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By
D.C. Witness Staff
- March 5, 2019
Featured
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Homicides
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Infographics
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Suspects
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Victims
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Even though the shortest month of the year produced a decrease in homicides, February totals contributed to Washington, DC’s nearly 88 percent increase in homicides from this same time last year.
According to D.C. Witness data, there were 10 homicides in February, which was double the number of homicides in February of 2018.
Eight of the 10 homicides were gun-related deaths, one homicide was a stabbing and one was a hit and run. Police have apprehended two suspects as of March 5.
According to a press release, 36-year-old Morris Kenya Harley was arrested on Feb. 19 for his alleged involvement in the hit-and-run death of 35-year-old Daniel Olaya on the 1900 block of 4th Street, NW on Feb. 5.
Apparently, the two men were involved in an argument shortly before Olaya was hit. Harley is charged with first-degree murder while armed. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on March 29.
Police also arrested 34-year-old Darius Murphy on Feb. 22, hours after he allegedly stabbed 39-year-old Jason Wood on the 1600 block of Benning Road, NE. Murphy is charged with second-degree murder while armed. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on March 29.
“Homicide is a devastating crime,” DC Police Chief Peter Newsham told the Washington Post for an opinion piece about unsolved murders in the District. “Not only does it impact immediate families, but entire communities.” The piece was published on Feb. 1.
According to the Post, there are more than 2500 unsolved homicide cases from 1991-2018 in DC.
In addition to the 10 homicides, there were also two pedestrian fatalities in February.
On Feb. 11, 56-year-old Troy Sandy Austin was fatally struck by a 2009 BMW on the 1500 block of North Capitol Street, NW. No charges were filed.
On Feb. 20, another pedestrian was fatally hit on the 5000 block of North Capitol Street, NE. No charges were filed and the victim’s identity has not been released.
