have been unable to locate mitchell smith. of course, his family &pis worried, but holding out years.melinda roeder... fox 45 news... at 5:30. &pone person was sent to the hospital after a fire broke out early this morning in charles village. village. fire crews were on the scene of the big boyz bail bonds on east 25th street just after 3 this morning. everyone was able to escape.. but a woman on the second floor had to be rescued by firefighters.. "the woman was actually with assistance climb down the ladder to the ground, she was treated at the scene and transported to shock trauma for evaluation" evaluation"several homes nearby also had smoke damage. no word tonight on hat sparked the fire. aad this is a look at the damage to the white elk motel in elkridge after a two alarm fire ripped through the building. it started just before 9 last night along route 1 and bonnie view lane. you can see the damage to the window. no one was hurt... but it took more than 60 firfighters to put the fire out. it's been a fixture in lexington

have been unable to locate mitchell smith. 3 3 three men storm a prince george's county burger king .and it's caught on tape. tape.police need you to fight back against crime... and this surveillance video was posted on youtube by police in the hopes of catching the robbers. they hit he bladensburg burger king back on december 5th. the suspects are also wanted in connection with a robbery of a store. a one thousand dollar reward is offered for and help bring these men to justice. beware of fake facebookers... looking to take your money! money!police say these scams are similar to the mail scams pleading for financiallhelp. but in this case ... they're actually posing as one of your facebook friends!investigators say ttere's been at least one case in baltimore where the perpetrators were successful.... and several other attempts that were not. . 5642 they take the name off of your friends' list. poot something on your page and says you know i've been arrested or i've been mugged and now i need to either get bailed out of jail or to return home from a flight overseas 54 54some things yo

news linda so is standing by with more. >> reporter: police received conflicting reports of when mitchell smith was last seen. one thing they know is he never reached his final destination in alabama. smith boarded a train bound for birmingham december 16thel a passenger says she saw him headed to new orleans when a conductor said he couldn't get to birmingham and get off the train in charlotte. his grandmother smith says she bought his ticket to birmingham and never knew about a transfer. it's unlike him to go this long without calling. >> something is wrong. i believe now that amtrak put him on the wrong train. >> smith is 5 is 1'", a scar op his right temple from a shooting that left him blind. he sometimes wears dark glasses and carries a red and white cane. if you have information, call 911. linda so, abc2 news. >>> investigators in pg county, officers are trying to track down the person who beat a 70- year-old woman. he broke in through the front porch window and trashed the place before attacking the woman. she woke up to find a man in her bedroom. after he left the victim crossed the st

mitchell smith was last seen by people in our area getting on a train at union station. that is where jackie bensen is to pick up the story tonight. >> reporter: he was last seen on december 16th. >> he will call and say i'm so and so and i need help. i have had nothing. >> reporter: madeline is worried about her grandson, mitchell. he had come to the d.c. area to visit relatives in december but managed to disappear on the train ride ohm to alabama. the 33-year-old legally blind from injuries resulting from a shooting was last seen at the train station in charlotte, north carolina where there may have been some type of mix up. >> there have been a lot of confusion. the charlotte police called us this morning and said that they understood that he'd got off the train in charlotte. however they say that someone at amtrak told him they put him on a train to come back to washington. >> reporter: charlotte police have found no trace of mitchell smith. his grandmother grows more worried by the day. >> even if he lands somewhere he doesn't know where he is his way is to pick up

there is due information about mitchell smith. he was visiting the area of the week before christmas but went missing after boarding an amtrak train. his family is desperate to find him. >> back information is coming from two different sources. and i witnessed on the train and a north carolina police detective. the two stories are not backing up. >> the phone rings every few minutes the day after christmas concerned friends, north carolina police, and the manassas woman's. >> can you tell me what happened? >> she said she assault mitchell heading to new orleans. -- she saw mitchell heading to new orleans. >> i think something is wrong. a.m. job put him on the wrong train. >> she bought the ticket to birmingham herself and never knew about the transfer. another call with conflicting information from a police detective in north carolina. >> he wished to go back to washington and they put to him on the back -- on the train back to washington. >> mr. smith -- mrs. smith worked for years in the d.c. postal inspection. >> that is differ

now police from north carolina to maryland are searching for a missing blind man. 33-year-old mitchell smithas not been seen in ten days. he'd come to d.c. in early december to visit relatives but disappeared on the train ride home to birmingham, alabama. he was last seen at a train station in charlotte, north carolina. >>> as we turn our eyes to the weather, we've been talking about it all morning long. it is coming, and it could be pretty heavy some n. some spurts. >> in some spurts between noontime and 6:00 p.m., we could ge get a half to an inch of rain. that's a lot. that means low visibility. >> we've been warned. veronica, ♪ [ female announcer ] during the holidays, there's a lot to get done. and safeway select appetizers help you rise to every occasion. ♪ from delectable to amazing. there are over 20 affordable safeway select appetizers ♪ to make all of your gatherings just as merry as can be. ♪ only at safeway. ingredients for life.

