's a sign of love at first sight. >> really? >> if you want to really impress someone, thornless roses. ask them if they know why. >> send a dozen. we all love the taste of fresh hot pizza. now we can smell like it, too, thanks to pizza hut. >> this is odd. earlier this year they introduced this in canada. it was such a big buzz worthy thing that they brought to it the united states tonight and tomorrow only. you can order eaud to pizza hut.

there's only 24 of these things available. you are thinking, well, who would want that? this is a big deal. there are lot -- it is such a rare scent. a lot of people that are going for this. what better way to say i love you. >> buy the pie. >> you can do that. smear it all over your face. >> hold the onions. tomorrow you have a lot coming up. chance to win cash and hang out with bruno mars. we saw him on "ellen." >> incredible. between want you to send you to los angeles to be on the set of his brand-new music individual joe give you a thousand bucks for spending money for new clothes tomorrow at 8:00 and 9:00 on hot 99.5. >> and here is wishing you pepperoni pizza for valentine's day. >> oh, how sweet. i will get you yellow plowers. >> know the code. let's get the word on the weather for valentine's day. and valentine's day eve. >> right. well, eve will be wet. rain that we are talking about that we will be moving into the

area. take a look at your night planner forecast. 58 degrees right now. under clear sky. very nice conditions. by 7:00 we are still clear. not until we get until 11:00 p.m. where you can see the clouds will be moving in, turning mostly cloudy. clear, nice, dry evening for you. as we fall from 45 to 48 degrees between 9:00 and 11:00 p.m. now while we have been in the clear, again the clouds will be increasing. wanted to show you where they are now. richmond, roanoke, virginia, leading edge of the cloud shield, charleston, west virginia, leading edge. by 11:00 p.m. clouds will be moving in. but we are dry at least for the evening. and i think we are going to be dry for the morning rush tomorrow because right here is the rain. into areas of western north carolina, asheville, down through south carolina, with a big rains down through the deep south. that's the upper-level winds that have been very active, digging down to the south right back up the coast. that's exactly what this next weather system is going to do.

here we are with your future weather, increasing clouds this evening. we will watch the clouds move up and in. your rain probably starting about noontime to 1:00 tomorrow. just south of d.c. again, just starting as rain because our temperatures will be high enough and it is only a short period of time that i think we have effective snow making, if you will. earlier looked like it might between 4:00 and 10:00 p.m. or 6:00. now that window a bit narrower. between about 7:00 and 10:00 p.m. as it races out of here. we are not bogey to get much in the way of any snowfall. if anything, for even the evening rush, it will be a slow evening rush for us. mainly because of the rain that will be falling. here we are. areas that expect to see just plain old rainy think will be just south of manassas, virgi a virginia. less than an inch, around d.c. one to maybe possibly two inches of snow but i think for the most part just an inch. charleston, west virginia, frederick, areas around damascus and gaithersburg with really

less than an inch, if that, around d.c. areas to laurel, bowie, herndon through fairfax. down through burke. not a lot. still nothing more than just another little nuisance weather system porous that will be coming lou. clouds move in at 8:00. cool temperatures by 11:00 p.m. 42 degrees. 36 at 5:00 a.m. mostly cloudy sky. still dry at 7:00 a.m. with your temperature at 35 degrees. sun up tomorrow at 7:01. forecast then rain moves in. change to snow north and west of i-95. high temperature of 49 to 55 degrees. here you go. for thursday, after the system is out of here, which it will be by thursday morning, your temperature will be starting out in the low to mid 30s around the area. there is a possibility, slight possibility, way up to the north and west. it might be a few slick spots. really that -- very low chance. high thursday of 49. 53 degrees friday. then as we get into the weekend,

right now just a 30% chance we could see a little bit of snow. flurries around here. not looking like much of the system even for saturday instead of the system moving up the coast. looks as show maybe moving more out to sea than towards us. >> veronica, thanks. >> major news for expectant mothers. supplement that could reduce a child's risk of autism by 40%. fighting words from a real "housewife." her very public feud

