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Md. Man Charged In Hatchet Killing Is Son Of Bush White House Official

GAITHERSBURG, Md. (WJZ) -- Police are called to investigate a burglary at the Maryland home of a former presidential aide, but end up on the scene of a brutal murder.

Jessica Kartalija explains--the man who called police quickly became a suspect.

Early Friday morning, police were called to the Gaithersburg home of Claude Allen, a former aide to President George W. Bush.

His son, 20-year-old Claude Allen III, told officers he killed a man trying to break into the house.

After further investigation, detectives began to doubt his story. They found no signs of a break-in and learned that Allen knew the victim, 25-year-old Michael Harvey.

Detectives now believe Allen attacked Harvey inside the home with a hatchet, then dragged his body into the nearby woods.

Allen is now charged with first-degree murder.

Residents in the upscale neighborhood were stunned to hear what happened.

Neighbor: "What did the kid do, anyway?"

Reporter: "They're saying Claude, the 20-year-old, killed someone."

Neighbor: "Oh my gosh!"

Allen lives at the  home with his parents and three siblings.

Investigators are still trying to determine a motive for the murder.

Allen's father was a domestic policy advisor in the Bush White House. He resigned after a 2006 arrest for shoplifting.

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