The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a fatal vehicular crash on Sept. 14 on the 4300 block of Southern Avenue, SE, which was caused by two stolen vehicles, that led to the death of 16-year-old Kavonte Whatley on Sept. 20.
Document: MPD Investigating Northeast Homicide
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating the fatal shooting of 30-year-old James Gripper, which occurred on Sept. 20 on the 4500 block of Quarles Street, NE.
They ask that anyone with information reach out to them.
Document: Person of Interest Sought in a Fatal Southeast Stabbing
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a suspect involved in the fatal stabbing of 70-year-old Johnathan Reeves. The incident occurred on Sept. 10 on the 4600 block of Livingston Road, SE.
Document: MPD Searching for Northwest Armed Carjacking Suspect
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a suspect involved in an armed carjacking on Sept. 17 on the unit block of Banner Lane, NW.
Document: MPD Searching for Northeast Armed Carjacking Suspect
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying an individual allegedly involved in a carjacking incident that occurred on Sept. 15 on the 4400 block of Benning Road, NE.
Defendant Pleads Not Guilty To 24 Charges Including Carjacking
During a hearing on Sept. 27, a defense attorney alerted DC Superior Court Judge Heidi Pasichow that an armed assault and carjacking defendant is pleading not guilty to 24 charges that stem from two separate incidents.
Carlos Shelley, 29, is charged with two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, five counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed against a minor, assault with a dangerous weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm, first-degree burglary, threat to kidnap or injure a person, and second-degree cruelty to children with a grave risk while armed for his alleged involvement in an incident that took place on Nov. 9, 2023, at the 1800 block of Irving Street, NE.
Shelley is also charged with unarmed carjacking, two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm, unauthorized use of a vehicle, first-degree theft, receiving stolen property of $1,000 or more, flee law enforcement, reckless driving, carrying a pistol without a license, possession of an unregistered firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition for his alleged involvement in an incident that took place on Dec. 18, 2023, at the 5000 block of Connecticut Avenue, NW.
Following the December incident, the police tracked a suspect vehicle and followed the defendant into a wooded area. He surrendered and was arrested for both cases.
Shelley’s defense attorney, Christen Philips, invoked the defendant’s right to a speedy trial and requested all discovery from the prosecution.
The prosecution requested a DNA test to determine if there was a probable match between the defendant’s DNA and evidence from multiple crime scenes.
The judge said the prosecution hasn’t determined if there is any DNA from the scene to perform a test, questioning the necessity of the request.
The defense and prosecution requested the carjacking case trail the felony assault case. Parties will reconvene on Nov. 15 before Judge Pasichow.
Due to Shelley’s being indicted on an additional felony charge in the assault case, the case is set to be transferred to DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun. Parties are scheduled to reconvene on Oct. 21 where new trial dates will be set.
New Release Conditions For Homicide Suspect
A homicide defendant’s release conditions were expanded to include drug testing in front of DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein on Sept. 27.
Christian Borden, 35, is charged with first-degree felony murder and first-degree cruelty to children (grave risk) for her alleged involvement in the death of her 5-month-old child, Kenneth Walton, on Feb. 11, 2023, on the 4000 block of Massachusetts Avenue, NW.
According to court documents, Walton died on Feb. 16, 2023, at Georgetown University Hospital from injuries that were consistent with inflicted head trauma. He had been suffering from non-accidental trauma.
Borden’s defense attorney, Steven Kiersch, spoke about the defendant’s compliance with release conditions including personal recognizance, which was confirmed by a representative from the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA).
The prosecution asked for drug testing to be added on the defendant’s condition of release. Judge Epstein added the testing.
Parties are set to reconvene on Nov. 22.
Robbery Convict Faces DC Probation Revocation, Maryland Case And Federal Charges
Charles Monroe appeared before DC Superior Court Judge Erik Christian for a hearing to consider revoking his probation on Sept. 27 due to alleged violations of his conditions of release reported to the court on April 26 and May 2.
