The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of Marquis Alston, 19, in connection with an armed carjacking that occurred on Jan. 23 on the 1700 block of New Jersey Avenue, NW. The victim was assaulted by three suspects and had their vehicle stolen at gunpoint while pumping gas. Alston has been charged with Armed Carjacking, and the case remains under investigation.
A defendant was deemed mentally competent to stand trial before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt in a hearing on April 4.
Santos Duarte, 25, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on July 5 at a restaurant and bar on the 3500 block of 14th Street, NW. One victim, the owner of the restaurant, suffered a gunshot wound to the leg.
Duarte was deemed competent to understand a trial proceeding by a DC Department of Behavior Health (DBH) representative, with no objections by the counsel or court.
Camille Wagner, Duarte’s attorney, informed the court that her client would likely enter into a plea agreement in the coming weeks. Terms of the agreement were unspecified.
Judge Brandt allowed Wagner time to discuss the plea deal with her client, which would require her to go in-person to the DC jail.
Parties are slated to reconvene on April 25.
A stabbing defendant was denied release by DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe on April 7, after his attorney argued the prosecution failed to establish probable cause in the case.
Charles Proctor, 45, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a stabbing that left an individual injured on Feb. 20 at the unit block of Danbury Street, SW. The victim sustained injuries to his upper right arm and the right side of his back.
In court, Destiny Fullwood-Singh, Proctor’s attorney, claimed the victim does not have a reliable memory. She called a defense team investigator who spoke with the victim about what happened.
According to the investigator, the victim stated that Proctor choked him with his bare hands prior to the stabbing. Fullwood-Singh stated that this information was not relayed police.
The investigator also asked the victim whether he remembers allegedly spraying Proctor with an unknown substance, to which he replied he did not remember. Fullwood-Singh argued that Proctor had the jacket with the substance on it at the time of arrest, however it was not taken into evidence.
“I thought there was gonna be some evidence here,” Judge Pipe stated. She stated that when she had agreed to reopen the preliminary hearing it was her understanding that Fullwood-Singh would argue for self-defense case, not contest probable cause.
Fullwood-Singh requested release on electronic monitoring for Proctor despite a murder conviction in 2004. She stated that since that prior conviction, Proctor has had no criminal contact, secured housing, secured multiple jobs, and fulfilled all of his conditions of release. She also highlighted the weakness of the prosecution’s case.
“I ask that you base your judgement on this new individual standing in front of you,” Proctor begged Judge Pipe.
Judge Pipe admitted that the evidence in this case isn’t particularly strong, however, she said it’s still good enough to prove probable cause, citing the victim’s multiple stab wounds. She stated that she takes repeat offenders in a crime of violence very seriously, denying the motion for release.
Parties are slated to reconvene May 30.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on April 5 in the 900 block of Mount Olivet Road, NE. The victim, identified as 55-year-old Maurice Tyner, was initially found conscious and breathing but later succumbed to his injuries on April 6. No suspect information has been released.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on April 5 in the 1100 block of Eastern Avenue, NE. The victim, identified as 48-year-old DiCarlo Dickerson of Northeast, D.C., was found with gunshot wounds and pronounced dead at the scene.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on March 27 in the 2800 block of 1st Street, SE. The victim, identified as 29-year-old Benjamin Mingo of Northeast, DC, was found with a life-threatening gunshot wound and was pronounced deceased despite life-saving efforts.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are seeking public assistance in identifying suspects involved in an armed carjacking in the Navy Yard area on March 25. The suspects first attempted to carjack a victim on the 400 block of K Street, SE, but fled when the victim sought help. They then successfully carjacked a second victim at the intersection of 3rd Street and K Street, SE, after displaying a handgun. Surveillance footage of the suspects is available to aid in their identification.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are seeking assistance in locating multiple suspects and a vehicle involved in a shooting on March 28 in the 3200 block of 23rd Street, SE. Three victims, two adult males and one adult female, were found conscious with gunshot wounds and transported to hospitals. Surveillance cameras captured images of one suspect and the vehicle involved.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of Ricky Camacho, 45, in connection with a stabbing incident that occurred on March 31 in the 1100 block of F Street, NW. Camacho, who has no fixed address, allegedly approached and stabbed the victim, who sustained minor injuries and was treated at a hospital. Camacho has been charged with Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Knife).
The defendant in a homicide told DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan that he wished to test DNA evidence related to his case on April 3.
Angel Monge, 52, also known as Alex Lobos and Alex Villalobos, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the killing of 49-year-old Matias Molina on Sept. 1, 2013 at the intersection of Beach Drive and Joyce Road, NW.
According to documents from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) the United States Park Police were notified of a body found on the bank of Rock Creek, where they located Molina suffering from multiple stab wounds.
Monge’s attorney, Joseph Yarbough, told the court that Monge would be asserting his right to independently test DNA evidence related to the case.
Both parties have questions about the evidence since the incident was almost 12 years ago, and the prosecution’s working closely with the Department of Forensic Science (DFS) to figure out what evidence is available and its condition.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Aug. 15.
Bobby Gupton and James Outland accepted a plea offer from the prosecution for second-degree murder while armed before DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson on April 4, in return for the prosecution’s agreeing to drop all other charges associated with the case.
Gupton and Outland, both 26, were originally charged with conspiracy while armed, first-degree murder while armed, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. The charges stemmed from the fatal shooting of 54-year-old Tavonayna Glenn on June 28, 2023, on the 700 block of 19th Street, NE.
According to the prosecutor, Gupton and Outland were among a group of four men who ran together at a crowd of people on the street while firing guns into the crowd. Glenn died of a gunshot wound to the chest.
