The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 17-year-old Rayon Davis Jr. and 17-year-old Quintin Reed, who are charged with first-degree murder while armed – felony murder for their alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 39-year-old Dwayne Barbour. The incident occurred on Dec. 20, 2023, on the 2900 block of Knox Place, SE.
Barbour succumbed to his injuries on Dec. 31, 2023.
Reed and Davis are charged as adults under Title 16.
Daquan Jackson was arraigned on a charge of carjacking and pleaded not guilty before DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro on Aug. 16.
Jackson, 27, faces charges for his alleged involvement in the theft of a scooter on March 3 on the 1000 block of H Street, NE.
According to court documents, three investigators from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Violent Crime Suppression Division witnessed the carjacking while on patrol. The investigators reported seeing two men on a scooter, masked and dressed all in black, push a third man off another scooter and attempt to drive it away. Arrest documents state that the investigators detained the man on the stolen scooter, who was identified as Jackson, while the other suspect evaded arrest.
During the hearing, Sara Kopecki, Jackson’s attorney, asserted his constitutional rights, including the right to a speedy trial.
The trial is scheduled for Aug. 22.
Ramel Henderson, Kevon Jackson, Melvin Morris and Dominique Franks were arraigned on charges of conspiracy and aggravated assault while armed and pleaded not guilty before DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro on Aug. 16.
Henderson, 20, Jackson, 24, Morris, 26, and Franks, 23, face charges for their alleged involvement in a stabbing at the DC Jail on the 1900 block of D Street, SE, on Oct. 25, 2023, that left one person injured.
According to court documents, portions of the assault were captured on surveillance camera footage within the jail. The surveillance footage shows an individual identified as Franks walking toward the shower area, where the weapon used in the assault was found.
Court documents state that a doctor who treated the victim recovered a sharp object from him and reported it to a Department of Corrections officer.
The next hearing in this case is scheduled for Nov. 1.
DC Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz sentenced a non-fatal shooting defendant to 12 months in prison and three years on supervised release on Aug. 16.
Ereck Wilson, 49, was originally charged with carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, unlawful discharge of a firearm, endangerment with a firearm, possession of an unregistered firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition, for his involvement in a non-fatal shooting incident on Dec. 9, 2023, on the 1600 block of W Street, SE. No individuals sustained injuries during the shooting.
According to court documents, Wilson fired a gun while high on phencyclidine (PCP). The shots were not directed at anyone.
On June 14, Wilson accepted an offer extended by the prosecution where to plead guilty to carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business and unlawful discharge of a firearm. I n exchange for his guilty plea, the prosecution said they would ask for a sentence in the lower range of the guidelines on both counts.
During the hearing, the prosecution asked Judge Leibovitz to sentence Wilson to 12 months in prison.
Wilson’s defense attorney, Daniel Dorsey, said the reason why Wilson fired a gun and was high on phencyclidine was because he attempted to commit suicide after discovering his girlfriend, who had been missing for a week, died in a car accident.
Judge Leibovitz said this is not Wilson’s first drug offense as he’s had other convictions dating back more than two decades. She sentenced Wilson to 12 months in prison with three years on supervised release.
No further dates were set.
A non-fatal shooting defendant’s mental competency exam was rescheduled for a later date in front of DC Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz on Aug. 16.
Kevin Harrison, 23, is charged with unlawful discharge of a firearm and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting incident June 23, 2023, on the 2200 block of 10th Street, NW. No individuals sustained injuries during the shooting.
According to court documents, Harrison, while with another individual, allegedly fired a gun. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers later discovered the gun he allegedly fired was not registered in Washington, D.C.
During the hearing, Harrison’s defense attorney, Patrick Nowak, said the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) never notified Harrison when his mental competency exam was to take place. Judge Leibovitz set a new date for Harrison’s mental competency exam on Aug. 20.
Nowak also said Harrison has begun attending an outpatient program for his mental health and has attended two classes so far.
