DISTRICT BRIEFING

Saturday, April 12, 2008

SCHOOLS

Ballou Band in Macy's Parade

A District high school marching band has been selected for the first time to play in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, officials said yesterday.

The Marching Knights of Frank W. Ballou High School will travel to New York and play in the 2009 parade.

Robin Hall, executive producer of the parade, came to the Southeast Washington high school yesterday to make the surprise announcement before the entire student body, which was seated in bleachers on the football field.

Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D), Schools Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee and council member Marion Barry (D-Ward 8) praised band members during the announcement.

Each parade takes more than a year to plan and attracts more than 3.5 million viewers, officials said.

Hall said the band, headed by director Darrell Watson, was chosen because of its "superior musical ability, marching and performance skills."

-- Theola Labbé

CRIME

Man Slain by Officer Identified

D.C. police yesterday identified Chandler Jones as the man who was shot and killed by an off-duty officer Wednesday.

Jones, 35, did not have a permanent address, police said.

The shooting happened about 12:30 a.m. at a gas station in the 900 block of Brentwood Road NE.

Police said that Jones was armed and that he attempted to rob the officer.

The 53-year-old officer, who has been on the force for 33 years, was placed on paid administrative leave while the case is investigated.

Police have not released his name.

-- Allison Klein

Blockade Doesn't Yield Suspect

D.C. police searching for a man wanted in an assault case set up a barricade yesterday outside an apartment complex in Northwest Washington, but, after five hours, they did not find the suspect.

The search began about 11 a.m. at Second and W streets near Howard University, when police thought a man they were looking for went inside the building.

The police left about 4 p.m. when they realized the man was not there.

-- Allison Klein