According to D.C. Witness data, there were 12 reported homicides in June, each claiming one victim. This is about a 71 percent increase from the previous month when there were seven reported homicides.
Of the 12 homicides reported, five of them occurred in Ward 8, nine were shooting-related incidents and no arrested suspects in eight cases.
As of July 6, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has identified three suspects allegedly involved in the crimes.
According to MPD, on June 16, officers shot 44-year-old Shawn Williams on a WMATA bus near the intersection of Wisconsin Avenue and Upton Street, NW, while in pursuit of Williams for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 44-year-old Melissa Wallace-Pulliam.
Wallace-Pulliam was shot and killed on the 3500 block of Wisconsin Avenue, NW in a domestic-related incident. Police officers involved in the shooting were placed on administrative leave. Both victims succumbed to their injuries at their respective scenes.
Two of the 12 reported homicides included traffic related accidents, including a fatal crash that resulted in the arrest of three suspects.
According to MPD, three suspects allegedly fled in a stolen vehicle when United States Park Police attempted a routine traffic stop, leading to a collision with a moped that resulted in the death of 46-year-old Nolberto Meza on the William Howard Taft Bridge towards Connecticut Avenue, NW on June 20.
24-year-old Tomas Anderson was charged with second-degree murder and the vehicle’s other occupants, 19-year-old Donnie Palacios and a 16-year-old juvenile male, were charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle during a crime of violence.
According to MPD, J’Von Green, 33, was arrested and charged with possession of an unregistered firearm and ammunition, carrying a pistol without a license, and criminally negligent storage of a firearm for allegedly leaving a firearm unattended, which was used in the fatal shooting of his goddaughter’s friend, 15-year-old Journee Long, at the 900 block of Barnaby Street, NE, on June 6.
MPD is also investigating the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Adrian Hawkins, who was found unconscious on June 10 on the unit block of Banner Lane, NW. A juvenile female also sustained several gunshot wounds but was treated for non-life threatening injuries.
MPD is offering rewards for information about the unsolved cases.
