Document: MPD Makes Swift Arrest in Minnesota Ave NE Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced an arrest in connection to a fatal shooting that occurred on May 27 on the 4000 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting. There, they located an adult male suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He died at the scene.

The victim was identified as 23-year-old Chidozie Njoku.

Officers at the scene observed a man matching the suspect description fleeing the scene. They followed him and placed him under arrest. A firearm was recovered.

Shannon Updike, 20, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed.

Document: MPD Investigating Homicide in Northwest

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a fatal stabbing that occurred on May 26 on the 500 block of Harvard Street, NW.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to a call for a stabbing at the location, where they located an adult male suffering from multiple stab wounds.

He was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. MPD’s investigation suggests the offense occurred inside a residence in the block where the victim was located.

He was identified as 58-year-old Tommy Hudson.

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 Makes Quick Arrest in Northwest Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced an arrest was made in connection to a shooting that occurred on May 26 on the 1800 block of M Street, NW.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting. They located an adult male suffering from gunshot wound injuries, and he was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Moments later, MPD officers located and arrested the suspect in the shooting, and recovered his firearm.

Based on the investigation, 39-year-old Donte Francis Scott was arrested and charged with assault with intent to kill.

Document: MPD Seeks Suspect in Shooting Near Union Station

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in locating and identifying a suspect involved in a shooting that occurred on May 25 on the unit block of Massachusetts Avenue, NE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

The suspect was captured by surveillance footage.

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.

Judge Hears Testimony About Random Shooting That Injured Girl at Dunbar High School

A lead detective’s testimony continued on May 29 before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan about a stray bullet fired at Dunbar High School that seriously injured a girl inside the building.

Saki Frost, 17, is charged with two counts of assault with intent to commit any other crime while armed, two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and six counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.

Azhari Graves, 18, is facing eight charges including two counts of assault to kill while armed, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and four counts of passion of a firearm during a crime of violence for their alleged involvement in a shooting at the school on the 1200 block of Kirby Street, NW, on May 4.

Frost is charged as an adult under Title 16 giving prosecutors latitude in how they try minors accused of serious crimes.

According to court documents, a juvenile girl survived a grazing head wound when a bullet pierced a classroom window. A witness said blood was pouring from the victim’s head and the injury that was deep enough to see her skull. The incident drew a massive response of emergency personnel and Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers to the scene.

Hannah Claudio, Grave’s defense attorney cross examined the lead detective on the case, asking about other shooting victims who were in a nearby Chevy Cruze which was also the object of gunfire.

Claudio noted the vehicle was reported stolen and that two of the five individuals in the car, who are listed as victims in this case, are also suspects in a carjacking.

The defense argued since the Chevy Cruze was being driven erratically those inside the vehicle may have had ulterior motives for being in the area and that Graves and Frost may have been acting in self-defense against a perceived threat.

Claudio questioned the victims’ credibility pointing out multiple inconsistencies in their interviews.

According to one victim’s statement, there were two males and two females in the Chevy Cruze. However, surveillance footage revealed that five individuals fled the scene.

A preliminary hearing in the case is schedule for June 20.

Victim’s Family Files Ethics Complaint Against Prosecution as Homicide Defendant Accepts Plea Deal

Both Shana Donahue’s step-mother and father addressed DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan with an “ethics complaint” in regard to poor communication between the prosecution and Donahue’s family in a homicide case.

The victim’s family claimed the prosecution disregarded their wishes, as a homicide defendant pleaded guilty before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan on May 29.

Daniel Fleetwood, 28, was originally charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection to the death of 26-year-old Shana Donahue on May 28, 2020, on the 2900 block of N Street, SE.

According to court documents, Fleetwood and Donahue were involved in a romantic relationship.

On May 29, Fleetwood accepted a plea deal, which required him to plead guilty to second-degree murder while armed, in exchange for a dismissal of the first-degree murder charge.

The parties agreed on a sentencing range of 20-to-24-years of incarceration. If the court imposes a higher sentence, Fleetwood has the option to pull out of his plea agreement and go forth with a trial.

Donahue’s step-mother shared that the prosecution “ignored the families wishes” and disregarded what they wanted in the plea agreement.

She stated the family requested a jury trial in order for Fleetwood to get the highest sentence for first-degree murder.

The step-mother highlighted that Fleetwood was “accepted into the family and treated as our own,” as she addressed the defendant as he started crying.

“Something in you should’ve told you to stop,” she added.

She concluded saying, “He doesn’t get to have a life when my baby can’t have one.”

