Monthly Recap: March Tallies Nine Homicides

By D.C. Witness Staff - April 16, 2019
Featured | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

Throughout the month of March, the District tallied nine homicides, the majority occurring in Southeast DC.

While the number of homicides in March decreased when compared to February, overall gun-related deaths still account for the majority of the month’s homicides. There were five gun-related deaths, two stabbings and two deadly assaults in March.

Jawaid Bhutto

On March 1, police found 64-year-old Jawaid Bhutto suffering from an apparent gunshot wound on the 2600 block of Wade Road, SE.

Police arrested and charged Hilman Jordan with first-degree murder while armed in connection to Bhutto’s death. Jordan, 45, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on April 19.

Natina Kiah

Five days later on March 5, police located Natina Kiah suffering from an apparent stab wound on the 5000 block of D Street, SE. Kiah, 40, was pronounced dead on the scene. Apparently, she was a security guard at a local homeless shelter. 

According to WUSA9, police believe Lamont Stephenson is responsible for Kiah’s death.

News reports said that Stephenson was on the run for nearly five years for allegedly killing his fiancee and her dog in 2014 when Prince George’s County Police apprehended him on March 7.

DC police have not issued a warrant for Stephenson in conjunction with Kiah’s murder as of April 16.

On March 6, Brian Kennedy, Jr. was found on the Unit block of Halley Place, SE suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Kennedy, 27, was pronounced dead on the scene. According to a press release, police believe Kennedy may have been shot at a different location. Police have not appended a suspect in connection to the murder as of April 16.

Dawud Debruhl

Nearly a week later on March 12, police found 25-year-old Dawud Debruhl suffering from a gunshot wound on the 1300 block of Columbia Road, NW.

Police arrested and charged Deontay Britton with first-degree murder while armed in connection to Debruhl’s death. Britton, 25, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on April 25.

Ahmed Simms

On March 17, police reported to the 1800 block of Q Street, SE on reports of assault and found Ahmed Simms unconscious and unresponsive. Simms, 37, was pronounced dead on the scene.

Later that same day, police located 59-year-old Thurman Knight suffering from a “puncture wound” on the 500 block of Montana Avenue, NE.

Police have not arrested any suspects in the assault on Q street or the stabbing on Montana Avenue.

On March 19, 3-month-old Skylar Newman succumbed to injuries stemming from a March 16, when the infant was found unconscious and unresponsive on the 4300 block of G Street, SE. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of the District of Columbia said the infant’s death was caused by blunt force injuries.

Cornell Delvonte Holton

According to a press release, there is a warrant for 25-year-old Cornell Delvonte Holton’s arrest for first-degree felony murder in connection to the child’s death.

Rafiq Hawkins

Four days later, on March 23, police found 23-year-old Rafiq Hawkins suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 1300 block of Saratoga Avenue, NE. According to a press release, the shooting occurred on the 1200 block of Brentwood Road, NE. A suspect has not been arrested as of April 16.

Anthony Williams

The final homicide of the month occurred on March 30, when police located 54-year-old Anthony Williams suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 300 block of 62nd Street, NE. Police have not appended a suspect for Williams’ death as of April 16.