The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating suspects involved in a shooting on Aug. 2 on the 600 block of Division Avenue, NE. No injuries were reported.
Document: MPD Makes Arrest in Northeast Shooting
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 34-year-old Anthony Gary, who is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a shooting that injured one individual on March 22 on the 1300 block of Rhode Island Avenue, NE.
Document: MPD Searching for Suspects in Northwest Shooting
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is asking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating suspects involved in a shooting that occurred on Aug. 2 on the 1100 block of Euclid Street, NW. An adult male was found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
Motion for Acquittal Denied in Homicide Trial
DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe denied a homicide defendant’s motion for judgment of acquittal during a hearing on Aug. 6.
Bernard Matthews, 44, is charged with first-degree, premeditated murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict, and carrying a pistol without a license for his alleged involvement in the shooting of 22-year-old Diamonte Green. The incident occurred on Feb. 16, 2021, on the 300 block of 33rd Street, SE.
Following the prosecution’s case, Marnitta King, Matthews’ attorney, filed an oral motion for a judgment of acquittal claiming that it failed to meet its burden to prove Matthews was involved in the incident.
The prosecution countered, stating that a reasonable jury could find him guilty of all charges based on the evidence and witness testimony they’ve presented.
Judge O’Keefe agreed with the prosecution and denied the motion, stating that the jury could see that Matthews was caught by surveillance footage in the moments before and after the shooting, and traveling to and from the scene of the crime.
Judge O’Keefe then asked Matthews if he planned to testify, and he asserted his right to take the stand, although it is unclear when.
King called forth an officer from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) who testified she was off-duty in the vicinity of the incident when cruisers began to arrive at the scene.
According to the officer, as she was in her personal vehicle preparing to leave the area, she witnessed an individual exit from a walkway behind the building where Green’s body was located and get into a white Cadillac Escalade, before leaving the scene.
In body-worn camera footage shown to the court, the witness can be heard telling officers she watched the individual “walking fast and holding it,” relating to his waistband.
King questioned if, based on her training as an officer, she took that as a sign of his concealing a weapon. The witness agreed.
However, the witness testified, she never saw the Escalade again and does not know if anything ever came of her observation.
Parties are slated to reconvene Aug. 7.
Witnesses Testify About Hostile Instagram Messages in Murder Trial
The parties in a homicide trial questioned witnesses about the accuracy and completeness of key evidence before DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe on Aug. 5.
Bernard Matthews, 45, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction, and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in the shooting death of 22-year-old Diamonte Green on Feb. 16, 2021, on the 300 block of 33rd St., SE.
The landlord of Green’s girlfriend testified that he had provided the police with the surveillance video footage shown to the jury earlier in the trial. According to court documents, the footage showed Matthews’ movements before and after the shooting, except for the fifteen minutes immediately preceding the 911 call reporting Green had been shot.
A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer testified to downloading the video footage from the apartment building’s security cameras a week after the incident. He said the video was jerky because he wasn’t able to access the proprietary software that would make it play smoothly.
Matthews’ defense attorney, Marnitta King, asked the officer if he had told his supervisors that they needed to obtain the proprietary software. He said he hadn’t because he had other software capable of playing the video, although jerkily.
The officer said that the security camera was reporting a time that was approximately 44 minutes later than the actual time, so he downloaded footage that was timestamped 44 minutes later than the time he was looking for.
King asked the officer if he had any way of verifying that the video footage was actually taken at the day and time he was looking for. He said he didn’t.
A custodian of records from the Meta media company took the witness stand to certify the authenticity of Instagram messages the prosecutors had previously shown to the jury. Among these were a barrage of hostile messages Green sent Matthews’ son up until two minutes before the 911 call.
Green’s texts to Matthews’ son included, “u ah b**** cuh. Ah b**** come all the way down here to call your bluff u a b**** I’m see u out here” and, “u ain’t safe bullets ain’t got no name slim.”