Monroe, 19, pleaded guilty to robbery on Nov. 22, 2022. This plea agreement included the dismissal of other charges connected to a crime spree Monroe committed along with three other men between July 10 and July 14, 2021. The crimes included a carjacking on July 11, 2021, on the 2200 block of 13th Street, NW.
Monroe was originally charged with armed carjacking, two counts of robbery while armed, five counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with intent to commit robbery while armed, second-degree cruelty to children, ten counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unauthorized use of a vehicle, and destruction of property worth $1,000 or more.
DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe sentenced Monroe to five and a half years imprisonment with two and a half years of the sentence suspended on Sept. 29, 2023.
In addition to his probation violations, an officer from Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) said Monroe is scheduled for a hearing in US District Court on Oct. 4 for a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict.
The CSOSA officer said Monroe also has a pending case of carjacking in Prince George’s County. Information about the case was not publicly available because the offense occurred when Monroe was a minor.
The prosecution said they are preparing a global plea deal to address all of Monroe’s cases across the three jurisdictions.
Judge Christian set a bond of $1,000 to allow Monroe to leave DC Jail to attend his hearings in the other jurisdictions.
Parties are set to reconvene on Oct. 21.
Spectator Tries to Attack Murder Suspect in Court, Again
A homicide defendant was removed from court after a young Black male attempted to attack him in a hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein on Sept. 27.
Guy Johnson, 57, is being charged with first-degree murder premeditated while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for his alleged involvement in the murder of 28-year-old Kriston Robinson.
The incident occurred on the 1600 block of 19th Street, SE, on March 25, 2020.
Johnson’s defense attorney, Kevin Mosley, was requesting the trial readiness hearing be moved earlier before an unknown young Black male ran up to the defense table, and attempted to attack the defendant.
The assailant was removed from the courtroom by US Marshals.
The defense told the court that this was not the first time this individual had attempted to attack the defendant and requested that the prosecution identify the individual and that they be banned from any future hearings in this case.
The prosecution said the office did not have any information on the individual. US Marshals will be assisting in identifying the suspect
The status hearing was rescheduled for Oct. 1.
Judge Cites Prosecution’s, ‘Sloppy Negligence’
DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt considered sanctioning a prosecutor about disclosing information on Sept. 26.
Jamal Coleman, 31, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed and aggravated assault knowingly while armed, for his alleged involvement in a drive-by shooting on the 4600 block of Polk Street, NE on May 4, 2023. One individual sustained injuries to his hand.
According to court documents, a witness called for an ambulance for the victim who sustained a gunshot wound. Before the attack, video surveillance showed a black Chevy Impala pass the victim, who was walking in the same direction as the suspected car. Moreover, the video depicted the suspect vehicle turning around and waiting for the victim to get closer. The car pulled up to the victim, the front passenger window was rolled down, and an individual inside shot the victim and drove off.
Before the start of trial, Elizabeth Weller, one of Coleman’s attorneys, informed the court of a conversation that had not been disclosed to the defense–namely, the prosecution’s talking to the victim alongside an officer moments before the victim testified for a grand jury.
The prosecution rebutted that they had provided the defense with information about the conversation. However, Weller disputed the claim.
“The government shot itself in the foot,” Judge Brandt said after hearing their arguments. She considered sanctioning the prosecution for, “sloppy negligence,” but only requested that the written disclosure be delivered to the defense by the end of the day.
During cross-examination of a Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) station manager it was revealed that the victim said he did not know who shot him.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Sept. 30.
Judge Continues Hearing Amid Plea Discussion
On Sept. 27 DC Superior Court Judge Renee Raymond granted a defendant’s motion to continue a preliminary hearing as the parties negotiate a plea deal in progress.
Dasean Jones, 25, is charged with aggravated assault knowingly while armed for his alleged involvement in a stabbing that occurred on May 26 on the 1200th Block of 17th Street, NE.
Defense Attorney, Derrick Page, filed a motion for continuance so that he may have time to review what was mentioned in court as a possible plea deal. Page asked to reconvene in a week to go over this possible deal with Jones.
The prosecution confirmed a plea deal was in the works, but terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Parties are set to reconvene on Oct. 1.
