According to D.C. Witness data, there were 10 reported homicide incidents, resulting in eleven victims in February – one of these victims was originally injured in January, but died in February. A significant increase from January’s three intentional killings.
As of March 3, The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has identified three suspects among the 10 incidents. There were seven fatal shootings, one fatal stabbing, and two deaths resulting from a vehicle crash.
Tyjuan Bazemore, 35, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 27-year-old Nyesha Walden-Hatcher on Feb. 2 on the 3100 block of 16th Street, NW.
Additionally, Jose Perez, 40, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of 37-year-old John Despertt on Feb. 5 on the 2400 block of Virginia Avenue, NW.
According to court documents, Perez allegedly stabbed Despertt in the chest inside Miriam’s Kitchen at Western Presbyterian Church. Perez is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on March. 30.
On Feb. 11, a murder-suicide occured when Stephon Jeter, 35, fatally shot 34-year-old Rayven Edwards before killing himself on the 4100 block of W Street, NW. A 10-year-old juvenile also sustained gunshot wounds.
According to MPD, Jeter fled the scene with his and Edwards’ three-year-old son and an AMBER Alert was issued. Jeter then dropped his son off at a family member’s residence and MPD found Jeter dead from self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
MPD is currently offering a reward for information on the unsolved cases.
