Rondell Henry, 32, of Germantown, Maryland, pleaded guilty in August to attempting to perform an act of violence at Dulles International Airport in Virginia. U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis agreed to sentence Henry to the jail time that he already has served since his March 2019 arrest.

Accepting terms recommended by both prosecutors and defense attorneys, the judge also sentenced Henry to lifetime supervised release with mandatory participation in a mental health treatment program.

“It’s an unusual resolution for a highly unusual case,” Xinis said.

Henry, then 28, abandoned his plan to plow a stolen U-Haul van into pedestrians at the airport because he didn’t think the early-morning crowd was large enough, prosecutors said. Police arrested Henry after he parked the truck at National Harbor, a popular waterfront destination in Maryland just outside the nation’s capital.

Henry didn’t harm anybody at either location, but a prosecutor has said that he intended to kill as many “disbelievers” as possible. Henry’s plans were inspired by the July 2016 truck attack by an Islamic State group sympathizer who killed 86 people and injured hundreds of others celebrating Bastille Day in Nice, France, according to prosecutors.

Henry’s case remained in limbo for years amid questions about his mental competency. Last year, his attorneys notified the court that he intended to pursue an insanity defense.

Henry ultimately agreed to plead guilty to a felony that carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years. But prosecutors and defense attorneys agreed that an appropriate sentence for Henry would be time served and lifetime supervised release with mandatory mental health treatment and compliance with prescribed medication.

“This had the potential to cause mass death, mass casualties, as well as widespread fear,” said a prosecutor, Jessica Collins.

Defense attorney Ned Smock said after the hearing that he doesn’t know how long it will take for Henry to be released from custody.

“This is by no means a lenient outcome,” said Smock, an assistant federal public defender. “Everybody is on board with the idea that this is an appropriate sentence.”

Henry told the judge that he feels “much better” and is committed to getting the mental health treatment that he needs. He said he is looking forward to being reunited with his family, including his mother, stepfather and sister.

“This is the most important thing to me,” he added.

Several months before his arrest, Henry began experiencing symptoms of schizophrenia and having delusional and paranoid thoughts, according to his attorneys. They say he now takes daily medication to treat his mental health condition and hasn’t been experiencing any delusional thoughts or hallucinations.

“His family is thrilled to report that he is himself again,” his lawyers wrote. “He is anxious to return to work, his family, and the law-abiding life he was leading before his mental health deteriorated.”

Henry admits that he stole a U-Haul van from a parking garage in Alexandria, Virginia, and drove it around the Washington area overnight. On the morning of March 27, 2019, he drove it to Dulles International Airport.

Henry later told investigators that he went to the airport because he “was trying to hurt people there” and “was going to try to drive through a crowd of people” but left because “there wasn’t a big enough crowd” at the airport, according to prosecutors.

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“Henry instead entered the terminal building, where he attempted to tail another individual into a restricted area of the airport but was prevented from doing so,” prosecutors wrote.

Henry left the airport and drove to National Harbor, where he parked the van and slept on somebody else’s private boat. Police arrested him the next morning after they found the vehicle and saw Henry jump over a security fence.

Henry was charged in 2019 with attempting to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, the Islamic State group. His lawyers say the evidence doesn’t show that Henry was “acting to support an extremist organization.”

Prosecutors have said Henry watched Islamic State group propaganda videos of foreign terrorists beheading civilians. His phones contained images of the IS flag, the October 2018 shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, and the man who carried out the 2016 Pulse nightclub massacre in Orlando, Florida.

Henry had discarded one of his phones on a Maryland interstate in an apparent attempt to destroy evidence.

Xinis ruled in February 2020 that Henry was not competent to stand trial. She repeatedly extended his court-ordered hospitalization.

But the judge ruled in May 2022 that Henry had become mentally competent to stand trial, could understand the charges against him and was capable of assisting in his defense.

Henry is a naturalized U.S. citizen who moved to the country from Trinidad and Tobago when he was a teenager. He worked as an IT service desk technician.

His attorneys said sentencing him to time served — over four years and six months — “is by no means lenient” considering his lack of criminal record and the hardships of being jailed during the COVID-19 pandemic and transferred between prison facilities.

