Metro Briefs

DISTRICT

Police ID victim in diner shooting

Police yesterday released the name of a man who was killed early Friday at the 24-hour Steak and Egg restaurant in Northwest.

Metropolitan Police spokesman Sgt. Joe Gentile said Michael Richardson, 30, of Northwest, was killed after an argument between two persons led to gunfire at about 2:30 a.m. Friday. Mr. Richardson was shot and died at an area hospital.

Sgt. Gentile said the investigation is ongoing.

D.C. Council member Jim Graham, Ward 1 Democrat, called for the city to close the restaurant. He said it’s the second shooting reported there since March.

MARYLAND

BELCAMP

New BRAC employers trickle into county

The first new employers moving into Harford County as part of the military’s Base Realignment and Closure plan have begun to arrive.

Mitre Corporation, a nonprofit technology firm, plans to open an office tomorrow in Belcamp, about five miles south of Aberdeen Proving Ground.

Mitre officials say there will be just eight employees in the office to start, but the number will increase over the next three or four years as the Army transfers jobs to Aberdeen from Fort Monmouth in New Jersey.

According to the Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore, at least two other defense contractors have already opened or acquired offices outside the proving ground.

Booze Allen Hamilton has leased new offices in the area, while contractor EG&G has opened a small office in Harford.

BALTIMORE

Man charged in death over tire-rim theft

A homeowner accused of fatally shooting a man who tried to steal the rims off his luxury car is charged with second-degree murder.

Charles Brockington, 47, was taken into custody Friday. He was ordered held without bail and will have a bail review tomorrow.

According to charging documents, Mr. Brockington spotted Joseph Johnson, 29, removing the tires from his 2006 Mercedes, which was parked in front of Mr. Brockington’s home. Mr. Brockington confronted Mr. Johnson, then reportedly shot him as Mr. Johnson drove away. Mr. Johnson crashed his car and died later at a hospital.

Along with second-degree murder, Mr. Brockington is charged with using a handgun in a crime of violence.

BEL AIR

Judge tosses suit over ’robo calls’

A Harford County judge dismissed a lawsuit seeking to end automated political “robo calls.”

Judge William Carr ruled last week that candidates can’t be sued for the actions of their campaign committees.

Consumer lawyer Michael Worsham of Forest Hill filed the suit in November after he said he received a string of calls with recorded messages from political candidates, including former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr.

Judge Carr ruled that the Harford County court did not have jurisdiction over federal and state communications-law violations. He also sided with lawyers for the defendants, who said they couldn’t be held responsible for the actions of their campaign groups.

VIRGINIA

HAMPTON

Woman gives child cocaine cocktail

A woman is charged with child abuse after police say she mixed cocaine and water in a glass and gave it to her 6-year-old son to drink.

Sarah Letha Ezzell, 23, was jailed without bond after being arrested Thursday on charges of felony child abuse and adulterating a drink.

Miss Ezzell’s roommate called police Wednesday night after she said she saw Miss Ezzell mix the drink and hand it to the boy, who drank at least some of it, police said.

The child was taken to the hospital where a test found cocaine in his system. He was treated and released from the hospital without injury.

Police said a relative is now caring for the child.

“I asked her what she was doing and she said, ’Don’t worry about it,’ ” said Miss Ezzell’s roommate, Stacey Daddysman.

Miss Daddysman said she has no idea what would have prompted her roommate to purportedly drug the boy.

Miss Ezzell is scheduled for a bond hearing on Tuesday.

From wire dispatches and staff reports