weeks.33-year-old mitchell smith's family dropped him off at union station in washington d-c on december 16th. since he's blind, they left him the care of amtrak workers... who were supposed to help him board his train to birmingham, alabama. but he somehow ended up on a train to new orleans. another passenger seated nearby says she heard amtrak workers tell smith that he could get off the train at charlotte and then wait for the next one out to birmingham. then... she says... they escorted him off. but no one in his family has heard from him sincee now a detective in charlotte, north carolina is investigating. <"and hh said in the confusion... to ome here."> here.">amtrak officials say they're not reviewing surveillance video from the train stations... but so far... have been unable to locate mitchell ssith. beware of fake facebookers... looking to take yourrmoney! money!police say these scams are similar to the email scams pleading for financial help. but in this case ... they're actually posing as one of your facebook friends!investigators say there's been at least one case in baltimo

mitchell smith lives in blade insburg, he was seen a week ago getting on a train going to dc. linda so is here with new clues and the search for smith. >> mitchell was supposed to arrive in alabama but inform made it. this morning, police have conflicting reports op what happened to the be 33-year-old blind man. he boarded a train at union station december 16th. a fellow passenger says she saw smith headed to new orleans when a conductor told him he couldn't get to birmingham and told him to get off the train in charlotte his family hasn't heard from him since. his grandmother bought his ticket to birmingham and never knew about a transfer. on a phone call from a north carolina detective, smith's grandmother got conflicting information about when her grandson was last seen. smith is 5'11", a scar op his right temple from a shooting ten years ago that left him blind. he sometimes wears dark glasses and carries a red and white cane. if you have information, call 911. >>> take a good look at the photographs, people wanted for stealing credit cards, racking up thousands of dollars

mitchell smith left union station december 16th ledded to birmingham, alabama but never made it there. his family says amtrak told them they have learned that smith took a train to newark, new jersey where he checked into a hospital on the 17th and then checked out on the 18th. no word why he went to the hospital but he is still missing this morning. >>> a maryland fourth grader was found with a hit list. the student attends deale elementary in anne arundel county. the parents of the student on the list were notified and school administrators contacted police. no word on what punishment the fourth grader faces. >>> there is a new push to get newt gingrich on virginia's march primary ballot. an attorney filed a lawsuit on gingrich's behalf contending that gingrich met the requirement of filing 10,000 signatures and that many of those were improperly excluded. the suit is reportedly not connected to gingrich or his campaign. rick perry's first effort to get his name on the virginia primary ballot has failed a federal judge denied his request for an emergency order requiring the state's

there's an active investigation down in charlotte for mitchell smith. there's a possibility that he may have gotten on a train to come back to the d.c. area. that's why the family wants those in the area to be on the lookout for smith. he's 33 years old, 5' 11." he's legally blind. carries a cane, wears dark sunglasses. anyone who sees him should call the police. back to you. >> thanks. >>> leaders looking for ways to plug an estimated $100 million budget gap. that short fall could widen. they have a $2.7 billion budget and can't raise property taxes without voter approval. they told washington post the gas tax could go up and slot machine gambling could be used to raise revenue. >>> a popular program could be coming to southern montgomery county. they have applied for $1 million grant from the state's transportation department. if they get it, 29 stations would open in bethesda, tacoma park and other areas. the maryland department of transportation is expected to announce the granting of awards in 2012. it's set to open next year in rockville and shady

mitchell smith was last seen at union station on december 16. he was preparing to board a train heading down to alabama. a fellow passenger says workers told him he had to get off the charlotte and take another train to alabama. his family said they were not told about a transfer. >> something is wrong. i believe now that amtrak put him on the wrong train. >> police believe he got off the train in the city and may have returned to d.c. on another train. family members have not heard from him. >>> if you're a thinking christmas presents can keep the kids happy, think again. >> with that and a look at the trading day, here is linda bell in new york. >> good morning and happy holidays. just when you saw the shopping season was over, mattel is going to release a new doll. it is being marketed as the gift of the year. she is a gymnast to faces learning problems. they say the american girl line focuses on stories that can help create an emotional bond with children that other gifts cannot replicate. as for trading, index futures are not trading becaus

we are talking about 33-year-old mitchell smith who is legally blind. he was prepared to board an amtrak train heading to alabama. if all passengers said workers told smith he would need to get off in charlotte, been taking another train to alabama of. his family says they were never told of a transfer. >> something is wrong. i believe that can track put him on the wrong train. >> police believe smith got off the train there in charlotte and may have returned to d.c. on another train. >>> basketball is back on the court. many of us were not sure it would happen. the wizards kicked off this season at the verizon center. along with other events, it is gone to make for a very busy next few months. we are live downtown with more on this. >> chinatown is going to be home and over the next couple of months. check out this schedule. every day something is going on, i have marked in red. check out january. you can see almost every day except for thursdays, there is something going on. in february almost every day there's something going on. it will be that way

