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By
Jeff Levine
- December 19, 2024
Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Shooting
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Suspects
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Victims
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Despite the objections of the victim’s family, a second-degree murder defendant agreed to a plea deal that would send him to prison for 15 years in a Dec.19 hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun.
Shannon Updike, 21, is charged with the fatal shooting of Chidzie Njoku, 23, on the 4000 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE on May 27.
According to an affidavit, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers responded to a 911 call of a shooting and found Njoku’s body in the dirt outside of a large apartment building.
Witnesses provided a description of the shooter based in part on photos taken of the incident, and officers tracked an individual identified as Updike into a nearby alley where he surrendered without resistance.
During the investigation police recovered a gym bag containing one black and purple Delton 5.6mm rifle with one round in the chamber and twenty four more rounds in the weapon’s magazine.
The precipitating event, say police, was a dispute among family members. Young children were present during the altercation.
Updike was upset because he believed his brother-in-law’s sister was being abused by her boyfriend, Njoku. When Updike confronted Njuko with a gun he reportedly said, “Shoot me, mother f*****!”.
Judge Okun reviewed the plea with Updike and his attorney Stephen LoGerfo who agreed to the terms and conditions including waiving his right to a trial.
Speaking over a video link, Njoku’s uncle expressed his family’s anger over the agreement.
The uncle who declined to identify himself out of fear of retaliation, said his nephew had never been in any trouble and he was simply dropping off his girlfriend who could have been in danger.
“I was the last person he called,” said the uncle, his voice breaking.
Bemoaning the fact that DC does not have a death penalty, he asked for harsher punishment for Updike.
“Please for the sake of Chidzie’s life that was taken, we want this devil sentenced to life without parole,”
While Judge Okun said he conditionally accepted the plea he had not yet made a final decision.
Sentencing is set for April 4, 2025