Parties are set to reconvene on Aug. 29.
A stabbing victim employed as a strip club bouncer showed the jury graphic evidence of his injury in a trial before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno’s courtroom on Aug. 15.
Abraham Urrutia Castillo, 29, is charged with two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and simple assault for his alleged involvement in a stabbing incident on Nov. 23, 2023, on the 2300 block of Wisconsin Avenue, NW at the establishment, billing itself as a “gentleman’s club.” One individual sustained injuries which required hospital treatment.
According to court documents, the victim was allegedly stabbed by Urrutia Castillo, a customer at the club, when he removed him from the premises for touching a waitress.
During the victim’s testimony, he detailed events leading up to the stabbing. He said Urrutia Castillo grabbed a waitress by her forearm, turning her around when she was leading his inebriated friend towards the exit.
He said one of the nightclub’s rules explained to guests before they enter, is they are not allowed to touch the waitresses.
After Urrutia Castillo allegedly touched the waitress, the victim testified, he and another bouncer used physical force to remove Urrutia Castillo and his friend from the nightclub. In the process, the victim said Urrutia Castillo and his friend were acting “really aggressive.”
The victim said he could not recall whether Urrutia Castillo or Urrutia Castillo’s friend swung at security first.
Once out on the street, the victim said he felt Urrutia Castillo allegedly stab him with a knife. According to the victim, the wound was about two inches long and a few inches deep. After the altercation, the victim said he also noticed a scratch on his chest.
After he was stabbed, he testified, Urrutia Castillo tried to run over and allegedly stab his colleague who was putting Urrutia Castillo’s friend down on the street while waiting for officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to arrive. However, the victim was able to stop Urrutia Castillo from doing so by kicking him away.
Later, MPD officers arrived and the victim identified the perpetrator as Urrutia Castillo. The victim was later taken by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to a hospital where he received nine stitches and a tetanus shot due to his injuries.
During his testimony, the victim stood up and walked before the jury box to show his scar from the incident.
During cross examination, Urrutia Castillo’s defense attorney, Damon Catacalos, argued the physical force by the gvictim was unnecessary given the victim’s and defendant’s height difference. According to Catacalos, Urrutia Castillo is five-and-a-half feet tall while the victim is over six-feet tall.
Catacalos also said the victim pushed Urrutia Castillo’s jacket over his face. The victim said it was not his intention, it just happened.
Following the victim’s testimony, prosecutors called the waitress Urrutia Castillo allegedly grabbed. She described him as “very aggressive,” stating he yelled at her asking where she was going with his friend and shouted expletives along with bursts of Spanish.
Prosecutors also called on the other bouncer who removed Urrutia Castillo’s friend from the club. He said the friend smacked him with a hard object and though he sustained a cut to his head but did not need medical attention.
He testified that, once the unruly pair was removed from the club, he hit the friend back to “return the favor,” before pinning him on the ground as they waited for the police.
Even though Urrutia Castillo’s friend was under control, the witness said he saw Urrutia Castillo allegedly running at him before watching the initial victim kick him away in an effort to protect his colleague from possibly getting stabbed.
Catacalos again argued through the cross-examination that there was a very big height difference between the bouncer and Urrutia Castillo’s friend, and insisted physical force was unnecessary.
Parties are set to reconvene on Aug. 19.
A carjacking defendant accepted a plea agreement extended by the prosecution in front of DC Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz on Aug. 16.
Montello Washington, 18, was originally charged with two counts of armed robbery and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his involvement in multiple carjackings and robberies from Aug. 6 to 16, 2023, in several locations.
According to court documents, the first offense occurred on Aug. 6, 2023, on the 1300 block of Tewkesbury Place, NW. Washington and four others stole a car from a victim.
The next offense occurred on Aug. 14, 2023, on the 2500 block of 13th Street, NW, according to court documents. Washington stole a car while the victim was gone and later came back to find it missing.