police found mitchell smith yesterday evening. he is in good condition. he went missing two weeks ago after he boarded an amtrak train to alabama. they did realize he had a transfer in north carolina. he purchased a ticket to new jersey. >>> she is facing ethics issues. kwon lee brown is called her for attacking a political opponent. she sent a letter criticizing natalie williams. she is running for the seat. >>> american airlines shares are getting grounded. >> and now may be a good time to apply for a job at a bank. linda joined as. >> good morning. here are the details. if you're looking for a job, he might try applying at a bank. the number of tellers has jumped 13% as banks stay open later than usual. forget about being in a telephone operator. the decline is expected to continue to default. online travel companies will continue to her job prospects for travel agents. >>> american airlines is getting their wings clipped. they're down 93 cents a share. there will likely get a new ticker. we do have stocks index futures indicating a lower open. >>> las

mitchell smith was seen december 16th getting on a train in dc, headed for alabama. linda so has the latest on what happened to him. >> police received conflicting reports of when mitchell was last seen. one thing they do know is he never reached his destination in alabama. smith boarded a train bound for birmingham december 16th. a passenger saw the 33 year old headed to new orleans when a conductor told him he couldn't get to birmingham and told him to get off the train in charlotte, north carolina. his family hasn't heard from him since. his grandmother never knew about a transfer and says it's unlike him to go this long without calling. >> something is wrong. i believe now that amtrak put him on the wrong train. smith is 5'11", a scar on his right temple from a shooting that left him blind. he some times wears dark glasses and carries a red and white cane. linda so, abc2 news. a woman in pg county recovering after a brutal attack during a home invasion. investigators say that a man broke in through the front porch window and ransacked the place. she says she woke

mitchell smith has not been seen in ten days. he had come to d.c. in september to visit relatives but disappeared on the train ride home to birmingham, alabama. he was last seen at a train station in charlotte, north carolina, where his grandmother says there may have been some sort of mix-up. >> there's been a lot of confusi confusion. the charlotte police called us this morning and said that they understand that he got off the train in charlotte. however, they say that someone at amtrak told them that they put him on a train to come back to washington. >> smith, who is legally blind in both eyes from injuries from a shooting several years ago, is 5'11" with a slim build, carries a red and white cane, and sometimes wears dark glasses. if you have any information about his whereabouts, you are asked to call police. >>> prince george's county police are releasing this new surveillance tape in hopes of finding three men who robbed a burger king in colmer manor earlier this month. one man carrying a gun demanded money from the cashier. and two other su

have been unable to locate mitchell smith. 3 3 it's a purple and black explosion...n it comes to the pro-bowl picks... back in 2003 and 2006... the ravens sent a club record 8 players to the pro bowl..this year's haul is not that big, but it came very close...7 ravens have been named as starters...now in his 16th n-f- l season, ray lewis has been named a starter in his 13th pro bowl... despite missing four games with a toe injury. fellow defensive players ed reed, terrell suggs and haloti ngata are on the list as well. fansscoulln't be more proud... "its unusual to have a lot cause there is usually less." "man that's awesome having so many .... shows they are working together."//sot//"who deserved players would get so recognition."the pro bowl is january 29th in hawaii. the cincinnati bengaas are trying desperately to fill their stadium for this sunday's match-up against the r. ravens. the bengals are offering season ticket holders an unprecedented "buy one get one free" offer for the game. phe 65-thousand seat stadium has only been sold out once in the past eleven h

. >>> the family of 33-year-old mitchell smith of bladensburg still have not heard from him. they last saw him as he left on an amtrak train for birmingham, alabama. smith was completely blinded in the shooting that occurred a decade ago. >>> well, it is nothing new to learn that taxpayers' dollars can be watched on -- wasted on lawmakers pet projects. one side of a so-called wasteful project is right here in washington, d.c. actually in columbia heights. our jessica doyle explains that waste can be a matter of opinion. >> reporter: this ihop in columbia heights has found itself on a congressional hit list. it has been called out on republican senator tom coburn's 2011 waste book. a list of 100 projects around the country that some see as a waste of taxpayer dollars. >> unfortunately, the federal government has subsidized directly or indirectly, not only flapjacks but grass-fed cow butter, beef jerky and mushroom pea zas. after a menu like that, it is taxpayers who are reaching for the antacid. >> reporter: 766 thousand dollars in government revitalization money helped build

his name is mitchell smith. he was visiting family in d.c. earlier this month. he hasn't been seen since getting on an amtrak train to dirming ham, alabama 11 days ago. he is 33 years old and got off in charlotte. somehow he ended up on a train to newark, new jersey. police are checking to see if he paid for that ticket to newark. >>> rick perry filed a lawsuit against virginia in a last-ditch effort to get on the primary blot. he is challenging requirements for candidates to get on the ballot. newt bring rich trying to get on the ballot. virginia is holding a primary or caucus on supertuesday march 6th. >>> mitt romney with an endorsement from the boston herald. the paper says that he is the only candidate with the, quote, integrity and intelligence to beat president obama. romney is now in a dead heat with ron paul and newt gingrich among iowa republicans. the attack ads are picking up. though sometimes the negative can backfire with voters. >> it doesn't always benefit the person doing the spending. one of the things we have seen is that if one candidate atta

