Homicides Increase 20 Percent from May to June 

By Lily Engel [former] , Adrianna Bhan [former] - July 11, 2024
Carjacking | Court | Daily Stories | Featured | Homicides | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

In DC, there has been a 20 percent increase in homicides from May to June, according to D.C. Witness data. 

As of July 11, D.C. Witness data shows 18 homicides in June, an uptick from the 15 homicides recorded in May. Among the 18 homicides, 16 currently have no suspects. 

Of the eight wards, the most homicide incidents happened in Ward 7. 

• Ward 1 – One homicide
• Ward 2 – One homicide
• Ward 3 – Zero homicides
• Ward 4 – Two homicides
• Ward 5 – Two homicides
• Ward 6 – Two homicides
• Ward 7 – Six homicides
• Ward 8 – Four homicides

Leslie Gains, 55, who was in her daughter’s car when Kayla Brown, 22, allegedly stole the car on the 100 block of Irving Street, NW on June 3. Brown, 22, is charged with unarmed carjacking.

According to court documents, officers chased down the stolen vehicle, which had crashed into the US Attorney’s Office on the 600 block of D Street, NW. Gaines was found in the car and died moments later. 

On June 1, Victor Bolden, 15, was shot and killed on the 600 Block of 18th Street, NE. Officers with the  Metropolitan Police Department responded to reported gunshots and found Bolden suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to a hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. 

The MPD has yet to name a suspect. 

In June, there were also 20 non-fatal shooting incidents with 25 victims, including an incident on June 23 at approximately 2:10 a.m. The MPD responded to the report of a shooting on the 2400 block of Elvans Road, SE, finding a juvenile male suffering from a non-fatal gunshot wound. He was transported to the hospital for treatment.