Monthly Recap: June Nearly Doubles 2017 Murder Count

By D.C. Witness Staff - July 17, 2018
Featured | Homicides | Infographics | Suspects | Victims |

June proved to be a deadly month, nearly doubling homicide numbers reported in Washington, DC from 2017.

Deandre Marshman

There were 15 homicides in June, including 12 shootings, two stabbings and one vehicular homicide. There were nine homicides during the same time period in 2017. The Metropolitan Police Department have arrested suspects in five of the June homicides, compared to four in 2017.  

The first homicide of the month resulted in the death of 18-year-old Deandre Marshman. On June 2, police found Marshman with gunshot wounds on the 1700 block of Lincoln Road, NE.   

Marshman was the youngest victim of the month. 

Ahkeem Goodwin

On June 5, Ahkeem Goodwin was  fatally shot on the 4600 block of 6th Street, SE.  Goodwin, 27, was the first of nine people killed in Southeast, DC in the month. 

Vincent Palmer

A day later, Vincent Palmer, 29, was found on the 1300 block of Stevens Road, SE unconscious and suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. 

Oren Dorrell

On June 8, Oren Dorell, 53, was driving a motorcycle on the 1100 Block of H Street, NE when he was hit by a car. Apparently, the driver left the scene. 

According to the police, the driver of the car, Daryl Grant Alexander, was driving under the influence. Later that day, Alexander, 47, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, driving under the influence and leaving after colliding.

Alexander is being held without bond as he awaits a preliminary hearing, scheduled for July 19.

Two hours after police found 41-year-old Jamaal Nathaniel Chase suffering from multiple stab wounds on the 400 block of Eastern Avenue, NE. An unnamed male was also located; he sustained non-life threatening injuries. 

Wykeena Ferguson

On June 10, police found Wykeena Ferguson, 40, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound on the 700 Block of 12th Street, SE. She was pronounced dead on the scene.

Xavier Jerome Dunmore, 48, is wanted on a DC Superior Court arrest warrant for Ferguson’s murder. He is described as being  6’2” tall, 280 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair.

Police found 24-year-old Daymond Chicas suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 300 block of 50th Street, NE on June 11. Chicas died the next day.

On June 12, Syles Kealoha, 24, was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the Unit Block of P Street, SW. 

Marqueese Alston

Subsequently, on the same day, there was a police-involved shooting on the  3700 block of First Street, SE that resulted in the death of 22-year-old Marqueese Alston.

During a press conference, DC Police Chief Peter Newsham said Alston, opened fire and officers returned fire in an effort to “save their lives.” Alston was pronounced dead on the scene.

On June 13, police found Larry Harrell suffering from multiple

Larry Harrell

 gunshot wounds on the 1200 Block of Mount Olivet Road, NE. Harrell, 43, was pronounced dead on the scene.

Titus Iracks, 16, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Harrell. Iracks is being held without bond and awaits a felony status conference scheduled for July 27.

Dontae Mitchell

Police found 23-year-old Dontae Mitchell suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 1000 Block of Southern Avenue, SE on June 14. 

Andre Simmons, Jr.

On June 20, police found Andre Simmons Jr. unresponsive and suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 600 Block of Atlantic Street, SE. Simmons, 28, was pronounced dead on the scene.

On June 21, the Prince George’s County Police Department arrested and charged Darin C. Moore Jr. in connection with kidnapping Simmons. Homicide charges have not been filed.

Michael Jones

Michael Jones,25, was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 2400 block of Elvans Road, SE on June 24. 

On June 25, police found 24-year-old Keon Delonte Wallace suffering from 12 gunshot wounds on the 2400 Block of Skyland Place, SE. Police arrested and charged 24-year-old Kenneil Cole, Wallace’s roommate, with second-degree murder while armed for his murder. On Feb. 1, 2023, Kenneil Cole’s case was dismissed.

Keon Wallace

According to court documents, the shooting stemmed from an argument during which Wallace pulled out a gun. During his arraignment, Cole’s attorney said he acted in self-defense.

Cole is scheduled for a felony status conference on Sept. 21.

The final homicide of the month occurred on June 28, when police found 29-year-old Johnathan Grady suffering from a fatal stab wound on the 2300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. 

Jonathan Grady

Police arrested James Manuel Johnson and Roderick Terrell Gaither for the murder.