August Homicides Drop, DC Murder Toll Still High

By D.C. Witness Staff - September 3, 2019
Featured | Homicides | Infographics | Suspects | Victims |

Homicides in August dropped below the total number of homicides in July, however there have been 13 more homicides in DC compared to the same time period a year ago.

As of Sept. 2, there have been 118 homicides in the DC, which is 13 more homicides, a 12 percent increase, from the 105 homicides that occurred a year ago. Fifteen homicides occurred in August, a 25 percent decrease from July.

Of the 15 homicides, seven were gun-related, two resulted from blunt force trauma, two were stabbings and a traffic fatality where a driver struck a pedestrian outside of the cross walk. According to a press release from the Metropolitan Police Department, the driver did not remain on the scene.

Seven homicides occurred in Ward 8 in August, the most for the month.  August’s homicide total in Ward 8 is three less than the 10 homicides that occurred in the same ward in July. Homicides rose in Ward 5 from two homicides in July to three homicides in August.

Of the 14 homicides, D.C. Witness data shows that police apprehended suspects in four cases.

Eliyas Aregahegne, 24, was arrested on Aug. 27 and is charged with first-degree murder for allegedly stabbing 27-year-old Margery Magill on the 400 block of Irving Street, NW. He is pending an appearance in front a in DC Superior Courts judge.

Lance Ammons, 42, was arrested Aug. 22 and is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 62 year-old Robert Bolich earlier the same day on the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge. Ammons is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Sept. 4. He is being held without bail.

Edward Banks, 47, was arrested Aug. 22 and is charged with the death of Abraham Binn on the 2700 block of MLK, Jr. Avenue, SE on Aug. 22. Banks is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Sept. 10. He is being held without bail.

Michael “Meisha” Hines, 23, was arrested on Aug. 12 and charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting  46-year-old Wendell Youngblood on the 1500 block of North Capitol Street, NE on Aug. 3. Hines is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Oct. 11. He is being held without bail.

In addition to the 15 homicides, another traffic fatality occurred in Ward 1 on Aug. 4. Charges were not filed for the incident.