The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 39-year-old Roshawn Petway in connection with a stabbing incident that occurred on April 22 on the 3300 block of 10th Place, SE.
The victim, an adult woman, was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
Petway has been charged with Assault With A Dangerous Weapon (Knife) and Aggravated Assault.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on May 3 on the 500 block of Newcomb Street, SE.
The victim, identified as 31-year-old Alex Alexander of Gaithersburg, MD, was found with gunshot wounds and pronounced dead at the scene.
The case remains under investigation.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on May 2 on the 600 block of 21st Street, NE.
The victim, identified as 61-year-old Steven Stewart, was found deceased inside an apartment with gunshot injuries.
The case remains under investigation.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are seeking public assistance in the investigation of the homicide of 3-year-old Ty’ah Settles, which occurred on May 3, 2024.
Ty’ah was fatally shot while seated in a vehicle on the 2300 block of Hartford Street, SE, and later pronounced dead at a hospital.
The MPD continues to urge anyone with information to come forward to help bring justice in this case.
In the four corners of a DC courtroom on May 2 friends and family members of murder victim Dara Northern, 29, attempted to pick up the pieces of love lost and lives shattered.
“I won’t be kissing her forehead again, hold her in my arms, hold her children,” said Northern’s mother, a well-spoken academic.
“I received the most shocking call of my life. That Dara had been shot. I screamed! I threw the phone down,” said a close friend about the incident on July 18, 2021 on the 6100 block of Fourth Street, NW.
Their voices shaking with rage and spilling tears of grief, the women reading impact statements in DC Superior Court Judge Rainy Brandt’s courtroom were a stunning reminder that time passes but wounds to the soul are painfully slow to heal.
Idrissa Fall, 38, was charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict for fatally shooting Northern. She was targeted through the passenger’s side window while in a friend’s car. The confrontation happened a few days after Northern broke off her relationship with Fall.
Fall was found guilty of all charges in a jury trial on Jan. 22.
Northern’s best friend was with her when she was killed. “I never imagined you were capable of that kind of evil,” she said, facing Fall. “My bond [with Northern] was unbreakable and you broke it.”
“Instead of cherishing that you extinguished it,” she said.
As the case unfolded prosecutors painted Fall as a controlling, manipulating lover who was pathologically jealous of Northern’s every move and critical of her friendships with gay people.
Finally, according to prosecutors, Northern snapped after Fall slapped her. “He hit the wrong woman. She put her foot down,” said the prosecutor. According to the prosecution’s narrative, when the relationship dissolved, Fall acted out with murderous violence.
Underscoring that Fall never accepted responsibility for his actions and had the temerity to ask Northern’s mother for money after killing her daughter, prosecutors asked for a 660 month sentence for the murder with 96 months and 28 months for the gun charges, respectively.
Still, that would not be enough for a close family friend who said torture and the death penalty were the appropriate punishments for Fall’s crime.
“You f****d up when you killed my friend,” she said.”He needs to be gone.”
Despite her pain, Northern’s mother delivered an uplifting message to Fall and the court.
“I will pray for you because you need the mercy of God and Allah.” Along the same line, “May God cleanse your soul of bitterness and come to see yourself.” Northern’s mother had taken Fall into her home during the COVID pandemic.
Judge Brandt called the statements a “master class” of grace and strength.
Fall’s attorney Wole Folondun expressed “deep sorrow” over Northern’s death and offered heartfelt condolences. In explaining Fall’s actions, he pointed to the defendant’s troubled background as one of nine children born in Senegal, himself a victim of violence.
“Without support the experiences of his past have shaped his present,” said Folondun who asked for a 30 year sentence.
Fall apologized, said he was a changed man and that he had devoted himself to prayer, reading and mentoring in jail. “I think about Dara everyday,” he said.
Before imposing the sentence, Judge Brandt reflected on the exceptional nature of the crime she called an ambush.
“As murders in this city go, this ranks with the most callous and heinous,” said the judge.
