former police chief cathy lanier started the gun recovery unit in 2007. since then it's confiscated 37-hundred guns, made 16-hundred firearm-related arrests, and seized tens of thousands of rounds of ammunition. in the past three years, the unit has consistently increased the number of guns it's confiscated. police say that's because of tips, training, and technology. store owners at malls across the country a peaceful than yesterday. fights broke out at malls in several states.. new jersey, colorado, tennessee, north carolina, texas, and illinois, among others. at this mall in elizabeth, new jersey, panic ensued when people thought they heard gunshots during a fight. but the loud bang was actually the sound of a falling chair. shoppers ran from the mall, causing two people to get hurt. in aurora, illinois, a mall was forced to close after several fights broke out there. it's unclear what sparked those fights. that mall in illinois is expected to reopen today. christmas was sunday. but redskins fans got a late gift last night-- from the dallas cowboys of

former police chief cathy lanier started the gun recovery unit in 2007. since then it's confiscated 37-hundredun firearm-related arrests, and seized tens of thousands of rounds of ammunition. in the past three years, the unit has consistently increased the number of guns it's confiscated. police say that's because of tips, training, and technology. it's 5 xxx and still to come on good morning washington.. madness across malls! dozens of fights breaking out in several malls across the country. all happening during one of the busiest shopping days of the all happening during one of the busiest shopping days of the year. and a kitten travels across four states in one day! you will never guess how she racked up all those miles. forecast. check on the forecast. - unseasonably mild winter day - rain thursday - cold & windy friday - few showers to ring in the new year today: early am showers. sunshine this afternoon. warm & breezy. highs: 60-65 winds: sw to w 5-15+ g 30 mph tonight: mainly clear. cold. lows: 33-39 winds: nw 5 mph to calm wednesday: mostly sunny.

tim: former police chief cathy lanier started the gun confiscation unit in 2007. related arrests and seized tens of thousands of rounds of ammunition and thousands of guns. discovered the unit has consistently increased the number of guns it has confiscated. sent credit toll tips, trading, and technology, such as the shot spotter system, which uses radar to alert law enforcement to gunfire. they helped prevent a 17-year-old from attacking at his school with an ak-47. >> the impacts that we come across a fax us. tim: he knows that guns continue to pour in, but he also knows his team is making a difference. >> it's the ultimate satisfaction. we look at it like this -- we saved a life or probably prevented a shooting. tim: tim barber, abc 7 news. sheriffs office is investigating after a serious crash in waldorf. it happened on crain highway. the police say they tried to pull over a car for a routine traffic stop but the driver kept going. the car crashed into a pillar and the driver was ejected. the police say the driver is in serious condition. new information in a

s chief cathy lanier resigned two months ago. peter new ham has n been that spot and will continue another a new one has been appointed. >>reporter: a process that has been completely halted as mayor bowser filled other top vacancies. for now peter newsham is at the helm of thpo and last year he was a finalist for the chief's job down in florida and just this summer when was a finalist for the police chief position in phoenix, arizona.rizo both times a finalist other than new sham was given the job. now here at home there arere plenty who ask if peter new sham after protestors void to setot down thees city. at this time the assistant chiea of police was peter newsham and the chief of police was charles ramsey. we have protest and' rests today as demonstrators have been takee to the streets of d.c. what's clear that both of them in the order of arrest. there is no goodness. nows knowing he would be the replacement is like giving the devil. for the past 27 years, peter newsham has risen through thetho ranks of the metropolitan poli