July Homicides Increase Nearly 46 Percent from Last Year

By D.C. Witness Staff - August 6, 2018
Featured | Homicides | Infographics | Suspects |

Homicide totals from July only confirm that Washington, DC’s spike in crime is getting worse.

According to D.C. Witness data, there were 19 homicides in DC in July, an increase of nearly 46 percent from 2017 and about 27 percent from June. There were 15 homicides in June and 13 homicides in July of 2017.

A majority of the July homicides resulted in shooting deaths. Four deaths resulted from fatal stabbings. One of the stabbing deaths was classified as self defense.

Of the 19 homicides, the Metropolitan Police Department has arrested Matthew Moore and Alton Rivers.

Although Moore, 33, has been detained since 2017 for the murder of Ronnell Reaves, 22, a second death was added to his first-degree murder  charge. Apparently, Moore also allegedly shot 23-year-old Kevin Kennedy in 2017. Kennedy succumbed to his injuries on July 8.

Moore is scheduled for a status hearing on Sept. 7. A jury trial has been set for Jan. 7, 2019.

Alton Rivers was arrested by the MPD on July 27 for allegedly stabbing 68-year-old Anthony Anderson on the 3600 block of 14th Street, NW, earlier that day.

According to court documents, the murder weapon is believed to be a screwdriver. Rivers, 54, is charged with second-degree murder while armed.  He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Sept. 7.

Reginald Johnson

Marcus Whitaker

The police are currently searching for two suspects involved in two shootings in July. The suspects are 28-year-old Marcus Whitaker, who is wanted for second-degree murder while armed, and  37-year-old Reginald Johnson, who is wanted for first-degree murder while armed.