Data Shows Significant Increase in Homicide and Non-Fatal Shooting Rates from January to February

By Ashley Fajardo Perez [former] - March 5, 2024
Daily Stories | Data | Featured | Homicides | Shooting | stabbing | Suspects | Victims |

According to D.C. Witness data, there was a 77 percent increase in homicides and 69 percent increase in non-fatal shootings in February when compared to numbers from January. 

As of March 5, February had 16 homicide victims and 22 non-fatal shooting victims, with 75 percent of homicides this month being shooting-related.

January had nine homicides and 13 non-fatal shootings. 

On the evening of Feb. 10, officers were flagged down at an intersection by Brittany Gaylor, who allegedly said she stabbed a man inside a residence at the 1600 block of 6th Street, NW. 

He was identified as her father, 70-year-old James Gaylor, who was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries but died on Feb. 11. 

On Feb 10, Brittany, 32, was arrested and charged with assault with intent to kill while armed for her alleged involvement in James’ stabbing. The charges were upgraded to second-degree murder while armed after his death. 

On the morning of Feb. 14, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers responded to the 5000 block of Hanna Place, SE, to serve an arrest warrant on a suspect who was wanted for cruelty to animals.

While police were outside, the suspect allegedly fired multiple gunshots through the door, wounding three officers. 

He then barricaded himself for hours until MPD successfully negotiated his surrender.

The gunman was eventually identified as 48-year-old Stephen Claude Rattigan. He was arrested pursuant to the arrest warrant for animal cruelty. 

He was also charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and two counts of assault on a police officer while armed.

That same night, MPD officers responded to a report of an unconscious person at the 5000 block of Jay Street, NE, where they located two women and a man dead from apparent gunshot wound injuries inside an apartment.

The victims were identified as 58-year-old Renee Bigelow, 40-year-old Kimberly Stevens, and 59-year-old Leon Harper. 

MPD has yet to arrest anyone in connection to the case.

D.C. Witness data ultimately shows, as of Feb. 29, at least 19 incidents reported in February do not have named suspects or arrests in connection with their cases.