Data Shows Violence Interrupter Neighborhoods Still Have Most Homicides

Neighborhoods with Violence Interrupter programs aimed at curbing the most dangerous crimes still had 60 percent of the District’s homicides and 29 percent of nonfatal shootings between June 2023 and June 2024, according to D.C. Witness data.

During that period there were 95 homicides and 89 nonfatal shootings in DC. Of these homicides, 60 occurred in neighborhoods where government officials have established Violence Interrupter Programs to intervene in and prevent violent crime. Twenty-six of the nonfatal shootings occurred in these areas.

Violence Interrupter programs were implemented in 2018 in DC in high-crime neighborhoods and feature investments in community programs, direct intervention in violent incidents, and connecting at-risk individuals with mental health resources.

Priority Communities, represented by the purple areas in the map, is a violence interrupter program established by the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement in 2018 that serves 27 communities in DC. According to D.C. Witness data, between June 2023 and June 2024 areas under Priority Communities had 26 homicides and 13 nonfatal shootings.

Cure the Streets, represented by the blue areas in the map, is a violence interrupter program established by the Office of the Attorney General in DC that serves 10 communities in the District. According to D.C. Witness data, between June 2023 and June 2024 areas under Cure the Streets had 34 homicides and 13 nonfatal shootings.

Congress Heights was the deadliest area in DC with 16 homicides and 7 nonfatal shootings, but it has implemented a Cure the Streets program. According to Cure the Streets Data, gun-involved violent crimes in the neighborhood are down 45 percent in 2024.

Stabbing Defendant Pleads Guilty to Voluntary Manslaughter

A stabbing defendant accepted a plea offer to voluntary manslaughter in front of DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein on Oct. 22.

Ted Brown, 54, was originally charged with second-degree murder for his alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of 58-year-old Tommy Hudson on May 26 on the 500 block of Harvard Street, NW.

According to court documents, Brown stabbed Hudson — who Brown identified as his boyfriend — several times in the shoulder outside of Brown’s place of residence after Hudson allegedly hit him in the head. Hudson allegedly had filed domestic violence reports against Brown before, including an incident in 2014 where Brown allegedly stabbed Hudson after an argument.

Todd Baldwin, Brown’s attorney, indicated during the hearing that Brown would be accepting a plea offer to voluntary manslaughter in exchange for the prosecution not pursuing an indictment. Brown waived his right to a trial and independent DNA testing.

Parties will reconvene on Jan. 10 for sentencing.

In Spite of Support, Carjacking Defendant Receives 10 Year Sentence

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno sentenced Antone Watkins to 10 years in prison and five years of supervised release on Oct. 21. He ordered Watkins to pay $500 to the Victims of Violent Crime Fund.

Watkins, 29, was found guilty on July 3 of robbery while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, unauthorized use of a vehicle, and two counts of possession of firearm during a crime of violence. The incident took place on June 17, 2022, on the 1200 block of Howison Place, SW.

According to court documents, Watkins robbed an individual trying to purchase marijuana, struck him on the head with a pistol, and took his car. The victim suffered facial lacerations and a chipped tooth.

The prosecutor reminded Judge Salerno of sentencing enhancements based on Watkins’ two prior felonies that increased the limit of the guidelines from 10 years to 30 years.

The prosecutor requested a 10 year sentence for Watkins. He emphasized this sentence wasn’t at the top of the guidelines but in the bottom third.

Darryl Daniels II, Watkins’ attorney, requested a six-year sentence at the bottom of the guidelines, noting that several of Watkins’ prior convictions were for illegal gun possession.

“The District of Columbia is a dangerous jurisdiction,” Daniels argued. “The court does not have to look far to see the reasons people might possess firearms, even though by statute they shouldn’t have them.”

Daniels mentioned Watkins was injured by gunfire in one of the cases that resulted in his conviction for gun possession

“I understand the [prosecution’s] position that he shouldn’t have had that firearm, but the fact is that’s what saved his life,” Daniels said.

When Daniels asked who was at the courtroom for Watkins’ sake, six individuals in the gallery raised their hands. One said she had traveled from Atlanta, and another said he flew from California.

