Carjacking Defendant Accepts Plea Deal, Remains Jailed

A carjacking defendant accepted a plea deal extended by prosecutors before DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld on June 2.

Tamika Burriss, 36, was initially charged with armed carjacking for her involvement in an incident on Feb. 17, 2024 on the 100 block of Kennedy Street, NW.

During the hearing, Quiana Harris, Burriss’ attorney, alerted the court of her intent to accept a deal, which required her to plead guilty to assault with intent to rob while armed, in exchange for the prosecution not seeking indictment on greater charges.

Through the deal, prosecutors agreed to request a sentence at the bottom of the sentencing guidelines. According to the prosecution, had the case gone to trial, they would have proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Burriss was the perpetrator in the incident. Prosecutors claimed surveillance footage, in which Burriss identified herself, and witness statements placed Burriss at the scene.

Harris filed a motion for release pending sentencing, arguing that Burriss needed to care for her children, citing her record of three misdemeanors and no violent offenses. Judge Hertzfeld denied the motion after the prosecution referenced a resolved 2016 case in which she allegedly threatened to commit bodily harm with a knife against another individual.

According to Harris, the victim of the carjacking called Burriss over to the car in the moments leading up to the incident. Judge Hertzfeld was unmoved by the allegation, replying, “I don’t think that changes the calculus here,” and denied the request for release.

Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 7.

Parties Dispute If Homicide Defendant Destroyed Video Evidence

The defense and prosecution disputed whether a defendant was responsible for lost footage of a homicide during a motions hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan on May 30.

Desmond Gaskin, 39, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction greater than a year, tampering with physical evidence, first-degree theft, and destruction of property less than $1000.

The charges stem from his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 40-year-old William Whittington on July 19, 2022 on the 400 block of Burbank Street, SE. Whittington sustained a single gunshot wound to his head. Gaskin allegedly returned to the scene on July 20 and allegedly stole a DVR device with surveillance footage.

During the hearing, parties presented arguments regarding a defense motion requesting the court impose sanctions on the prosecution for failing to preserve material evidence. Gaskin’s attorney, Jason Tulley, informed the court that footage from a Ring camera near the incident was lost. Tulley explained that when motion activated the camera, an image was captured and sent to an external drive, however the videos stayed within the DVR.

Tulley said the detective’s method of screenshotting the images produced “essentially useless” images that are extremely blurry and difficult to read the dates and times. Tulley argued the missing evidence was essential to Gaskin’s defense.

Prosecutors acknowledged the images were low resolution but disputed Tulley’s argument and mentioned that three of Gaskin’s charges relate to him allegedly deleting the recordings. “The defendant broke into the room and took the DVR,” said prosecutors. They also noted the cameras are from a private residence, not proprietary to prosecution.

Tulley and Gaskin’s other attorney, Cora Holt, both laughed when the prosecution noted the defendant’s charges related to destroying evidence.

Judge Ryan noted that a grand jury indicted Gaskin on charges allegedly resulting from actions which made the evidence inaccessible. The judge added it did not benefit the detective to intentionally produce unclear images.

Judge Ryan planned to review Tulley’s questioning of the detective from the preliminary hearing before deciding if he will grant an evidentiary hearing.

Parties are scheduled to resume motions discussions on June 2.

Key Witness Testifies After Arrest In Murder, Mass Shooting

Outfitted in an orange jumpsuit and handcuffed, a reluctant witness was asked to identify suspects in a deadly mass shooting before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz during a hearing on June 2.

Erwin Dubose, 31, Kamar Queen, 28, Damonta Thompson, 28, and William Johnson-Lee, 22, are charged with conspiracy, premeditated first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, among other charges, for their alleged involvement in the mass shooting that killed 31-year-old Donnetta Dyson, 24-year-old Keenan Braxton, and 37-year-old Johnny Joyner. The incident occurred on the 600 block of Longfellow Street, NW on Sept. 4, 2021, and injured three additional individuals.