“All Dara did was love you. Is this the way to express that love?” asked Judge Brandt. She characterized the crime as intolerable domestic violence.
The judge sentenced Fall to 50 years with five years on supervised release for premeditated murder, eight years for possessing a gun in a crime of violence and two years for unlawful possession of a firearm with a felony conviction of more than one year. All terms are to be served concurrently.
In addition, Fall will have to pay $200 to the Victims of Violent Crime Fund and register as a gun offender.
No further proceedings were scheduled.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 33-year-old Bryan Wilson, who is alleged to have been involved in a stabbing incident on Aug. 7, 2024, on the 200 block of W Street, NW.
The victim, an adult male, was found unconscious and not breathing, suffering from a stab wound, and was transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Wilson has been charged with Assault With Intent to Kill.
The mother of one of the six co-defendants reluctantly identified her son in open court during a homicide trial before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz in a hearing on April 29.
William Johnson-Lee, 22, Erwin DuBose, 30, Kamar Queen, 27, and Damonta Thompson, 28, are charged with conspiracy, two counts of premeditated first-degree murder while armed with aggravating circumstances, two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, and three counts of assault with significant bodily injury while armed, for their alleged involvement in the mass shooting that claimed the lives of 31-year-old Donnetta Dyson, 24-year-old Keenan Braxton, and 37-year-old Johnny Joyner.
Dubose, Queen, and Johnson-Lee each face nine additional counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. Queen and Thompson each incurred one additional count of first-degree murder while armed with aggravating circumstances, and Johnson-Lee was accused of two more counts of the same charge. Dubose, Queen, and Thompson each have an additional charge of one or more counts of assault with intent to kill while armed.
Dubose and Queen are also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction, as well. Dubose has additional charges of premeditated first-degree murder while armed and tampering with physical evidence. Finally, Queen and Johnson-Lee each have an additional charge of carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business.
The incident occurred on the 600 block of Longfellow Street, NW, on Sept. 4, 2021, and left three others suffering from injuries.
Toyia Johnson, 52, and Mussay Rezene, 32, are charged with accessory after the fact while armed and tampering with physical evidence for their alleged involvement in assisting the other defendants in getting rid of the evidence and avoiding getting caught in connection with the case.
Prosecutors called DuBose’s mother to testify, confirming he was living at the 100 block of Peabody Street, NE, and the phone number at the time of the incident. She also pointed him out in open court, identifying him in person and on screenshots of surveillance footage from an unnamed apartment complex.
The prosecutors also used her to introduce body-worn camera footage of a search warrant conducted at their home after the incident. She testified that she, her husband, and their daughter were present, and officers “stormed” into DuBose’s bedroom.
During a brief cross-examination by Erwin DuBose’s attorney, Michael Bruckheim, it was revealed that she had been subpoenaed by the prosecution to testify in the grand jury and today.
“I interpreted that my presence in these meetings was required,” she explained. “I feel like I’m incriminating my son, and I don’t want to be here.”
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer responsible for executing part of the search warrant of DuBose’s house was also called to testify.
He reviewed his body-worn camera footage from the day, explaining that as an officer in the criminal apprehension unit, it’s common to not know any background information about the people, the items, or the facts of the case.
In this case, he also didn’t know what they were searching for, just that any weapons or technological devices should have been turned over to the MPD detectives assigned to the case. To his knowledge, nothing of substance was found that day.
A responding officer testified he spoke to the people living in a home that sustained gunshots to the exterior during the mass shooting. While reviewing his body-worn camera footage, he documented that there was a gunshot in the window, damage to the cables of the house’s electrical box, and at least 18-to-22 shell casings and bullet fragments on the surrounding street.
Another officer responded the Medstar Washington Hospital Center’s emergency room where he was flagged down by a nurse. She reported there was a gunshot victim about to receive medical attention, sustaining injuries to the left arm and groin.
The officer was able to question him after, and said the victim was reluctant to give information about what happened and how he was shot, but said that someone dropped him off at the hospital.
Parties are slated to reconvene on April 30.