“When he came back from being incarcerated, the first thing he did was buy food for his nieces and nephews,” said one of Watkins’ supporters. The supporter said acts like these demonstrate the kind of person Watkins is, and he will do more of them if he moves away from DC.

“He has a good heart,” another supporter said about Watkins. “Although he has made mistakes, there has been a lot of failure on the part of our society since he was a young child.”

The supporter said Watkins went to Atlanta after his most recent incarceration, quickly found a job and a place to live, and stayed out of trouble until he had to return to DC.

“Let me start by acknowledging all the support Mr. Watkins has here. I have read his background, and I understand the difficult circumstances from which he comes,” said Judge Salerno. “Notwithstanding everyone saying what a good heart he has, he has not yet shown that he is ready to change his ways.”

Judge Salerno said Watkins had five prior convictions for simple assault, three for illegal possession of a firearm, one for a prison escape, and one for a violation of the Bail Reform Act (BRA). BRA violations are failures to appear in court when required.

“I hear about all the plans Mr. Watkins has for his release and all the plans people have for him, and I hope when he gets out he’ll be able to do them,” Judge Salerno said.

After Judge Salerno gave Watkins’ sentence, Daniels asked him to reconsider. He urged Judge Salerno to disregard Watkins’ juvenile convictions or give greater weight to the fact that they occurred in foster care situations in multiple jurisdictions.

“I would have given it greater weight, Mr. Daniels, if he didn’t have ten prior convictions,” said Judge Salerno. “I’ve reconsidered, and I think the original sentence is the right one.”

No further hearings are scheduled in this case.

Stabbing Defendant Sentenced to 30 Months

DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro sentenced a stabbing defendant to 30 months in prison on Oct. 21.

On Aug. 22, Everette Johnson, 50, pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a prohibited weapon, for his involvement in a stabbing incident on the 2700 block of Wade Road, SE. The incident transpired on June 4 and left one woman harmed, with injuries to her left forearm.

According to court documents, Johnson went to the scene to collect ten dollars that the victim owed him. After a verbal altercation, Johnson was stabbed and ran out of the apartment, before returning to slash the woman.

During the hearing, the prosecution recommended that Judge Di Toro sentence Johnson to 30 months of incarceration and supervised release, citing his tendency for run-ins with the law, including assaultive behavior. Furthermore, the prosecution stated he has never had a successful completion of supervised release or probation.

Johnson’s defense attorney, Susan D. Ellis, agreed with the prosecution’s recommendation, stating that Thompson was out of line during the incident, however, he is remorseful. Furthermore, she cited he has a good history of employment, ranging from the food service industry to carpentry.

Johnson told Judge Di Toro he is “remorseful to the court’s time” and to the victim.

Judge Di Toro sentenced Johnson to 30 months of incarceration followed by three years of supervised release for the assault with a dangerous weapon charge and five months of incarceration for possession of a prohibited weapon. Both charges will run concurrently.

Additionally, Judge Di Toro recommended that he continue mental health services, take anger management classes, and move into a reentry house when he is released from prison. Johnson must pay 200 dollars to the Victims of Violent Crime Fund (VVCF).

There are no further dates scheduled.

Judge Reduces Shooting to Misdemeanor

DC Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann downgraded a shooting defendant’s felony charge to a misdemeanor charge on Oct. 21.

Brandon Tyson, 37, was charged with felony unlawful discharge of a firearm for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on July 17, 2022. The incident occurred at an apartment complex located on the 2900 block of Knox Place, SE. No injuries were reported.

According to court documents, when officers arrived at the scene, they located three shell casings.

During the hearing, Thomas Healy, Tyson’s attorney, and the prosecution agreed that at the time of the incident, the charges for this incident would have been considered a misdemeanor.

Healy requested that his case be downgraded from a felony to a misdemeanor which was granted by Judge Herrmann.

The preliminary hearing was not held and a new date was set before a misdemeanor judge.

The defendant was released, despite being found non-compliant with release conditions, including submitting drug testing. He was ordered to report to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA).

A new hearing was scheduled for Nov 15.

