Judge Finds Probable Cause in Delivery Driver Homicides

By Hypatia Fitzsimons [former] - September 13, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On Sept. 13, DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein found probable cause that Corde Fitzhugh was the perpetrator in a 2021 killing as well as another homicide in 2022.

Fitzhugh, 22, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the deaths of 24-year-old Muntsier Sharfi on July 8, 2021 and 26-year-old Zekariya Elmi on April 25, 2022. 

According to court documents, Sharfi worked as a delivery driver for Supreme Meds, a marijuana dispensary. On July 8, 2021, Sharfi received a phone call for an order and drove to meet the customer the on the 3300 block of Erie Street, SE. After he arrived, Sharfi was shot in the head while still in his car. There was no video footage of the shooting, although one witness was in the vehicle with Sharfi. 

Then on April 25, 2022, Elmi who was working for Jamaican House, also a marijuana dispensary, had a delivery order on the 1200 block of Farragut Place, NE. After he arrived, he was shot in the chest then sped away and crashed his car in traffic, ultimately succumbing to his gunshot wound.

According to a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) homicide detective, who testified about both cases, dispensary customers must submit a photo ID such as a driver’s license to complete the purchase. The detective tracked down the people whose images were used in the transactions. Neither were customers of either dispensary and did not know their photos were being used.

Investigators linked the number used to communicate with the victims to TextNow, an app that allows you to create an account and send free messages without having a phone number associated with a mobile carrier. The account that was allegedly utilized to make the purchases had the username “cordefitzhugh44.” 

According to the detective, he obtained a search warrant for call records and data for the TextNow number,and the records showed Fitzhugh was the subscriber.

 “I don’t think there is any dispute that there is probable cause,” said Judge Epstein, stating that the evidence is substantial. 

Defense attorney Aubrey Dillon requested Fitzhugh be put on house arrest while awaiting trial. However, Judge Epstein decided there was sufficient evidence to hold Fitzhugh while awaiting trial because he represents a potential danger to the community. 

A status hearing is set for Jan. 19.