Monthly Recap: DC Sees Uptick in Homicides, a Repeated Trend in 2018

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During the final month of 2018, the District of Columbia saw an uptick in homicides compared to the last month, a repeated trend throughout the year.

In December, the district tallied 13 homicides: 10 gun-related deaths, two vehicular homicides and one stabbing.

After being hospitalized for five days, on Dec. 1 Malik Muhammad succumbed to his injuries stemming from a November shooting. According to a press release, police found Muhammad, 37, Nov. 26 suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 800 Block of Taylor Street, NE.

Leonard Ray

On Dec. 6, police found 20-year-old Leonard Ray suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 3400 block of Croffut Place, SE.

Jacob Jones

Two days later, Jacob Jones was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 5100 block of H Street, SE. Jones, 32, was pronounced dead on the scene.

On Dec. 10, police located Richard Lee Dudley on the 2500 block of Elvans Road, SE suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

Gerald Watson

Three days later, 15-year-old Gerald Watson was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 2900 block of Knox Place, SE. On Dec. 18, police arrested and charged 16-year-old Malik Holston with first-degree murder while armed in connection to Watson’s death.

Holston is scheduled for a felony status conference on April 26.

On Dec. 15, police found 21-year-old Curtis Davis suffering from a gunshot wound on the 1100 block of 1st  Street, NW.

Donald Lewis

On Dec. 18, police located 25-year-old Donald Lewis in a residence on the 1700 block of West Virginia Avenue, NE suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

The next day, 61-year-old Monica Adams Carlson and her 85-year-old mother, Cora Louise Adams, were struck by a bus at the intersection of 7th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.

According to court documents, the bus driver, Gerard Derrick James, was on his cell phone when he allegedly struck the two woman. James, 45, is charged with involuntary manslaughter. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Feb. 15.

On Dec. 20, police found 25-year-old Calvin Weaver suffering from multiple gunshot wounds inside a vehicle on the 2600 block of Naylor Road, SE. Police are still investigating the case for possible suspects. 

Two days later police found Derek Anthony Walcott suffering from multiple sharp force wounds on the 5100 block of B Street, SE. Walcott, 46, was pronounced dead on the scene. Police arrested and charged Stephen Maye with second-degree murder while armed. Maye, 49, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Jan. 25.

Darryl O’Brien

On Christmas, police found Darryl O’Brien suffering from multiple gunshot wounds inside a vehicle on the 5700 block of East Capitol Street, SE. O’Brien, 20, succumbed to his injuries Dec. 27.

Curtis Wills-Bey

The final homicide of 2018 occurred on Dec. 29, when police found 53-year-old Curtis Wills-Bey suffering from multiple gunshots wounds on the 3000 block of Stanton Road, SE.

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