Document: MPD Investigating Fatal Southeast Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on May 7 on the 3400 block of 25th Street, SE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they located a man inside a residence suffering from gunshot wounds. He died at the scene.

The victim was identified as 42-year-old Tremaine Nicholson.

MPD offers a reward to anyone that provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for each homicide in the District.

Document: MPD Arrests Suspect in a Fatal Shooting in Southeast

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of an individual in connection to a homicide on Oct. 30, 2023 on the 1800 block of Fairlawn Avenue, SE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of found human remains, where an adult male’s body was located in a trash can. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) ruled the cause of death as multiple gunshot wounds and the manner of death as a homicide.

The victim was identified as 25-year-old Kwame Keith.

On May 7, 34-year-old Emmanuel Lewis was arrested and charged with second-degree murder while armed.

Document: MPD Arrests Man in Northwest Robbery Homicide, Search Continues for Additional Suspect

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of a man involved in a fatal shooting during an armed robbery of a business that occurred on March 27 on the 5100 block of Georgia Avenue, NW. They continue to search for the second suspect.

According to MPD documents, two suspects brandished guns and entered a business at the location, where they demanded property and money. The victims complied. However, one of the suspects fired a shot striking one of the victims.

They took the property and money and fled the scene. The shooting victim was transported to a local hospital, where he died.

The victim was identified as 41-year-old Phillip Prendergast.

On May 6, 21-year-old Trenton Collins was arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed – felony murder.

The other suspect was captured by surveillance footage, and can be seen below.

Document: MPD Investigating Fatal Crash at White House Barrier

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a traffic crash that resulted in the death of the driver on May 4 at the intersection of 15th and E Street, NW.

According to MPD documents, the vehicle was driving westbound on the 1400 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, when it ran a red light at 14th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, and 15th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue. It continued traveling at a high rate of speed when it struck a White House grounds security checkpoint vehicle barrier at the intersection. The driver suffered severe injuries on impact and died at the scene.

The victim was identified as 57-year-old James Chester Lewis Jr.

The circumstances surrounding the crash remain under investigation.

Document: MPD Searching for Shooting Suspect in Northwest

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a suspect in connection to a shooting that occurred on May 6 on the 2000 block of 8th Street, NW.

According to MPD documents, the victim, an adult male, reported walking at the location when he heard the sounds of gunshots. He realized he was shot and took himself to a local hospital for treatment.

The suspect fled in a dark colored van with Arkansas license plate Ex68732

The suspect and vehicle were captured by surveillance cameras.

MPD offers a reward to anyone that provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for each violent crime in the District.

Document: Decedent Identified MPD Investigating Fatal Southeast Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on May 6 on the 3100 block of Buena Vista Terrace, SE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the sounds of gunshots. There, they located a man on the sidewalk with gunshot wounds. He died at the scene.

The victim was identified as 40-year-old Delonta Pearson.

MPD offers a reward to anyone that provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for each homicide in the District.

Document: MPD Investigating Fatal Southeast Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on May 6 on the 3100 block of Buena Vista Terrace, SE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the sounds of gunshots. There, they located a man on the sidewalk with gunshot wounds. He died at the scene.

The victim’s identity is being withheld pending positive identification and next of kin notification.

MPD offers a reward to anyone that provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for each homicide in the District.

Document: MPD Investigating Fatal Southeast Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on May 5 on the 3500 block of Stanton Road, SE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the reports of sounds of gunshots. While they investigated the scene, two men suffering from gunshot wounds arrived at a hospital for treatment. Despite all life-saving efforts, one of them succumbed to his injuries. The second victim was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

The victim has been identified as 31-year-old Anthony White.

MPD offers a reward to anyone that provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for each homicide in the District.

Convicted Murderer Back in Court for Stabbing Incident

Thirty-one-year-old Mussay Rezene was back in court on May 7 in front of DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun, charged with a fatal stabbing incident at the DC Jail.

Rezene was allegedly involved in an altercation on August 17, 2023 with fellow inmate Darrow Johnson, 30. Security footage reportedly shows Rezene acting aggressively towards the victim during the confrontation in which the victim ran and tried to defend himself.

As a result, Mussay Rezene faces two charges of premeditated first-degree murder while armed and assault with intent to kill while armed.

On March 22, he was convicted of fatally shooting a 17-year-old boy on September 18, 2021 and sentenced to 45 years in prison.

The stabbing victim died as a result of multiple wounds, including to his head. According to doctors at Washington Hospital Center, the victim suffered a “non-survivable brain injury.”

The incident occurred in the physical therapy room of a DC Jail’s Central Treatment Facility located near the 1900 block of E Street, SE.

Defense attorney Kevin Robertson represented his client for the first time today after Rezene dismissed his former attorney Jonathan Zucker. Robertson stated that the defendant would like Andrew Ain, who has previously served counsel to Rezene, to represent him in trial.

The prosecution opposed the defense request, stating that the defendant was bouncing between attorneys as a delaying tactic.

The next court date is May 21.

