Crime
26-Year-Old William DeFoor Arrested After Attempting to Break Into Vice President JD Vance’s Cincinnati Home
CINCINNATI, Ohio — A man has been taken into custody following a security incident at the Cincinnati residence associated with Vice President JD Vance, according to Cincinnati police and the U.S. Secret Service.
The incident occurred shortly after midnight early Monday morning in the East Walnut Hills neighborhood.
Law enforcement officers and Secret Service agents responded to reports of suspicious activity and property damage at the home.
Officers remained on scene for several hours as they conducted an investigation, with cameras capturing visible damage to multiple exterior windows.
The U.S. Secret Service confirmed that a male suspect was initially detained by Secret Service personnel and later taken into custody by the Cincinnati Police Department (CPD).
Officials stated the suspect was arrested for causing property damage, including breaking windows on the exterior of a personal residence associated with the Vice President.
According to an arrest report, the suspect was identified as 26-year-old William DeFoor of Hyde Park.
In a statement of facts, authorities allege that DeFoor was observed by a Secret Service agent and captured on security video unlawfully entering the property.
Investigators say he damaged four exterior windows and a vehicle while on the premises.
DeFoor has been charged with criminal damaging/endangering, obstructing official business, and criminal trespass, all misdemeanor offenses.
He also faces one count of vandalism, a fifth-degree felony, according to court records.
The Secret Service stated it is coordinating closely with CPD and the U.S. Attorney’s Office as the investigation continues.
Officials confirmed that Vice President Vance and his family were not at the residence at the time of the incident, as they had returned to Washington, D.C., Sunday afternoon following a week-long visit to Cincinnati.
In a statement posted to X, Vice President Vance addressed the incident, expressing gratitude to law enforcement and emphasizing concerns for his family’s privacy:
“I appreciate everyone’s well wishes about the attack at our home. As far as I can tell, a disturbed individual attempted to break in by hammering the windows. I’m grateful to the Secret Service and the Cincinnati police for responding quickly. We weren’t home at the time, having already returned to D.C. One request to the media: we try to protect our children as much as possible from the realities of public service. In that light, I question the news value of widely publishing images of our home showing damage to the windows.”
Court records indicate DeFoor has prior interactions with law enforcement. In 2023, he was arrested for trespassing at UC Health’s Psychiatric Emergency Services building and failing to disclose personal information.
He was later found not competent to stand trial, and those charges were dismissed.
In 2024, DeFoor was charged with two counts of vandalism after allegedly breaking a front window at a Hyde Park business.
Records show he was granted treatment in lieu of conviction, and that treatment was ongoing at the time of this most recent arrest.
Authorities have not released additional details regarding motive, and the case remains under investigation.
Crime
19-Year-Old Peyton Patterson Killed in WSSU Homecoming Shooting; Ziyaire Spinks Charged With Murder
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — A 19-year-old man was killed and a 22-year-old woman was injured in a shooting on the Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) campus during homecoming weekend, according to the Winston-Salem Police Department.
The fatal shooting occurred Saturday night, November 7, 2026, in the 600 block of South Martin Luther King Jr. Drive on the university campus.
Police said officers responded at approximately 9:46 p.m. after receiving reports of gunfire. Officers who were already in the area reportedly heard the shots and immediately moved toward the scene.
Upon arrival, officers found Peyton Izaia Patterson, 19, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Officers began performing lifesaving measures before emergency medical services personnel arrived and continued treatment. Despite those efforts, Patterson succumbed to his injuries.
His next of kin has been notified.
A second victim, identified as Alyssa Janae Ellerbee, 22, was also found suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. She was transported to a local hospital, where she received treatment and was later released.
As the investigation progressed, authorities identified Ziyaire Antonyo Spinks, 20, as a suspect. He was charged with:
- General Murder
- Assault With a Deadly Weapon With Intent to Kill Inflicting Serious Injury (ADWIKISI)
- Felony Possession of a Firearm on Educational Property
Police said Spinks was being held without bond at the time of the announcement.
A second man was also reported to be in custody. However, authorities have not publicly released his name or provided details about any charges against him.
The police department said it would not release a photograph of Spinks because the investigation remains ongoing.
The Winston-Salem Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division has taken over the investigation and continues to examine the circumstances surrounding Patterson’s death and the shooting.
Detectives have determined that the incident was isolated, according to police. Authorities have not released additional information about what led to the gunfire or the circumstances immediately preceding the shooting.
Police said further confirmed information would be released as it becomes available.
The investigation remains active.