we are hearing about police activity near big fwhaer california. these are live pictures from our sister station knbc in los angeles. there has been, according to associated press reports, an exchange of gunfire with police. just a short time ago. it is believed that this is where police have been searching door-to-door for the suspect, christopher dorner. former lapd officer. >> corner is suspect medical the killing of three people. police have been hunting for him after he reportedly has been on the hunt for police officers in los angeles after his termination recently. there has been a million dollar reward offered for his capture. again, these are live pictures from knbc in southern california near big bear where it is believed christopher dorner may

be involved in some kind of activity with police. >> this is treacherous terrain as we watched over the past week. a lot of snow they had. they had to call off the search some might and pick it back up in the morning. they have been searching by air. as we mentioned earlier door to door this is a case that gripped southern california with fear. this gunman, you will probably recall, christopher dorner, is former lapd officer had written a manifesto target 50g families of police officers. targeting them, he went after at least would we know of. again, three people have been killed in the gunfire so far that began more than a week now. >> live pictures out of big bear, california. we will continue to follow this breaking news story and have the latest for you as soon as we get it. ♪ rock creek park from the greatest hits album of donald byrd and the black birds.

mitt the music world is mourning the loss of the jazz innovator. byrd was leading trumpeter in the 1950s who collaborated on dozens of albums of the top artists in his team. in the 1960s he studied a jazz studi studies. one of the real housewives ofberrerly hills is out with a new tell-all book. she takes a few swipes at country star leann rimes. this book is called "drinking and tweeting and other brandy blunders" by brandi glanville. on the "today" show this morning, glanville explained in writing the book was her chance to set the story straight from her point of view. >> they have done numerous sit-down interviews where they told their side of the story over and over and over again. i never did. so this is my sitdown interview. i put it in the form of a book

and this is my story, my truth. here you go. when this book tour is done, i'm done talking about them completely. and public. not on twitter, nothing. >> she also talks about leeane rooim's stint in rehab. dangerous glow. the proposal that could ban teenagers from tanning beds in virginia. and the virginia police chief who resigned in the middle of a scandal involving singer chris

major bum. the road for governor mcdonnell's transportation plan. tonight at 5:00, how lawmakers rewriting the plan to pay

welcome back. police activity in southern california regarding that gunman. former l.a. police officer. >> keith russell has the latest from the live desk. >> around 3:20 this afternoon a call came in to police in the big bear area in california. say something one has stolen a vehicle and the witness said it looked like christopher dorner. at least the description of the suspect, christopher dorner. the former lapd police officer, who is believed to have been killed three people. the search for dorner continues. there's been a $1 million reward we know for information leading to his capture or arrest. earlier today we heard reports, all kinds of reports, that dorner may have found a way to leave the country. now this report. just about an hour ago, police

in the big bear area called about a stolen vehicle and someone there, a witness said the man who stole the vehicle looked like christopher dorner. the former lapd member who is believed to have killed three people, warrant for his arrest has already been issued. believed to have killed three people, including the death of a police officer. who vowed in his manifesto online to kill every police officer he can. that's the latest we know from here. we will keep you posted. >> live pictures from knbc. er with going to stay on top of this story. police helicopters, media helicopters, as well. very snowy terrain as we have seen. a ski resort area. and police have been going for the better part of a week door to door. trying to find out if he's hiding in this area. but this is a that's that's taking them into mexico wondering how far he has gotten or if he stayed at the scene

where they found his burned-out pickup truck day ace go. >> folks in the los angeles area, techly, the los angeles police department, had been on edge for most of the week while there has been an intense manhunt under way for christopher dorner, who, again, is wanted by police. million dollar reward. tips flowing into the police department sips that reward was increased to a million dollars. they are still looking for him tonight. perhaps break in the case. we will continue to follow this story and bring you the developments live. we want to follow big changes in our weather. see these skies? see the temperature? veronica, we are not getting used to this. it will change in a big way. >> that's right. this time tomorrow, guys, it is going to be cloudy. you are bogey to need your umbrella and we will have rain. mostly rain falling across the area. as temperatures start dipping down as we get past sunset, precipitation is still across the area. there will be some snow. not a lot. will will be some. out there right now our temperatures are not bad.