A defendant accused in a wide-ranging carjacking, robbery case rejected a pre-indictment plea deal from the prosecution in front of DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe on April 23.
Kwesi Pyne, 19, is charged with unarmed carjacking, four counts of robbery while armed and five counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. Pyne was arrested on Feb. 15, 2024 on the 3100 block of 16th St NW after police approached him for suspicious behavior and he allegedly fled the scene. He is accused in the following incidents:
In January, the prosecution offered Pyne an agreement, requiring him to plead guilty to carjacking, robbery, and robbery while armed, and in exchange, the prosecution would not seek an indictment.
In court, Bryan Bookhard, Pyne’s attorney, indicated that he is rejecting the plea deal and they would like to move forward with a trial date, which was scheduled for Aug. 11.
Parties are slated to reconvene June 23.
DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt dismissed a stabbing defendant’s case during an April 30 hearing, due to the prosecution missing an indictment deadline multiple times.
Dennis Bowler, 56, was charged with assault with intent to kill while armed for his alleged involvement in a stabbing that injured one on the 3000 block of Rodman Street, NW. The incident occurred on May 24, 2024.
According to court documents, the victim sustained four-to-six stab wounds in the arms and chest, causing two collapsed lungs.
During the hearing, Jason Clark, Bowler’s attorney, filed a motion to dismiss the case due to want of prosecution, which means the prosecution failed to file an indictment to move the case forward as legally required.
According to court records, Judge Brandt had granted a request by the prosecution to extend the February indictment deadline. However, prosecutors missed the new deadline. According to court records, the case was dismissed “without prejudice” meaning the prosecution could potentially refile the matter.
No further dates were set.
A shooting defendant faces court delays because he won’t participate in a mental observation session. DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe urged him to attend his next appointment with behavioral health specialists at an April 23 hearing.
Donnell Hannah, 26, is charged with unarmed carjacking and assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a shooting incident on July 21, 2024 on the 800 block of Southern Ave, SE. Hannah and another individual allegedly fired gunshots before stealing the victim’s car.
During the hearing, Russell Hairston, Hannah’s attorney, alerted Judge Pipe that his client did not attend his previously scheduled appointment. Judge Pipe emphasized that in order to move forward with his case, Hannah must comply with the April 29 assessment. Until it’s determined that a defendant understands the case against him, the matter can’t come to trial.
Parties are slated to reconvene May 7.
DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt accepted a report from the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) on April 30 that deemed a shooting defendant mentally competent to stand trial.
Christopher Wise, 34, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm, carrying a pistol without a license outside home or business, possession of an unregistered firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on June 10, 2024, on the 4100 block of Hayes Street, NE. The incident left one person injured.
During the hearing, Judge Brandt alerted the parties that the report found Wise competent to proceed with the case in that he understands his legal situation. The prosecution did not object to the finding, and neither did Janai Reed, Wise’s attorney.
However, Reed stated she had concerns about some unspecified information included in the report, but did not move to challenge the finding during the hearing.
Parties are slated to reconvene Sept. 17.
Prosecutors presented expert testimony involving cell tower data and surveillance video crucial to a homicide case before DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park on April 29.
Ranje Reynolds, 28, is charged with first-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Tarek Boothe on Jan. 31, 2022, on the 3200 block of M Street, NW.
The prosecution called on a cell site analyst who reviewed Reynolds’ call records.
Information from Jan. 31, 2022, shows the defendant’s device interacting with cell towers in the general area of the crime scene.
The prosecution also called a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Homicide Branch detective who explained the early collection of surveillance video to identify a suspect. He stated that he and his team canvassed nearby homes and businesses along 33rd Street then did the same on M Street. They collected available footage to trace the suspect’s possible escape route after the incident.
Prosecutors called on another MPD officer, who testified that a “be on the lookout” (BOLO) alert was released with images of the suspect from still shots of surveillance footage.
Through additional investigation with the US Marshals, Reynolds was identified and later arrested.
The trial is slated to continue on April 30.
