17-year old suspect charged with murder of 15-year old Davonte Washington

By D.C. Witness Staff - March 29, 2016
Homicides | Suspects |

Police on Tuesday announced the arrest of a 17-year old for the murder of a 15-year old Davonte Washington, who was killed in front of his mother and younger sisters at the Deanwood metro station platform Saturday.

Police Chief Cathy Lanier said at a press conference Tuesday morning that the suspect is being charged with second-degree murder while armed and will be tried as an adult.

Though police did not release the name of the suspect, and said more information would be provided at the 2 p.m. arraignment, court documents show 17-year-old Maurice Bellamy was charged with Washington’s murder.

Police said video surveillance was “critical” in finding and identifying the suspect.

Metropolitan Police Department spokesman Dustin Sternbeck said Washington was on his way to get a haircut for Easter Sunday with his mother and two sisters when there was a “brief exchange” between the suspect around 4 p.m. at the Deanwood metro platform. The suspect shot Washington after the conversation turned into an argument.

“It was a senseless act that happened in a matter of moments,” Sternbeck said.

Police Chief Cathy Lanier speaking at Tuesday’s press conference

Washington was taken to Prince George’s County Hospital where he then died.

At the press conference, Lanier said there was no information about whether or not the suspect and Washington knew each other, but she could not say if the shooting was completely random.

“Of all the tragic things that we see when it comes to violence, nothing is more senseless than this case, in my opinion,” Lanier said. “There’s no reason for it.”

Over the weekend, Washington’s grandfather told reporters that his grandson’s mother had never seen the suspect before and has no reason to believe her son was a part of anything that would get him killed.

Washington’s grandfather told reporters that the family had a “very somber Easter.”