Man Admits to Shooting that Left His Neighbor Dead

By D.C. Witness Staff - December 9, 2019
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A murder defendant admitted to a shooting that left one woman dead, and two others injured.

Officers arrested 48-year-old Vaughn Alexander Kosh, a resident of Northeast, DC, on Dec. 7. Kosh is charged with first-degree murder while armed and with the intent to kill for allegedly shooting 38-year-old Alayna Danielle Howard in her apartment on the 1700 block of Capitol Avenue, NE. Howard’s mother and boyfriend were also injured in the shooting.

Kosh told the police that he felt reomorse for the shooting, but said Howard and her boyfriend pushed him too far for too long, according to court documents.

Kosh said he shot at Howard because she was the cause of his problems. According to court documents, Kosh complained of Howard and her boyfriend breaking into his apartment and destroying his property along with odor and infestation issues.

Apparently, the victim and victim’s boyfriend had gotten to several disputes with Kosh, including an incident on Aug. 12, 2017, when Kosh stabbed Howard’s boyfriend

Kosh told police that a physical altercation occurred between him and the victim’s boyfriend in the hallway of the apartment complex. Kosh did not tell police how he gained access into the victim’s apartment.

However, Kosh’s description of the events leading up to the murder vary from the victim’s boyfriend and mother’s description.

The boyfriend told police that Kosh “kicked” in the door of Howard’s apartment to gain entry.

Court documents also state that officers found the front door’s locks on the floor. There were also splinters and a chain lock on the floor.

The mother, who was also in the apartment at the time, said Kosh forced his way into the apartment, shot her several times and shot the victim’s boyfriend in the hand. The mother said Kosh walked to the back of the apartment where he shot and killed Howard, according to the documents.

A nine-year-old child was also in the apartment. He was not harmed. The victim’s mother and boyfriend identified Kosh as the shooter.

The murder weapon was found in Kosh’s apartment along with handwritten notes that conveyed disdain toward the victims, according to court documents. A bullet projection was located in the living room and three casings were found in the hallway near the kitchen and rear bedroom.

Kosh is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Dec. 19.