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Man arrested for Friday shooting that left one dead


Police have arrested Tavon Moore, 26, for the fatal shooting of Noel Rezene on Friday.

According to police, Rezene and a second victim were found in a car parked in front of the United Medical Center emergency room after the report of a shooting on 23rd Street, SE. Officers found a man in the driver’s side of the car, later identified as Rezene, and a woman in the passenger side with multiple gunshot wounds.

Both victims were transported to the hospital for treatment. Rezene, 26, died at the hospital. The unidentified woman was taken to another hospital in stable condition, according to police.

Moore was charged Saturday with second-degree murder while armed and assault with the intent to kill while armed.

Judge orders Devonte Johnson held without bail


Devonte Johnson, the second man charged with the fatal stabbing of Robinson Pal inside Barcode nightclub was ordered held without bail while his case continues.

Johnson, 27, has been charged with second-degree murder while armed. Appearing in a white jumpsuit Thursday, Johnson spoke out in court several times while trying to cut off the judge present for his arraignment.

Johnson’s case was continue to March 22 for his preliminary hearing. The judge ruled that due to statement made by three different witnesses and officers on-duty in and around the club, there was cause to hold Johnson.

According to the warrant for Johnson’s arrest, on-duty police officer Randy Harrison was alerted of an altercation inside the club, when he noticed a black male run out the front door of Barcode. Harrison then went inside and found Robinson Pal unconscious with a stab wound on the left side of his chest. A second victim was found just outside the establishment and was suffering from a stab wound to the back.

One witness who was working security on the night of the homicide, observed Pal and Antoine Byrd, 35, fighting inside the club. Byrd allegedly told Pal that he was “going to kill [Pal].” It was after this that Pal fell to the floor and the security officer located the stab wound on Pal’s chest. He then began CPR until EMS arrived on scene.

A second witness, who also worked security at Barcode also observed the fight, but did not see who stabbed Pal. This witness told police the two men seemed to know each other.

A third witness, sitting at a table at Barcode, told police of another man who was involved in the fight, but could not identify which one actually stabbed Pal.

Byrd was also identified to police as a suspect through his Instagram account.

Man charged with killing wife remains incompetent for trial


Manuel Ramos, the man charged with fatally stabbing his wife last June, appeared in court Thursday while the prosecution and his attorney discussed his mental competency.

Ramos, who suffered from a stroke after he allegedly fatally stabbed his common-law wife last June, has been charged with first-degree murder while armed.

The 70-year-old man has been housed at St. Elizabeth Hospital ever since the stroke, after his arrest for the death of Santos Lydia Ventura last June.

According to the warrant for Ramos’ arrest, Ventura was stabbed inside their home at 1425 T Street, NW. Three other people were stabbed, but survived. Ventura needed everyday care, family members told police, and was living in a hospital bed in the living room when she was stabbed.

Thursday’s hearing was mostly a dispute between both sides regarding the next step’s for Ramos’ case. Ramos has been tested 3-4 times by officials at St. Elizabeth’s hospital and has been deemed “unlikely [to] regain” competence.

Government lawyers argued to keep Ramos on some type of plan to restore his competency while he is still in the hospital, which was granted by the judge. There were also disputes on how to interview Ramos. The defense and prosecution plan to hold another hearing to discuss a plan to record and interview with Ramos to find out what he knows and remembers.

Police arrest second suspect for Robinson Pal’s stabbing


Police have arrested a second suspect for the fatal stabbing of 29-year-old Robinson Pal in January.

Police on Wednesday announced the arrest of Devonta Johnson. Johnson, 27, is being charged with second-degree murder while armed and is scheduled to appear in court March 3 for an arraignment.

Police said they found Pal and another victim on the 1100 block of 17th St. on Jan. 31 with stab wounds. Both were rushed to the hospital where the second victim was treated and released, but Pal later died.

A second suspect, 35-year-old Antoine Byrd, was arrested February 17 and was charged with first-degree murder while armed. Byrd is being held without bail.

Rudolph Garris identified as man fatally shot Tuesday

Police say a man died from a gunshot wound on Tuesday afternoon.

The victim has been identified as 25-year old Rudolph Garris of Suitland, MD. Garris was found suffering from a gunshot wound in the 4200 block of Sixth Street, SE, at approximately 3:11 p.m. on March 1. Garris was then rushed to a local hospital where he died.

This is the second homicide to occur on March 1. Adam Edwin Barker was shot Monday and died the following day.

Police are still investigating the case for any suspects.

Tammy Mathis-Lawrence continued to be held without bail

A judge on Tuesday ordered Tammy Mathis-Lawrence, 41, to remain held without bail.

Lawrence has been charged with second-degree murder while armed for the murder of Ricardo Dasilva, 30.

