Judge Continues Hearing for Stabbing at DC Jail

By D.C. Witness Staff - July 29, 2020
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

On July 27, DC Superior Court Judge Juliet McKenna continued a hearing for a man charged with attacking another inmate at the DC Jail.

Rakeem Willis is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed for allegedly assaulting another inmate at the DC Jail with an unknown sharp object on July 3.

A corrections officer escorted the victim, who was handcuffed, from the shower to his cell. According to court documents, Willis, who was cleaning the housing unit, rushed past the officer and entered the cell. 

The officer said he saw Willis, 29, punching the suspect but did not see a weapon in his hand.

The victim told another corrections officer that he was injured. The victim was taken to the jail infirmary for initial treatment. He had stab wounds to the forehead, left arm, back and right shoulder. The victim was taken to Howard University Hospital, where he was treated for his injuries, documents state.

The victim declined to provide a statement about the incident to detectives.

No weapon was recovered. 

The hearing was rescheduled to Aug. 10.

Willis is also charged with first-degree murder, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction.