The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on Dec 13 in the 100 block of 33rd Street, Northeast. The victim, identified as 23-year-old Mekhi Vaughn of Northeast, DC, was found with a gunshot wound and pronounced dead at the scene.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on Feb 2 in Southeast Washington, D.C. Officers found 37-year-old Alem Medmim, of Alexandria, VA, deceased from gunshot wounds inside a vehicle on the 2400 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE.
Co-defendants waived their rights to independently test DNA evidence before DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson during a hearing on Jan. 31.
Marcell Cradle, 20, and Marcus Cunningham, 19, are charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with intent to commit robbery while armed, conspiracy, and assault with a dangerous weapon. These counts stem from their alleged involvement in a shooting that injured one individual on April 25 at the intersection of 16th and Euclid Streets, NW.
Cunningham is also charged with carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, possession of a machine gun, endangerment with a firearm, and unlawful discarding of a firearm or ammunition.
During the hearing, Cunningham’s and Cradle’s defense attorneys, Tammy Thom and Sellano Simmons, told the court that Cunningham and Cradle have decided to waive their rights to independently test DNA evidence.
According to the prosecution, the items include five shell casings, multiple firearms, ski masks, magazine bullets, an iPhone, and a machine gun conversion device.
Judge Dayson told Cunningham and Cradle they have a right to test evidence in a laboratory of their choice and that, depending on the situation, the results can be very useful. After a review of the options ,Judge Dayson was satisfied the defendants made their decision freely and voluntarily.
A representative from Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) said Cradle was briefly found at the stay away location. Simmons explained Cradle was simply driving by in a ride share.
Simmons requested the removal of Cradle’s GPS monitoring. He noted the defendant is employed and needs to interact with customers daily, demonstrating he is a contributing to the community.
The prosecution objected, stating his release conditions are a privilege while Cunningham is detained.
Judge Dayson refused to modify the conditions due to the seriousness of the case.
Parties are slated to reconvene on May 2.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 53-year-old Michael Wells in connection with a 2005 homicide. On Nov. 24, 2005, Makia Mosby, 23, was found deceased with burns and gunshot wounds in an apartment on the 1200 block of Valley Avenue, SE. Following a lengthy investigation, Wells was charged with First Degree Murder.
A shooting defendant pleaded not guilty to all indictment charges before DC Superior Court Judge Heidi Pasichow on Jan. 31.
Delante Glascoe, 41, is charged with assault with a significant bodily injury, strangulation, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, two counts of threatening to injure a person, unlawful possession of a firearm and possession of a prohibited weapon, for his alleged involvement in a shooting on the 900 block of Shepherd Street, NW, on Oct. 14, 2024. No injuries were reported.
During the hearing, Camille Wagner, Glascoe’s attorney, alerted the court of his intent to plead not guilty to all indictment charges, and asserted his constitutional rights to a speedy trial.
Parties are slated to reconvene Feb. 11.
DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno sentenced a defendant to 18 years for his involvement in a non-fatal shooting incident, during a Jan. 31 hearing.
On Sept. 20, 2024, Jaleel Fowler, 26, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. The charges stem from his involvement in a non-fatal shooting incident on Dec. 8, 2023, at the Congress Heights Metro Station on the 2700 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE. One individual sustained injuries during the incident.
During the hearing, prosecutors played the Metro security camera footage. The video showed the victim walking alone down a Metro hallway as Fowler approached and grabbed him from behind. In the scuffle theywere knocked to the ground, then Fowler fired his weapon and ran away.
The prosecution requested Judge Salerno sentence Fowler to between 70-to-100 months, citing the serious nature of the crime.
Defense attorney Raymond Jones asked for a sentence at the bottom of the guidelines, arguing that Fowler wants to turn his life around, receive training, and get a job. Fowler asked for leniency from the judge, claiming that “I need help.”
Even so, Judge Salerno sentenced Fowler to 78 months of incarceration for the aggravated assault charge, 96 months for possessing a firearm during a crime of violence, which will be served concurrently, and 42 months of incarceration for unlawful possession of a firearm, totaling eight years of incarceration.
Fowler is required to pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime Fund and must register as a gun offender.
No further dates were set.
DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun sentenced Reginald Hughes, 29, to 10 years of incarceration and five years of supervised release on Jan. 31.
On Oct. 2, 2024, Hughes accepted a deal, which required him to plead guilty to aggravated assault knowingly while armed for his involvement in a shooting that injured one on Jan. 26, 2022 on the 600 block of Southern Avenue, SE.
According to court documents, the victim sustained injuries resulting in paralysis from the waist down.
Molly Bunke, Hughes’ attorney, stated that Hughes is remorseful for his actions, and after a great deal of reflection Hughes is serious about changing his life for the better.
Hughes stated, “I take full responsibility for my actions” and “I apologize to the victim… I can’t take back what I did. All I can do is make better decisions.”
After Judge Okun imposed sentence, the defense requested that Hughes be placed in a facility that has a fatherhood program, in order to maintain a relationship with his children. The Judge agreed.