“Mr. Henry was not a threat to the public prior to this episode and he will never again pose any threat now that he is connected with services that will provide the treatment and medication that he needs,” they wrote.

Montgomery County police and fire rescue personnel were called to the crash in the southbound lanes of MD 355/Frederick Road between Gunners Branch Road and Plummer Drive around 9:45 p.m.

The victim, 28-year-old David Glenn Jenkins II of Germantown, suffered life-threatening injuries and did not survive, authorities said. 

Witnesses say Jenkins was crossing the road when he was hit. Others said the impact was so intense, they heard it from down the block.

The driver remained on the scene. 

The crash happened just two blocks from a school bus stop on Wheatfield Drive that had unnerved parents reaching out to local authorities. Parents said the spot is dangerous because of its location on the busy stretch of MD 355, where drivers frequently speed past.

“The speed limit is like 45 mph, but if you see, they’re not running like 45 mph, they’re probably like top of the 50s,” father Ricardo Aparicio said.  

“Last school year we had a mom who got hit by a car trying to prevent a child from running into the road,” Montgomery County School Board member Grace Rivera Oven said.

It is unclear if the driver who hit the cyclist will face charges. Montgomery County police continue to investigate and are looking into the possibility other cars may have been involved.

This is a developing story. Refresh for updates.

Cyprian Nwaigwe, 28, was with a group of four people being asked to leave at closing just after midnight Monday when he got into a fight with a 23-year-old security guard, according to charging documents.

Nwaigwe shot the guard in the back, charging documents say, and the bullet went through him and struck an 18-year-old employee in the leg.

The employees were taken to a hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

Nwaigwe drove away from the scene.

Police identified him as a suspect and arrested him about 1 a.m. Wednesday in Ocean City with help from the Ocean City Police Department.

Nwaigwe was charged with two counts of attempted second-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault and two counts of firearm use in felony violent crime. He is in custody in Montgomery County awaiting a bond hearing.  

In a statement to News4 Tuesday, Topgolf said, in part, “We’re aware of the incident that occurred at our Germantown venue last night and are working with the local authorities. We’re unable to comment further at this time given the ongoing nature of the police investigation. However, we commend our teams for acting swiftly and safely in response to the situation.”

Topgolf is a popular entertainment venue with a restaurant, bar and hitting bays, where visitors play a golfing game. The Germantown location closes at midnight. Guns and weapons are not allowed inside, according to a sign posted at the entrance.

The venue was open for business several hours after the shooting on Tuesday. A regular who came to use a hitting bay said he was surprised.

“Honestly, I never had any idea that such a thing even happened at a Topgolf,” he said. “That’s not really like the first thing that comes to mind when I’m coming to such a place. Thinking, ‘Oh, wait, what could happen if someone brings a gun?’”

Officers responded to reports of a shooting at the venue in the 20100 block of Century Boulevard just after midnight, according to Montgomery County police.

After an initial investigation, police believe a male shot the two employees after an argument.

The two victims, age 18 and 23, were taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The 18-year-old was shot in the leg, and the 23-year-old was shot in the upper body, police said.

The shooter drove away from the scene. Information on his vehicle was not immediately released.

“We’re collecting the evidence and speaking with witnesses,” said Officer Carlos Cortes, of the police department. “This is very concerning to us, because more people could’ve been hurt, and people could’ve been killed here.”

Detectives are working to learn whether the shots were fired inside the front door or outside. They’re reviewing surveillance footage.

In a statement to News4 Topgolf said, in part: “We’re aware of the incident that occurred at our Germantown venue last night and are working with the local authorities. We’re unable to comment further at this time given the ongoing nature of the police investigation. However, we commend our teams for acting swiftly and safely in response to the situation.”

Topgolf is a popular entertainment venue with a restaurant, bar and hitting bays, where visitors play a golfing game. The Germantown location closes at midnight. Guns and weapons are not allowed inside, according to a sign posted at the entrance.

The venue was open for business several hours after the shooting on Tuesday. A regular who came to use a hitting bay said he was surprised.

“Honestly, I never had any idea that such a thing even happened at a Topgolf,” he said. “That’s not really like the first thing that comes to mind when I’m coming to such a place. Thinking, ‘Oh, wait, what could happen if someone brings a gun?’”