A mother and her son testified on the second day of a non-fatal shooting trial before DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe on April 23. The incident started with an argument over loud music but ended in violence.
Donnell Wells, 36, is charged with two counts of aggravated assault knowingly while armed, three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, five counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for his alleged involvement in a shooting on the 500 block of Newcomb Street, SE. The incident occurred on Aug. 1, 2024 and two individuals sustained gunshot wounds.
In her testimony, the victim’s mother, who lived at the Newcomb Street address, stated an altercation began when she asked her neighbors to move inside, since she was bothered by their loud music and the pungent smell of marijuana coming from their patio. After she asked a second time, she testified, Wells, a friend of the noisy neighbor, began arguing with her and yelling obscenities.
That caused her son to come outside and attempt to hit Wells after which, according to the witness, Wells shot her son in the chest and leg. After hearing the gunshots, the second victim, whom she identified as her brother, came outside and he was shot in the neck
In her testimony, she emphasized that her emotions were all over the place following the shooting, saying she “didn’t know if her baby was going to make it.” She also stated that she heard from her other son that he had an altercation with Wells prior to the shooting, during which Wells allegedly pulled a .22 caliber gun.
Her son later testified about the shooting and the lasting effects it has had on his life. He said he had to be admitted to the hospital for two weeks due to his injuries, and also needed to receive abdominal surgery.
When asked if he and his mother ever discussed the shooting, he said they never did in depth because he did not like talking about it. He was unable to identify the shooter, saying that his mother was blocking his view when it happened.
One officer with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) testified the victim’s mother made threats to officers on the scene, but emphasized that she was rightfully upset about the situation.
Parties are slated to reconvene April 24.
Defendants in a fatal shooting rejected a plea deal before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on April 29.
Ashton Inabinet, 18, and Na’eem Butler, 21, are charged with second-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for their alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Diamonte Lewis, 24, on Oct. 21, 2023, at the 900 block of U Street, NW.
Inabinet and Butler rejected the plea, which would have required the defendants to admit guilt to voluntary manslaughter in exchange for dismissal of all other charges. The full terms were not formally read in open court, as Judge Kravitz said the abbreviated version, “would make for a speedy hearing” since they’ve already reviewed and discussed the terms at the beginning of the year.
Butler’s defense attorney, David Knight, requested a modification of release, specifically taking away the curfew for the summer months, as Butler’s family attempted to make travel plans. Judge Kravitz explained he was unprepared to address the matter and instructed parties to coordinate with chambers for further release modification discussions.
A trial date was scheduled for Oct. 26, 2026.
Parties are slated to reconvene in the interim on Oct. 31, 2025.
The admissibility of prosecution evidence was debated in a motions hearing for a shooting case before DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman on April 30.
Anthony Green, 39, is charged with first-degree murder premeditated while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Terrence Akindo, 24, on July 30, 2023 on the 2300 block of 13th Place, NE.
Sylvia Smith and Jessica Willis, Green’s attorneys, alleged that the prosecution mishandled a vehicle, which was critical evidence, by removing the car from police custody and moving it to a junk yard.
Additionally, the defense alleged that there are discrepancies with body-worn camera footage. One officer’s body-worn camera produced limited footage, and another officer’s camera was turned off with no explanation.
The defense requested an expedited timeline for the prosecution to respond.
The prosecution requested that additional evidence be ruled as admissible, including an alleged assault perpetuated by Green, where he choked an individual who was later a witness to the incident. There was also a money transaction gone wrong, where Green allegedly refused to pay for marijauna purchased from the victim in this case.
Judge Edelman ruled both were inadmissible, citing they were highly prejudicial and no direct evidentiary link to this case.
The prosecution presented that the firearm used in this case may have been involved in a shooting in Maryland two weeks prior to this incident occurring. The prosecution requested video evidence of that shooting be admissible.
Judge Edelman ruled the video evidence is admissible, but only on the grounds of possession of a firearm. The act of shooting in this video footage will not be shown.
Parties are slated to reconvene May 1.
