D.C. Witness Data Shows Homicides Drop 30 Percent in March

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According to D.C. Witness data, there were 11 homicide victims and 16 non-fatal shooting victims in March, based on press releases by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). All March homicides stemmed from shootings.

Data from March shows a 31 percent decrease in homicides and 27 percent decrease in non-fatal shooting victims in comparison to February.

On March 17, a mass shooting occurred at the intersection of 7th and P Streets NW, causing five non-fatal injuries and two deaths. 32-year-olds Anthony Brown and Jay Lucks, both 32, both succumbed to their wounds at the scene, while the other victims were hospitalized.

The surviving victims include three men and two women. An investigation is ongoing and MPD is offering a reward for any information about potential assailants.

On March 8, 27-year-old Damon Clark allegedly shot 46-year-old Jimmy Thomas Jr. six times, killing him on the spot. The incident occurred on the 1200 block of Mount Olivet Road, NE.

According to court documents, the attack stemmed from a verbal altercation regarding an Airbnb booking. Clark originally left the scene following the shooting, but returned and allegedly handed his firearm and a magazine to responding officers.

Clark was arrested and charged with second-degree murder while armed. He’s scheduled to appear in court on April 19.

Then, on March 27 there was a shooting at the 3400 block of Stanton Road, SE killing 26-year-old Amaru Cureton and the injuring two other victims, including one juvenile. An investigation is still ongoing and police are asking the public for any information in return for a cash reward.

Also on March 27, two armed suspects robbed several victims at a business in the 5100 block of Georgia Avenue, NW. During the robbery, one of the assailants fired a shot and killed 41-year-old Philip Prendergast.

The two suspects were caught by a surveillance camera, but have yet to be publicly identified. MPD is asking the community for help identifying the suspects.

D.C. Witness data ultimately shows that only three suspects have been identified and arrested out of the 17 incidents in March.

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