Document: Southeast Shooting Leaves Man Dead

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch is investigating a shooting that killed a man on Nov. 13 on the 1300 block of Valley Place, SE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they located a man with gunshot wound injuries who died at the scene.

The victim was identified as 24-year-old Jireh Emanuel Martinez.

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

Document: Juvenile Arrested for Killing Father in Northwest DC

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch announce the arrest of a juvenile after he allegedly killed his father on Nov. 12 on the 3100 block of 16th Street, NW.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location to assist DC Fire and EMS personnel with the report of a man down inside a building. Upon arrival, officers located a man suffering from puncture wound injuries. He succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

During the investigation, it was determined that this was a domestic incident.

The victim was identified as 41-year-old Travis Dash.

The suspect was identified as a 13-year-old male, and was charged with second-degree murder while armed.

Document: Southeast Shooting Leaves Man Dead

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch is investigating a shooting that killed a man on Nov. 13 on the 400 block of Ridge Road, SE.

According to MPD documents, officers were responding to a report of the sounds of gunshots, when they were flagged down and directed to the location, where they located an adult male shooting victim. The victim died at the scene.

The victim has not been identified.

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

Document: Pedestrian Dies After Being Struck by a Car

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Major Crash Investigations Unit is investigating a traffic fatality that occurred on Nov. 11 at the intersection of Texas Avenue and Chaplin Street, SE.

According to MPD documents, a man was crossing in or near the north crosswalk of the intersection, when he was struck by a silver or gray sedan. The operator of the vehicle fled northbound on the 4400 block of Texas Avenue, SE. The pedestrian succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

The victim was identified as 65-year-old William Bush.

Anyone with knowledge of the incident should call the police.

Document: US Secret Service Agent Involved Shooting

Agents from the Force Investigation Team of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Internal Affairs Bureau are investigating a US Secret Service (USSS) agent-involved shooting that occurred on Nov. 12 in Georgetown.

According to MPD documents, the officer involved shooting remains under investigation, and the facts and evidence will be independently reviewed by the United States Attorney’s Office.

Document: Man Sought in a Northwest Shooting

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 Nov. 13 on the 3100 block of 14th Street, NW.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they located a man and a woman suffering from gunshot wounds. They were taken to local hospitals for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

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

Document: NE Shooting Leaves Man Dead, Another Injured

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch is investigating a shooting that killed a man and left another critically injured on Nov. 12, on the 1500 block of F Street, NE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they located two men inside of a residence suffering from gunshot wound injuries. One man died at the scene, and the other was transported to a local hospital where he remains in critical condition.

The victim was identified as 31-year-old Leon Carter.

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

Document: Man Arrested After Shooting in Northwest

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced a man was arrested for a shooting that occurred on Nov. 11 on the 400 block of 2nd Street, NW.

According to MPD documents, two men were involved in an argument while inside a building. During the argument, the suspect shot at the victim and fled the scene. The victim was not injured. The suspect was apprehended by responding officers.

The suspect was identified as 28-year-old Jose David Zuniga Arteaga and was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon (gun).

Homicide Defendant’s Trial Delayed Due to Prosecutor Issue

On Nov. 13, a double homicide defendant’s trial was pushed five months later than its original date in front of DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe.

Beysean Jones, 28, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill, and several other charges for his alleged involvement in the killings of 19-year-old Ronald Brown and 41-year-old Tijuan Wilson on July 27, 2022, on the 4300 block of 4th Street, SE. There was also one surviving victim who sustained non life-threatening injuries during the incident.

The prosecution requested a continuance for Jones’ trial, which was set to begin Jan. 15, 2024, due to another trial interfering with the prosecutor’s schedule. This request is one of several other requests that have been recently made by the prosecutor’s office in several cases.

Jones’ defense attorney, Carrie Weltz, objected to the continuance, claiming that her client wishes to have his trial on its original date.

Judge O’Keefe ruled that due to the scheduling conflicts of the prosecutor, the trial will be continued.

A new trial date was set for June 10, 2024

Judge Orders Mental Competency Screening in Shooting Case

On Nov. 13, DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur ordered a full mental competency exam for a non-fatal shooting defendant.

