Judge Finds Probable Cause Against Murder Suspect

By D.C. Witness Staff - August 10, 2018
Court | Homicides | Suspects |

During an arraignment on Aug. 9, a DC Superior Court magistrate judge ordered a murder suspect held without bond.

Mark Price, 23, was arrested and charged with premeditated first-degree murder while armed for the murder of Andre Young on the 1500 block of 19th Street, SE on July 30. During the shooting another person was shot but survived.

According to court documents, Price’s girlfriend received a verbal eviction notice at the apartment she and Price resided in.  She called him for assistance.

Price arrived at the scene in a hostile state and proceeded to threaten various people, according to witnesses. He apparently flashed his firearm, stating, “If I can’t live here nobody can. I am the reason the DC death rate is so high.”

Fearing for their safety, multiple witnesses reported their versions of events to the Sixth District police station. They requested to be escorted back to the apartment by law enforcement; however, their request was denied, according to court documents. 

Young, 47; a victim who survived the shooting; and a witness drove back to the apartment to retrieve personal items.

Price and another male suspect allegedly approached the three as they exited the apartment building. Price and a suspect, who has not been apprehended, reportedly opened fire while the three were crossing the street.

Young sustained a gunshot wound to the head and was brought to a nearby hospital, where he ultimately died.

During the arraignment, Judge Sean Staples found probable cause against Price based on the evidence put forth in the court documents. Judge Staples refused release based on Price’s criminal history and a prior felony conviction for armed carjacking in Maryland in 2012.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 17.