The plea offer from the prosecution was wired, meaning it would take effect only if both co-defendants accepted it. Gupton arrived at the court hearing prepared to accept the offer, but Outland asked Judge Dayson for more time to talk with his attorney.
Outland’s attorney, Howard McEarchen, told the court that Outland was reluctant to take the plea deal because it didn’t cap the possible sentence at anything less than the maximum the law would allow.
Liz Sapirstein, Gupton’s attorney, said the charge of second-degree murder while armed carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, with a period of supervised release of not less than five years. McEarchen added that the defendants must each pay between $100 and $5,000 to the Victims of Violent Crime Fund.
Outland returned to court later the same day and joined Gupton in accepting the prosecution’s offer. Both co-defendants waived their rights to independently test DNA evidence.
Judge Dayson scheduled their sentencing for July 11.
DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun sentenced Shannon Updike on April 4 to 15 years in prison for his involvement in a murder, despite the victim’s family urging Judge Okun to impose a harsher sentence.
On Dec. 19, 2024, Updike, 21, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed for his involvement in the fatal shooting of Chidozie Njoku, 23, on the 4000 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE on May 27, 2024.
The prosecution stated that Updike made a decision that wasn’t his to make in that, “he took the law into his own hands that day… he acted in vigilante justice.” Additionally, the prosecution read a victim impact statement which stated that all they ask is for Judge Okun to deliver justice swiftly and fairly.
e Updike reportedly told a MPD detective that there was an altercation between Njoku and his girlfriend. Updike stated he only met Njoku once, but believed was abusive toward his girlfriend.
Njoku’s uncle, who attended the hearing remotely, asked for anonymity fearing retaliation. “We do not know what else this criminal has planned next,” the uncle stated. He echoed the family’s call for a longer sentence, asking the judge to impose 23 years to match the age Chidozie would have been.
“He killed me. He killed my son, he killed me,” Njoku’s mother cried, before breaking out into tears.
Updike’s attorney, Stephen LoGerfo, made it clear that this was a very unusual case, that Updike is a very calm and intelligent person and that he takes full responsibility for his actions.
Judge Okun gave his condolences to the Njoku family stating, “Nothing I do will bring Chido back.”
Judge Okun accepted Updike’s plea, and sentenced him to 15 years of imprisonment with five years of supervised release, stating he hopes Updike can become a productive member of the community after his sentence.
No further dates were set.
DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson ruled on April 4 that the prosecution established probable cause to send Quateze Moore‘s case to a grand jury. Judge Dayson rejected the defense’s request for pre-trial release.
Moore, 47, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Martinez Robinson, 25, on Aug. 23, 2024, on the 1300 block of Girard Street, NW. Robinson suffered multiple gunshot wounds and succumbed to his wounds at a local hospital.
“The prosecution has more than met the standard of probable cause,” the prosecutor stated before Judge Dayson. The prosecutor said surveillance video footage clearly shows Moore with a gun in his hand, pursuing Robinson, immediately after the shooting
Madalyn Harvey, Moore’s attorney, argued that Moore cannot be clearly identified from the surveillance video footage.
In her cross-examination of the lead police detective in the case, Harvey elicited the testimony that Moore’s identification was made from video footage taken before the shooting, not during Moore’s pursuit of Robinson. Harvey said the shooter’s appearance is consistent with Moore’s in that both are wearing dark clothes, but there’s nothing distinctive about the clothing to make them recognizably the same.
The detective also said the police haven’t found any witnesses who will testify to the interaction between Moore and Robinson, although video footage shows several individuals surrounding them.
Harvey argued, even if Moore committed the shooting, he might have done it in self defense, since Robinson had a gun on him when he was found.
Judge Dayson agreed with Harvey that the shooter’s clothing was not unique, but she pointed out that cell site data also places Moore in the area of the shooting.
Judge Dayson found it unlikely that Robinson threatened Moore with his gun and prompted the shooting in self defense because Robinson’s gun was found inside his compression shorts. Judge Dayson added it would have been hard for Robinson to put the gun inside tight shorts before running away after he was shot.
The detective testified that eight shell casings were found at the scene of the crime. Judge Dayson said the number of shots fired demonstrated the perpetrator’s intention to kill his victim.
The detective also testified that a man entered Moore’s apartment after the shooting and removed a pair of shoes and a bag of other items. When police questioned him, the man said he was acting at Moore’s request.
Judge Dayson said the request suggested Moore had consciousness of guilt.
The prosecutor asked Judge Dayson to keep Moore in custody because he has prior convictions for violent crimes involving firearms. In addition, Moore was found in possession of a firearm and narcotics when he was arrested.
Harvey argued Moore should be released because his most recent conviction was almost 25 years ago and he completed his probation showing he can comply with conditions of release.
Judge Dayson ordered Moore to remain in jail. She said he is a danger to the community because he allegedly committed a crime of violence while armed during the day on a playground, where others could be harmed. Even Moore’s own dog died at the scene from a gunshot wound.
Parties are scheduled to reconvene on July 11 before DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of a 12-year-old juvenile male from Northeast in connection with an armed carjacking that took place on July 3, 2024, in the 2800 block of 11th Street, NW. The suspect allegedly brandished a firearm and stole the victim’s vehicle.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of two juveniles involved in an armed carjacking that took place on March 6 in Southeast. The suspects, a 14-year-old and a 13-year-old male, allegedly brandished a firearm and stole a vehicle from a victim seated in the 1700 block of 16th Street, SE. Both juveniles have been charged with Armed Carjacking.