The next day on Aug. 15, 2023, on the intersection of Piney Branch Road and Whittier Place, NW, Washington, along with three others, robbed an individual. One of the perpetrators pointed a gun at the victim and stole his car, phone and wallet.
On Aug. 16, 2023, Washington was involved in a shooting where two shell casings were found on the scene at 1300 block of Tewkesbury Place, NW. Later that day Washington was involved in an armed robbery and stole a victim’s credit card. Following that he participated in an armed carjacking on the 1300 block of Missouri Avenue, NW.
The final offense occurred between Aug. 15 and 16, 2023, on the 2700 block of Macomb Street, NW, during which Washington stole another victim’s car.
During the hearing, the prosecution extended an offer to Washington, which required him to plead guilty to armed carjacking, armed robbery and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence in exchange for a dismissal of all other charges.
Washington accepted the deal.
Washington’s defense attorney, Thomas Key, requested sentencing under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA) which effectively seals details of the conviction assuming the defendant complies with the terms of the agreement. Judge Leibovitz accepted this request.
Parties are set to reconvene on Oct. 25.
A shooting defendant was unable to attend a hearing on Aug. 15 before DC Superior Judge Jason Park because she needed emergency medical treatment.
Shawnette Greene, 48, is charged with aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with intent to commit robbery while armed, robbery while armed, and three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, for her alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting incident on Feb. 13, 2023, on the 200 block of Allison Street, NW. One individual sustained gunshot wounds.
According to court documents, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) located an individual in an alley suffering from three gunshot wounds to his upper left leg.
During the hearing, defense attorney Hannah Claudio informed the court that her client was unable to be in court because she was admitted to a hospital that morning for abdominal pain on her right side.
Claudio also informed the court that she has been in contact with Greene’s attorney in Maryland regarding an outstanding bench warrant there. Claudio stated that the Maryland attorney has filed a motion to quash the warrant and parties are awaiting a judge’s decision on the motion.
Defense counsel requested the pretrial show cause hearing for next steps be continued until next week, giving parties time to gather more information about the hospital visit, including medical records.
Parties are scheduled to reconvene on Aug. 19.
Parties in a homicide trial delivered closing arguments on Aug. 15 before DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein with the defendant claiming he had a right to protect his home.
Jason Lewis, 42, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, and three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 13-year-old Karon Blake on Jan. 7, 2023. The incident occurred on the 1000 block of Quincy Street, NE.
Before closings began, the prosecution discussed a subpoena and bench warrant ssued for Lewis’ wife, but had not been served. The prosecution requested the trial be carried to Monday so the US Marshals could locate her.
According to the prosecution, her car was found at her sister’s residence with her purse and phone inside and took an Uber to an undisclosed location as told by the US Marshals.
The prosecution told Judge Epstein she should be considered a material witness, because she said she never heard anyone shooting at Lewis. However, the defense said her testimony was based on her observations, and she may have not been paying attention.
The judge denied a request to carry the trial to Monday as he did not want any delay and stated if Lewis’ wife was a critical witness she should have subpoenaed sooner.
During closing arguments, the prosecution displayed a photo of Blake and an audio recording after he was shot, in which he is heard saying “I’m sorry I’m sorry,” and “I’m just a kid.”
The prosecution insisted that, although Blake had been allegedly attempting to break into cars the night of the incident, it did not justify shooting him.
They disputed Lewis’ self-defense claim, stating he was shooting first, and continuing to shoot as the kids ran away contents his argument.
The prosecution pointed out that Lewis did not have to go outside that night as there was no imminent danger, adding that his security camera showed him walking through his home to the gate entrance and depicted “how quickly” he turned right and fired at a car, striking Blake.
They ended by insisting that Lewis’ stance after shooting Blake was not that of someone who is afraid, but rather someone attempting to act as a hero with the mentality of “not in my neighborhood.”