Document: MPD Investigating Kentucky Avenue Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating the homicide of 23-year-old Jakele Allen, who was fatally shot on Oct. 21, at the intersection of 16th Street & Kentucky Avenue, SE. Upon responding to reports of a shooting, officers discovered Allen, who succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

Document: UPDATED WITH VIDEO MPD Seeking Suspect in a Northeast Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a shooting that took place on October 18, 2024, in the 3900 block of Minnesota Avenue, Northeast. Upon responding to reports of a shooting, officers discovered the victim, an adult male, suffering from a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.

Document: MPD Investigating Bruce Place Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Malkijah Clark, which took place on Oct. 21, on the 2700 block of Bruce Place, SE. Upon responding to reports of a shooting, officers discovered Clark, who was pronounced dead on the scene.

Document: MPD Investigating a Fatal Northwest Stabbing

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating the homicide of 46-year-old Micheal Buie, which took place on Oct. 19 on the 300 block of Delafield Place, NW.

Upon responding to reports of a stabbing, officers discovered Buie, who was suffering from apparent stab wounds and was pronounced dead on the scene.

Evidence Concludes After Four Weeks of Murder and Conspiracy Trial

The prosecution and defense finished introducing evidence and rested their cases in connection to a homicide after four weeks of trial on Oct. 21 before DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo.

Eugene Burns, 32, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, carrying a pistol without a license, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in the Nov. 14, 2015, fatal shooting of 24-year-old Onyekachi Emmanuel Osuchukwu III on the 2900 block of Second Street, SE.

Burns was convicted of these charges in 2017, but the DC Court of Appeals overturned the verdict in 2020.

Burns and Tyre Allen, 24, are also charged with conspiracy, obstructing justice by influencing or delaying a witness or officer, and obstruction of justice for their alleged attempts to persuade a witness—Allen’s brother and Burns’s cousin—to redact testimony from Burns’ first trial.

The prosecution concluded their case by finishing jail calls between two individuals, who they identified as Burns and Allen.

In one call, the individual identified as Burns says, “one wild individual already outta the way,” presumably referring to his cousin recanting his testimony.

In further reference to the recanted testimony in a call, Burns stated, “he took that s*** back,” and “a lot of people don’t do that.” He further added, “that’s some real s***,” and “this s*** complicated and they play on what you don’t know.”

In another call, Burns reacted to hearing about the obstruction charges brought against him and Allen. He stated, “that’s my brother – I can communicate with him,” and “that’s my cousin – I can communicate with him.”

He said he made the statements, “not talking about anything real,” claiming “no one [was] harassed,” and “nothing to worry about.”

The prosecution rested their case after playing the jail calls.

Allen’s defense attorney, Brandon Burrell, began Allen’s case and entered evidence into court, including a jail call that was not included in the prosecution’s evidence.

Statements made by Burns to Allen in the recording included,, “tell your truth, do you, what you gotta do, you not lying, they’re gonna try to say you’re being forced, and I don’t want you to lie.”

Judge Demeo gave the jury a limiting instruction for this call, which stipulated that they should not use the statements made by Burns in the call to determine truth but to evaluate Allen’s state of mind.

Defense for Allen rested their case following this jail call.

Trial is scheduled to resume on Oct. 22.

Murder Defendant Rejects Pre-Preliminary Plea Offer

DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe found probable cause in a shooting defendant’s case on Oct. 18, after the defendant rejected a pre-preliminary plea offer.

Maleek Thomas, 21, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 23-year-old Melvin Dock Jr., on Oct. 30, 2023, on the 4300 block of Halley Terrace, SE. Another individual sustained injuries during the incident and survived.

According to court documents, while officers were reporting to the scene, an individual, who had been shot, flagged them down. This individual was transported to the hospital in stable condition. While the investigation continued, Dock was taken to the hospital, and succumbed to his injuries.

During the hearing, prosecutors offered Thomas a global pre-preliminary plea offer, which applied to multiple pending cases, stating that if Thomas pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed, unlawful possession of a firearm, and felony possession then the prosecution would agree to withhold indictment, not pursue a first-degree murder charge, and dismiss all other the charges in two misdemeanor cases.

If Thomas accepted the plea deal, he would face a range of 18-to-26 years in prison.

A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective provided an in-court identification of Thomas at the scene of the crime and as a suspect. He testified that the defendant allegedly admitted to the crime.

According to the detective’s testimony and the affidavit, Dock was originally present at the scene of the crime, not as the victim but as Thomas’ partner. The two would allegedly attempt to commit an armed carjacking.