Plea Negotiations Set in Non-Fatal Shooting
Plea negotiations are still underway for a non-fatal shooting defendant.
Derrick Gladden, 53, is charged with possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for allegedly shooting a victim on the 2300 block of Marion Barry Avenue, SE on April 15. He is currently being held at the DC Jail without bail.
In a Sept. 27 hearing, the prosecution offered a plea deal for aggravated assault while armed. Under the deal, the prosecution would not seek indictment and reserve allocution.
According to the voluntary sentencing guidelines in DC, the charge has a minimum sentence of 48 months in prison.
The current offer is under negotiation and DC Superior Court Judge Heidi Pasichow set the hearing to continue on Nov. 5.
Officer Misidentifies Defendant During Trial
A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer confused one defendant with another during a murder trial Sept. 26 as two more witnesses took the stand before DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo.
Eugene Burns, 32, is charged with first-degree murder, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and for carrying a pistol without a license for his alleged involvement in the death of 24-year-old Onyekachi Emmanuel Osuchukwu III on Nov. 14, 2025, on the 2900 block of Second Street SE.
Burns was originally convicted of these charges in 2017, but the decision was later overturned in 2020 by the DC Court of Appeals after ruling evidence in the case was obtained through an overly broad search warrant.
Burns and Tyre Allen, 24, are now being charged with obstruction of justice for their alleged attempt to persuade and intimidate a witness to recant testimony against Burns in the original murder trial.
On Thursday, the officer, who was the first to arrive at the scene, who was asked who in the courtroom she recognized from the scene, incorrectly identified Allen as Burns, who was also present at the proceeding.
Allen appeared shocked and confused. He quickly beginning to whisper with his attorney. The prosecution noted the court record would have to reflect the misidentification.
During the hearing, a firearms expert also testified, stating that the evidence on the ballistics evidence collected were inconclusive. The witness said he was able to determine the manufacturer of the firearm used but, whether or not the exact same gun was used was still uncertain.
Trial is set to resume on Sept. 30.
Murder Defendant Can’t Appear in Court During ‘Blackout Period’
A defendant who was charged with second-degree murder did not show up to her felony status conference Sept. 26 before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan. Her defense council said it’s because she’s checked into a rehabilitation program.
Vanessa Bonaparte, 32, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for her alleged involvement in the death of 31-year-old Dwayne Boyd, which occurred on June 22 on the 3500 block of East Capitol Street, SE.
According to court documents, Bonaparte had been cited in multiple non-compliance notices after failing court-ordered drug tests. At her last hearing on Sept. 10, Judge Maribeth Raffinan ordered Bonaparte to check into a court sponsored drug treatment program; pretrial services reported that she entered treatment on Sept. 20.
Defense attorney Kevann Gardner asked if Bonaparte was allowed to leave the treatment facility for court.
They answered no.
The reason is that Bonaparte is in a blackout period, meaning that after she checks into treatment, she’s not allowed to leave the facility. In response, the prosecution agreed not to issue a bench warrant.
Bonaparte is scheduled to leave treatment on Oct.21.
A status hearing was scheduled for March 21.
Non-Fatal Shooting Defendant Wants Move to Treatment Facility
DC Superior Court Judge Renee Reymond recommended that Tyrice Sutton, 30, be moved from DC Jail to the medium security Correctional Treatment Facility (CTF) during a status hearing on Sept. 25.
Sutton is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a shooting that occurred on July 17, on the 600 block of 7th Street NW. One individual sustained injuries during the incident.
During the hearing, Sutton’s attorney, Varsha Govindaraju, made the request he be transferred from the jail to the CTF due to the limitations imposed by him being in a lockdown unit. Specifically, Govindaraju, says restrictions on phone time and access to those on the outside are limiting communications with his client.
Judge Raymond granted the request, and recommended the Department of Corrections (DOC) transfer Sutton.
Govindaraju also informed Judge Reymond that the parties were in plea negotiations and would like a continuance to discuss the offer further.
The next hearing is scheduled for Oct. 11.