Edward Ungvarsky, Lewis’ attorney, painted Lewis a conflict resolver, adding that he’s not an angry person, but rather he’s peaceful, calm, and collected. “He’s not a hothead shooting at kids breaking into his car,” Unvarsky told the jury.
According to Ungvarsky, Lewis had grabbed a gun, which he was allowed to carry, intending to protect his family, adding that there is not a need to “agree with his choices,” but rather recognize his legal right to defend against a threat coming at him.
Lewis’ body language that night, Ungvarsky claimed, was the posture of someone in shock, not a killer as the prosecution interpreted.
Ungvarsky also mentioned Lewis’ cooperation with police, stating he had willingly let officers see his phone and come into his home, claiming it is what innocent people do.
“Guilty people don’t give CPR,” Ungvarsky insisted, stating Lewis was focused on helping the boy.
He asked the jury to put themselves in Lewis’ position that night, and requested they acquit him of all charges.
Parties will reconvene when the jury has reached a verdict.
At a hearing on Aug. 15, a carjacking suspect was warned to keep his GPS monitor active to continue on release. The device pinpoints the whereabouts of an individual but needs to be recharged daily.
Lamontee Fowler, 21, is charged with three counts of armed carjacking and three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for allegedly committing three separate carjackings on April 27, May 2 and May 8. The incidents on April 27 and May 2 happened on the 4400 block of Texas Avenue, SE, while the one on May 8 took place on the 4300 block of G Street, SE.
Fowler is also charged for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on May 10 on the 4400 block of B Street, SE.
During the hearing, a Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) representative said Fowler’s GPS monitor was not operating between Aug. 4 through Aug. 7. She said the GPS monitor lost its charge while Fowler was home.
When he later attended a meeting with his case manager, she said Fowler did not provide an explanation for why his GPS monitor was silent for three days.
DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno told Fowler if an instance like this occurs again, the prosecution would arrest him awaiting trial.
According to court documents, during the incident on May 8, Fowler allegedly fired two bullets at a victim before the carjacking. On May 2, Fowler allegedly pointed a gun at a carjacking victim but did not fire it.
Other court documents state Fowler allegedly carjacked another victim at gunpoint on May 8. Then on May 10, Fowler allegedly fired shots at victims and abandoned the car he allegedly stole on May 8.
Parties are set to reconvene on Nov. 1.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 18-year-old Jaylen Suggs, who is charged with first-degree murder while armed – felony murder, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 38-year-old Ricky Canty. The incident occurred on April 25 on the 4500 block of Sheriff Road, NE.
Suggs, who was a juvenile at the time of the incident, is charged as an adult under Title 16.
The prosecution set a deadline for a plea offer pending since April for a carjacking defendant.
Jaleel Fowler, 26, is charged with unarmed carjacking for his alleged involvement in an incident occurring on Dec. 15, 2023, on the 2700 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE.
During the Aug. 15 hearing, Fowler’s defense attorney, Raymond Jones, said they need more time to decide on the deal because Fowler is facing additional charges,
In addition to the carjacking, he allegedly took part in a non-fatal shooting incident on Dec. 8, 2023, on the 3700 block of Georgia Avenue, NW, at the Georgia Avenue-Petworth Metro station. He has been charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for that incident.
One individual sustained life-threatening injuries during the attack which required hospitalization.
The prosecution told DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno that the April plea offer will expire on Sept. 16.
According to court documents, Fowler allegedly pointed a gun at the victim in the carjacking incident before stealing his car. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers did not arrest Fowler until March 6.
Parties are set to reconvene on Sept. 16.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a vehicle involved in a shooting that occurred on Aug. 6 on the 4600 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SW.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating the fatal shooting of 38-year-old Antowine Baker. The incident occurred on Aug. 13 on the 500 block of Division Avenue, NE.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a vehicle that was stolen by suspects after a shooting on Aug. 13 on the 1100 block of Naylor Road, SE.
The vehicle was identified as a 2020 blue Honda Civic with Maryland tags 2EK8713.