While in court, Lawrence’s lawyers argued against the government acquiring access to Lawrence’s mental health records and statements made by the Lawrence regarding the Jan. 23 homicide. Lawrence’s lawyers stated that the defendant was on the record saying the homicide was an act of self-defense, and therefore court does not need access to her statements made regarding to the crime. However, the prosecution disagreed with Lawrence’s defense and argued that the self-defense claim was not conclusive, and they have the right to access Lawrence’s statements made about the crime.

According to Lawrence’s arrest warrant, Lawrence told the investigating officers that she “didn’t mean to kill [Dasilva.]” Lawrence also told officers that she was upset that the people living in her home “weren’t pulling their weight,” which led to the confrontation between Dasilva, a tenant, and Lawrence. As the two were discussing their housing disagreements, the conversation escalated into an altercation, according to the warrant. Lawrence allegedly told police she retrieved a pair of scissors from her bra, when Dasilva put his hand on her chest and “reached for her throat.” It was at this time that Lawrence then stabbed Dasilva in the neck with the scissors, removed them and walked to a neighbor’s house to call the police.

Inside Lawrence’s residence, officers located Dasilva’s girlfriend and roommate. The girlfriend told officers that Lawrence knocked on Dasilva’s bedroom door and asked to borrow his cell phone, which he obliged. Lawrence then reportedly made a call that the girlfriend overheard, in which Lawrence allegedly said she was “going to cut or slice [Dasilva]”. Lawrence then hung up, and went into her bedroom, with Dasilva following her asking not to be “put out” in regards to their housing disagreement. The girlfriend told police that Lawrence had scissors in her hand, and stabbed Dasilva during a heated argument.

Officers also located a second witness, who is Lawrence’s boyfriend and roommate. According to Lawrence’s boyfriend, Lawrence woke up early on the day of the homicide and went into Dasilva and his girlfriend’s room to speak with them about not “pulling their own weight” around the house. The boyfriend told police Lawrence returned to their bedroom. Dasilva came in shortly afterwards, “fussing and yelling” at Lawrence. He then told officers that Lawrence was forced against a window by Dasilva, when she stabbed him in an act of self-defense and called the police for help.

Lawrence is scheduled to appear in court April 14.

21-year-old man shot Monday dies


Police say a man who was shot on Monday died from his injuries the next day.

Adam Edwin Barker, 21, was found suffering from a gunshot would at 4:19 p.m. in the 2700 block of Langston Place, SE, Monday. Barker was taken to a local hospital where he died on March 1.

According to various media outlets, Monday was a violent day for the District. The Washington Post reported “at least three wounded in three separate shootings“. The three shootings all occurred within an hour and a half timespan, and were all in the Southeast region.

Police are still investigating the case for any suspects.

Roosevelt Robinson sentenced to 18 years for fatally shooting cousin


Roosevelt Robinson was sentenced to 18 years in prison followed by five years of probation for fatally shooting his cousin after an argument last August.
Robinson, who had pled guilty to second-degree murder while armed as part of a plea agreement, shot Loretta Carswell, 63, on the porch of her home. He then barricaded himself in a home down the street, in the 3700 block of 18th Street NE, for over 30 hours.
Carswell’s nephew, Ronald Carswell Jr., has attended Roosevelt’s hearings and previously said he forgave his relative, but still wanted him to answer for the murder.
Carswell described his aunt as a strong, stern and loving woman who wouldn’t put up with excuses or bad behaviors from family– but did it out of love.
“There’s not one person she wouldn’t help,” he said.

According to Carswell and the police charging documents, the fatal shooting of Loretta Carswell on August 21 stemmed from a family dispute. Loretta Carswell wanted Robinson out of the home she owned, that had been in her family for years. Robinson claimed Carswell stole a $10,000 diamond ring from him that was intended for his daughter.
According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office announcing Robinson’s sentence, Robinson went to Carswell’s home on the morning of August 21 and demanded the ring back. Carswell gave him a look interpreted by Robinson as dismissive, and he responded, “Girl, you know I should kill you for doing what you did.”

According to the USAO, Carswell then said “You can go ahead and kill me if you want to, I done told you I don’t have your ring.”
Robinson then shot Carswell once in the head with a Ruger. 357 Magnum revolver.
Robinson was arrested 30 hours later after a stand-off with police.

22-year old man fatally shot Wednesday afternoon


One man is dead after a shooting on the 3100 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. on Feb. 24.

Police identified the man as 22-year old Demetrius Christopher Medlay, of Southeast. According to police, Medlay was shot Wednesday afternoon and was rushed to a nearby hospital where he died.

Police are investigating the case for suspects.

Third arrest made in Shaw murder

Police have made a third arrest in the wake of Matthew Shlonsky’s murder in August. 

Police today announced the arrest of Christopher Proctor, 26, charged with second-degree murder.

“Our detectives continue to work diligently in our investigative efforts, and it was through a variety of different detective work that our members were able to identify, locate, and make the third arrest,” Police Chief Cathy Lanier said in a statement. “We hope it brings closure and a peace of mind to all who were invested in this case as we continue a successful investigation.”

