The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 34-year-old Maurice Ford, who is alleged to have been involved in a fatal shooting during a domestic dispute in Northwest. The incident occurred on Jan 16, resulting in the death of 32-year-old Terell Cortez West and minor injuries to 1 surviving victim. Ford has been charged with Second Degree Murder While Armed.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 26-year-old Keshaun Farmer in connection with a near-fatal shooting on Feb 18 in the 3700 block of Jamison Street, Northeast. The victim, an adult male, was found with life-threatening injuries and transported to a hospital. Farmer is alleged to have committed Assault with the Intent to Kill while Armed.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are seeking assistance in identifying a suspect involved in a shooting on Connecticut Avenue, NW, on Feb 23. Two adult male victims were found with gunshot wounds and transported to a hospital, both conscious and breathing. The suspect was captured on surveillance footage.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on Feb 23 in the Unit block of Galveston Street, Southwest. The victim, identified as 25-year-old Demontay Matthews of Southeast, D.C., was found with gunshot wounds and pronounced deceased despite lifesaving efforts. The case remains under investigation.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on Feb 24 on the 1600 block of Benning Road, Northeast. The victim, identified as 48-year-old Larry Evans of Northwest, DC, was found unconscious with a gunshot wound and was pronounced deceased despite life-saving efforts.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 41-year-old Victor Terrill, of Seat Pleasant, MD, for the alleged fatal shooting of 35-year-old Ronald Clark, of Capitol Heights, MD, and injuring 1 surviving victim in Northeast. The incident occurred on Feb 23, 2024, with officers responding to gunshots on Dix Street NE and 63rd Street NE. Terrill faces charges of First Degree Murder while Armed and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are seeking assistance in locating a suspect involved in a stabbing incident that occurred on Feb 18 in the 3900 block of Minnesota Avenue, Northeast. Following a verbal altercation, the suspect stabbed an adult male victim, who was then hospitalized. The suspect was captured on surveillance footage, and the MPD is urging anyone with information to come forward.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 16-year-old Frederick Etheridge for his alleged involvement in armed carjacking offenses in Southeast, DC. Etheridge is charged as an adult with Armed Robbery (Gun) and two counts of Armed Carjacking (Gun) related to incidents on May 16, 2024, and Jan. 3, 2025, where victims were approached by suspects brandishing firearms and demanding vehicles and property. The investigation is ongoing.
DC Superior Court Judge Robert Hildum ruled that prosecutors presented sufficient evidence to prove a teen’s involvement in a carjacking during a hearing on March 13.
Aniq-Kai Covington, 16, is charged with armed carjacking, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and robbery while armed for his alleged involvement in a carjacking case that occurred on Aug. 13, 2024, on the 2700 block of 31st Street, SE.
Covington is charged as an adult under Title 16 giving prosecutors more latitude in extremely serious cases.
During the hearing, the prosecution notified Judge Hildum that they were revoking a plea offer that would have required Covington to plead guilty to armed carjacking and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence in exchange for the prosecution not seeking an indictment.
Covington’s defense attorneys, Varsha Govindaraju and Damayanti Desai, explained that he was rejecting the prosecution’s offer, which was withdrawn.
The prosecution called a detective from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to explain he worked on the case and previously encountered Covington. Govindaraju cross-examined the detective and alerted the court that no surveillance footage was retrieved from the case and that no DNA evidence was found that was linked to Covington.
Govindaraju painstakingly went through every call, interview, testimony, and description of the case to ensure accuracy with the officer. However, Judge Hildum interrupted Govindaraju saying, “Ask your question and get on with it” and “Can we please get to something relevant to this hearing?” In addition, the prosecution objected more than eight times during the cross-examination, questioning the relevance and line of questioning.
Once the witness was excused, the prosecution presented their argument against Covington. They highlighted that the complainant never gave her permission for him to use or take her car and claimed they had acquired Covington’s fingerprints inside of the passenger seat of the vehicle, allegedly proving his involvement.
Govindaraju urged Judge Hildum to find against probable cause indicating Covington’s guilt. She explained there was a lack of evidence and there could have been many other factors that led to the carjacking. She argued there was no video evidence which indicated Covington was involved in the carjacking and he did not match the suspect descriptions given from eyewitnesses at the scene of the incident.
Ultimately, Judge Hildum ruled that the court found probable cause for all counts of the crime.
Desai requested that Covington be released to home confinement with GPS monitoring. She presented letters of support from Covington’s family members, emphasizing he was “the pillar of the family.” Additionally, she alerted Judge Hildum that Covington was underage and had a child on the way.