search for a missing blind man is gaining attention from maryland to north carolina. 33-year-old mitchell smith has not been seen in ten days. he had come to d.c. in early december to visit relatives but disappeared on the train ride home to birmingham, alabama. he was last seen at a train station in charlotte, north carolina, where his grandmother said there may have been some kind of mix-up. >> a lot of confusion. the charlotte police called us this morning and said that they understood that he got off the train in charlotte. however, they say that someone at amtrak told them that they put him on the train to come back to washington. >> smith, who is legally blind in both eyes from injuries from a shooting several years ago, is 5'11" with a slim build. he carries a red and white cane and sometimes wears dark glasses. if you have information about his whereabouts, you are asked to call police. >>> prince george's county police are releasing this new surveillance tape in the hopes of finding three men who robbed a burger king earlier this month. police said one man armed with a gun demanded mon

mitchell smith was last seen taking a train from d.c. to birmingham, alabama. police say he got off the train in charlotte, north carolina, but never arrived in alabama. a new jersey police officer helped smith, who is legally blind, into a cab a few days ago. detectives in new jersey are investigating where smith went during that time, and police in charlotte have closed the case. >>> a lot of verizon wireless customers are very unhappy this morning about a new policy the company announced. starting january 15th, verizon will charge customers $2 a month to pay their bills online or over the phone. verizon claims it is simply passing on fees that credit card companies charge on each transaction. customers say it doesn't matter. the fee is just not right. >> $2 is a right when it sums up through the years. >> if there's extra money getting charged on your bill or whatever you're paying for, you're going to get people on your bad side. >> it feels like a penalty to me. >> it's very shocking. >> the fee will not apply to anyone who uses verizon's auto bill pay sys

fox 5's beth parker talked to a woman who saw mitchell smith aboard the train. reporter: mitchell malik smith needs help getting on and off an amtrak train. now his family needs your help finding out what happened to him. >> we don't anything. we want to know where, what, if he's okay and that's what's so surprising to me. if he is okay, why hasn't he called? reporter: mitchell is legally blind. his grandmother in maryland and the rest of the family spent christmas worrying. back on december 16th relatives dropped mitchell off at d.c.'s union station for a trip home to alabama, a route he'd taken many times. >> there seemed to be a little bit of a problem. the woman who was from amtrak was talking to him. it seemed that he wanted to go to alabama, but the train we were on didn't go there. reporter: jane campbell lives in woodbridge, virginia. she was on that train headed to atlanta. she said an amtrak employee told mitchell that he could get off at the train station in charlotte, north carolina, and wait five hours for a different train to alabama. >> i thought i

mitchell smith left union station on december 16th headed to birmingham, alabama, but he never made it. amtrak told his family smith took a train to newark, new jersey where he checked into a plot on the 17th , checked out on the 18th, no word why he went to the hospital and tonight he's still missing. >>> a 9-year-old indiana girl brutally murdered lived in hagerstown maryland earlier this year. washington county school officials say aliahna lemmon attended winter street elementary this year. police in indiana say a neighbor confessed to killing her december 22nd while baby- sitting her and her sisters. federal prosecutors reportedly preparing to file the first criminal charges against bp in connection to the massive gulf oil spill. according to the wall street journal, prosecutors are considering whether bp engineers lied to federal regulators about the risks of drilling at the well. a conviction in this case could mean five years in prison. a separate federal trial to determine bp's liability for the spill is set to begin in february. >>> the national september 11th memorial just re

mitchell malik smith's family hoped he would contact them somehow over the holidays, but nobody called. scott broom is with that anxious family tonight. >>> none of the callers have the information this family wants. >> he is completely blind. >> where is 33-year-old mitchell malik smith? a vulnerable adult who is 100% blind and hat not been seen by his family since leaving here december 16th? >> if he is okay, he will call. >> reporter: grandmother madeleine smith says mitchell left washington's union station on an amtrak train. he was seen getting off that train during a stop in charlotte, north carolina. apparently confused about a connection to birmingham. blindness not helping at all. >> the confusion when they told him evidently he would have to wait and catch another train and go to birmingham, he said send me back to dc. amtrak said they put him on a train back to dc. >> reporter: smith, who carries a red and white cane, but no cell phone, has not been heard from. the family is terrified, especially since he was carrying cash. police are taking the lead in the investigation. fa

mitchell smith left union station december 16th headed to birmingham, alabama but never made it there. his family says amtrak told them they have learned that smith took a train to newark, new jersey where he checked into the hospital on the 17th and checked out on the 18th. he is till missing this morning. >>> mitt romney and ron paul are showing strength in public and private polls in iowa. rake santorum, rick perry, newt gingrich and michelle bachmann are already battling to win over undecided voters before tuesday's caucuses. >>> a heads up for you metro riders today. the transit agency will be running extra trains this afternoon to help commuters leaving work early in advance of the long holiday weekend. as for new year's eve and new year's day, metro will operate on a normal weekend schedule. saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. and sunday from 7:00 a.m. to midnight. >>> the lemignot end of elizabeth taylor is apparently alive and well in woodbridge, virginia. a jewelry store toner paid almost $7,000 for one her necklaces. >> reporter: here is the necklace look being like an acc