Shlonsky was found suffering from a gunshot wound at approximately 4:50 p.m. on Aug. 15, 2015 in the Shaw neighborhood. He was transported to a local hospital where he then died.

Police have already charged Marcus King and Andre Dudley with murder for Shlonsky’s death.

According to court documents, Proctor was presented in D.C. Superior Court Wednesday and is being held without bail.

 

Co-defendants in Devonte Reed murder case reject plea deal

The two men charged with the alleged murder of Devonte Reed rejected the a plea deal offer that offered them at least ten years in prison in exchange for a guilty plea.

Jamie Patterson and Alphonson Harridon were each offered a plea deal where they would enter a guilty plea for voluntary manslaughter and felony possession of a firearm, that would earn them a 6-12 year prison sentence for the first charge, and four years for the second.

When Patterson’s attorney said that her client would be rejecting the plea offer, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jin Park told the defendants that the deal was a “generous offer.” She emphasized that “prior convictions will advance” Patterson and Harridon’s sentencing. According to minimum sentencing guidelines, the defendants would receive a sentence of 30 years in prison minimum for the current charge of second-degree murder while armed, in addition to the other charges, she said.

When Judge Michael Ryan asked the co-defendant’s the required questions after rejecting the plea deal, Patterson responded “Yes and no,” when asked if he had enough time to make his decision to reject the deal.

The judge then ordered a 15 minute break so that Patterson and Harridon could have more time to make their decision.

When the co-defendants returned, both denied the plea deal offer a second time.

Their next scheduled appearance in court is March 23. Both men are being held without bail.

Man charged with double homicide remains hospitalized


The man charged with the alleged murder of Clifton Francis and David Watkins Jr. had his presentment in D.C. Superior Court postponed for the second day in a row while he remains hospitalized.

It was not immediately clear if David Joshua Bright, charged with first-degree murder while armed, suffered an injury as a result of the shooting that left the two men dead or suffered an unrelated injury. Statements from police included in the arrest report did not note any injuries or struggles.

According to an arrest warrant, Bright also known as “Day-Day,” lived with Francis and Watkins at 509 58th Street, NE, along with another roommate.

According to the Washington Post, both Watkins and Francis were placed in the home through the non-profit, Friendship Place. A witness who called police to the shooting also lived inside the home.

Police responded to the home at around 1 p.m. on Feb. 18.

Upon entering the home, police found Francis’ body. According to the medical examiner’s report mentioned in the warrant, Francis died from multiple gunshot wounds to his body and face.

Police then found Watkins alive and in one of the bedrooms. Watkins would later die at the hospital from a gunshot wound.

The witness told police that “Day-Day” ran into the home and up the stairs–and then out again. He came in again and went up and down the stairs, when the witness then heard several “loud bangs” from the living room, where Francis was. The witness told police he saw “Day-Day” with a black handgun, shooting Francis at close range while yelling “This will teach you!”

The witness told police he then heard Watkins yell, “Day-Day what are you doing? You’re crazy!” According to the warrant, Bright then shot Watkins, and then pointed the gun at the witness’ head. The witness ran into a room and called police.

When police showed the witness a line up of photos, including Bright’s, he could not positively identify him. He did, however, give police a phone number that Bright uses. Bright had also filed a police report on Jan. 6 after he was the alleged victim of a theft, and gave the home where the shooting occurred as his address.

Police later received a call from another witness who told them that Bright is an extended family member and had called to say that he “had just killed two individuals from 58th and had shot on in the head and unloaded his thirty on both of them.” The family member sent police two photos of Bright, confirmed his nickname and phone number. According to the witness, Bright called less about ten minutes after police arrived on the scene.

The following day, Bright was arrested while leaving a barbershop in Maryland.

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Ammaad Chase-El ordered to continue mental evaluation

A judge on Tuesday ordered one man charged with the murder of Antonio Ayala, 34, back to St. Elizabeth’s hospital to continue a mental evaluation for 30 days.

Ammaad Chase-El, 23, appeared in court Tuesday and has been undergoing a mental evaluation since Oct. 2015. According to St. Elizabeth’s hospital, he is still incompetent to undergo a trial for first-degree murder.

Chase-El is one of the three suspects being charged with the first-degree murder of Ayala in Mar. 2015.

Herman Odom, 23, and Javonte Odom, 20, are also being charged with first-degree murder. Both men are currently being held without bail.

While in court, the judge encouraged Chase-El to remain positive after her told the hospital he was feeling hopeless and depressed because of his legal situation. He said his treatment at the hospital was “okay.”

Chase-El is scheduled to appear back in court March 29.

21-year-old man fatally shot Monday evening


Police say a man was shot and killed Monday evening.

Deandre A. Sibblies, 21, was found with a gunshot wound in the 4500 block of Quarles Street, NE, Monday afternoon at around 5:40 p.m. He was taken to the hospital where he died, according to police.

An unknown source that spoke with WUSA9 said the crime scene looked “a crap game gone sideways“.

Police are still investigating the case for a suspect.