This argument did not sway Judge Hildum, who reiterated that although “He’s a child,” Covington would be tried as an adult. Because of this, he ruled that no conditions could be imposed to ensure the community’s safety, and Covington would remain incarcerated.
The next hearing is scheduled for March 27.
The defendant in a non-fatal shooting case failed to appear in court before DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro, and a bench warrant was issued for his arrest.
Kristian Allen, 33, was sentenced to 20 months in February 2023 for one count of attempted assault with a dangerous weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for his involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on Oct. 8, 2022 on the 7400 block of Georgia Avenue, NW.
A probation show cause hearing was scheduled for March 12 to discuss potential violations of Allen’s probation. Despite that, Allen failed to appear in court as scheduled, and a probation violation and bench warrant were issued.
Allen is currently being held in Montgomery County, Maryland.
Parties will reconvene when Allen is transferred back to DC.
The defendant in a non-fatal shooting case entered a plea of guilty before DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro on March 12.
Rashard Grant, 35, was originally charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business and unlawful discarding of a firearm or ammunition for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on Jan. 10, 2025 on the 2000 block of Savannah Place, SE.
Grant pleaded guilty to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon. With this plea of guilty, he waives his right to a trial and to an appeal.
The maximum sentence for assault with a dangerous weapon is ten years imprisonment and/or a $25,000 fine.
Sentencing is set for May 15.
A murder defendant’s continuous refusal to attend court poses a risk for his trial before DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan, parties discussed on March 14.
Marquis Bullocks, 31, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder premeditated while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed, two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, threat to kidnap or injure a person, and obstruction of justice. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in the murders of 31- year-old Michael Pate and 28-year-old Djuan Proctor on the 2200 block of Savannah Terrace, SE on Sept. 18, 2021.
During the hearing, Judge Ryan alerted the parties Bullocks “refused to get off the transportation that brought him over here,” from the DC Jail.
According to the prosecution, this is Bullocks’ sixth failure to appear in court. They added three of those involved a refusal to get off the bus or refusal to be searched, and the other three were allegedly due to health issues.
Judge Ryan stated he’s worried this puts the Sept. 2 trial date at risk. “If he just wants to stay locked up I should vacate the trial,” Judge Ryan said, adding, “I don’t think the jail is keen on having a permanent resident.”
David Akulian, Bullocks’ attorney, requested to cancel the trial date, but was met with objections from the prosecutor, who stated “[Bullocks] shouldn’t get to choose if the case goes forward,” citing that Proctor and Pate’s families have been waiting for years for trial, which was previously delayed due to Bullocks firing his prior attorneys.
Prosecutors asked Judge Ryan to order the Marshals to use force to ensure he goes to court. “I’m not inclined to keep the case for trial or forcibly bring him in from the jail,” Judge Ryan said.
Judge Ryan questioned if Akulian had concerns about Bullocks’ mental competency. “I’ve been considering that,” Akulian said, stating he would visit Bullocks this weekend and would file a motion for competency evaluations if necessary.
“I have to look at the realities of the situation,” Judge Ryan stated, giving the parties time to file any motions they see fit.
Parties are slated to reconvene March 28.
DC Superior Court Judge Carmen McLean heard opening statements from parties in a non-fatal shooting trial on March 12.
Ni’Jhae Curry, 26, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, endangerment with a gun, two counts of carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, and possession of a prohibited weapon for her alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on Oct. 17, 2023, at the 900 block of Sycamore Drive, SE. No injuries were reported.
In opening statements, the prosecution argued the night of the incident should have been “a regular day in the neighborhood” for the victim, but instead, she was attacked from behind at random. They claim the victim and Curry were once friends but had since fallen out, creating ongoing tension. The prosecution alleged that after a fight between them just minutes later, Curry fired at the victim from inside her apartment. They urged the jury to focus on “who the aggressor truly was” despite what the defense would argue.
Curry’s attorney, Jonathan Love, countered by pointing out inconsistencies in the prosecution’s case, plus oversights in the investigation. He argued that surveillance footage would show the victim, not Curry, in a fighting stance at the apartment lobby–disproving the claim that she was attacked from behind. Love explained that after the altercation, the victim threatened to kill Curry, who later fired a shot out of fear for her safety.
Love noted that Curry had previously been a victim of a violent crime and had been living in a “high crime area” for years, so when she saw that the victim returned to the apartment complex in baggy clothes with “a bulge” at her abdomen, she was defending herself.
Following opening statements, the prosecution called an eyewitness who helped break up the earlier fight, but while on the stand, he repeatedly referred to his grand jury transcript, even to confirm the incident address. The court agreed to recall him at a later date so he could review his prior testimony.