mitchell smith who is blind, disappeared about a week and a half ago. last seen on an amtrak train heading from washington to birmingham, alabama. even though smith doesn't carry a cell phone, his familiarly in bladensburg was hoping he would contact them. police in charlotte, north carolina are involved in the case. smith may have gotten off the train there, confused about a possible transfer. >> through the confusion, when they hold him evidently he would have to wait and catch another train to go to birmingham, he said send me back to d.c. now, amtrak says they put him on a train back to d.c. we have heard nothing from him. >> smith was blinded ten years ago after getting shot in prince george's county. he also suffers from bouts of depression. that's why his family is very concerned about him. >>> the man believed to be responsible for shooting and killing two people and kidnapping a 2-year-old boy is now in police custody. police say this man, 27-year- old jamal lewis clemons was taken into custody after a tip he was inside an apartment. on christm

mitchell smith, who is legally blind, was last seen at union station. he was preparing to board an amtrak train to alabama. a passenger says amtrak workers told him he had to get off in charlotte and take another train to alabama. his family says they were never told about a transfer. >> something is wrong. i believe that amtrak put him on the wrong train. >> police believe smith got off the train there and may have caught on another train. family members have not heard from him. 40 degrees outside. >> new developments in a double murder in richmond. details on the arrests made. >> how a woman used facebook to get help after she was held hostage. >> we know a lot of you are going to work so we i'm just a bit of residue left behind by some mop. why you... nobody's taken a shine to me in a long time. phooey. i don't need anybody...but you! ♪ i believe in miracles ♪ [ male announcer ] swiffer attracts dirt. used mops can push muddy water around. swiffer wetjet's new upgraded solution helps prevent streaks and residue to reveal more shine than a mop or your

mitchell malik smith got onto an amtrak train to alabama. a santa clarita lot police detective is now investigating a new lead that smith wanted to go back to washington. >>> the final push in iowa for the republican presidential hopefuls. one week from today, caucus goers in that state will pick a candidate. today, michelle bachmann, rick perry and newt gingrich all start bus tours. as for mitt romney, he will arrive in iowa for an event this evening and begin his three-day bus tour tomorrow. ron paul is considered a serious threat to win in iowa. >>> the washington wizards opened their new abbreviated season last night welcoming the new jersey nets to the verizon center. the nets eventually took the lise. down three in the final seconds, john wall hay chance to tie the game. he decides to drive and ends up turning it over. the wizards lose 90-84. >>> as matt ackland tells us, business was dim booming yesterday. >> reporter: santa is long gone, only his empty chair is left. santa was very busy up to the last moment. >> a lot of last-minute

they found 33-year-old mitchell smith in new jersey. he's in good condition. the went missing two weeks ago that after he boarded an amtrak train at union station. his family did not realize that he had been transferred to north carolina. -- blind man. >>> it is 36 degrees. >> a big change to a new year's eve celebration in alexandria. you will not see any fireworks. >> doing hard time and counting numbers. some prison inmates have found careers as income tax preparers. i sweated the details. all the phone calls, the emails, the lost weekends. and then after twenty-two years, just like that, i was laid off. today there are so many americans like matthew. he worked hard and played by the rules. suddenly, he's out of a job. it's been a struggle not being able to find a job. bubut it's been our faith and family and friends that have helped us get through this. citizens energy was created to help the forgotten ones keep warm. we asked the big oil companies and oil producing nations to help. only c ago and the people of venezuela answered the call. and this year, i

mitchell smith's family left on a train for charlotte december 16th but no one heard from him since. he arrived at the amtrak station in charlotte but never got on the connecting train to birmingham. >>> the search is on in richmond for a man wanted in the murders of two people and the abduction of a toddler. investigators say jamal clemmons shot two people and stole an s.u.v. with a two-year old inside. hours later the s.u.v. was recovered. the boy was in the vehicle and not hurt. police identified the two people shot. they are edward fulmer and robin clap. >>> a connecticut community is still in shock and trying to cope with the death of three children and their grandparents after a christmas day fire. the family was killed after fire swept through the home. mary ann rafferty reports. >> reporter: i have been on this job 38 years. not an easy day. >> reporter: three children and their grand patterns have been killed in a christmas morning house fire in connecticut. >> it was absolutely incredible. you take the towering inferno, any of those, the worst things you have seen in the mo

. >>> a look at our top stories still no sign of mitchell smith, the 33-year-old is blind and has not been seen in 11 days now. smith got on an amtrak train at union station december 16th heading to birmingham alabama. some how he wound up on a train to new orleans instead. one witness says amtrak employees helped smith get off in shower bott lot to wait for another -- charlotte to wait for another train to birmingham but a charlotte police detective is now investigating another lead. >> he said in the confusion, mitchell finally said, i want to go back to washington and amtrak is supposed to have put him back on the train to come here. >> the family is hoping surveillance footage from the train station might help explain what happened. >>> the man accused of murdering two people and abducting a toddler sits behind bars this morning he was taken into custody in richmond late yesterday accused in thechristmas murders, clemens broke into the home, murdered the two and then stole an suv with a 2-year-old in the backseat. the toddler was not hurt and is now back with his family. >>> polic