Additionally, Judge Okun recommended a mental health evaluation and treatment that was proposed by Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA).
No further dates were set.
DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz denied a homicide defendant’s motion for bond review on Jan. 31.
Oliver Gomes, 55, is charged with second degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal assault of 61-year-old Thomas Gray that occurred on the corner of 11th and L Streets, SE, on Oct. 14, 2022.
According to the prosecution, two individuals, identified as Gomes and Gray, were observed having an argument when Gomes allegedly picked up a wood plank and used it to hit Gray over the head. Gray was unconscious at the scene when officers arrived and was transported to The George Washington University hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on Nov. 3, 2022.
Sara Kopecki, Gomes’ defense attorney, filed a release motion on Dec. 23 claiming Gomes acted in self-defense, insisting that Gray had a knife and started the fight.
The prosecution argued against the bond review, claiming that Gomes has six past bench warrants, multiple misdemeanor charges, and is currently being held for another case in which he is said to have hit his roommate over the head with a frying pan.
Gomes’ other defense attorney, Kevin Irving, stated that Gray had a knife and was threatening the defendant on the night of the incident, although the knife was never recovered from the scene.
Judge Kravitz stated that “this case does not strike me as a case where someone was out to kill somebody,” however, he denied the motion and stated that he’ll “wait and see what happens,” in regard to Gomes’ other case that will be tried on Feb. 11.
Parties will reconvene for a status hearing on Feb. 14.
DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz revoked conditions of pre-trial release for a homicide defendant on Jan. 31.
JD Wheeler, 26, is charged with second-degree murder, first-degree cruelty to children, second-degree cruelty to children, carrying a pistol without license, possession of an unregistered firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, tampering with physical evidence and contempt of court, all committed while on release in another matter, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of his son, 23-month-old Legend Wheeler. The incident occurred on the 2300 block of Chester Street, SE on Nov. 24, 2021.
The prosecution filed a motion to revoke conditions of release due to Wheeler’s being on probation for an unrelated matter when he was arrested in the latest case. Legend suffered an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head after the defendant allegedly left the weapon unsecured in his residence.
In their motion, filed on Jan. 20, the prosecution cited the nature and circumstances of the offense, the weight of the evidence, and Wheeler’s criminal history as reasons why Judge Kravitz should revoke his release conditions, aside from multiple violations reported by the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA).
According to court records, Wheeler, who has been on release since Oct. 17, 2022, was arrested on Nov. 27, 2024 for illegally possessing a firearm despite having an order to relinquish, or give up, his guns.
Sylvia Smith, Wheeler’s attorney, argued that the defendant has been compliant in the past by regularly passing drug tests and appearing in court when summoned. Smith claimed that Wheeler was a productive member of the community, and any past GPS monitor violations were due to the defendant’s leaving for work early in the morning.
Smith also stated that “possessing a firearm is not a dangerous crime,” and requested that Wheeler remain free pending future proceedings.
Judge Kravitz revoked Wheeler’s release and ruled he will continue held pending trial.
Parties are slated to reconvene July 11.
Shooting co-defendants appeared in court before DC Superior Court Judge Renee Raymond on Jan. 30, and requested a transfer to the DC Jail’s Correctional Treatment Facility (CTF) with stepped-down security given their gunshot wounds.
Reco Jackson, 26, and Raquan Felder, 32, are charged with assault with a dangerous weapon. Jackson is also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict, and Felder is charged with carrying a pistol without a license outside home or business. The counts stem from their alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on Jan. 25 on the 4400 block of 19th Place, NE, after an argument with another individual.
Jackson sustained a gunshot wound to the upper left arm, and Felder sustained a wound to the left foot after a third person is said to have shot them both.
Jackson’s attorney, Kavya Naini, requested Jackson be transferred to the CTF given that his gunshot wound requires more extensive medical care than can be provided at the DC Jail. Santia McLaurin – who stood in for Felder’s attorney, Darryl Daniels, requested the same, stating that the gauze on his wound had not been changed in multiple days.
Judge Raymond will consider the requests, and the preliminary hearing was rescheduled to Feb. 5.
A shooting defendant refused to appear in court for the second time during a preliminary hearing on Jan. 30, potentially delaying the case.
Alexander Evans, 40, is charged with carrying a pistol without a license and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon. These charges stem from his alleged involvement in two shootings – one on Jan. 13, on the 2000 block of Benning Road, NE, during which a man sustained injuries to his hand, and another incident on Dec. 9, 2024, during which he allegedly shot into the air twelve times after a domestic dispute on the 4400 block of Gault Place, NE.
At the time of his arrest, Evans was reportedly carrying an unlicensed handgun in his coat pocket.
US Marshals told DC Superior Court Judge Renee Raymond that Evans wouldn’t get on the bus from the DC Jail to the courthouse earlier that morning. Sellano Simmons, Evans’ defense attorney, requested that the preliminary hearing be rescheduled to a later date.
