Metro Briefs

DISTRICT

Cancer walk nets $4.9 million

Organizers said that the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer this past weekend raised $4.9 million, the most money in the event’s history.

About 3,500 participants from 40 states walked 39.3 miles during the two-day event to raise money for breast-cancer awareness, treatment and research.

MARYLAND

OCEAN CITY

Nightclub brawl leads to 10 arrests

Ocean City police arrested 10 people after a brawl outside Seacrets Night Club that left four officers with minor injuries.

Police said several hundred people were fighting and disorderly outside about 2 a.m. Saturday. More than 20 officers, including handlers using police dogs, helped Seacrets’ security.

One police dog’s handler was punched, and the handler’s dog bit Bruce Planter of Berlin. He is charged with assaulting an officer and drug possession.

He and two other suspects were taken to a hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

In addition to Mr. Planter, nine people faced charges including disorderly conduct, failure to obey a police officer and obstructing and hindering.

BALTIMORE

Woman killed over cigarette

Baltimore police said a city woman was fatally shot in the head after she and her companion refused to give a man a cigarette.

The shooting happened shortly before 1 a.m. Saturday in the 500 block of Brunswick Street.

Police said Dawn Shipley, 29, and the male friend were approached by a man asking for a cigarette. When he was refused, police say the man drew a gun and shot Miss Shipley. Her friend was not hurt.

Miss Shipley died later at an area hospital.

Her loved ones held a candlelit vigil Sunday at the location where the shooting took place.

COLLEGE PARK

4 superdelegates will back Obama

Four Maryland superdelegates officially announced yesterday their support for Barack Obama in his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination, including two who previously had not said whom they were supporting.

Michael Cryor, the state’s Democratic Party chairman, and Lauren Glover, first vice chairwoman of the state party, announced their support for the Illinois senator.

Maryland has a total of 27 superdelegates. The party chose two add-on delegates Saturday: former Gov. Parris N. Glendening and former Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, who is backing Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.

BALTIMORE

Teen convicted of rape, murder

A Baltimore teen was convicted of first-degree murder and rape in the slaying of a 4-year-old girl whom he was baby-sitting.

Ronald Hinton, 16, was found guilty yesterday morning in the rape and death of Ja’Niya Williams.

Hinton was indicted in July 2006 for the crime committed when he was 14. The girl — who was Hinton’s cousin — died two days after the assault and abuse in June 2006.

Hinton called 911 saying the girl had fallen. But authorities found the girl facedown, unconscious and bleeding. Investigators say the girl was sexually assaulted, beaten with a belt and bitten.

The jury deliberated less than three hours.

From wire dispatches and staff reports