. >> wizards fans -- the family of 33-year-old mitchell smith of bladensburg has still not heard fromim. they last saw him as he left on an amtrak train for birming happen, alabama. he was completely blinded in a shooting a decade ago. >>> wizard fans booed kris humphries aka, the former mr. kim kardashian. he blows a 21-point lead, they fall to the nets. the wizards visit the hawks tomorrow night. >>> early show begins in just about six minutes. chris wragge is standing by with a preview of what's coming up. >> mike, good morning. shoppers filled the stores the day after christmas looking for discounts. we'll have monday sales figures and show you why retailers are having a good season. we'll take a look at women hitting the shooting range in record numbers. some claim it is for sport. others self-defense. all the women claim they find a focus that's helping to redefine their femininity. my advice to you, stay on their good side. much more coming up on "the early show." >> thank you, chris. we'll have one more check of weather and traffic when 9news now returns. when it comes to gett

his name is mitchell smith. he came to d.c. earlier this month to visit relatives and he was last seen two weeks ago getting on an amtrak train at union station, a train bound for birmingham, alabama. his family says that he got off at an amtrak station in north carolina but they have not heard from him or been able to contact him for ten days now. mr. smith is 33 years old, 5'11", slim build. he carries a red and white cane and sometimes wears dark glasses. if you have any information that could help find him, you're asked to call police. >>> a two-alarm fire damaged one of howard county's oldest running motels. the fire broke out around 9:00 last night at the white elk motel. everyone inside was able to get out. there were no injuries reported. it took about 60 firefighters to get the blaze under control. route 1 was closed for several hours. several apartments or motel rooms rather were damaged. the white elk motel has been in business since the 1950s. >>> friends and family members of a u.s. park police officer who died in

mitchell smith left union station december 16th headed to birmingham, alabama but never made it. his family says amtrak told them that smith took a train to newark, new jersey where he checked into a hospital on the 17th and checked out on the 18th. no word why he went to the hospital. as of now, smith is still missing. >>> we are just days away from the first votes in the republican presidential race and there has been yet another lead change in iowa. >> this morning mitt romney has taken the lead over ron paul and the new numbers show a surprising surge from another g.o.p. candidate. fox 5's sherri ly is live in the newsroom with the latest on this race to the white house. >> reporter: it's not a huge surprise to see lott edging -- mitt romney edging ahead in the polls but a few weeks ago rick santorum's name was hardly mentioned now among the top contenders. new polls show him climbing into third. his visits to all 91 iowa counties now appears to be paying off. it comes at the expense, though of newt gingrich who has fallen into fourth despite being about even in national poll

mitchell smith was taking a train from d.c. to birmingham, alabama.got off the train in charlotte, north carolina, but never arrived in alabama. a new jersey police officer helped smith, who is legally blind, into a cab a few days ago. detectives in new jersey are investigating where smith went during that time, and police in charlotte have closed the case. >>> stood today occupy d.c. and d.c. hunger strikers are joining forces to launch three new initiatives aimed at bringing voting rights to the district of the activists are calling for more people to join the hunger strikes. one protester, adrian parsons, has been consuming only electro-lyte enhanced water and vitamins for three weeks. a few others fasted for shorter periods. the activists are launching an online petition. they're trying to get one signature for every resident in d.c., which is roughly 618,000. they're also proposing a new one cent tax on bottled water that would fund a full-time lobbyist for the district. >>> former house speaker nancy pelosi's daughter says her mother is ready to

mitchell malik smith tomo un tren en union station en washington el 16 de diciembre, pero nunca llegoactado a sus familiares... segun un testigo, el hombre de 33 aÑos, fue visto por ultima vez en un tren rumbo a nueva orleans, y un empleado le dijo que podia bajarse en charlotte y tomar otro tren.. entre toda la confusion, el hombre pidio volver a washington, pero no fue visto mas... las investigaciones continuan... algunos residentes de washington estan impulsando la creacion de un monumento nacional a la primera guerra mundial. la asociacion de los habitantes mas antiguos del distrito sugiere que el sitio sea ubicado en el parque pershing de la avenida pensilvania. la primera guerra mundial es el unico conflicto mayor del siglo veinte que no tiene un monumento en washington. existe un monumento para combatientes, residentes del distrito y una propuesta de ley en el congreso busca designar el mismo, como monumento nacional. la unica hispana que conforma la junta escolar de arlington virginia, ha anunciado que se postulara a la re-eleccion.. emma violand -sanchez trabajo casi cuatro a