Mussay Rezene, 32, and Toyia Johnson, 53, are charged with accessory after the fact while armed and tampering with physical evidence for their alleged involvement in assisting the other defendants discard evidence and avoid arrests.

The witness was subpoenaed last week but failed to show up, resulting in his arrest over the weekend and appearance on the stand Monday morning. He was given immunity for his testimony in the case, meaning that he cannot be prosecuted for anything said under oath unless he makes a false statement or otherwise refuses to comply.

He confined most answers to single words. When the prosecution asked the witness if he wanted to be present in court that day he responded “absolutely not.”

The witness was questioned about his knowledge of and relationship to Dubose, Queen, and Rezene. He denied close involvement with any of the defendants, but stated he grew up with them in the District. When later questioned about his whereabouts the night of the shooting, he said that he was “getting drunk” and did not remember specifics.

However, when confronted with his previous grand jury testimony he admitted that he was with Rezene that evening. According to the witness, he left a store on Piney Branch Road with Rezene and traveled to an apartment complex on the 400 block of Galloway Street, NE. He confirmed that he had previously identified himself, Rezene, Queen, and Johnson-Lee on a security video from the apartment complex.

The prosecution played surveillance videos, and after initial hesitation, the witness reconsidered identifying himself and others– Dubose, Rezene, and “Baby P”–in the footage, referencing his previous grand jury testimony. Prosecutors have previously identified Baby P as Johnson-Lee.

The defense pressed the witness on memory and credibility. He had invoked the Fifth Amendment in his first grand jury appearance, but later testified after receiving immunity. He also admitted he knew what the prosecution would ask before the second grand jury session, but said no one told him what to say.

Judge Neal Kravitz informed jurors that the witness would be released later that evening.

Parties are slated to reconvene June 3.

Urinating in Public Linked to Homicide, Say Prosecutors

DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman heard testimony on June 3 on what prosecutors say was a suspect urinating near the victim’s car.

Alvin Cruz Garcia, 27, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the homicide of 38-year-old Ramon Gomez-Yanez. The incident occurred on March 23, 2021 on the 1500 Block of Ogden Street, NW, right outside the Ogden Street Market grocery store.

According court documents, Gomez Yanez parked around his 8:30 p.m. before buying groceries. Returning to his car, he saw Cruz-Garcia urinating very close to it. Surveillance showed a short exchange between the two before Cruz-Garcia allegedly kicked and punched Gomez-Yanez several times in the head and fled. Gomez-Yanez died at the scene from head and neck injuries.

The victim’s younger brother was around the corner in their shared home, came outside, and witnessed his brother’s death despite efforts by first responders.

Gomez’s brother appeared grief stricken during testifying saying he “still didn’t understand” how something like this could happen. The Ogden Market store owner also testified in court, describing Ramon Gomez as a “nice, good guy,” and had “nothing bad to say” about him.

A police captain who was one of the first officers to arrive on the scene, captured bodycam footage of the victim showing his swollen face and a fractured skull.

Crime scene analysts later identified a silver Honda Civic they say contained evidence linking Cruz-Garcia to the incident and a fingerprint analyst testified the suspect’s prints were likely at the scene.

The defense challenged the evidence saying police should have looked more thoroughly, not just in a few locations.

DC’s Deputy Chief of the Homeland Security Department testified that a man resembling the defendant appeared in surveillance footage wearing a red Washington Nationals baseball cap at Metro stops near the crime scene. The defense countered the the ID was not definititive.

Charges Dropped After Inmate Fatally Stabbed at D.C. Jail

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is continuing to investigate a fatal stabbing of an inmate at the D.C. Jail on May 1. Consequently, the prosecution closed the case against him.

According to Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) documents, police responded to the jail’s Central Detention Facility on the 1900 block of D Street, SE, where they found Carlos Shelly, 29, not breathing and suffering from apparent stab wounds. He was pronounced dead by first responders at the scene.