Donahue’s father addressed Fleetwood personally, stating “24 years isn’t enough,” he then went on to share how three days prior to the murder of Donahue, he had told Fleetwood to “let her go and not hurt her.”

Another member of Donahue’s family was also present during the status hearing and though she did not address the court personally she held an image of Donahue for the courtroom to see.

The father also argued for the case to be changed to first-degree murder, which could put Fleetwood in prison for life.

Judge Raffinan addressed the family members saying “I’m sorry for your loss. I will take into consideration all of your comments.”

Sentencing will occur on September 13.

Defendant Pleads Guilty to Possessing Firearm But Not to Discharging It

“It was a mistake,” Daniel Fula told DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur in the process of accepting a plea deal from the prosecution on May 30.

Fula, 34, was indicted in April on charges of endangerment with a firearm, unlawful discharge of a firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for a crime of violence, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of an unregistered firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, unlawful possession of liquid PCP, and destruction of property less than 1,000 dollars for his involvement in a shooting that occurred on the 1600 block of New York Avenue, NE, on Feb. 28. No injuries were reported.

The plea deal required Fula to plead guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction greater than one year, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of one year and a maximum sentence of 10 years and/or a fine of $250,000. In return, the prosecution agreed to drop all other charges stemming from the incident.

According to the prosecution’s proffer of facts, Fula was knowingly and intentionally in possession of a handgun in a hotel parking lot on Feb. 28, in spite of his knowledge that it was unlawful for him to possess a firearm due to a prior conviction. The prosecution asserted that Fula discharged the firearm multiple times into the air.

“Was what she [i.e., the prosecutor] stated correct?” Judge Arthur asked Fula.

“Yes, well, it was a mistake,” Fula answered.

At the direction of Judge Arthur, Fula consulted briefly with his lawyer, Camille Wagner.

“He is not pleading guilty to unlawful discharge. It’s possession of a firearm,” Wagner explained to Judge Arthur. “He is just saying that the firing of the firearm into the air was a mistake, but the possession of the firearm was not a mistake.”

Judge Arthur accepted the plea deal and found Fula guilty.

The parties are scheduled to return on Aug. 6 for sentencing.

Jury Acquits Homicide Defendant of All Charges

A jury in DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein’s courtroom acquitted a homicide defendant of all charges on May 30.

Devonte Brothers, 29, was charged with first-degree murder 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 by a prior convict, for his alleged involvement in the murder of 27-year-old Deron Leake, also known as “Snoop”, on Oct. 17, 2019, at the Cascade Apartment Complex on the 4200 block of 6th Street, SE. The incident also left one individual with non-life threatening injuries.

Throughout the trial, prosecutors attempted to prove that Brothers was the perpetrator in Leake’s murder by presenting witness testimony, cell site data, and social media posts.

Three of Leake’s friends, who were with him at the time of his murder, testified during the trial about their relationship and their recollection of the incident.

However, only one of them was able to identify a shooter, 10 months after the murder, while he was facing an arrest for possessing a firearm.

Prosecutors also presented Brothers’ cell site data evidence that depicted him in the area of the shooting at the time of the incident, but their expert specifically stated that it is impossible to tell the exact location of the device.

Following half-a-day of deliberations, the jury concluded that the prosecution had failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Brothers was the killer.

Despite the acquittal, Brothers will continue to be detained as he awaits further proceedings in another pending homicide matter.

Defendant in Hotel Murder Case Waives Right to Preliminary Hearing

William Barrett, who is accused of strangling, then brutally beating a woman to death with a toilet tank lid, waived his right to a preliminary hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun on May 30.

Barrett, 69, is charged with first-degree murder and second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the death of 36-year-old Romaine Maddox on the 1600 block of New York Avenue, NE, on Feb. 23.

According to court documents, Maddox was found in a hotel room, not breathing and displaying multiple signs of trauma, and was pronounced dead at 11:28 a.m. on Feb. 23.

An arrest warrant document states that Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives reviewed CCTV video from the hallway outside the hotel room from the 16 hours leading up to the discovery of Maddox’s body. According to the detectives, no one entered or exited the room except the individuals they identified as Barrett and Maddox.

Court documents report that MPD detectives issued a Be on the Lookout (BOLO) for Barrett based on the ID card he provided in renting the hotel room. On his arrest, MPD reported seizing as evidence several items of Barrett’s clothing and possessions that appeared to have blood on them.

According to court documents, Barrett told MPD detectives that he and Maddox were in a romantic relationship and that she assaulted him verbally and physically during the night in the hotel room.