mitchell smith was last seen taking a train from d.c. to birmingham, alabama. police say he got off the train in charlotte, north carolina, but never arrived in alabama. a new jersey police officer helped smith, who is legally blind, into a cab a few days ago. detectives in new jersey are investigating where smith went during that time. the police in charlotte have closed the missing person case. >>> today d.c. officials will announce major progress in reducing violent crime. the district is set to have its lowest homicide rate in nearly 50 years. right now there have been 108 homicides, the lowest since the early 1960s. that's a far cry from 1991, where there were 479 homicides. d.c. mayor vincent gray and police chief cathy lanier say the dramatic drop in murders is in part due to what they call community policing as well as strong leadership in traditionally more violent neighborhoods. >>> d.c. will have to shell out more than $1 million as a result of a supreme court case over guns in the district. in 2003, dick heller sued the city, saying that the ban on o

mitchell smith left union station in d.c. december 16th headed on a train to birmingham, alabama but he never made it. his family says amtrak told them smith ended up taking a train to newark, new jersey where he checked into a hotel on the 17th and checked out on the 18th. no word why he went to the hospital. as of now, smith is still missing. >>> d.c.'s homicide rate on track to be the latest it has been in decades. >>> a win for a man who fade headlines for challenging the -- who made headline for challenging the district's gun laws but he says it is not enough. we're back in a minute.  >>> a judge has ordered the district of columbia to pay more than a million dollars in attorney's fees and spents to dick heller. he is the man who sued the city back in 2003 over the ban on handgun ownership. that was ultimately overturned by the u.s. supreme court, overturned in 2008. heller said he was surprised by the amount he had been asking for over $3 million. >>> the district is on track to end 2011 with its lowest homicide

. >>> still no sign of a disabled man from maryland, mitchell malik smith got on an amtrak train in union station 11 days ago heading to birmingham, alabama, but wound up on a train to new orleans. one witness says amtrak employees helped smith get off in charlotte to wait for another train to birmingham. a charlotte police detective is investigating a new lead that smith wanted to go back to washington. >>> the edge on virginia where police and bank officials are scratching their heads tonight, this after a modern day hole in the wall gang robbed a bank in a most elaborate and seemingly sophisticated caper. fox 5's bob barnard is live in woodbridge with the story. reporter: this happened late saturday night, early sunday morning about the time santa was making his rounds. some bank bandits were busy right here right behind that wall there to the right of the atms construction crews spending much of the day repairing a big hole in the interior wall. that separates a vacant business to the right from this bank here. that's how the robbers got to the backs of those two atms to steal a large

mitchell malik smith is blind and his family is worried sick. fox 5's roz plater with the details. >> he boarded the train at union station on the 16th. he had a ticket to birmingham, but that evening he somehow got on a train bound for new orleans. a virginia woman who sat across the aisle from him tells fox 5 she heard amtrak employees tell him he could get off at charlotte and catch another train hours later to birmingham. the passenger said she watched workers help him off the train in charlotte. police visitingors say in confusion he asked to take a train -- investigators say in confusion he asked to take a train back to d.c., but no one has seen him ever since. >> in order for him to get on or off the train, he has to have assistance. we assumed it was amtrak who helped him on and off. >> the knowing anything, you want to know -- not knowing anything, you want to know where, what, if he's okay and as i say, that's what's so surprising to me. if he is okay, why hasn't he called? >> a spokesperson from amtrak says they will look into, it but

mitchell malik smith's family hopes he would contact them somehow during the holiday, but it didn't happenpolice in charlotte, north carolina are looking into the case because they believe smith may have gotten off the train there on his way to birmingham, alabama. >> there was confusion. he said send me back to dc. now, amtrak says they put him on a train back to dc. and we have heard nothing from him. >> smith has been completely blind since becoming a victim of a shooting in prince george's county a decade ago. he also suffers from bouts of depression. his family just wants to find him. >>> tonight the washington wizards were finally back in action at dc's verizon center and for businesses in that area, a big relief. this year's nba lockout took a toll on the shops, bars and restaurants that dot the landscape around the arena. the wizards draw an average 16,000 fans at each game. fans that were missed the past few weeks when the nba season was in limbo. >> there is definitely a noticeable spike when the wizards play next door. >> we're very excited to have it all back. >> businesses are

mitchell malek smith needs help getting off and on the amtrak train. the family needs your help knowing what happened to him. >> not knowing anything. we want to know where, what if he's okay and that is what is surprising to me. if he is okay, why hasn't he calld? >> reporter: mitchell is legally blind. the grandmother in maryland and the rest of the family spent christmas worrying. you see back on december 16th, relatives dropped mitchell off at d.c.'s union station for a trip home to alabama. a route he took many times. >> there seems to be a bit of a problem of the woman who was from amtrak was talking to him and seemed he wanted to go is to alabama but the train we were on didn't go there. >> reporter: jane campbell lives in woodbridge, virginia, and she was on the train headed to atlanta. she said an a.m. track employee told mitchell he could get off at the train station in charlotte, north carolina, and wait five hours for a different train to alabama. >> i thought it was too bad it happened that way. that it was not the right train and wonders