Jonathan Johnson, 19, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a shooting that occurred on May 17, on the 5300 block of Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue, NE. The incident left one individual suffering from non-life threatening injuries.

The reasoning behind the mental competency order is unknown. All matters regarding the order were discussed ex parte with both parties.

Parties are set to return Jan. 12 to discuss the results of the exam.

Case Acquitted: Judge Denies Motions in Trial Readiness Hearing for Non-Fatal Shooting Case

This case was acquitted on Dec. 1, 2023.

On Nov. 13. DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park denied defense motions in a trial readiness hearing for a 2023 non-fatal shooting case.

Saphire Johnson, 24, is charged with aggravated assault while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with a dangerous weapon, destruction of property $1000 or more while armed, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, possession of an unregistered firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition, for her alleged involvement in a shooting that took place on the 4100 block of Alabama Avenue, SE on June 28, 2023.

According to court documents the shooting took place outside of a funeral. Family members were gathering when an altercation led to a shooting between two individuals. Two people were shot, including Johnson, and transported to separate hospitals.

The hearing began with the discussion of previously filed motions by the defense to exclude the identification of Johnson by three separate witnesses.

The defense argued that the first witness, an eyewitness, did not have enough time to get an ample look at the shooter to identify them.

The prosecution argued that he had ample time to see the shooter, the witness was present before, during and after the shooting took place.

Judge Park agreed with the prosecutors, and said there was “Ample reason to believe that the identification was reliable.”

The other two witnesses have family ties to Johnson, and Judge Park said the identification of Johnson in court by these two witnesses was warranted.

Next, defense attorney Christen Phillips argued a motion to include implicit bias information which was filed on Nov. 9. Phillips requested that jurors see a video be shown in court about sexuality and views of homosexual women.

According to the motion filed by the defense Johnson identifies as a queer woman. The motion stated that implicit bias against LGBT+ and African Americans is common in the US. The video was meant to, “minimize the role of bias and prejudice during the jury’s deliberations”.

The prosecutor argued that the video was unnecessary. Judge Park agreed and denied the motion.

The parties also discussed a key witness who the defense recently found out has a mental health disorder. The defense is concerned the disorder could affect how the witness remembers and recalls information.

The parties will reconvene Nov. 14.

Judge Denies Motions for Release And Dismissal in 2020 Homicide Case

On Nov. 13, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan denied motions to release a 2020 homicide defendant and dismiss the case.

Deon Walters, 20, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and attempt to commit robbery while armed, among other charges, for his alleged involvement in the Oct. 1, 2020 death of 42-year-old Arthur Daniels IV. The incident occurred on the 6000 block of 8th Street, NW.

Walters’ defense attorney, Candace Mitchell, argued Walters constitutional right to a speedy trial had been violated. Mitchell stated Walters’ trial had continuously been pushed back, with the original date of Oct. 30 changed to March 4, 2024–some four years after the murder. In effect, that the case should be dismissed.

Mitchell also stated Walters was the victim of multiple assaults in jail and had a large community who could provide support to him.

Prosecutors countered saying Walters had not demonstrated he could safely enter the community and that his transfer from the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) to the DC jail was due to an assault he allegedly committed.

Prosecutors stated, “Nothing has changed in his dangerousness since the preliminary hearing,” on Feb. 19, 2021.

Judge Raffinan ruled Walters’ right to a speedy trial had not been violated, and deemed him unfit to safely enter the community, thus denying the defense motions.

Parties are expected to reconvene Nov. 30

Off-Duty Detective Testifies as Victim’s Friend in 2014 Homicide Case

On Nov. 9, more witness testimony, including a friend of the victim, was presented in a 2014 homicide case before DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe.

Marvin Lopez, 43, is charged with premeditated first-degree murder and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 27-year-old Evelyn Arroyo on Dec. 24, 2014, at a restaurant on the 3900 block of 14th street, NW.

To conclude their case, the prosecution called a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective who was friends with Arroyo.

The witness was a part-time security guard at the restaurant where Arroyo was killed. The witness said he had been close friends with Arroyo for years and became emotional during testimony. He said Arroyo was a sweet woman who cared deeply for her daughter.

