16 Homicides in September

By D.C. Witness Staff - October 9, 2020
Featured | Homicides | Infographics |

There were 16 homicides in September, just two fewer than August.

Thirteen, nearly 82 percent, of the victims died from shootings.

There was also a police-involved shooting that happened on July 2. After fleeing  Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers on foot, Deon Kay allegedly brandished a firearm and was subsequently shot by an officer. He died at a local hospital. Body Worn Camera (BWC) footage of the incident was later released.

Kay was the youngest person who died from a shooting in September. The average age for the victims who died from homicides during the month was 33.

One victim’s cause of death remains unknown. 

It was close to midnight on Sept. 17 when officers responded to the 7000 block of Blair Road, for the report of a shooting. There, they found an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

Police canvassed the area and found 38 year-old Phillip Roache unconscious and unresponsive on the 7000 block of 5th Street, NW. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

Roache’s death was the only homicide to happen in Ward 4 during the month of September. Homicides increased in Wards 2, 3, and 8. Homicides decreased in Wards 1, 4, 5, and 6. Ward 7 was the only ward to go unchanged with four homicides.

One of the victims killed in Ward 8 includes David Farewell. Farewell was 45 years-old when he was struck by a vehicle while riding a bicycle Sept. 4 on the 2100 block of Young Street, SE. 

The preliminary investigation was intentionally struck, according to a press release. Six days later, 29 year-old Eric Beasley was arrested for first-degree murder. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Nov. 4 to determine if the case against Beasley has enough evidence to go to trial.

An arrest has also been made in connection with the only stabbing death that occurred in DC this month. Hassan Jalloh, 20, was fatally stabbed Sept. 16 on the 600 block of I Street, NW. A juvenile female, 16, was arrested for first-degree murder while armed in connection with Jalloh’s death on Oct. 6.

Police have also apprehended Stephon Darnell Williams for allegedly shooting 49-year-old Stephen Magruder on the 700 block of 51st Street, NE on Sept. 11. Williams, 28, is scheduled for a hearing on Oct. 28.

Terrell Edward Poe was also arrested for allegedly shooting 30-year-old Christopher Washington on the 400 block of Southern Avenue, SE on Sept. 23.

Poe, 33, is scheduled for a hearing on Oct. 26.

Andrea Keckley wrote this article