An investigative analyst for the US Attorney’s Office (USAO) laid out in chronological order the messages among Green, Green’s girlfriend, Matthews, Matthews’ son, and the mother of Matthews’ son in the hours before Green’s death.
“An accurate representation of the communications of a person would include all their communications, correct?” King asked the analyst. He assented.
King pointed out that the records from Meta showed Green sending hostile messages to another individual who was identified only by their Instagram username. Although those messages were sent during the time period covered by the analyst’s report, they didn’t appear in the report.
The prosecution noted that Green stopped messaging that individual more than an hour and a half before the 911 call. During that time, Green sent approximately 32 messages to Matthews’ son.
The trial is scheduled to resume on Aug. 6.
Prosecutor Won’t Link Drive-by Shooting to Neighborhood Gang
The prosecutor in a homicide case told DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe on Aug. 5 that he no longer plans to present evidence connecting the incident to a neighborhood crew in Anacostia and Barry Farm known as For Da Money Gang or 4DMG.
Ky’lee Palmer, 25, and Aaron Adgerson, 21, are charged with first-degree murder, assault with intent to kill, and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. In addition, Palmer is charged with destruction of property worth $1000 or more and tampering with physical evidence. All are alleged to be offenses committed during release. The charges stem from Palmer’s and Adgerson’s alleged involvement in a drive-by shooting that led to the death of 60-year-old Barron Goodwin on Feb. 12, 2020, on the 800 block of 51st Street, SE.
The prosecutor said instead he will argue at trial that Palmer’s motive in the shooting was to threaten Palmer’s girlfriend and her brother, since the house that was targeted was their family home.
The prosecutor said he no longer plans to argue that Adgerson’s motive was to curry favor with a gang. He will argue that Adgerson was acting out of loyalty to an older friend he admired, since Adgerson was 16 at the time of the incident and Palmer was 20.
The prosecutor asked Judge O’Keefe to allow into evidence still shots from Adgerson’s Instagram videos that are said to show him dancing to music with Palmer and displaying guns.
Palmer’s defense attorney, David Akulian, pointed out that Palmer isn’t holding any of the guns in Adgerson’s videos. He objected to the prosecution’s claim that those guns are consistent with the murder weapon.
Judge O’Keefe promised to hear more arguments on the issue at the next hearing.
The prosecutor asked to use evidence of Palmer’s prior acts of alleged domestic violence in the trial, arguing that the shooting was an extension of that pattern of behavior.
Akulian said the shooting grew out of a dispute between Palmer and his girlfriend’s brother, not out of Palmer’s purportedly violent behavior towards his girlfriend.
Judge O’Keefe agreed to allow the evidence of domestic violence because shooting at the shared home of the girlfriend and her brother could be interpreted as directed at either of them.
The prosecutor asked to present evidence that Palmer stole a vehicle and his girlfriend’s phone prior to the incident.
Judge O’Keefe gave permission for evidence of the phone theft because it was central to the prosecution’s account of the conflict that led to the shooting.
The judge said the prosecutor could offer evidence that Palmer was driving a stolen vehicle at the shooting. Regarding the car, the prosecution said cell phone location data suggested Palmer was in the vicinity of the vehicle when it was taken.
The next hearing in this case is scheduled for Aug. 8.
Preliminary Hearing in Vehicular Homicide Delayed Amid Plea Negotiations
A defendant accused in a traffic fatality alerted DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt of her plans to accept a plea deal at a preliminary hearing on Aug. 6.
Olivia Ayong, 49, is charged with negligent homicide for her alleged involvement in the fatal car crash that claimed the life of 72-year-old Ralph Williams on Nov. 25, 2022, on the 900 block of K Street, NE.
According to court documents, Williams had his car double-parked with the blinkers on and was unloading groceries from a truck when he was struck and pinned between Ayong’s and his vehicle. He was transported to MedStar hospital where he was pronounced dead from blunt force trauma to his legs and pelvis.
