Homicides Increase in October

By D.C. Witness Staff - November 12, 2019
Court | Featured | Homicides | Infographics | Juveniles | Suspects |

Homicides in the District of Columbia increased by three in October; most of the incidents were gun-related.

Overall, D.C. Witness data shows that there have been 157 homicides in the city in 2019, nearly a 5 percent increase from the 149 homicides during the same time in 2018. MPD reports that there have been 147 homicides in 2019 as of Nov. 12.

According to D.C. Witness data, there were 19 homicides in October. Fifteen homicides in October involved the use of a firearm. Data shows that there were 16 homicides in September, of which 14 stemmed from gun-related incidents.

Of the 19 homicides this month, four suspects have been arrested. Two of the suspects are juveniles charged with first-degree murder while armed and second-degree murder.

One juvenile is scheduled for a status hearing on Nov. 14 for allegedly stabbing Jaquar McNair on the 300 block of 1st Street, SE on Oct. 12. The other is scheduled for a status hearing on Nov. 22 for allegedly hitting 15-year-old Amoni Richardson on the 3900 block of East Capitol Street, SE on Oct. 24.

Apparently, the juvenile left the scene and was later apprehended by the officers from the Metropolitan Police Department.

Davon Peyton is charged with allegedly shooting 27-year-old Lekelefac Fonge and 24-year-old Devon Miler on Oct. 9 on the 1600 block of Rosedale Street, NE. According to news reports, Fonge was a caregiver for Miler who had autism. Peyton is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Nov. 22.

According to court documents, the shootings stemmed from what seems to be an attempted robbery.

Lamar Hicks, 24, was arrested on Oct. 11 for allegedly shooting 30-year-old Jonathan Jones on the 1900 block of 16th Street, SE earlier that day.

Hicks’ case was dismissed on Oct. 24. He was also released later that same day.

The Metropolitan Police Department is also searching for 30-year-old Gregory Antwan Washington, who is wanted in connection to the shooting of 32 year-old Alie Labay.

Police found Labay on the 900 block of 21st Street, NE.

There have been 22 homicides in the Fall so far, nearly half the number of homicides that occurred during the Summer; June 21-Sept. 23.

Editor’s note: D.C. Witness’s homicide count differs from the Metropolitan Police Department’s calculation because D.C. Witness records all violent deaths, including police-involved shootings and vehicular homicides.