Authorities responded with a large public meeting at the National Conference Center on March 26 to address resident concerns, and Lansdowners organized a pre-dawn march through the community on March 29 in an attempt to reclaim the safety that they felt before the attack and home invasion.
The Bennetts
William Bennett, 57, and his wife Cynthia, 55, were discovered near the intersection in the early morning hours on Sunday, March 22. Both were the victims of blunt force trauma, but the police have not released a more detailed explanation of their injuries. William Bennett was dead at the time that his body was discovered.
Cynthia Bennett was found across Riverside Parkway in a gulley near the wooded area surrounding Goose Creek—alive, but in critical condition. She was airlifted to a local hospital, where she remains in critical condition. Police have been unable to conduct an interview with her.
The Bennetts were residents of the nearby Potomac Station community. The parents of two adult children, they were both retired military. The Sheriff’s Office has learned that the couple was in the habit of walking in the area every morning.
Within days of the assault, those straining to see a motive into what may or may not be a random assault examined William Bennett’s career. After his military career, Bennett served as a contractor at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). His service to the agency ended in 2000.
It has been reported by outside media sources that during his tenure with the CIA, Bennett was involved in the 1999 accidental NATO bombing of the Chinese embassy in Yugoslavia. Three Chinese citizens were killed in the attack. The CIA later took responsibility for the accident, apparently the result of using maps that were out of date.
The Independent has not confirmed Bennett’s involvement in the bombing, and it remains unclear whether Bennett’s experience with the CIA had any connection to the deadly attack that took his life. Contacted by telephone, a CIA spokesperson stated that the agency had no comment beyond the fact that Bennett had been a contractor for the agency until 2000.
The Community Meeting
Announced shortly before the March 26 community meeting, the “William and Cynthia Bennett Reward Fund” was established by fledgling organization, the Loudoun Crime Commission (LCC). Working in tandem with the Sheriff’s Office and Middleburg Bank, donations are still being accepted at any Middleburg Bank location.
Many of those residents came to the community meeting information of the crime and seeking a way to ensure the safety of themselves and their families—and in the words of participant “To vent and be heard.” Between 800 and 900 local residents filled up the Center’s National Ballroom, each concerned about the safety of the area.
Maj. Larry Beardsley of the LCSO told residents to call the police whenever there is a suspicious circumstance—saying that as residents, they would know when a situation does not “feel right.” He commended the local resident who noticed the suspicious activity of the van in the neighborhood that led to the discovery of the Bennetts, saying the people who called had “Saved Mrs. Bennett’s life.”
During the community meeting, Mike Spak of the LCC told residents that, “Each one of these people (involved in the attacks) told at least one person.” The LCC seeks to take advantage of that possibility with a reward for information that will help the Sheriff’s Office crack the case.
The reward fund is now in excess of $25,000.
A different type of reward was offered to deputies working around-the-clock on the investigation at the stations in Leesburg and at George Washington University. Some Lansdowne residents made donations to purchase food for the deputies, and coordinated donations from Panera, California Tortilla, Starbucks and Costco. These donations were meant to show the community’s appreciation for the Sheriff’s Office’s efforts.
The Investigation
The murder of William Bennett and the assault on Cynthia Bennett remain under investigation by the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office. Numerous tips have been received by the LCSO, and investigators are working each piece of information. Several tips were received at the March 26 public meeting held by the Sheriff’s Office to address public concerns.
The attack was carried out by “three, probably four” individuals who were only briefly seen by a neighbor at the time, said Maj. Beardsley at the meeting. Police were called to the area after receiving a report of a suspicious vehicle, described as a white van without windows on the sides, no company lettering or ladder on the side. The police are on the lookout for similar vehicles.
No information has been released to indicate that the Sheriff’s Office has narrowed the investigation down to a single motive or source, although they are working with several other organizations in the investigation.
Some residents have been attribute to ascribe the attack to a gang, but this theory has not taken hold with the Sheriff’s Office—although the possibility has not been discarded. According to Beardsley, the incident does not appear to be gang related, but it cannot be ruled out.