Also according to court documents, Ayong, who works as a home healthcare provider, was transporting a patient at the time of the incident. She tested negative for alcohol and drug use, and the patient in her vehicle said Ayong was not using her phone at the time.
A plea offer was discussed between parties, but not disclosed in court, and defense attorney John Harvey said Ayong is “inclined to accept.”
The final deal has yet to be consummated. The prosecution mentioned the victim’s family has objections and wants to be present when Ayong agrees to the terms.
Judge Brandt requested that only one person speak on behalf of the family during the hearing, as she will not tolerate any disrespectful behavior.
Parties are slated to return on Aug. 30.
Shooting Defendant Accepts Plea Deal at Trial Start
A shooting defendant accepted a plea deal Aug. 6 on what was supposed to be the day one of his trial before DC Superior Court Judge Heidi Pasichow
James Guillory, 24, is charged with two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction, and carrying a pistol without a license for allegedly shooting and injuring two individuals on June 15, 2023 on the 4600 block of Hillside Road, SE.
According to court documents, a male victim sustained a wound to the hip, and a female victim was hit with a ball bearing (BB) gunshot on the nose.
As the hearing started Guillory’s defense attorney, Varsha Govindaraju, alerted the court of his client’s intention to accept a plea deal extended by the prosecution.
According to Govindaraju, the deal required Guillory to plead guilty to two charges of assault with a dangerous weapon, in exchange for a dismissal of all other charges. The jury, which was previously chosen Aug. 5, was released.
Parties are set to return for sentencing on Sept. 20.
Judge Sentences ‘Cold-Blooded Murder’ Defendant With Criminal Past to 60 Years
A homicide defendant with a long criminal history was sentenced to decades in prison by DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe on Aug. 2 following his conviction by a jury.
On May 2, Eric Davis, 61, was found guilty of first-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his involvement in the murder of 41-year-old Theodore Riley on the 1600 block of Gales Street, SE on July 19, 2021.
According to the family, Davis was a friend of Riley’s whom he thought he could trust even though Davis suggested to police that he and Riley were discussing drugs the day of the incident.
At the hearing, three family members of the victim read impact statements, and a letter from the victim’s mother was read aloud. The family members all praised Riley as a great family man, a father to three kids but a person they will never see grow old.
Riley’s sister got emotional as she said he should have been dancing with her at her upcoming wedding. She talked about fond memories of their growing up together and also mourned the chance to be together in the coming years. She said she fights harder because of him.
Riley’s widow said that she did not believe the call she received about her husband’s death and called her mother thinking it was a joke. She described being the head of her household now after her best friend was killed by someone’s “negligence.”
“When you get married you say ‘til death do us part but you don’t think that death will tear you apart,” Riley’s wife said.
Riley’s mother-in-law described how his widow stood in front of his casket for two hours, not wanting to let him go.
The prosecution detailed Davis’ criminal history spanning 40 years, with prior convictions connected to a homicide and multiple assaults of women in the 80s and 90s including rape. They requested Judge O’Keefe sentence Davis to 60 years of incarceration, citing the nature and circumstances of the offense.
The prosecution said Riley was shot in the temple in a “cold-blooded murder.” “This was an execution,” said the prosecutor.
Judge O’Keefe said what the family is experiencing is “inconceivable.”
“He should never set foot in free society ever again,” Judge O’Keefe said.
Davis’ attorney, Howard McEachern, said charging Davis with second-degree murder would be more appropriate since he is already serving time and deserves a chance to be released in the future.
Nonetheless, the judge sentenced Davis to 60 years with five years of supervised release. In the event he’s ever released, Davis will be required to register as a gun offender.
No further dates were set.
Nine-Year-Old Victim Testifies in Shooting Trial
A nine-year-old victim who is also a witness to a shooting testified in front of DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on Aug. 5.
Deon Cannon, 29, is charged with two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, five counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, conspiracy, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict, possession of an unregistered firearm, carrying a pistol without a license outside of a home or business, unlawful possession of ammunition and eight counts of destruction of property of less than $1000.