Prior to his death, Shelley was indicted in a non-fatal shooting and a carjacking that took place in December of 2023.

As a procedural matter, the prosecution dismissed all charges against Shelley on May 13. No one has been arrested for his killing but authorities are offering a $25,000 reward for information about the case.

Document: MPD Investigating Northwest Juvenile Fatality

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced an investigation into a shooting on May 29 in Northwest, resulting in the death of 17-year-old Angel Ernesto Dominquez. The incident occurred on the 900 block of Florida Avenue, where officers found the juvenile male with gunshot wounds. Despite being transported to a hospital, he was pronounced dead.

Document: MPD Investigating Pitts Place Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on May 27 in the Anacostia neighborhood. The victim, identified as 32-year-old Tequila Parker of Southeast, DC, was found with a gunshot wound on the 2300 block of Pitts Place, Southeast, and was pronounced dead at the scene. The case remains under investigation.

Document: MPD Makes Arrest in Fatal Southeast Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 17-year-old Damari Thomas, who is alleged to have been involved in a fatal shooting on May 5, 2024, on the 3500 block of Stanton Road, SE. The incident resulted in the death of 31-year-old Anthony White and left one surviving victim with non-life-threatening injuries. Thomas has been charged with Second Degree Murder while Armed.

Document: MPD Investigating 14th Street Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are investigating a homicide that occurred on May 27 in the 1600 block of 14th Street, Northwest. The victim, identified as 35-year-old Henry Crutchfield from Waldorf, MD, was found with a fatal gunshot wound and pronounced dead at the scene.

Document: MPD Investigating 7th Street NW Fatal Hit and Run Crash

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced an investigation into a fatal hit and run crash that occurred on May 11 at the intersection of 7th Street and New York Avenue NW. A stolen 2017 Infiniti QX60 struck a motor-driven cycle, resulting in the death of 24-year-old Jose Carlos Vilchez Bobbio from Germantown, MD, after the occupants of the vehicle fled on foot.

Document: MPD Investigating Benning Road Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are investigating a homicide that occurred on May 13 on the 4500 block of Benning Road, Southeast. The incident involved two adult male victims – 21-year-old Jacquise Zanders was pronounced dead, and there is one surviving victim with non-life-threatening injuries.

Document: MPD Seeking Attempted Carjacking Suspect

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are seeking assistance in identifying a suspect involved in an attempted unarmed carjacking on April 29 in the 1300 block of 4th Street, NE. The suspect assaulted a victim who tried to intervene but fled without obtaining the vehicle. Surveillance cameras captured images of the suspect.

Document: MPD Investigating DC Jail Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced an investigation into a fatal stabbing inside the DC Jail on May 13 at the 1900 block of D Street, SE. The victim, identified as 29-year-old Carlos Shelley of Southeast, DC, was found unconscious and later pronounced dead. The MPD’s Homicide Branch is leading the investigation.

Defendant Allegedly Searched ‘Shooting’ in Her Phone After Triple Homicide

Prosecutors presented the search history of a defendant’s phone in which they say she repeatedly sought information about a shooting during a six co-defendant homicide trial before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on May 29.

Erwin Dubose, 31, Kamar Queen, 28, Damonta Thompson, 28, and William Johnson-Lee, 22, are charged with conspiracy, premeditated first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, among other charges, for their alleged involvement in the mass shooting that killed 31-year-old Donnetta Dyson, 24-year-old Keenan Braxton, and 37-year-old Johnny Joyner. The incident occurred on the 600 block of Longfellow Street, NW on Sept. 4, 2021, and injured three additional individuals.

Mussay Rezene, 32, and Toyia Johnson, 53, are charged with accessory after the fact while armed and tampering with physical evidence for their alleged involvement in assisting the other defendants discard evidence and avoid arrests.

A digital analyst from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) resumed his testimony and verified extractions from three different cell phones prosecutors alleged belonged to Johnson and Queen.