Despite the serious nature of the two recent incidents, representatives of the Sheriff’s Office have been quick to note that the Lansdowne area remains a relatively safe neighborhood. The following recent crime statistics were presented at the public meeting:
Lansdowne:
- Aggravated Assault= 6
- Rape= 1
- Larceny= 76
- Burglary=9
- Auto Theft= 6
Potomac Station
- Larceny=22
- Burglary=4
- Auto Theft=2
- Aggravated Assault, Rape, Robbery=0
Beardsley answered several questions about the ongoing safety of the neighborhood—many from residents who did not expect this kind of assault in a suburban neighborhood. One resident asked about whether she and her friends were safe, jogging together in the morning—asking what he would advise, “If I were your wife?”
After a few chuckles from the audience, Beardsley responded that his answer would be, “Take a water bottle so you don’t dehydrate.” It was advice that representatives returned to several times: “Be safe, but don’t let the thugs run your life.”
One of the major themes of the public meeting was this…”Don’t hesitate. Don’t doubt yourself. If you see a situation that makes you uncomfortable, call the police.”
Home Invasion Incident
A second disturbing incident followed on Friday, March 27. Two females living in the apartments at Harbor Hills Terrace in Lansdowne did not lock their front door after returning home. Soon afterward, a man wearing a mask forced his way into the apartment, brandishing a firearm. The residents were forced into a laundry room, while additional intruders entered the residence, stealing a laptop, video game system and accessories.
While the victims in the incident were not injured and this home invasion appears unrelated to the Bennett attack, reports of yet another serious crime in the area—coming so soon after the Riverside attack—was enough to keep Lansdowne residents unnerved. But they would respond the following week with a show of compassion, resolve and solidarity.
The March
Within days of the attack on the Bennetts, flowers and memorial had been placed in both spots near where they were found.
Then, exactly one week after the attack, a “Love Thy Neighbor Walk” was held to remember the Bennetts and to allow residents of the area to begin feeling safe in their own neighborhood again. Over 100 people arrived at the Lansdowne Harris Teeter on the morning of March 29. Undeterred by the dark and the drizzling rain, members of the community walked together down Riverside Parkway to scene of the crime—many carrying candles that were left at the makeshift memorials that had arisen at both spots where the victims were found.
Despite the seriousness of the occasion, the mood was not overwhelming as neighbors chatted as they marched, children sleepily held their parents’ hands, and dogs on leashes inspected each other and every passer-by.
At the end of the march, many of the marchers paid their respects at the two locations where the Bennetts were found. Flowers and candles were placed on a makeshift memorial. Speakers included a representative from the Loudoun Crime Commission.
Once Mike Spak had said a few words about the victims, local choir director Felica Crawley sang, “Come by Here, Lord” along with the crowd.
At the end of the event, everyone slowly returned home. They arrived together, but they left in groups of two or three as the morning finally began to lighten. Riverside Parkway has seen suspiciously few early morning walkers in the week since the assault on the Bennetts, but the residents have taken their neighborhood back.
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This homocide on March 26, 2009 also needs to be included in your article.
On March 26, 2009 at approximately 2:54 p.m., Leesburg Police Department officers were dispatched to 110 block of Adams Drive, NE for an unknown situation. Upon arrival, the officers found Jammie Lane, a 44-year-old male, lying on the living room floor.
Mr. Lane had sustained an apparent wound to his lower abdomen area, and was transported to the Loudoun Hospital Center, where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy is being conducted by the Medical Examiners office to determine the exact cause of death.
Members of the department’s Criminal Investigations Section are continuing to investigate this incident, which is now being treated as a homicide. At this time, there is no indication that this incident is connected to the recent homicide and assault that occurred on March 22, 2009 in the Lansdowne area.
The Leesburg Police Department has released information about Lane in hopes that the public can provide information about Lane's activities between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. on the day of his death. Lane, who worked as a landscaper is believed to have been wearing work boots, blue jeans, a grey pullover sweatshirt and a Washington National's baseball cap.