The charges stem from his alleged involvement in an incident on Sept. 5, 2021, on the 2700 block of Terrace Road, SE. There were no reported injuries.
According to court documents, video surveillance footage from the scene shows an individual, later identified as Cannon, shooting multiple times at two victims. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers responded and arrested him.
The prosecution called on the nine-year-old victim who testified primarily by responding with one word answers. The boy recalled walking from the playground to his grandmother’s house when he and his father came under gunfire. Once he had heard the shots, he started running, he testified. He also remembered his father shot back after being shot at and that the shooter had chased them down.
The nine-year-old also believed that he may have been hit, mentioning a scar on his ankle “that was not there before.”
The prosecution also questioned a witness who called 911 during the shooting who recalled watching a game when he heard gunshots outside. He then “cautiously went to the window and opened the blinds,” and testified he saw the boy and his father who he said had a limp and was carrying a firearm.
During cross-examination, the witness stated he didn’t see the father shoot nor anyone chasing them.
An MPD detective explained going to the scene to take measurements. Due to the surveillance camera’s having a “fisheye lens,” the detective testified it doesn’t depict real life view of the shooting. The distance from the gunman to the victims was around 29 feet, which he argued was in “very close proximity.”
As video evidence was presented, the detective pointed out an another individual identified as a gunman who was also shooting at the two victims. According to the detective, 17 firearm casings were recovered near the area.
Another MPD officer collected a pistol and a magazine and swabbed the items for DNA evidence but didn’t find any latent fingerprints.
A DNA analyst and two technicians testified that DNA taken from the firearm and magazine were compared to a known sample of individuals and concluded that Cannon’s DNA was the most likely genetic material collected from the gun.
After the prosecution rested, the defense motioned for acquittal. Judge Brandt denied the request on all charges except conspiracy charge, which was dismissed.
Parties are slated to return on Aug. 6 to continue trial.
Two Carjacking Co-Defendants in a Conspiracy Case Waive DNA Evidence Testing
Two of five co-defendants in a carjacking conspiracy case waived their right to independently test DNA evidence before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun on Aug. 5.
Byron Gillum, 19, Jaelen Jordan, 19, Isaiah Flowers, 19, Jahkai Goff, 19, and Irshaad Ellis-Bey, 18, are charged with two counts of armed carjacking, armed carjacking of a senior citizen, trafficking stolen property, four counts of unauthorized use of a vehicle, receiving stolen property of $1,000 or more, six counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, two counts of robbery while armed, robbery of a senior citizen while armed and conspiracy.
The charges stem from their alleged involvement in an ongoing distribution of carjacked vehicles between April and May of 2023. The group is believed to have partially conducted its operation out of an apartment parking garage on the 1300 block of Florida Avenue, NE.
The prosecution read the results of their DNA testing from numerous items recovered from the vehicles and residence on Florida Avenue, NE. The results showed it was more likely the items contained Jordan’s DNA over Gillum’s.
Gillum’s defense attorney, Daniel Dorsey, and Jordan’s defense attorney, Brian McDaniel, alerted the court of their intent to waive their right to independent DNA testing.
Flowers, Goff, and Ellis-Bey will indicate their decision on independent DNA testing at a later date.
Additionally, parties agreed on a new tentative trial date of Oct. 14, 2025, due to the case being transferred to Judge Okun just three days before this hearing. The judge has an estimated three-month trial at the beginning of February, which conflicted with the prior trial date for the five of March 31, 2025.
Parties will reconvene on Aug. 19.
Mass Shooting Defendant Rejects Second Plea Offer
A non-fatal mass shooting defendant rejected a second plea offer from the prosecution before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun on Aug. 5.
Rennwel Mantock, 29, is charged with six counts of assault with intent to kill while armed and six counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a mass shooting that injured six individuals. The incident occurred on April 26 on the 1200 block of Connecticut Avenue, NW, outside Decades nightclub.