Court documents state that Barrett confessed to strangling Maddox with his belt until he thought she was dead. When she regained consciousness, he beat her in the face with the lid of the toilet tank, breaking it in the process, according to his confession as reported by court documents.

The next hearing is scheduled for July 29.

Judge Grants Trial Postponement Due To Defendant’s Slow Coma Recovery

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo granted a defendant’s motion to vacate a previously scheduled trial date in July due to his slow recovery from a comatose state.

Robert Henson, 44, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, robbery while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Richard Lee Dudley, 37, on Dec. 10, 2018, on the 2500 block of Elvans Road, SE.

On May 29, David Knight, Henson’s defense attorney, argued that it was “not practical” to have a trial date in July due to Henson’s poor health. The defendant reported to court via WebEx speaking with a feeble voice.

The prosecution did not oppose, but added that they would like to bring Henson’s doctor to court in order to better understand his medical situation and determine the accommodations necessary for trial.

Judge Demeo agreed with both sides on postponing the trial date, citing the defendant’s medical records and his weak health condition. “It really is not feasible,” she stated.

A status hearing is scheduled for Oct. 4.

Judge Orders Competency Exam for Homicide Defendant Wanting to Represent Himself

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan reissued an order for a murder defendant to complete a competency test after failing to do so as required to represent himself, during a May 29 hearing.

Wonell Jones Jr., 37, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 33-year-old Audora Williams on July 19, 2022, on the 2900 block of Knox Place, SE. The victim had 52 gunshot wounds to her entire body.

Jones and Williams were alleged to be involved in a romantic relationship.

According to court documents, Williams and Jones had a history of domestic violence disputes. Williams made multiple statements to police and was granted several protective orders against Jones, the most recent of which was requested less than a month prior to the incident.

The parties previously met on April 25 during which Judge Raffinan ordered that Jones undergo two mental competency exams before granting his motion to represent himself due to a past report that determined Jones incompetent to stand trial. She also cited this was a requirement of all those wishing to represent themselves in court.

Jones failed to comply with the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), and he reportedly remained silent during screenings and interviews.

On May 29, Judge Raffinan stated she would rule on his motion once a mental competency exam was conducted by the DBH.

Parties are set to return June 26.

Document: MPD Investigating Southeast Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on May 25 on the 1300 block of Congress Street, SE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they located an adult male suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, with no signs consistent with life. He died at the scene.

The victim was identified as 19-year-old Naheem Worley.

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: Suspect Extradited and Charged for Shooting at Off Duty MPD Member

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the extradition of a suspect in connection to a shooting that injured an off-duty MPD captain on May 20 on the 5800 block of 7th Street, NW. The second suspect continues in custody of PG County Police Department, awaiting extradition to the District.

According to MPD documents, officers received a call for a shooting at the location, as the off-duty MPD captain was driving his personal vehicle to work. He spotted a vehicle driving erratically in front of him. The car stopped, one suspect got out, and shot at the captain’s vehicle.

The captain was injured and drove his vehicle to a station for assistance, where he was transported to a hospital for treatment of injuries.

The captain was able to note part of the suspect vehicle’s license plate, which was relayed to the Real Time Crime Center (RTCC). They located the vehicle near in NE, and alerted officers from the Fifth District, who pursued the vehicle into Landover, MD, where the vehicle was involved in a single-vehicle crash. Two suspects were taken into custody by PG County Police Department.

On May 23, William Walker, 21, was extradited to DC and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon.

Emotional Victim of Shooting Testifies, ‘I Still Feel Pain To This Day’

The fifty-seven-year-old victim of a shooting incident testified on May 30 in front of DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo and his alleged perpetrator. He expressed his terror and shock in recollection of the events, stating everything “happened so fast.”

Tyrone Astorias Johnson, 43, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, and assault with significant bodily injury while armed for allegedly firing multiple shots at the victim. The shooting occurred on Aug. 20, 2022 at a park on the 1500 block of Maryland Avenue, NE.

According to court documents, the victim told a detective that Johnson asked him for a cigarette, but the victim responded he did not have one. Johnson then allegedly removed a firearm from his waistband area and began firing at the victim.

At the hearing, the victim corroborated what he originally told police the day of the incident, claiming to have seen a black male, fire at him after asking him for a cigarette. Johnson was accompanied by a white female, believed to be his ex-girlfriend.

Throughout his testimony, the victim was visibly emotional when talking about the incident. The defendant did not look at the victim while he was giving his testimony.

