Clarence Williams

Washington, D.C.

Local reporter covering crime, breaking news, and public safety issues

Education: Masters in Journalism, Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. ; B.A. American Studies, George Mason University

Clarence Williams has spent almost two decades in the streets at crime scenes, riding in police cars or waking officials in the middle of the night to gather information about breaking news in and around Washington as the night police reporter for The Washington Post. Clarence has been pepper-sprayed at World Bank-IMF protests, witnessed martial law curfews in Baltimore, covered the crime scene of a D.C. sniper victim, uncovered a deaf man wrongly jailed for 22 months in the District, and chased stories of fire, drug dealing and general mayhem across the Washington region. Reporting assignme
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Latest from Clarence Williams

On 9/11, first responders in D.C. region gather to remember the lives lost

A ceremony in Arlington was one of several held across the Washington region to commemorate the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

September 11, 2024
A man wipes his eyes as he walks through the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial on Wednesday in Washington.

Here are the Paralympians from Maryland and Virginia competing in Paris

At least 11 athletes from Maryland and Virginia are competing for Team USA at the Paralympics in Paris.

August 30, 2024

The corpse flower hadn’t bloomed. It was his job to figure out why.

U.S. Botanic Garden horticulturist Stephen Jones explores an “awkward” bloom cycle for one of the garden’s well-known specimens.

August 1, 2024
Stephen Jones measures the temperature of the plant, which has different temperature needs throughout its life cycle. (Astrid Riecken for The Washington Post)

It was her last shot at winning a notable speech contest. Could she do it?

In an increasingly polarized nation, a high school senior hoped her speech inspired by the values of Martin Luther King Jr. would win her first place

July 24, 2024

U.S. flag set ablaze, 23 arrested as thousands protest Netanyahu’s D.C. visit

Thousands protested in D.C. as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed Congress. Though most marched peacefully, there were some clashes with police.

July 24, 2024
A crowd protests Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's presence in D.C. on Wednesday.

Melting on Minnesota Avenue: A relentless struggle against record heat

D.C. first responders know well this stretch of Minnesota Avenue between the Deanwood and Anacostia neighborhoods.

July 21, 2024
Rich Gibson, 60, sweltered in the shade of a tree on Minnesota Avenue NE on Wednesday as he attempted to sell framed art prints.

D.C. heat hits 104 degrees as people seek shelter and AC

D.C. tied a record high of 104 degrees Tuesday as health providers reported an uptick in suspected heat-related illness and some summer programs for kids were moved inside.

July 16, 2024
A woman holds an umbrella to dodge the sunlight as temperatures hit 101 degrees in Washington on July 16, 2024. (Allison Robbert/The Washington Post)

The scene of D.C.’s heat wave: Cooling centers, free water, canceled events

Day two of record heat in D.C. region cancels outdoor activities. Officials warn people to stay inside.

July 15, 2024
A National Park Service employee walks near the World War II Memorial during a heat wave on July 15 in D.C.

Connect Kennedy Center to the National Mall? It’s urban planners’ dream.

Urban planners have long wanted to redesign the area between the National Mall and the Kennedy Center. Now they’ve drawn up a plan for what it might look like.

July 8, 2024
Urban planners sketched a conceptual redesign of the western entrance to the nation's capital between the Kennedy Center and the National Mall.

Maryland brothers put a face on autism for police

AutismFYI launched a decade ago to train police to better recognize autistic characteristics but the nonprofit faces an uncertain future.

June 27, 2024