This is the second time Evans has refused to appear, with DC Superior Court Judge Eric Glover delaying the original preliminary hearing on Jan. 24 as a result.
Parties will reconvene on Feb. 5.
DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno sentenced an assault defendant to 14 months of incarceration, but just one day in jail, for his involvement in a non-fatal stabbing, during a hearing on Jan. 31.
On Nov. 1, 2024, Harry Jhin, 38, pleaded guilty to simple assault and carrying a dangerous weapon for his involvement in a non-fatal stabbing on Dec. 23, 2021, that occurred on the 1500 block of 17th Street, NW.
Jhin’s defense attorney, Darryl Daniels, asked the court to delay Jhin’s sentencing, as he is still suffering from gunshot wounds and is anticipating vascular surgery.
Judge Salerno stated the defendant had ten months to schedule the procedure which doesn’t present an issue given the sentence.
The defense and prosecution presented similar sentencing requests of a short split sentence – 14 months of probation and one day of time served.
Therefore, Judge Salerno sentenced Jhin to 14 months for assault with a dangerous weapon and four months for carrying a dangerous weapon, which will run concurrently. The one-day Jhin served in jail will complete the time served requirement.
The judge also recommended that Jhin continue to seek substance and mental health treatment and have no contact with the victim.
No further dates have been set for the case.
DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan released a stabbing defendant allegedly involved in a jealous quarrel, during a hearing on Jan. 30.
Osmin Vanegas Alvarez, 30, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed for his alleged involvement in a stabbing on the 1400 block of New York Avenue, NE, on Dec. 29, 2024. The incident left one victim suffering from severe stab wounds to the left side of his chest, arm and neck.
According to previous testimony from the investing detective, the incident stemmed from Alvarez’s jealousy response to a co-worker’s talking to his girlfriend’. Alvarez is alleged to have engaged in a verbal altercation, then stabbed the victim multiple times.
During the hearing, Molly Bunke, Alvarez’s attorney, argued Alvarez can be safely released from confinement. She stated that this case is unlike other ones, as the defendant was initially approached by the victim, and that it was not a random attack on the street. There was no planning or prior intent, nor the use of an illegal weapon, according to Bunke.
Bunke also mentioned Alvarez’s stable job and lack of significant criminal history, as well as the fact that Alvarez voluntarily turned himself in the day of the incident.
The prosecution countered testimony shows that Alvarez has severe jealousy problems, in that the incident was triggered by a trivial action, exacerbated with a with a readily available knife suggesting the same thing could happen again. The prosecution compared the incident to a domestic violence case, which have high recurrence rates.
Judge Ryan rejected that argument but stated his concern over Alvarez’s jealousy issue. Despite this, Judge Ryan granted release given Alvarez’s history and stable situation. His conditions include GPS monitoring, a curfew, a mental health evaluation, and a stay away order from the victim and the location of the incident.
Parties are slated to reconvene March 21.
A stabbing defendant accepted a plea deal extended by prosecutors that downgraded his charges from felony to misdemeanor counts before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno on Jan. 29.
Sebastian Fonseca-Gomez, 26, was originally charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and unlawful possession of a dangerous weapon for his involvement in a stabbing on May 15, 2024. The incident occurred at the intersection of 7th and A Streets NE.
At the hearing, Susan Ellis, Fonseca-Gomez’s attorney, alerted Judge Salerno of his intent to accept a plea deal for simple assault and attempt to possess a dangerous weapon.
According to Ellis, the incident occurred after the victim allegedly told Fonseca-Gomez to “go back to where you came from,” which she claimed sparked their dispute.
The prosecution told Judge Salerno the plea was filed as a misdemeanor due to Fonseca-Gomez’s “perfect compliance” in court and lack of a previous criminal record.
Judge Salerno ruled that there was little likelihood of a recurrence and sentenced Fonseca-Gomez to 180 days of incarceration concurrently for each count, all suspended.
Fonseca-Gomez will be on probation for one year, required to maintain employment, and obey a stay away order from the victim.
No further proceedings are scheduled.
A stabbing defendant’s attorney requested DC Superior Court Judge Carmen McLean suppress statements made by the defendant to the police, during a hearing on Jan. 30.
Shawn Dyson, 44, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and assault with a significant bodily injury for his alleged involvement in a stabbing on Aug. 29, 2023 at 1400 block of Park Road, NW. One individual sustained injuries during the incident.
Sharon Weathers, Dyson’s attorney, filed a motion to suppress statements Dyson made to an officer after the incident when he allegedly wasn’t Mirandized. According to the prosecution, Dyson made multiple statements to police, including “He [the victim] shouldn’t have been f*****g with me. He deserved it.”
Weathers argued those should be suppressed from the trial record, stating they were not made voluntarily and the officers failed to read Dyson his rights.
Judge McLean requested the parties provide written arguments by Feb. 10.
Parties are scheduled to come back on Feb. 24.