According to the victim, he injured himself the day prior to the incident. While on a bus, a door closed on his arm, causing him to seek hospital treatment.

The victim stated that on his way home he went through the Starburst Plaza park, and noticed a man sleeping on a bench. Despite not knowing the man, the victim asked if he was okay.

During the encounter, an individual, identified as Johnson, walked past the victim, but shortly after, turned back around to the victim and asked him for a cigarette, to which the victim declined since he did not have one.

The victim testified that the shooter then walked away from the victim, but at some point turned back around and said “You think this is a joke.”

“I was surprised,” admitted the victim.

When questioned by the prosecution about the shooter’s tone of voice, the victim could not give a concrete answer, but said he did not say anything that would elicit a hostile response.

“I was trying to help someone and then I got shot,” stated the victim.

He testified that he watched the man shoot at him, and subsequently saw him and a woman take off towards the Pentacle Apartments, which has been displayed by surveillance footage.

Defense attorney Joseph Fay questioned the victim on his eyesight, but the victim said his eyesight was fine.

As well, Fay clarified with the victim that he saw a male fire a gun at him, in addition to confirming that he saw two individuals at the park, not including a man sleeping on the bench.

In the aftermath of the shooting, the victim told the court about the injuries he suffered and his difficult recovery process.

He had to spend a month in the hospital due to being shot in his legs and genitalia. Additionally, he received rehabilitation treatment and had to completely relearn how to walk.

“I still feel pain to this day,” stated the victim, adding that he continues medical treatment.

Prior to his testimony, a urologic surgeon who operated on the victim at MedStar Washington Hospital described the serious injuries the victim suffered to his genitalia prior to the operation.

According to the surgeon, the victim’s urethra, which acts as a tube critical for urination, had a large hole and he performed an invasive procedure to repair the penis in its entirety.

Trial is slated to resume May 31.

Emotional Shooting Victim Testifies, ‘I Still Feel Pain To This Day’

The 57-year-old victim of a shooting incident testified on May 30 in front of DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo and his alleged perpetrator. The victim expressed his terror and shock recalling the events, stating everything “happened so fast.”

Tyrone Astorias Johnson, 43, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, and assault with significant bodily injury while armed for allegedly firing multiple shots at the victim. The shooting occurred on Aug. 30, 2022 at a park on the 1500 block of Maryland Avenue, NE.

Throughout his testimony, the victim was visibly emotional. He did not look at the suspect while he was testifying. Instead, he was looking in the direction of the podium where the prosecutors and defense were asking questions.

According to the victim, he injured himself the day prior to the incident. While riding on a public bus, a door closed on his arm, and he sought hospital treatment. Later he headed back home by bus.

The victim stated that on his way home he went through the Starburst Plaza park, and noticed a man sleeping on a bench. Despite not knowing the man, the victim asked if he was okay.

During the encounter, an individual, identified as Johnson, walked past the victim, but shortly after, turned back around and asked him for a cigarette, but he did not have one.

The victim testified that the shooter walked away from the victim, but at some point turned back around and said,“You think this is a joke.”

“I was surprised,” admitted the victim.

When questioned by the prosecution about the shooter’s tone of voice, the victim could not give a concrete answer,. “I was trying to help someone and then I got shot,” stated the victim.

He testified the shooter and a woman take off towards the Pentacle Apartments, which has been corroborated by surveillance footage.

Defense attorney Joseph Fay questioned the victim on his eyesight, suggesting he may not have been able to accurately see who shot at him. The victim shared that his eyesight was fine.

As well, Fay clarified with the victim that he saw the suspect fire at him, in addition to confirming that he saw two individuals at the park, not including the man sleeping on the bench.

In the aftermath of the shooting, the victim told the court about the injuries he suffered and his difficult recovery process.

He had to spend a month in the hospital due to being shot in his legs and genitalia. Additionally, he received rehabilitation treatment as he had to completely relearn how to walk again. The victim also mentioned that he lost certain functions in his genitalia for a time, such as being unable to urinate.

“I still feel pain to this day,” stated the victim, adding that he continues to visit the doctor frequently.

Prior to his testimony, a urologist surgeon who operated on the victim at MedStar Washington Hospital after the shooting was called to the stand.

The surgeon described the serious injuries the victim suffered to his genitalia prior to corrective surgery.

According to the surgeon, the victim’s urethra, which acts as a tube critical for urination, had a large hole. In addition, he stated he performed an invasive procedure to repair the victim’s penis.

Trial is slated to resume May 31.

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