Details Emerge in Slaying of 'Inspirational' DC Principal

(April 20) -- As students and administrators throughout the D.C. school system continue to mourn the loss of Principal Brian Betts, found fatally shot in his Silver Spring, Md., home last week, police detectives said today they are homing in on a timeline for the popular middle-school leader's death.

"Detectives have been able to determine that the victim was alive at approximately 11:30 Wednesday night, April 14," reads a Montgomery County Police press release. "It is still unclear what occurred between that time and when the body was discovered."

Betts, 42, was found dead in his residence on April 15, after a co-worker became concerned when Betts failed to show up for work at Shaw Middle School. Upon arriving at Betts' house, the co-worker found the door open; he entered, observed a light on upstairs, and then exited the home and alerted police. Responding officers found Betts deceased.

The medical examiner later ruled the death a homicide by gunshot.

Betts' dark blue Nissan Xterra was found the following day in the 3900 block of Fourth Street SE in Washington, D.C. A witness has come forward to say he had seen two individuals exiting the sport utility vehicle between noon and 3 p.m., Montgomery County police said.

Police, who have been tight-lipped about investigation details, have not provided a description of the people seen getting out of Betts' vehicle.

District of Columbia Public Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee has described Betts as an "inspirational leader" whose loss is felt not only by the Shaw Middle School community, but by all of the D.C. Public Schools.

"Brian Betts had the courage to take on the leadership of a struggling, underachieving DCPS school. He came in the 2008-2009 school year and he brought enthusiasm, love and high expectations for the 300 students at Shaw Middle School at Garnet-Patterson," Rhee said in a statement.

"Brian Betts' death is an incredible loss of a young and dedicated school leader. DCPS extends its deepest sympathies to Brian's family, and to the family he has built at Shaw."

Last week was not the first time tragedy struck at Betts' Columbia Boulevard home. In 2002, prior to Betts' purchase of the residence, it was the scene of a double murder. Then-owner Greg Russell and his 9-year-old daughter, Erika Smith, were shot and killed inside the home; a parolee named Anthony Kelly was later found guilty of the murders.

Capt. Paul Starks of the Montgomery County Police Department was unavailable for comment today; however, in an interview this morning on NBC's "Today" show, he said authorities did not believe there was a connection between Betts' homicide and the 2002 murders.

Starks also said that police do not believe Betts' slaying was a random act, given the fact that the front door was unlocked, there was no sign of forced entry, and the house was not ransacked.

When asked whether he believed Betts knew his killer, Starks said it was a "strong possibility" -- a revelation that has been difficult for Betts' family to accept.

"It's unfathomable to the family that [police] think this is somebody that he knew. It couldn't have been somebody that he knew very well," Betts' sister, Jennifer Altomare, told WJLA.com.

The latest information in the case comes as Betts' family and friends prepare to attend his funeral. A public viewing has been scheduled for Wednesday at Pierce Funeral Home in Manassas, Va.; a private service will be held Thursday.

Anyone with information on Betts' activities after 11:30 p.m. April 14 are asked to call homicide detectives at 240-773-5070. Those wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 866-411-8477.