Police are searching for the suspect. Anyone with potentially relevant information is asked to contact police.

This is a developing story. Stay with News4 for updates.

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Rescue personnel responded to a crash involving a pedestrian on Wisteria Drive near Great Seneca Highway, at about 9 p.m., according to a Montgomery County police statement.

Investigators said the teen was crossing Wisteria Drive when he was struck by an Acura.

The victim was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. He is 15 years old, according to police.

The crash occurred near Seneca Valley High School.

Montgomery County Public Schools told News4 the teenager is a student at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School. They said counseling services will be available for students on Wednesday.

Two miles away from the crash at Ronald McNair Elementary School, students were learning about pedestrian safety during “Walking Wednesday.” The event is hosted by the Montgomery County Department of Transportation.  

“Just ways to identify where those crosswalks are, and to make sure they are listening to the adults in the community, whether it be a crossing guard or a parent that’s helping them walk,” Physical Education Teacher Jessica Rodgers said.

She also stressed the importance of instilling pedestrian safety awareness at a young age.

“Just making sure they’re doing this at a safe time and obeying all of the street signs,” Rodgers said. “And making sure they are staying on sidewalks; they are not in the road.”

Wisteria Drive was closed to traffic following the crash.

Police said the driver of the car cooperated with officers at the scene.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

This is a developing story. Stay with News4 for more updates.

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Just after 2 p.m., the officer saw the suspect while responding to a report of a theft at the Wegmans on Seneca Meadows Parkway, Montgomery County police said.

The officer ran after the suspect on foot, but the suspect managed to get into a vehicle and began to drive off, police said. That’s when the vehicle dragged the officer, who was holding onto the suspect, for a short distance, police said.

The officer suffered minor injuries, police said.

Police said the suspect got away.

No further information was provided about what the suspect allegedly took from the store and police haven’t yet given a description of him.

Editor’s Note: Police originally said the suspect rammed the officer’s cruiser.

Stay with News4 for updates to this developing story.

The baby’s mother, Alexa Almonte, delivered her along southbound I-270 in Germantown, Maryland, at about 2 a.m., just 30 minutes after experiencing signs of labor, according to the release from Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center.

Almonte named the baby Valentina, which means “healthy and strong,” she said. Valentina is Almonte’s third child; she also has two sons.

Valentina weighed in at 7 pounds, 15 ounces and is 21 inches long, the release said.

Mom and baby were receiving care at Shady Grove’s Birth Center and are doing well.

“God was very intentional in how he picked her to come,” Almonte said.

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Officers found the 16-year-old boy in the 13300 block of Demetrias Way about 4:15 p.m., Montgomery County police said. Medics took him to a hospital.

Two possible suspects were seen running from the area, police said.

Police have not arrested any suspects.

No further information was immediately available.

Stay with News4 for updates to this developing story.

The water main issues were first reported at about 3 p.m. Tuesday. Crews are working to repair the water main by digging out and replacing a 24-inch pipe, according to WSSC Water.

“Fixing a pipe of this size is not a quick fix. We appreciate your patience as our work continues thru [through] the night,” WSSC tweeted.

One lane is open to two-way traffic on Clopper Road between Waring Station and Mateny roads. News4’s traffic reporter Melissa Mollet recommends taking Seneca Highway during the morning commute.

“Avoid this area if you can! Your best alternate? Great Seneca Highway to the south or I-270 to the north,” Mollet tweeted.

The outage could affect fire hydrants and water pressure, according to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue. They said they water tankers in the area as a precaution.

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Authorities were called to reports of a traffic collision involving a truck and a Jeep at about 11:15 p.m. Saturday on Route 355 Frederick Road near Plummer Drive, the Montgomery County Police Department said in statement.

A male passenger of the Jeep was pronounced dead at the scene and has yet to be identified. The driver of the Jeep was transported to a hospital with not life-threatening injuries, according to police.

The driver and passenger of the truck were taken to a hospital for minor injuries.

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue tweeted photos that show a truck appearing to have crashed through the front yard of a home.

A traffic advisory was issued due to blocked lanes from the incident.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

This is a developing story. Stay with News4 for more updates.

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