The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced an investigation into a fatal crash in Southeast, DC on Dec. 10. A 16-year-old driver, Areohn Savoy, died after the stolen Lexus he was driving was struck by a Jeep Wrangler at the intersection of Reed Terrace and Southern Avenue, SE. The passenger in the Lexus survived with non-life-threatening injuries. The Jeep’s driver, Sean Stokes, 36, was arrested and charged with Driving Under the Influence.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 46-year-old Quateze Moore, who is alleged to be involved in the fatal shooting of Martinez Robinson, 25, on Aug 23, 2024, in the 1300 block of Girard Street, Northwest. Moore has been charged with Second Degree Murder While Armed.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are investigating a fatal hit and run crash that occurred on Dec. 9 on the 2600 block of Southern Avenue in Southeast, DC. A Jeep Grand Cherokee, reported stolen, collided with a Honda Civic, resulting in the death of 36-year-old Omar Davis from Forrest Heights, MD. The driver of the Jeep fled the scene on foot.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 21-year-old Dionzai Parker, who has been charged with First Degree Murder while Armed in connection to a homicide on Feb. 25, 2023, in the 2200 block of Savannah Street, SE. The incident resulted in the death of 37-year-old Brice Djembissi of Hyattsville, MD, after he succumbed to gunshot injuries.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced an update regarding their search for a suspect involved in an armed carjacking in Northwest, DC. On Sep. 17, a suspect approached a victim near their parked moped on the Unit block of Banner Lane, produced a firearm, and fled with the moped. Surveillance footage of the suspect has been released to aid in identification.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 30-year-old Aaron Jones, who is alleged to have been involved in a homicide that occurred on July 28 in Southeast, DC. The victim, identified as 44-year-old Bobby Addison, was found deceased from gunshot wounds in the 3200 block of 28th Street, SE. Jones was charged with Second Degree Murder while Armed.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are seeking a suspect in a shooting that occurred on Nov. 27 on the 3900 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Ave, SW. The incident resulted in 1 surviving victim who was treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect was captured on surveillance footage, and authorities are requesting public assistance in identifying the individual.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are investigating a fatal stabbing that occurred on Dec. 8 in the 1700 block of Columbia Rd, NW. The victim, identified as 25-year-old Malik Lee from Takoma Park, MD, was found with multiple stab wounds and later pronounced dead at a local hospital.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 31-year-old Darcell Warren, who has no fixed address, in connection with a shooting incident that occurred on Oct. 6 at the intersection of H Street and 7th Street, Northeast. Warren was apprehended on Dec. 5 under a DC Superior Court arrest warrant for Endangerment with a Firearm. No victims were found at the scene.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on Dec. 5 in the 2000 block of Wade Road, SE. The victim, identified as 25-year-old Mark Odom, was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. No suspect information has been released.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on Dec. 4 in Southwest Washington, D.C. Officers found 19-year-old Nadir McCoy, of Northwest, DC, deceased from gunshot wounds in an apartment on the 200 block of I Street, SW. The investigation is ongoing, and no suspect information has been released.
DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz granted two defense attorneys’ request to withdraw from a homicide case, further delaying the proceeding, which was slated to begin on Jan. 22, during a Jan. 30 hearing.
Ernest Cleveland, 31, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior crime of violence, and assault with intent to kill. These charges stem from his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Edward Pearson, 39, on November 26, 2020 on the 2900 block of Connecticut Ave, NW.
The defendant’s trial was scheduled to commence on Jan. 22, however, his prior defense attorneys, Madelyn Harvey and Victoria Clark, filed a motion to withdraw as Cleveland’s counsel due to a conflict of interest. Judge Kravitz then appointed Attorney Nathaniel Mensah on Jan. 23 and Attorney Elliot Rosenwald on Jan. 29 as new counsel for Cleveland.
Judge Kravitz urged both parties to select a trial date during the felony status conference because there have been several delays. The lawyers alerted Judge Kravitz the earliest they could try the case was in the fall, but were unable to finalize dates due to scheduling issues.
Parties are scheduled to reconvene for another status hearing on Feb. 25.
A jury acquitted a shooting defendant of all charges after a two week-long trial before DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson on Jan. 21.
Antoine Johnson, 28, was charged with two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business.
Johnson’s charges stemmed from his alleged involvement in shooting at a man and his son on I-695 southbound near exit 2B following a domestic dispute on the 1000 block of 5th street SE on July 20, 2023.
The prosecution claimed the shooting occurred after Johnson’s mother found her 14-year-old daughter in bed with a 17-year-old boy. An argument broke out between the two families following the romantic encounter and the boy and his father left the scene, allegedly pursued by Johnson.