eventually a greatut day o there. look at this. in the 50s throughout the area. around greenbelt, prince george's county, current temperature sits at 55 degrees. view anyat 58 degrees. where do we go from here? mclean, virginia, dips into the upper 40s by 7:00 p.m. this evening. by 9:00 we are down to 44. then continue on down to 42 degrees. by 11:00 p.m., we will see clouds moving in. it is still going to be dry. so tomorrow morning, even, cool and dry conditions, your temperature is 30 to 36 degree. we will talk more about the highs. expected tomorrow and changeover to a little bit of snow. coming up. >> thank you. mental illness may have played a role in a deadly off-campus shooting involving two students near the university of maryland. police say 23-year-old dayvon green set fires in and around his home in an apparent effort to lure his room mates outside. once they were out of the home

police say green opened fire on them, killing one and wounding the other before turning the gun on himself. investigators say he suffered from mental illness for the past we are and taken medication for his condition. the university of president is offering his prayers and condolence this afternoon as the campus community deals with the early morning shoot. >> tony tull reports now. they are thinking twice about their own living arrangements. >> i mean, it is really sad. it is like -- just right across the street. >> it creates fear in most students. i can tell parents are definitely going to be worried. >> reporter: news that not only has caused fear amongst the student body but what room mates are capable of. >> a little bit of trust issues with room mates now. people will try to play it safe. try to be nice to their room mates. >> reporter: the news alarmed p

students. >> really scary. i can't imagine. i don't know, that makes me really nervous. >> reporter: but for the most part students said they do do feel safe in and around the university campus. >> i think it is okay. of course, stuff is going to happen every now and then. overall i feel pretty fine. >> security here is really good. i consider something like that to be a storm accident. that does not make this situation. >> reporter: the news is still upsetting to hear. many would not elect to live off campus for this very reason. >> i don't know. it makes it harder. >> those that don't really have people that they know they are going to room with will be a little bit more worried because had could end up with random roommate. >> stay with news4 and nbcwashington.com. we will have much more on thees have and the victims in this case tonight. we have live team coverage in just 30 minutes. virginia attorney general's new book was released today. "the last line of defense." the book accuses president obama's administration of

breaking federal laws ignoring federal courts, and violating the constitution. chapter one is entitled the biggest set of law breakners america. crown publishing paid him a $30,000 advance for the book. according to a report "in the richmond times." the pope had a pacemaker implanted ten years ago. the device has nothing do with the pontiff's decision to step down. tomorrow may be the pope's last appearance as pope. insiders are still reel prosecuting the surprise. >> reporter: the countdown has started for benedict xvi. february 28 will be his last day as pope. while he his schedule has not changed, on wednesday, he is going to hold a general audience

in the afternoon. he will hold a mass for ash wednesday. it is widely believed that that will be his last mass as the pope. unless he decide to hold a special mass before his abdicati abdication. after february 28 he is going to go to the pope's residence, just outside of rome. when a new pope is elected, possibly before easter, he will retire to a life of spirituality inside of vatican wall. >> something he wanted to do for a while. it also suggests that his role is going to be a very quiet one. and that's for. so you don't have a situation of sort of two different popes at the same time. one influencing the other. >> meantime, speculation is ripe over whether there was any other reason behind his decision. some are saying that the scandals that he received were too much for him.

and he was always a humble man that just could not hold the reins of the catholic church that was shaken. he decided he wanted someone younger to hold the rein of the catholic church and be the leader of the catholics worldwide. pregnant women reducing their child's risk of autism by 40%. straight ahead, following the breaking news. latest live from big bear in southern california. there are reports of new increased activity right now. live pictures from knbc's health copper. -- helicopter. reports of a stolen vehicle, reports of increased activity will. we are back with the latest details. my achy feet made it tough to play with billy.

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more now on our breaking news in california this afternoon. a person believed to be the fugitive ex-los angeles police officer, christopher dorner, sought in lee killings as reported leads exchanged gunfire in the san bernardino mountains. >> let's listen in to our sister station, knbc, in los angeles. live coverage. >> throwing out here and there and certainly looks like it could be in your eyes a situation like that.