Sexual Relations with Teen from a Rival Crew May Have Triggered A Homicide

A friend of two homicide defendants testified to having an “intimate relationship” with a teen that might have led to his murder by a rival crew.

Koran Jackson, 23, Tyiion Kyree Freeman, 24, and Stephen Nelson, 33, are three of five individuals charged with multiple counts of conspiracy, assault with the intent to kill while armed, first-degree murder while armed, carrying a pistol without a license, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence in connection to the fatal shooting of 13-year-old Malachi Lukes on March 1, 2020, on the 600 block of S Street, NW. The shooting also left a second juvenile victim located in the vicinity suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the right leg.

Throughout the trial, the prosecution has attempted to connect Jackson, Freeman, and Nelson to additional shootings that occurred on Feb. 22, 2020; Feb. 24, 2020 and a second shooting on March 1, 2020. The prosecution alleges a firearm conspiracy of the defendants, in which they aimed to obtain and use specific weapons in Lukes’ homicide.

The case also involves alleged co-conspirators Reginald Steele, 24, and Aaron Brown, 27.

On May 6, the prosecution called an old friend of Jackson and Freeman’s, who was a next door neighbor of one of the Feb. 22, 2020 victims. The incident took place on the 700 block of Farragut Street, NW, leaving two victims uninjured.

When asked if she knew 13-year-old Malachi Lukes, the witness asserted she had “an intimate relationship” with him when she was 16 years old.

The witness claims Lukes aligned himself with a ‘crew’ that was a rival of the neighborhood gang to which Freeman, Jackson, and Steele allegedly belonged.

Prosecutors have previously presented testimony citing a motive for the multiple shootings as a “rap beef” stemming from different neighborhood ‘crews.’

She said the defendants and an associate, who was arrested for gun-related charges in another case, confronted her after discovering her relationship with Lukes.

The associate was “blowing up her phone” even after she had told him to leave her alone. He called the witness an “opp thot” in one of the text messages referring to someone, most likely a female, having sexual encounters with a person highly disliked by the other.

“Why was you on baby bro d**k” said the associate in a text message sent on Feb. 28, 2020, two days before Lukes’ murder.

According to the witness, “baby bro” was Lukes’ nickname and Instagram username.

“I was having sex with Malachi, and he didn’t like that” the witness stated.

The witness began her testimony affirming she was in a vehicle with “moose,” “gordo,” and two other friends that were dropping her off at home the day of the shooting.

The witness positively identified Jackson as “moose” and Steele as “gordo.”

When asked by the prosecution, the witness described the vehicle as a “boxy kia car.”

The prosecution has previously identified a 2016 Kia Soul as the suspected vehicle for most of the shootings. The vehicle has been specifically tracked to the alley of Luke’s homicide on March 1, 2020, by surveillance footage and GPS tracking.

The witness testified to seeing two individuals on her neighbor’s front porch while walking into her house, moments before hearing gunshots.

Hearing gunshots, the witness affirmed she received a FaceTime call from one of her friends who was still in the car. As her friend laughed, she explained to the witness that Jackson and Steele had gotten into an altercation with her neighbors.

The prosecutor asked the witness if her relationship with Jackson was ever more than just a friendship. “No,” the witness said as she smiled. She explained Jackson had attempted to pursue a romantic relationship with her, but she was never interested.

The witness also confirmed her friendship with Freeman back in 2020, identifying him as “ty,” after the prosecution presented a picture of the defendant.

The prosecution has previously alleged Freeman’s nickname to be “ty” or “T-y” and have linked him to a Glock 26, the same type of firearm used in the Feb. 24, 2020 shootings, from social media text threads.

The witness could not confirm “moose,” allegedly Jackson, was the one that fired the gun during the Feb. 22, 2020, shooting during cross-examination by Brian McDaniel, Jackson’s defense attorney.

Additionally, she does not recall the clothing worn by Jackson and Steele the day of the shooting.

Due to time constraints, cross-examination will continue at a later time.

Prior to the testimony, the two victims of the Feb. 22, 2020, shooting were called to the stand.

Both victims, regarded as boyfriend and girlfriend, testified to smoking “potent” marijuana on the front porch of the girlfriend’s home moments before a verbal altercation that led to gunshots.

After observing a suspicious vehicle, the boyfriend stated “they keep looking at us.” An individual inside the vehicle responded “What did you say?” as he exited the vehicle along with another male individual.

Anticipating a physical altercation, the girlfriend stated “You not about to fight.” She recalls “bullets flying” shortly after.

During the boyfriend’s testimony, his failure to remember resulted in a verbal altercation with the prosecutor.

“Swear to God you’re already pissing me off,” the witness stated early in his testimony.

“No. I ask, you answer,” the prosecutor repeatedly exclaimed as he raised his voice.

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt intervened, telling the prosecutor to “dial it back.”

“[The witness] clearly doesn’t wanna be here” she stated, as she mentioned that “flaring up” wouldn’t be tolerated.

