In exchange for a deal, suspect tells police who shot Deeniquia Dodds

By D.C. Witness Staff - February 21, 2017
Homicides | Suspects |

One of the men who was involved in the fatal shooting of Deeniquia Dodds told police her death was the result of a robbery gone awry.

Police have said they are investigating the murder as a robbery, and not as a hate crime. Dodds, also known as Gregory Dodds, was transgender.

According to an arrest warrant, four men with previous involvement in a series of armed robberies dating back to June 2016 are responsible for Dodds’ murder. The police officer who filed the warrant for one of the suspects’ arrest had been investigating the men previously for a series of robberies that appeared to target transgender people. However, a cooperating suspect’s version of events contradicted this.

According to the cooperating suspect, two men were in a white car, while two men armed with guns exited the car and attempted to rob Dodds. There was a struggle and Dodds was shot.

Dodds, 22, was found at 256 Division Ave., NE., suffering from a single gunshot to the neck. She was transferred to a nearby hospital and pronounced dead on July 13.

The driver of the white car was identified as 26-year-old Jalonte Little. His alleged role in the robbery was corroborated by a GPS ankle monitor that put him in the vicinity of the murder, along with a chain of other robberies.

Through Little’s cell phone records police were able to connect 22-year-old Shareem Hall to the murder.

Victims of previous robberies were able to identify the duo and vouch for their involvement.

The cooperative suspect named Little, Hall, a man named “Swerve” and Cyheme Hall, 21, as participants in the robberies. However, the witness specified that it was “Swerve” who fired the gun that killed Dodd.

In exchange for their testimony, the cooperative witness struck a deal with the government. According to charging documents, one of the suspects traded information about Dodds’ murder and a string of robberies in exchange for lesser charges.

Under the plea agreement, the suspect is expected to plead guilty to second-degree murder, conspiracy to commit a crime of violence, and felon in possession of a firearm.

It is unclear which suspect was the cooperating witness.

As of now, Jalonte Little, Monte Johnson, Shareem and Cyheme Hall are all being held without bond as they face first-degree murder while armed charges.

Jalonte Little is expected in court Feb. 17.

Cyheme Hall and Monte Johnson are expected in court March 10.

Shareem Hal is expected in court May 19.