The first phone was associated with two Apple ID email accounts, one of which was allegedly registered to Johnson. Prosecutors presented evidence of 53 search history entries from the device between Oct. 2 and 12, 2021. During that period, the user searched for local news, Fox 45 News, and information related to shootings. Notable searches included: “shooting on georgia ave silver spring md” and “2 charged, more suspects sought in DC shooting that killed 3, injured 3.”

During cross-examination, Johnson’s attorney, David Akulian pointed out that the phone was registered to multiple people and the analyst confirmed it’s impossible to know for certain who was using the phone at a specific time. Akulian also noted the web history could have been unintentional if the user clicked on a link instead of initiating a specific search.

The prosecution alleged the other two phones belonged to Queen and displayed messages between Queen and a contact named “Big Money [heart emoji]”. They pointed out that consistent messages paused between 6:40 p. m. and 8:44 p. m. on Sept. 4, 2021. According to court documents, the incident occurred at 7:33 p. m.

The trial is scheduled to resume on June 2.

Four Co-Defendants Plead Guilty to Gang-Related Homicides

Four of five co-defendants pleaded guilty to two gang-related homicides and one non-fatal shooting before DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan on May 30.

Ronald Henderson, 19, Derricko Johnson, 21, and Daveon Robinson, 18, were originally charged with multiple counts of conspiracy, assault with intent to kill while armed, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.

Henderson and Johnson were additionally charged with first-degree premeditated murder and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business. Johnson was charged with fleeing a law enforcement officer, an offense allegedly committed during release.

Demarco Robinson, 21, was originally charged with conspiracy.

The defendants’ charges stem from their conspiracy between April 2022 and July 2023, as members of the “Get Back Gang,” to assault and kill individuals with opposing views, including members of rival gangs. The prosecution said the defendants communicated their plans in an Instagram group message.

Henderson and Johnson were involved in the fatal shooting of 16-year-old Justin Johnson and injury of two additional individuals on May 26, 2022.

Johnson was also involved in the fatal shooting of 32-year-old Clayton Marshall and injury of one additional individual on April 12, 2022.

Henderson and Daveon were involved in a non-fatal shooting that injured two individuals on Jan. 2, 2023.

The fifth co-defendant, Dionzai Parker, 21, is charged with conspiracy, first-degree premeditated while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed, and two counts of carrying a gun outside a home or place of business. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Brice Djembissi and injury of one additional individual on Feb. 25, 2023.

All four shootings occurred on the 2200 block of Savannah Terrace, SE.

During the hearing, Henderson, Johnson, Daveon, and Demarco accepted plea deals from the prosecution. In exchange, the prosecution dismissed all greater and remaining charges and parties agreed-upon a sentence range for each defendant.

Henderson pleaded guilty to conspiracy, second-degree murder while armed, and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon with an agreed-upon sentence of 18-to-23 years of incarceration.

Johnson pleaded guilty to conspiracy, second-degree murder while armed, voluntary manslaughter while armed, and assault with a dangerous weapon with an agreed-upon sentence of 19-and-a-half-to-23 years of incarceration.

Daveon pleaded guilty to conspiracy and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon with an agreed-upon sentence of six-to-10 years of incarceration.

Demarco pleaded guilty to conspiracy with an agreed-upon sentence not exceeding and concurrent with his incarceration for a separate firearms case in federal court.

The deals prohibit the four defendants from testifying about the incident on Feb. 25, 2023 or providing Parker with an alibi. A hearing for Parker’s case is scheduled for July 16.

Marshall’s mother spoke at the hearing and asked Judge Ryan to impose the maximum sentence on the defendants for her son who was “brutally murdered” in a “senseless tragedy.” She emphasized the defendants will return home after their incarceration but said, “My son Clayton will never get to come home.”

Judge Ryan accepted the guilty pleas and granted requests from defense attorneys for the defendants to complete high school prior to their sentencing.

Henderson and Johnson’s sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 12, Daveon’s sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 21, and Demarco’s sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 9, 2026.