. >> mitchell smith is blind, has been missing for 10 days now and his family is plenty worried. >> you know, he is not knowing anything. he want to know where, what if he is okay. and as i say, that is what is so surprising to me, if he is okay why hasn't he called. >> relatives dropped him off at union station the evening of december 16th he had a ticket to birmingham a route he had taken many times before they turned him over to amtrak red caps who usual lies sort him to the train >> he has to haveassistance and get off the train he has to have assistance. we assumed it was amtrak who helped him on and off. >> that evening something went wrong he wound up on a train headed to new orleans instead a virginia woman who was a passenger on the train tells fox 5 she heard amtrak employees tell him he could get off in charlotte and wait several hours for the next train to birmingham then she watched them help him off the train at the charlotte stop. now a charlotte police detective is investigating another new lead >> he said that in the confusion, he said i want to go back to washington an

mitchell malik smith has been missing since december 16.is family is growing more worried everyday.:37 "not knowing anything.... why haan't he called."relatives say they dropped him off at union station in washington d-c... with a ticket for birmingham, alabama. since he's blind, he was placed in the care of amtrak workers. 01:00 "in order for him to get onto the train... helped him off." but smith somehow ended up on a train bound for new orleans instead. a nearby passenger heard amtrak employees tell station in charlotte and wait until the next train out to birmingham. then - the witness says - they escorted him off.now, a detective in charlotte is investigating. 01:37 "and he said in the confusion ... to come here." but it's been eleven days now and still - no sign of him. 01:58 "we have a human being missing who's dependent... that's a little disturbing." still, they hold out hope... for a safe return home.melinda roeder, fox 45 news at ten. amtrak is now searching through surveillance videos recorded at amtrak stations... hoping to hel

surveillance video might help explain what happened to a missing disabled man. 33-year-old mitchell malik smith is blind and hasn't been seen for 11 days. relatives say they dropped him off at union station on december 16th to catch a train heading to birmingham, alabama. but somehow he wound up on a train headed to new orleans. one witness says amtrak employees helped smith get off in charlotte to wait for a train to birmingham. a charlotte police detective is now investigating a new lead that smith wanted to go back to washington. >>> still ahead, a terrorist group claiming responsibility this morning for last week's deadly attacks around baghdad. >>> and what to expect in the coming year on the jobs front. we'll get an idea from a leading economist. >>> a utah family sure to never forget this christmas. and that is why. a surprise gift. relatively calm though.  >>> investigators could know by today what caused the deadly christmas day house fire in stamford, connecticut. three children and their grandparents were killed during that fire. the fire chief said it and the grandfather tri

mitchell malik smith is blind, has been missing for 10 days now and his family is plenty worried. >> not knowing anything, you want to know where, what, if he's okay and as i say, that's what's so surprising to me. if he is okay, why hasn't he called? reporter: relatives say they dropped him off at union station the evening of december 16th. he had a ticket to birmingham, a route he'd taken many times before. they turned him over to amtrak red caps who usually escort him to the train. >> in order for him to get on the train, he has to have assistance. for him to get off the train, he has to have assistance and we assumed it was amtrak who helped him on, it was amtrak who helped him off. reporter: but that evening something went wrong. smith wound up on a train headed to new orleans instead. a virginia woman who was a passenger on that train tells fox 5 she heard amtrak employees tell him he could get off in charlotte and wait several hours for the next train to birmingham. then the witness says she watched them help him off the train at the charlotte stop. now his family says a charl

mitchell malik smith is blind. he boarded a train heading for birmingham. somehow, he ended up on a train to new orleans ample virginia woman says she saw amtrak employees help him off of the train in charlotte. he then asked to take the train back to d.c. and he has not been seen six. >> hard n. order to him to get on the train, haze to have assistance. for him to get off the train, haze too have assistance. assumed that it was amtrak would helped him off and on. >> it is not knowing anything. you want to know where, what, if he is okay. and that is what is so surprising to me. fess okay, why hasn't he called? >> the family is hoping surveillance video from the train stations can help solve this mystery. we reached out to amtrak a spokesperson says they would look into the footage but so far there has not been a formal missing person report filed with amtrak police. >>> prince george's countiy police need your help solving a christmas day murder. 23-year-old quinton perry, jr. was found shot at an intersection on southview drive in oxon hill around 11:00 s

mitchell and david breakdown the heartbreaker. >>> up next, goodwill hunting, why more and more people are looking for perfect holiday gift at a well-known that resist shop -- thrift shop. i'm samuel smithm steven city, virginia. currently deployed to afghanistan. i want to say happy holidays to my wife michelle, i love you baby, i'll be home soon. >>> it is green monday. not for tree hugging but for online shopping and shipping. cyber shoppers are placing orders to make sure gifts arrive in time for the holidays and online sales are up 15% this year. fedex expects to move 17 million of those packages just today. the company says shipments are up more than 10% from last year, fedex and other express delivery services have hired a record number of seasonal workers to handle the load. >>> the holiday shopping season is off to a robust start at a place you might not expect. thrift stores. goodwill of greater washington had its biggest black friday in years. i went out to one location to find out what is really driving people to this discount retailer in droves. >> good morning, how are you all? welcome. >> reporter: perhaps it is the way debra jackson greets each person who enters this arl