Homicides Increase in April

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D.C. Witness data shows a dramatic uptick in homicides in the month of April.

Data shows that homicides increased from four homicide incidents in March to nine incidents in April. The incidents accounted for 12 total victims.

Of the nine incidents, the Metropolitan Police Department has only apprehended one suspect, 26-year-old Josiah Garrison, as of May 5.

Garrison is charged with second-degree murder in a domestic violence incident for allegedly shooting his wife, 25-year-old Taeje Butler, on April 9 inside their apartment on the 3500 block of 6th Street, SE. D.C. Witness reported that Garrison’s 4-year-old daughter told police he shot Butler.

“Daddy had been playing scary movie games… daddy went to the closet, and got the gun and then boom,” stated an affidavit that was read during a preliminary hearing on April 24.

Garrison is saying the gun went off during a struggle. He told police that Butler had mental health issues, saying she was the one who got the gun from a closet inside the apartment.

Probably cause was found, but Garrison was released from jail on home confinement and has a stay away order from the four and five-year-old, the oldest of the defendant’s children, who police interviewed. Garrison has five children in total.

D.C. Superior Court Judge Jason Park said that he was worried the four year old and Garrison’s five year old would not be found competent for trial.

According to Judge Park, Garrison’s five year old witnessed the shooting, but he couldn’t process it.

Garrison’s next hearing is scheduled for May 20 before D.C. Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman.

Along with Garrison’s hearing, the court held hearings for approximately 93 homicide cases and 48 non-fatal shooting cases in April.

Of those cases, D.C. Witness data shows that approximately seven non-fatal shooting cases and 15 homicide cases closed with either a plea offer or verdict.