>> right. i sort of predicted a few -- few day ace go he might enjoy this kind of televised grand finale to his life. this is exactly what's happening now. >> one wonders why he made this move when he did. >> i'm wondering if perhaps the search got too close to him. maybe he ran out of food in the cabin. maybe he was -- just -- feeling a little too pair moyd and had to get out, he you a his chance. >> again, reportedly, it is possible that one of these hostages was able to break pre, make a 911 call, report that vehicle stolen, so who knows how this was initiated. again, if all of this is true, that means for days now, since last thursday, he may have been watching all of this unfold on tv. >> he absolutely has been watching all of this to see if he was in that cabin, if they had -- >> late pres knbc in los angeles. increased activity. reports of exchange of gunfire. also it is believed that someone called in and said that there

was a residential burglary of a cabin and a couple had been tied up in that cabin. one was able to get away and make a call to police. again, these are live pictures. coming in from big bear in southern california. we are staying on top of this coverage and we will bring you the latest as it comes in to news4. the latest the weather. >> we are looking at another storm that will be moving in. we are dry for the evening rush. we are even dry tomorrow morning. but not tomorrow afternoon. we are talking rain and still a chance of that snow. the very latest when "news4 at 4:00" returns.

. back live with more. breaking news at this hour. rogue l.a. police officer christopher dorner, accused of killing three people and terrorizing and targeting the l.a. police department for days is believed to have ex-clanged gunfire this afternoon with police in the mountains of san bernardino, california. >> after reports after residential burglary where a couple may have been tied up and a car stolen. police then pursued that stolen vehicle. much more it is a story unfolds and the search intensifies right here on news4. tonight a house legislative committee in virginia is considering a bill banning minors from using tanning pa silts. the proposed law affects children under the age of 15. current law allows parents or legal guardians to sign a written warning statement for anybody under 15. the bill already passed the state senate bay rote of 34-5.

>> it is fat tuesday. not even the rain can stop the party in new orleans this evening. >> some of the super bowl champ baltimore ravens are there for the fun riding in one of the parades. jay gray is live in the french quarter with a look at all of the mardi gras festivities. >> hey there. good evening. happy mardi gras. good to talk to you. yeah. bourbon street packed now. take a look. it has been since early this morning and despite some on and off rain like you talked about, it doesn't look like anyone here is anxious to leave any time soon. the parades are rolling and the party is rocking. >> mardi gras! >> reporter: like always the annual fat tuesday bash in the big easy brings out a little bit of everything. from super heroes to the super strange traditional costumes and some untraditional charlie's angels. monkeys, or those just monkeying

around. baby gras. in this case a baby on the way gras. good time for those that have been celebrating the festival a long time. >> we have been doing this for 50 years. we really love new orleans. we are from new orleans, all of us. >> reporter: others are experiencing this craziness for the first time. diane pryor rode on a bus for 21 hours from detroit just to get here. >> i love it. this is so much excitement. you can feel the energy in the air. electrifying. >> reporter: non-stop. beads aren't the only things falling from the sky this year. a lingering rain continues to fall as well. pushing some inside to continue the party while outside clouds haven't scared off the crowds. close to a million poured into new orleans and will spend $144 million during the festival. whether it means adding rain boots our an umbrella, most here

are not wore bead getting wet. >> do i look worried? >> reporter: no, she doesn't. not many do. after all, liquid is a pretty big part of every mardi gras. >> a live look at bourbon street. most don't even realize when it is raining. they don't seem to care very much. i'm jay gray. back to you. >> hard-core partiers. rain doesn't dampen them. alcohol and a pew beads will help. >> not one single person that had an umbrella open. they don't care. >> they are hard-core. they don't care. this is the same system moving up our way. >> that it is. it is mostly rain for us. nuisance system for us. it is going to give us wet weather between noontime tomorrow and 10:00 p.m. tomorrow with your snow chances, very, very small window.