A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer testified he recovered a shell cartridge and called for a crime scene investigator to collect it. During a brief cross-examination, he confirmed he did not speak to any suspect, witness, or victim on the scene.
A DC Department of Forensic Science (DCDFS) analyst testified that after Curry was apprehended, officers allegedly discovered two firearms in her vehicle–an AR-style pistol and a smaller handgun.
During his testimony, he noted that the smaller handgun was jammed, with a bullet stuck in the chamber, making it inoperable. During cross-examination, he testified the jam likely occurred after the first round was fired and confirmed that neither gun was fully loaded when recovered.
A private ballistics expert later testified to receiving and analyzing the firearms, magazines with unfired ammunition, and the single-fired bullet. He confirmed that the smaller pistol had been fired but stated during cross-examination that he could not determine the shooter’s identity, proximity to the victim, position when firing, or any other details about the case.
An MPD officer from the firearms registration branch testified that a database search showed Curry was neither a licensed gun owner nor had she applied for any firearm permits in the District.
Parties are slated to reconvene on March 13.
A prosecutor told DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan the office was withdrawing a plea offer they extended to a homicide defendant on March 14, after he was unable to finalize his decision in court.
Monteze Morton, 35, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, possession of firearm during crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 29-year-old Dimitrious Brown on March 22, 2024 on the 2800 block of Hartford Street, SE.
During the hearing, Thomas Key, Morton’s attorney, alerted Judge Ryan that he planned on rejecting the prosecution’s plea offer, which would require him to plead guilty to second-degree murder while armed in exchange for a dismissal of all other charges. Through the deal, parties would agree to a 19-to-24 year sentence.
“To be honest your honor, I know my situation,” Morton told Judge Ryan when asked if he was rejecting it, before Judge Ryan interrupted him and advised to speak with Key to ensure he didn’t say anything that would harm his case.
“It’s a serious legal decision,” Judge Ryan said about Morton’s decision.
After a brief break, Key told Judge Ryan “He knows what he did and didn’t do, and doesn’t want to take the plea offer.” However, when asked by Judge Ryan if he had sufficient time to make a decision with his attorney, Morton hesitated and was unable to answer.
Judge Ryan stated he would give Morton until Monday to decide, but the prosecution objected, stating the deal expired today and if he didn’t accept or reject it in the hearing they would be withdrawing it.
“If he needs more time, he needs more time,” Judge Ryan told the prosecution, with Key responding “He’s very clear he doesn’t want to take it.”
“My job is to figure out if someone’s doing something knowingly and voluntarily,” Judge Ryan stated.
The prosecution said they were withdrawing it, after Morton requested additional time to review evidence with his attorney before making a final decision.
Key also requested Morton be released, stating he can get a job and this is a “very strong self-defense case,” adding Morton maintains his innocence.
Judge Ryan denied the motion, stating Morton has two prior convictions, one for which he didn’t do well in parole, and insisted there are no conditions of release that can guarantee the community’s safety.
Parties are slated to reconvene July 1.
DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman detained a carjacking suspect–one of three the prosecution says are members of the “Back Door Slime” conspiracy in a March 14 hearing.
Daon Farmer, 23, is charged in a seven-count indictment with conspiracy, two counts of armed carjacking, two counts of possession of a firearm in a crime of violence, and two counts of unauthorized use of a vehicle in a crime of violence in connection to two incidents in Northwest DC on Jan. 21 and Jan. 22 of last year. Exact locations were not provided.
According to the prosecutor, Farmer, and two co-conspirators carjacked a silver Toyota Camry as their first target, then pulled off another armed carjacking the following day.
The US Attorney’s Office named Deangelo Wooten as another co-conspirator facing a 48-count indictment on many of the same charges but including assault with intent to kill, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, robbery while armed and obstructing justice.
The prosecutor said a witness identified Farmer as a suspect from surveillance video. Further, the prosecution says Farmer’s cell phone was found in one of the carjacked vehicles. Cell site data allegedly shows Farmer was in close proximity to the other two co-defendants in the case. Investigators allegedly recovered a firearm from Wooten.
The prosecutor labeled the aggregate crimes the “Back Door Slime” conspiracy.
Farmer’s attorney, Courtney Vaughan, says the weight of evidence against her client isn’t strong, rather it’s a case of “guilt by association,” namely because his cell phone turned up in the investigation. Further, she said, Farmer’s been released in the community more than a year since the carjackings without any issues.
“He has lived his whole life without incident,” said Vaughan.
Judge Edelman noted that probable cause had already been determined in the case, which he called a “black and white” carjacking. “The crimes here are of the most dangerous type,” said the judge.
He concluded that no conditions of release could guarantee the safety of the community and ordered Farmer detained.
A status hearing is set for March 28.