However, when Dock encouraged Thomas to shoot the owner of the vehicle, when attempting to drive away, Thomas shot both the owner of the car and Dock, the detective said. The owner of the vehicle survived.

One witness, who was said to be involved romantically with Thomas, said the defendant confessed to shooting his friend, who later died from his injuries, during a FaceTime chat.

The detective confirmed this, but could not confirm whether the witness had any bad blood towards Thomas leading up to the incident and testimony.

Defense attorney Howard McEachern questioned the legitimacy of the confession and if the witness had any involvement in the case.

The detective could only confirm that the witness had made the statement because he did not conduct the questioning.

Woman Sentenced for 2017 Carjacking

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno sentenced a carjacking defendant, who avoided court for seven years, to two years of incarceration on Oct. 18.

On Aug. 12, Lakeesa Cambridge, 37, also known as Kimberly Mix, pleaded guilty to assault with the intent to commit a robbery and unauthorized use of a vehicle for her involvement in a carjacking incident that occurred on Jan. 28, 2017, on the 100 block of Joliet Street, SW.

According to court documents, the victim met with Cambridge and another person, when the victim was struck on the head multiple times with a handgun inside his car. The victim fled the car seeking help.

Defense attorney Michael Bruckheim requested that the defendant’s criminal history score on the court’s sentencing guidelines be reduced due to discrepancies between state statutes from an incident in 2006. The prosecution did not adequately prepare for the motion and did not provide an opposing argument.

Judge Salerno agreed with the defense, marking that a previous South Carolina felony of criminal conspiracy was a misdemeanor, which matched the same severity of the other charges during the incident including financial transaction card theft. This dropped the maximum sentencing guidelines in the carjacking incident from nearly eight years to four.

According to the victim, he still experiences immense stress while driving and walking due to the seven-year-old incident and is in therapy.

The incident “stays with him everyday,” described the prosecution while requesting the highest end of the recommended sentencing amount of 44 months.

“I want to do what is rightful for myself and the betterment of the community,” said Cambridge during the hearing, stating she plans to live a crime-free life when released.

Bruckheim requested a split sentence, where the defendant would split her time served into a period of incarceration and a period of probation. He said that during these past seven years, Cambridge contributed to her community by maintaining employment, raising her children, and not committing further crimes.

Also, during the defendant’s brief time of incarceration, she completed several lifestyle improvement courses, explained the defense while providing two letters of support from the program coordinators.

Bruckheim continued to add that Cambridge was unaware she needed to be present in court during those years, even with several outstanding warrants in two different jurisdictions.

The judge took both sides into consideration when he decided the sentencing for the defendant. He also criticized Cambridge for switching her story several times throughout the years.

Judge Salerno sentenced Cambridge to two years in prison with three years supervised release for the assault with intent to commit robbery charge, which will be served concurrently with the sentence for the unauthorized use of a vehicle charge of 12 months in prison with three years of supervised release.

In addition to the time served, the defendant will have to pay $200 to the Crime Victims fund as well as register as a gun offender for two years once released.

Parties Negotiate Global Plea Deal for Carjacking Defendant

A defense attorney asked DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno on Oct. 21 to schedule a future hearing date, by which time the defense hopes to agree on a plea deal with the prosecutor.

Caleb Johnson is charged with armed carjacking and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in an incident that occurred on Jan. 12 on the 4400 block of Hunt Place, NE.

Johnson is currently 26 or 27 years old. Court documents list two possible birthdates for him.

According to arrest documents, surveillance camera footage captured an individual, later identified as Johnson, punching a victim in the face and stealing his truck while another suspect threatened the victim with a gun.

“We are going to waive the preliminary hearing,” Chidi Ogolo, Johnson’s defense attorney, told Judge Salerno. “We are trying to resolve all the cases.”

Neither party indicated what specific cases are included in the plea offer.

“The plea offer, which is a global offer to plead guilty to carjacking and dismiss all the other cases, will expire at the next hearing if we don’t go forward,” said the prosecutor.

