Latest news with #AmirJalilAli
CBS News
4 days ago
- CBS News
Boyfriend charged with murder 30 years after D.C. police officer gave ominous warning: "You'll know he killed me"
A man charged this week with fatally shooting a police officer in her Maryland home nearly 30 years ago was the officer's live-in boyfriend and had blamed her 1995 killing on a burglary, police officials said Wednesday. Amir Jalil Ali, who was arrested Tuesday on a first-degree murder charge, initially was charged in 1995 with killing 24-year-old Denna Fredericka Campbell, an officer for the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C. But the charges against him were dropped two months later by prosecutors in Maryland's Montgomery County. Montgomery County State's Attorney John McCarthy said he can't explain why the charges were dropped in 1995, when his office was led by a predecessor. "I was not privy to, nor do I know, what the conversation was regarding why the charges were dropped at that point in time," McCarthy told reporters at a news conference. Campbell, a four-year MPD veteran, was shot five times in her Silver Spring, Maryland, apartment. Her department-issued handgun was missing and hasn't been found. An autopsy revealed Campbell also had defensive wounds, indicating she fought her assailant, CBS affiliate WUSA-TV reported. Court documents say when police asked for Ali's clothes for evidence, they noticed he had scratches on his back, and a large rip in his T-shirt, the station reported. "While this arrest won't erase the pain of losing Denna, we hope that it brings some resolution and sense of peace to everyone involved," Montgomery County Police Chief Marc Yamada said. Ali, 62, of Laurel, Maryland, was known as Kenneth Burnell Wonsom at the time of the killing. He legally changed his name in 2021, police said. Ali told investigators that he had left their apartment after 3 a.m. on Sept. 16, 1995, to go to a store and found her body when he returned home, a police report says. Ali called 911 to report a burglary and said his girlfriend had been shot, according to the report. Officers who worked with Campbell told police detectives that she was afraid of her boyfriend and had been sleeping with her department-issued weapon under her pillow, the report says. Campbell said she planned to leave Ali, adding, "If I don't show up for work Saturday, you'll know he killed me and buried me somewhere," one of those colleagues told investigators. "She was ... so full of life," a Seventh District officer told The Washington Post after her murder. "We treated her like a little sister ... She was 24, but to look at her, you would have thought she was a teenager." Detectives didn't find any evidence of a burglary at Campbell's apartment and believe she was shot with her own gun, according to the report. Based on DNA evidence, investigators believe Ali was bleeding after an altercation with Campbell. Ali remained jailed on Wednesday pending a bond hearing in a county court. Online court records don't identify an attorney representing him. Montgomery County Police Detective Paula Hamill said she spoke to Campbell's father on Tuesday and told him about Ali's arrest. "And the only words that he could get out were 'thank God,'" Hamill added. "It was a long time coming." MPD Executive Assistant Chief Andre Wright said Campbell had a promising career ahead of her but had already proved herself to be "a hero in the community she served." "In 1993, she selflessly pulled four victims out of a burning van on Pennsylvania Avenue," Wright said. "Those actions proved Officer Campbell was ready to place the safety of those in the community above herself."
