Judge Finds Probable Cause in Early Morning Bus Stop Murder

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DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe ruled on June 21 that there was probable cause for a defendant’s involvement in a pre-dawn fatal shooting at a bus stop, stating he could not think of “anything more terrifying” than this unprovoked offense.

Deonte Spicer, 37, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed for allegedly killing Tyvez Monroe, 27, on December 26, 2023 on the 600 block of Maryland Avenue, SW.

According to court documents, officers located Monroe on the sidewalk of a Metro bus stop suffering from a gunshot wound to his head. He was transported to George Washington University Hospital (GWUH), where he died.

On June 21, the prosecution brought in a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective to the stand, who detailed the case.

The prosecution showed video surveillance of an individual, identified as the defendant, allegedly shooting the victim at a bus stop on 7th Street, in addition to footage showing the defendant on a Metro bus before and after the shooting occurred.

Throughout the video, the individual identified as Spicer is seen with a dog described as having “distinct white paws,” according to the detective.

In a three-minute video clip from the bus stop, the individual identified as Spicer approaches the victim, who is sitting on a bench, and “daps” him up upon arriving at the bus stop. The individual identified as Spicer and the victim exchange words for a few minutes before the perpetrator fully unzips his coat and allegedly begins to pull a rifle from his front waistband.

The victim holds his arms and hands out wide to his side while remaining seated on the bus stop bench.

The individual identified as Spicer then allegedly fires the weapon one time, shattering a glass panel behind the victim and causing the victim to fall to the ground.

After allegedly shooting the victim, the individual identified as Spicer walks back in the same direction from which he came.

The prosecution played video surveillance footage of an individual, identified as the defendant, entering a Metro bus parked in the same area where he initially exited a Metro bus.

The detective testified that he executed a search warrant of the defendant’s home and recovered a rifle scope for a firearm, Spicer’s wallet, and a dog whose appearance matched the one shown in video surveillance. The detective also stated that the dog was later transferred to a shelter and that Spicer identified himself via a phone call inquiring about his dog.

Spicer’s defense attorney, Marnitta King, questioned the detective about the timing of the incident and clarified that the detective was referring to an individual shown in video surveillance as an individual “who looks like the defendant.”

In response to the timing of the incident, the detective referred to his police report and stated that the surveillance footage was synchronized.

Following the detective’s testimony, the prosecution argued that, based on the affidavit, video surveillance, and the detective’s testimony, it was clear that Spicer was the perpetrator who pulled out a rifle and shot the victim directly in the head.

King asserted that the affidavit makes a “good effort to confuse the reader about the timing of the incident.” She argued that it would have been “impossible” for her client to have been at the crime scene, since footage shows him a few minutes prior to the shooting a couple blocks away.

He would have had to “run faster than Usain Bolt,” said King.

Judge O’Keefe sided with the prosecution and found probable cause that Spicer committed first-degree murder. He cited the abundance of evidence, highlighting the presence of a dog, “which is very unique at four o’clock in the morning,” said Judge O’Keefe.

Following his ruling, King also requested her client’s release, stating that he would be able to return to his job at Amazon and has no history of failing to appear in court. She further claimed that it had been almost 17 years since he committed a major offense, citing a 2007 robbery case.

The prosecution argued that there could be no conditions that would assure the safety of the community, rebutting King’s arguments by detailing Spicer’s criminal history.

According to the prosecution, Spicer was released from prison in August 2022 and was on supervised release when he committed this alleged offense. The prosecution also noted a prison stabbing incident committed by the defendant in 2015.

Ultimately, Judge O’Keefe denied the request for release, referring to the severity of the crime. He stated, “Maybe there’s a reason to mitigate, but I can’t imagine what that is.”

Parties are slated to meet on September 19.