Court records show Johnson is facing a felony charge of escape from an officer from 2020, a misdemeanor charge of second-degree theft from 2022, a domestic violence charge of simple assault from 2022, a misdemeanor charge of attempted threats to do bodily harm from February, and misdemeanor and felony bail violation charges from June.

Parties are set to reconvene on Nov. 5.

‘The Man Is Dying in Front of You,’ Defense Argues against Using Video in Trial

An attorney for a homicide defendant argued that photos and a video the prosecution planned to use in trial were too upsetting to show to a jury in a hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan on Oct. 18.

Rafeal Stevens, 39, and Jermall Johnson, 41, are charged with first-degree murder, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict. The charges stem from their alleged involvement in the shooting death of Aniekobo Umoh, 50, on Dec. 29, 2022, on the 2700 block of 7th Street, NE.

Stevens’ attorney, Jason Tulley, told the court some of the prosecution’s evidence would influence the jury emotionally without doing anything to prove Stevens’ guilt.

“It spurs the emotion, ‘Oh my god, this poor gentleman, I feel so sorry for him,” Tulley said about a photo of Umoh’s face taken during his autopsy.

Tulley also objected to a close-up photo of an exit wound that showed pink internal tissue and a photo of Umoh, while alive, with his young nephew.

“We all know what’s going on,” Tulley said. “They [the prosecutors] put up photos of them [the victims] with their loved ones to create an emotional response, so the jury is more likely to convict, not based on any evidence.”

“We’re not required to curtail our evidence on the grounds that it makes people feel sad,” the prosecution argued. “We’ve really culled down the shots that we use. We only use sanitized, bloodless photos.”

Judge Raffinan denied Tulley’s motions to exclude the photos from evidence. She said they were relevant for identifying the victim, communicating who he was as a person, and demonstrating his injuries without being gory or unnecessarily prejudicial.

Tulley asked Judge Raffinan to order the prosecution to redact sections of the body-worn camera footage they planned to show the jury from the officer who discovered Umoh.

“The man is dying in front of you. He’s literally dying on this body-worn camera. It’s awful,” Tulley said. “It could have two effects. One, it could make the jurors angry and want to hold someone accountable, and two, it could make the jurors unable to continue with the trial, and we’d lose jurors.”

Judge Raffinan said she would make a ruling after Tulley identified the specific portions of the video he wants redacted.

Johnson’s defense attorney, Steven LoGerfo, asked Judge Raffinan to sever Stevens’ and Johnson’s cases so they could have separate trials.

Judge Raffinan granted the motion for severance.

She said co-defendants are usually tried together to save the time and effort of the court and the prosecution, but they may be tried separately if one can give testimony that is exculpatory to the other.

According to Judge Raffinan, the prosecution plans to argue Stevens and Johnson conspired to murder Umoh, but Stevens has agreed to testify in Johnson’s trial that there was no conspiracy between them.

The next hearing in Stevens’ case is scheduled for Oct. 28.

In Johnson’s case, the next hearing is set for Dec. 3.

Carjacking Defendant Accepts Plea Deal in Taxi Cab Robbery, Faces Up To 15 Years

A carjacking defendant pleaded guilty to robbery and assault before DC Superior Court Judge Erik Christian in a hearing Oct. 21.

Jose Mendoza, 36, was originally charged with two counts of armed carjacking of a taxi cab driver, first-degree theft, assault with a dangerous weapon, carrying a dangerous weapon, simple assault and assault on a police officer for a carjacking incident that occurred on the 1400 block of Park Road, NW on July 25, 2021.

According to the prosecution, Mendoza approached a taxi cab driver and requested that he take him to Southeast DC. Mendoza then pulled out a knife, held it against the side of the driver’s body, and told him to get out of the car and leave the keys. Mendoza then used the vehicle to flee the scene. He was positively identified by the driver the following day and arrested.

Kevin O’Sullivan, Medoza’s attorney, informed the court of Mendoza’s intention to accept a deal that required him to plead guilty to robbery and assault with a dangerous weapon. In exchange, the prosecution agreed not to seek indictment charges and dropped the original charges of armed carjacking, carrying a dangerous weapon, simple assault and assault on a police officer.

Robbery carries a penalty of up to 15 years and a fine of up to $37,500. Assault with a dangerous weapon carries a penalty of up to 10 years.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene for sentencing on Dec. 9

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