between 7:00 or so. and about 10:00 p.m. let's take a look outside. we have the clear skies. 58 degrees currently. southwest wind at 9 miles per hour. the air, dry. when we get the rain, it is going to take a while for it to start falling. in fact, we start tomorrow off dry which is clouds across the area. look at the temperatures this evening drop to 42 degrees by 11:00 p.m. and head down to 35 degrees. by 7:00 a.m. tomorrow morning. it will be lower, colder start than what we had this morning. starting out in the 40s. right up here and just off to the west, columbia, germantown, ashburn, fairfax, starting out around freezing tomorrow morning. and then our highs will be in the low and mid 40s across the area. it is not going to be freezing throughout the day. low and mid 40s. that will give us rain with had whole area of low pressure, big area of moisture that will start its way working right northeastward. raleigh north carolina, or

charlotte, north carolina. doesn't start as rain here until noontime. small window we could have snow between 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. here is what we are looking at picking up. less than an inch of snow around d.c. gaithersburg, damascus, frederick, could see around an inch of snow. maybe some isolated spots. i do mean isolated further north. pick up maybe two inches of snow. then less than an inch again around d.c. again, nuisance system for us. a look at your 7-day forecast. we warm up and then a cold weekend with snow and a little bit of light snow and flurries around on saturday. >> for your health, new study being called a landmark finding on research to prevent autism. a study recommended for pregnant women drasically reduce the child developi ining autism. >> reporter: doctors advise pregnant women to take 400

micrograms of folic acid every day. a proven method of reducing baby's risk for serious birth defects like spina bifida. now an apparent added benefit. >> if you are on folic acid you may reduce the risk of having a child with autism. >> reporter: researchers in more way followed 85,000 children for six years. they found women who took folic acid supplements before they got pregnant and during the first trimester lowered their baby's risk of developing autism by 40%. experts in the field called the link between nutrition and autism a landmark finding but it is just one piece of a complicated puzzle of genetic and environmental factors that influence autism development. >> this does not prevent autism. will were women in this study who took prenatal folic acid and went on to have a child affected with autism. >> reporter: food supply is fortified with folic acid. but experts say many women may not be getting enough in their

diet to make a difference. and they say that there's no downside to taking the supplement. >> to me this is a month-brainer and a win-win proposition. it is good the mother and good for the fetus. you can't ask for anything better than that. >> reporter: erika edwards, news4. chris brown steps in while a virginia police chief steps down. how they both could be linked to virginia. i'm julie carey in the mt. vernon area. fairfax county, talk about a bad day on the job. a crane topples on a church. what the crane operator did to make sure the two guys in the

accusations that chris brown faked his muncie service hours in virginia may have forced richmond's top cop to resign 37 keith russell is in the newsroom with more on this controversy. >> it was a bombshell announcement this morning. the mayor in rip monday reached a mutual agreement with chief brian norwood. norwood is at the center of a controversy involving the supervision of chris brown's probation. brown was ordered to finish 180 days of community labor in his home state of virginia. as punishment for beating his pop star girlfriend rihanna. last week brown appeared in court and rihanna was there supporting him. l.a. prosecutors say that the police chief signed off on paperwork. richmond police chief signed off on paperwork. documenting the singer's community service and one report in 2011 norwood claimed brown completed 103 days of service.

three months later a virginia probation report said he had just completed only 88 days of service. the lead prosecutor says most of brown's hours were served at a children's center where his mom held a very powerful position outside of norwood's jurisdiction. chris brown's lawyer calls the prosecutor's request to void all of his community service in virginia avishous and unwarranted attack on law enforcement. if you remember it was in 2009 when brown beat rihanna on the night before the grammy awards in l.a. chris brown and rihanna were back together at the grammys this past sunday. keith russell, news4. >> a los angeles judge is reviewing the matter and will conduct a face-to-face interview with chris brown and there will be another hearing on the case in april. at 5:00, wendy and jim, university of maryland students ambushed by a roommate. >> that's right. the shooter set fires to lure his victims to the danger. >> a star student is the suspected triggerman in this murder-suicide and had a history of mental illness and learning

more about his arsenal of weapons. the i-team is working to find the truth behind those customer review websites. we have the results that you can trust. >> a crane crashes down on a church today. dozens of children rushed to safety. quick thinking may have saved would lives. >> we are going to begin with the breaking news back out in california. reports that that man believed to be the fugitive ex-lapd cop has exchanged fire with police. this is a live and quite fluid situations. a chopper from our sister station of knbc in los angeles. less than an hour ago police confirmed there was a home invasion out there. couple was tied up in their home and the suspect stole their pickup truck. the rangers shot -- ranger fired at that stolen pickup. reporters in the area also reported hearing shots fired. there are unconfirmed reports that two officers may have been hit during that gunfight. that's unconfirmed. there has been,