The witness told police, “it was a Kia, built like a box” in a body worn camera footage played by the prosecution. He also asserted there were four people in the vehicle.

In addition, he testified seeing a woman exit the vehicle and enter his girlfriend’s neighboring house in the video.

Parties are set to return May 7.

Witness Testifies Defendant was ‘Sweating Profusely,’ in the Moments Following a Shooting

A woman, whose house a juvenile frequented before his arrest in connection to a homicide, testified he and her grandson typically shared clothes, including the alleged shooter’s shoes. The information was presented before DC Superior Court Judge James Crowell in a hearing on May 6.

The juvenile, a 16-year-old boy, is charged with first-and-second-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to murder, assault with intent to kill, carrying a pistol without a license, possession of an unregistered firearm, and possession of ammunition for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 27-year-old Jihad Darden. The incident occurred on Dec. 18, 2023, on the 5400 block of Illinois Avenue, NW.

According to the witness, the defendant, whom she identified in court, and her grandson had been friends for a while, saying “he was young… must’ve been 13-years-old” when she met him. She added the defendant frequently spent the weekend at her house.

The witness testified that on Dec. 17, 2023, the defendant spent the night at her apartment, stating that when she arrived home from work at 11 p. m. “They [the defendant, grandson, and her nephew] were all in there sleep.”

When she woke up Monday morning, the defendant was gone, said the witness.

However, he knocked on her door “sometime before or after 12 p. m.,” she told Judge Crowell.

According to the witness, the defendant was “sweating profusely,” and was wearing an all black outfit with white and red sneakers, which belonged to her grandson.

“They always exchanged clothes,” said the witness, adding that the defendant removed the shoes and the two left the apartment a few minutes later.

Prosecutors have previously displayed surveillance footage that depicts the shooter wearing similar clothes.

They displayed surveillance footage, in which the witness identified her grandson and the defendant, leaving her apartment building. The individual, who she identified as the defendant, was wearing the shooter’s clothing, without the shoes.

In the footage, the individual identified as the defendant was seen entering a silver SUV. The witness’ grandson returned to her apartment.

The witness further testified that officers and detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) executed a search warrant in her home on Feb. 7, during which her grandson and her nephew were put in handcuffs.

“The homicide squad and them took it out of my house,” she said about the sneakers.

During cross examination, Amanda Epstein, the juvenile’s defense attorney, asked her if she would do anything to protect her grandson. “Which grandma wouldn’t?” said the witness.

She insisted MPD didn’t have a reason to handcuff her grandson and her nephew, stating “they didn’t do anything.”

Parties are slated to return May 7.

Suspect Accused of Shooting Six After Nightclub Fight

Shooting defendant Rennwel Mantock appeared in a May 7 hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun.

Mantock is charged with six counts of assault with intent to kill while armed and six counts of the possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.

According to court documents, the 29-year-old defendant from Hyattsville, Maryland, was out late on April 26 at a nightclub on the 1200 block of Connecticut Avenue, NW where he allegedly assaulted six individuals – four males and two females.

Five of the victims are employees of the club. After Mantock was told to leave, he reportedly scuffled with security guards during which they punched him, dragged him down steps, and threw him to the ground.

Mantock responded by allegedly opening fire at the security guards. One other person was shot in the incident.

Mantock is believed to have tossed his gun under a car that was close to the scene. When questioned, Mantock allegedly told police where it was located.

The prosecution offered a plea deal to the defense, but the terms were not disclosed in court. The defense was granted continuance by Judge Okun in order for attorney William Patzig to go over the details of the plea with his client.

The next hearing is set for May 15.

Document: 2024 MPD Investigating Fatal Shooting of a 3-Year-Old in Southeast

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating the fatal shooting of a toddler that occurred on May 3 on the 2300 block of Hartford Street, SE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the sounds of gunshots. A short time later, a three-year-old female was located at a nearby fire station on the 2400 block of Irving Street, SE, suffering from a gunshot wound. She was rendered aid until she was airlifted by Park Police to a hospital. Despite all life-saving efforts, she was pronounced dead.

The victim was identified as three-year-old Ty’ah Settles.

MPD offers a reward to anyone that provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for each homicide in the District.

Document: Updated with Additional Photos MPD Searching for Suspect in a Firearm Offense

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a suspect involved in the discharge of a firearm that occurred on May 2 on the 900 block of F Street, NE.

According to MPD documents, the suspect discharged a gun before fleeing the scene. There were no reports of injuries or damage to property.

The suspect was captured by surveillance cameras.

Anyone with information should reach out to MPD.

Document: MPD Makes Two Arrests in Shooting that Injured Dunbar Student

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of two individuals in connection to a shooting that occurred on May 3 at Dunbar High School, on the 100 block of N Street, NW.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting. There, they located a juvenile female victim suffering from a graze wound. She was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

As a result of the investigation, 18-year-old Zaharia Graves and a 17-year-old juvenile male were arrested and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, carrying a pistol without a license, and endangerment with a firearm.

This case remains under investigation. Anyone with knowledge should call police.