Throughout the trial, the prosecution argued that a revenge motive, video surveillance footage, cell phone data, eyewitness descriptions of the shooter and a recorded statement from Johnson – during which he allegedly told his mother, “We ain’t doing no talking, ma. I’ve seen his face,” clearly implicated him as the shooter. The 14-year-old girl is Johnson’s half-sister.
Matthew Rist, Johnson’s attorney, countered by emphasizing ambiguities including the interpretation of Johnson’s statement, possible alternative suspects, inexactness of cell phone location data, and lack of corroborating physical evidence.
The jury agreed and Johnson was acquitted of all charges.
No further dates were set.
DC Superior Court Judge Heidi Pasichow told a shooting defendant he must comply with all release conditions in a Jan. 29 hearing, following multiple non-compliance reports from the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA).
Roscoe Atchinson, 33, is charged with assault with intent to commit robbery while armed and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction greater than one year, for his alleged involvement in an armed robbery that led to a shooting. The incident occurred on April 15, 2020, on the 4000 block of Livingston Road, SE.
According to court documents, Atchinson and another man allegedly ambushed a Special Police Officer while he was on patrol at an apartment complex. Atchinson is accused of pointing a gun at the victim’s head. The victim, unharmed, grabbed the handgun and shot the defendant, who suffered gunshot wounds to his right thigh and right lower back and fled the scene.
The incident allegedly left Atchinson paraplegic–he now uses a wheelchair.
During the hearing, Judge Pasichow stated Atchinson has an outstanding bench warrant in Maryland for an alleged misdemeanor and traffic charge, as well as issues reporting to PSA. The judge told Atchinson needs to, “get these things squared away,” and or his release will be in jeopardy.
Parties are slated to return on March 4.
Prosecution witnesses testified they watched a murder in progress in a trial before a jury and DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman on Jan. 28.
Ethan Cunningham, 22, is charged with two counts of felony murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, first-degree burglary while armed, five counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a pistol without a license outside the home, and attempted robbery while armed. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 38-year-old James Curtis on the 2600 block of Stanton Road, SE on May 10, 2022.
On Jan. 23, prosecutors dismissed four charges – one count of felony murder while armed, kidnapping while armed, and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.
“Everyone deserves to feel safe in their home,” the prosecutor told the jury during their opening statements about the shooting, stating that Cunningham allegedly killed Curtis “steps away from his home,” after a failed robbery attempt.
According to the prosecution, Curtis made himself an “easy target,” by holding the door to his apartment building open for the defendant and another young man to enter.
The prosecution told the jury that Cunningham pushed Curtis against the wall of his apartment with a 9mm firearm and said “Shut the f**k up, you know what it is, open the door,” – which they argue can be seen in Ring camera footage retrieved from Curtis’ front door.
Curtis refused because his girlfriend and her six-year-old son were inside the apartment, the prosecution claimed.
They stated that the defendant then pushed Curtis down a flight of stairs to the basement level of the building. Curtis’ roommate and best friend came down the stairs to help, but failed as the suspect fired several times at them. Bullets grazed his roommate’s backpack, setting it on fire.
Thomas Healy, Cunningham’s attorney, asked the jury to “keep an open mind” during the trial, saying that they should presume Cunningham innocent until the prosecution provides evidence that proves all elements of every charge beyond a reasonable doubt.
Following the opening statements, the prosecution called multiple witnesses that were present during or directly after the incident.
Curtis’ roommate and best friend testified that following a trip to get food, Curtis parked his Dodge Charger and entered the building alone.
The witness heard Curtis calling out “Help, bro, help, he’s trying to get me.”
The friend testified he ran downstairs and wrestled with the suspect who shot four times – twice at Curtis’ friend, and twice at Curtis.
Once the shooter fled, the witness testified, he ran upstairs to check on his girlfriend, not realizing Curtis had been shot later finding him wounded.
Prosecutors also called Curtis’ downstairs neighbor, who said, Curtis banged on his door for help after three-to-four gunshots rang out. Seeing Curtis in distress the witness called 911.
Curtis’ roommate’s girlfriend testified she and her boyfriend were let into the building by a man they did not recognize who fled the scene with the shooter. Then they heard Curtis screaming from downstairs asking for help.
She testified she saw the three men scuffling, then heard three-to-four gunshots and saw her boyfriend slip and fall on the landing closest to the basement. According to the witness, she screamed at the shooter, “No, don’t do that!,” as he pointed the gun at her boyfriend while he was on the ground.
Parties will reconvene Jan. 29.