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Boyfriend charged with fatally shooting DC cop nearly 30 years ago
The boyfriend of a police officer who was found shot to death in her Maryland apartment nearly 30 years ago has been charged with her murder again, decades after the case against him was previously dropped, authorities said Wednesday. Officer Denna Fredericka Campbell, 24, was found dead in the White Oak apartment she shared with her boyfriend on Sept. 16, 1995, according to police. The four-year veteran of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department had been shot five times, police said. Her department-issued handgun was missing from the apartment and was never found, police said. Her boyfriend, Amir Jalil Ali, told police that he found Campbell unresponsive upon returning from a store, according to the Montgomery County Department of Police. He called 911 to report that his girlfriend had been shot during a burglary, police said. Ali -- who was known by the name Kenneth Burnell Wonsom at the time -- was initially charged with murder in 1995, though the case was dropped two months later, police said. MORE: Cold case murder solved 40 years after Utah teenager killed after hitchhiking to work: Police The 62-year-old Ali has been newly charged with first-degree murder in her death, according to Montgomery County Department of Police Chief Marc Yamada. He was taken into custody on Tuesday in Laurel, police said. "This arrest closes one of the longest-standing cold cases for our department," Yamada said during a press conference on Wednesday. "While this arrest won't erase the pain of losing Denna, we hope that it does bring some resolution or sense of peace," he added. Ali is being held in the Montgomery County Detention Center, police said. Montgomery County State's Attorney John McCarthy said he doesn't know why his predecessor initially dropped the case against Ali. "The decision was made not to proceed in that matter," McCarthy said during Wednesday's press briefing. "I was not privy to, nor do I know, what the conversation was regarding why the charges were dropped at that point in time." McCarthy did say there has been "a lot more detail" developed by the police department's cold case unit since Ali was initially charged, that "fleshes out this case." The state's attorney was unable to go into the specifics of the case ahead of the suspect's bond hearing. Montgomery County Detective Paula Hamill said investigators have been reexamining the cold case for the past year or so, including conducting new interviews. Detectives spoke to people who were able to shed light on Campbell's life and the "fear that she felt at that time and the concerns that she had" about her boyfriend, Hamill said. Ali's attorney, Richard Finci, countered in a statement that "little has changed" since the initial case against Ali. "The prior Indictment was dismissed by the State due to lack of evidence after Mr. Wonsom was detained for a lengthy period of time and little has changed," Finci said. MORE: Cold case solved over 50 years after a young mom was killed, her 3-year-old daughter left alive Hamill said she was able to speak with Campbell's father on Tuesday about the arrest. "The only words that he could get out were, 'Thank God,'" Hamill said. Her mother died several years after the deadly shooting, Hamill said. Campbell had a "promising career" with the DC police department and was already a "hero in the community" before she was killed, D.C. Metropolitan Police Executive Assistant Chief Andre Wright said Wednesday. "In 1993, she selflessly pulled four victims out of a burning van on Pennsylvania Avenue," he said. "Her actions that day earned her commendation from MPD leaders and praise from her community." Her colleagues remembered her as being "energetic and full of life," Wright said. "We recognize that today's news doesn't bring Officer Campbell back to her family, our community or our department, but we hope this news can bring some form of closure to all of those who have carried the burden of this tragedy for over three decades," he said.
Washington Post
5 days ago
- Washington Post
Boyfriend of D.C. police officer arrested, again, 30 years after her death
On Sept. 13, 1995, D.C. police Officer Denna Campbell reportedly told a co-worker, 'If I don't show up for work Saturday, you'll know he killed me and buried me somewhere.' Campbell was talking about her boyfriend, according to court documents made public Wednesday in Montgomery County, Maryland — and three days after she said that, she was shot to death inside their Montgomery County apartment. The boyfriend — then known as Kenneth Wonsom, who has since changed his name to Amir Jalil Ali — was arrested this week for the second time in her slaying. His first charges in the case, 30 years ago, were dropped by prosecutors.
Toronto Sun
5 days ago
- Toronto Sun
Boyfriend charged with killing police officer in their Maryland home nearly 30 years ago