According to the detective, he didn’t know Arroyo’s ex-boyfriend personally, but had seen him various times when he would drop off and pick up Arroyo at the restaurant. In the courtroom, he identified Lopez as the boyfriend.

The witness said he saw a Facebook post allegedly made by Lopez showing guns and bullets and the profile picture was a black rose. The witness said he saw the post around a week before Arroyo was murdered and was worried for Arroyo’s safety and told her that he could arrest Lopez, but she didn’t follow up.

The prosecution also called an (MPD) detective to testify about a search of Lopez’s apartment, the day after he allegedly shot Arroyo.

According to the witness, he saw photos of Arroyo ripped into pieces scattered on a bed. Additionally, the witness explained he found a magazine called “The Complete Book of Guns’” and two expired passports that had belonged to Lopez.

During cross-examination, Lopez’s defense attorney, Rachel McCoy, referenced a database that monitors people on release in the criminal system. According to McCoy, there were three adults and two juveniles in the database near the scene of the shooting the day it occurred.

McCoy also asked the witness if the car that was found in relation to this case was examined for DNA. The witness yes, but they could not make any conclusions based on the information they received.

The witness also explained the DNA would have to be compared with DNA from Lopez’s body. Due to Lopez’s disappearance after the shooting, the witness said they were unable to make any comparisons.

During redirect, the prosecution asked the witness to explain the meaning of the individuals from the database being “low hits”. The witness explained that “low hits” meant these individuals were too far away from the location of the crime to be considered suspects.

The prosecution also called a witness who had been in the restaurant at the time of the shooting.

According to the witness, he was a regular patron and knew Arroyo as a waitress. The witness then explained that, while Arroyo was walking towards the restaurant, he saw someone approach her, struggle with her, and then push her against a wall. The witness said he saw Arroyo trying to get away.

According to the witness, he had previously seen the individual at the restaurant, with Arroyo, but was unable to identify him conclusively.

Closing arguments will be presented on Nov. 13.

Judge Grants Continuance Due to Defendant’s Health

On Nov. 9, DC Superior Court Judge Heidi Pasichow granted a defendant’s motion to continue a non-fatal shooting case because of health concerns.

Dakia Thomas, 43, is charged with four counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of ammunition, and possession of an unregistered firearm, for her alleged involvement in shooting at a vehicle on the 3500 block of Albert Irvin Cassell Place, NE, on Dec. 16, 2021. There were no injuries reported.

According to court documents, on the day of the incident, the victims told the Metropolitan Police (MPD) that Thomas left her residence in Albert Cassell Place and allegedly shot at them while they were inside their vehicle.

Following the shooting, officers went to Thomas’s residence but she told them that she couldn’t breathe.

Eventually, Thomas did open the door and one of the victims sitting in an MPD Police car, identified Thomas as the shooter yelling, “That’s the lady right there!” and “That’s her a*s!”

At the hearing on Nov. 9, Thomas appeared virtually due to her health. Thomas’s defense attorney, Brandon Burrell, filed a motion to continue the trial because of concerns surrounding her well-being.

According to Burrell, Thomas has been dealing with breast cancer. According to a motion for continuance filed on Oct. 30, Thomas’ breast cancer symptoms and signs seemed to have improved earlier this year.

However, a week after the motion was filed, Thomas allegedly informed Burell that her doctor saw something that could be lung cancer in addition to breast cancer.

Due to the new discovery, Thomas’ doctor requested she be excused from all court appearances. According to the motion filed by Burrell, it would be “exceptionally” difficult to proceed with the trial while she is in chemotherapy or any other cancer treatment.

Judge Pasichow granted the request for continuance, without any objection from prosecutors. She requested Thomas provide medical documentation to the court as soon as possible, to determine when she will is expected to return.

A new trial date was set for Feb. 15.

Document: Man Arrested in a Northeast Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) have arrested a man after a shooting that left one injured on Nov. 11 on the 1400 block of New York Avenue, NE.

According to MPD documents, the suspect and the victim were arguing at the location. During the argument, the suspect shot the victim and fled the scene. He was apprehended by responding officers and a handgun was recovered. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

MPD arrested and charged 34-year-old Vann Allen with assault with a dangerous weapon, carrying a pistol without a license, possession of an unregistered firearm, and possession of unregistered ammunition.

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