Prosecutors extended an offer that would require the defendant to plead guilty to three counts of aggravated assault knowingly while armed and one count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. Mantock, who rejected an initial plea deal in May, was unwilling to take the updated offer.
The hearing was then continued to allow Mantock’s new defense attorney, Margaret Anthony, to familiarize herself with his case after the previous defense counsel, William Patzig, withdrew.
Parties will reconvene on Oct. 11.
Murder Defendant Pleads Not Guilty at Arraignment
A homicide defendant pleaded not guilty to all indictment charges on Aug. 2 before DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe.
Christopher Patrick Haynes, 31, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict, carrying a pistol without a license and escaping from an officer for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Brent Hayward, 33.
The incident occurred on Aug. 12, 2023, on the 1500 block of Kenilworth Avenue, NE. A second individual sustained non-life threatening injuries.
At the hearing, Haynes’ attorney, Nikki Lotze, alerted the court his client was pleading not guilty to all indictment charges and asserted his constitutional rights, including the right to a speedy trial.
Parties are slated to meet back Nov. 8.
Jury Acquits Man of Murder in An Uber
A jury in DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein’s courtroom found a man not guilty of a murder on Aug. 1.
Jarvis Jackson, 42, was charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm from a prior conviction for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Deont’e Minor, 23, on March 20, 2021, on the 1200 block of Southern Avenue, SE.
According to court documents, Minor was in an Uber ride when he was shot in the backseat as the Uber was waiting to make a turn. The driver previously testified he took the victim to a nearby hospital immediately after the shooting. Minor later succumbed to his injuries.
Throughout the trial, David Knight, Jackson’s defense attorney, argued the prosecution’s evidence did not prove that Jackson was the individual who killed Minor. He provided evidence of Minor telling friends in the weeks leading up to his death that if anything happened to him, to look at his “brothers,” a group of friends and associatds.
Following a day of deliberation, the jury delivered a not guilty verdict.
After the acquittal, Jackson was released from the DC Jail, and no further dates were set.
Two Mass Shootings Among Incidents Causing 24 Deaths in July
As of Aug. 5, D.C. Witness data shows there were 22 homicide incidents in July, claiming the lives of 24 individuals. There were also 26 non-fatal shooting victims, in 17 incidents, two of which occurred at the same time and location of a homicide.
According to D.C. Witness data, two mass shootings occurred in July, claiming the lives of two individuals and injuring six.
According to documents from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), the first mass shooting occurred on July 8 on the 1200 block of Potomac Avenue, SE. Two men and two women sustained injuries during the incident, but survived. MPD continues to search for a suspect vehicle, described as a blue SUV.
Likewise, another mass shooting occurred on July 18 on the 2000 block of Alabama Avenue, SE, claiming the lives of 29-year-old Lamont Street and 50-year-old Jermaine Proctor. Two others, a man and a young girl, sustained injuries during the incident.
According to MPD documents, multiple suspects exited a vehicle during the incident and began shooting towards Street and Proctor. Police are offering a reward to anyone who provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
The mass shootings are two of 26 homicide and non-fatal shooting incidents in which suspects have yet to be identified and arrested.
However, a 16-year-old boy was arrested for his alleged involvement in a July 23 shooting that injured three women on the 2900 block of Nelson Place, SE.
In a hearing on July 30, DC Superior Court Judge James Crowell ordered the boy to remain detained at the Youth Services Center (YSC) after prosecutors argued he was arrested for the shooting while he was on release for a case in which he’s charged with possessing a firearm.
On July 31, MPD also arrested 23-year-old Desmond Barr Jr. for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 21-year-old Ambria Farmer on July 13 on the 3300 block of Fort DuPont Drive, SE.
Barr was also on release at the time of the incident, in connection to a case in which he is charged for his alleged involvement in a shooting that occurred on Feb. 2, 2023, and had no injuries reported.