Published Aug 06, 2025 • 2 minute read This booking photo released by the Montgomery County Police Department in Maryland shows Amir Jalil Ali, 62, who was arrested on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, by Montgomery County Task Force Officers assigned to the US Marshals Fugitive Task Force in Laurel, MD. Photo by HANDOUT / Montgomery County Department of Police GAITHERSBURG, Md. — A man charged this week with fatally shooting a police officer in her Maryland home nearly 30 years ago was the officer's live-in boyfriend and had blamed her 1995 killing on a burglary, police officials said Wednesday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Amir Jalil Ali, who was arrested Tuesday on a first-degree murder charge, initially was charged in 1995 with killing 24-year-old Denna Fredericka Campbell, an officer for the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C. But the charges against him were dropped two months later by prosecutors in Maryland's Montgomery County. Montgomery County State's Attorney John McCarthy said he can't explain why the charges were dropped in 1995, when his office was led by a predecessor. 'I was not privy to, nor do I know, what the conversation was regarding why the charges were dropped at that point in time,' McCarthy told reporters at a news conference. Campbell, a four-year MPD veteran, was shot five times in her Silver Spring, Maryland, apartment. Her department-issued handgun was missing and hasn't been found. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'While this arrest won't erase the pain of losing Denna, we hope that it brings some resolution and sense of peace to everyone involved,' Montgomery County Police Chief Marc Yamada said. Ali, 62, of Laurel, Maryland, was known as Kenneth Burnell Wonsom at the time of the killing. He legally changed his name in 2021, police said. Ali told investigators that he had left their apartment after 3 a.m. on Sept. 16, 1995, to go to a store and found her body when he returned home, a police report says. Ali called 911 to report a burglary and said his girlfriend had been shot, according to the report. Officers who worked with Campbell told police detectives that she was afraid of her boyfriend and had been sleeping with her department-issued weapon under her pillow, the report says. Campbell said she planned to leave Ali, adding, 'If I don't show up for work Saturday, you'll know he killed me and buried me somewhere,' one of those colleagues told investigators. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Detectives didn't find any evidence of a burglary at Campbell's apartment and believe she was shot with her own gun, according to the report. Based on DNA evidence, investigators believe Ali was bleeding after an altercation with Campbell. Ali remained jailed on Wednesday pending a bond hearing in a county court. Online court records don't identify an attorney representing him. Montgomery County Police Detective Paula Hamill said she spoke to Campbell's father on Tuesday and told him about Ali's arrest. 'And the only words that he could get out were 'thank God,'' Hamill added. 'It was a long time coming.' MPD Executive Assistant Chief Andre Wright said Campbell had a promising career ahead of her but had already proved herself to be 'a hero in the community she served.' 'In 1993, she selflessly pulled four victims out of a burning van on Pennsylvania Avenue,' Wright said. 'Those actions proved Officer Campbell was ready to place the safety of those in the community above herself.' RECOMMENDED VIDEO World Celebrity Columnists Golf Television
The Independent
5 days ago
- The Independent
Boyfriend charged with killing police officer in their Maryland home nearly 30 years ago
A man charged this week with fatally shooting a police officer in her Maryland home nearly 30 years ago was the officer's live-in boyfriend and had blamed her 1995 killing on a burglary, police officials said Wednesday. Amir Jalil Ali, who was arrested Tuesday on a first-degree murder charge, initially was charged in 1995 with killing 24-year-old Denna Fredericka Campbell, an officer for the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C. But the charges against him were dropped two months later by prosecutors in Maryland's Montgomery County. Montgomery County State's Attorney John McCarthy said he can't explain why the charges were dropped in 1995, when his office was led by a predecessor. 'I was not privy to, nor do I know, what the conversation was regarding why the charges were dropped at that point in time,' McCarthy told reporters at a news conference. Campbell, a four-year MPD veteran, was shot five times in her Silver Spring, Maryland, apartment. Her department-issued handgun was missing and hasn't been found. 'While this arrest won't erase the pain of losing Denna, we hope that it brings some resolution and sense of peace to everyone involved,' Montgomery County Police Chief Marc Yamada said. Ali, 62, of Laurel, Maryland, was known as Kenneth Burnell Wonsom at the time of the killing. He legally changed his name in 2021, police said. Ali told investigators that he had left their apartment after 3 a.m. on Sept. 16, 1995, to go to a store and found her body when he returned home, a police report says. Ali called 911 to report a burglary and said his girlfriend had been shot, according to the report. Officers who worked with Campbell told police detectives that she was afraid of her boyfriend and had been sleeping with her department-issued weapon under her pillow, the report says. Campbell said she planned to leave Ali, adding, 'If I don't show up for work Saturday, you'll know he killed me and buried me somewhere,' one of those colleagues told investigators. Detectives didn't find any evidence of a burglary at Campbell's apartment and believe she was shot with her own gun, according to the report. Based on DNA evidence, investigators believe Ali was bleeding after an altercation with Campbell. Ali remained jailed on Wednesday pending a bond hearing in a county court. Online court records don't identify an attorney representing him. Montgomery County Police Detective Paula Hamill said she spoke to Campbell's father on Tuesday and told him about Ali's arrest. 'And the only words that he could get out were 'thank God,'' Hamill added. 'It was a long time coming.' MPD Executive Assistant Chief Andre Wright said Campbell had a promising career ahead of her but had already proved herself to be 'a hero in the community she served." 'In 1993, she selflessly pulled four victims out of a burning van on Pennsylvania Avenue,' Wright said. 'Those actions proved Officer Campbell was ready to place the safety of those in the community above herself.'
