Shooting Defendant Accepts Plea Deal

On Feb. 13, a homicide defendant entered into plea agreement before DC Superior Court Marisa Demeo.

Latasha Gray, 36, was originally charged with second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm during an intra-family offense, for her involvement in the fatal shooting of 40-year-old Anthony Thomas. The incident occurred on March 17, 2023, on the 4200 block of 7th Street, SE.

During the hearing, Gray’s defense attorney, Joseph Yarbough, alerted the court that Gray had come to an agreement with the prosecution.

The plea agreement requires that Gray plead guilty to one count of voluntary manslaughter while armed in exchange for the dismissal of all other charges. This deal also limits the sentencing range to seven-and-a-half-to-ten- years of incarceration and five years of supervised release.

Gray verified that she read and signed each of the documents in the plea agreement and was not coerced or threatened into doing so.

The prosecution said that, had the case gone to trial, the evidence would have proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Gray was the perpetrator in the shooting of Thomas and was not acting in self defense.

Judge Demeo ensured that Gray still wished to proceed and then accepted the plea agreement.

Parties will return to court on May 8 for sentencing.

Judge Finds Probable Cause in Homicide Case

On Feb. 9, DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein ruled that there was probable cause in a homicide case.

Reginald Jones, 66, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of his romantic partner, Regina Morris, 52. The incident occurred on May 28, 2023, at the unit block of Potomac Avenue, SE. Morris succumbed to her injuries May 29, 2023.

According to court documents, Morris’ body was found in the apartment she shared with Jones, with a significant amount of stab wounds to the face, head, back, arms, and hands.

Jones turned himself in on June 8 to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) where he was then arrested, according to court documents.

During the hearing, the prosecution introduced the lead detective for the case, who testified about Jones’ alleged involvement in the stabbing.

During his testimony, the detective formally adopted court documents that provide the series of events of the incident and another set of court documents that discuss a mobile app used in the investigation.

Latch is a smart lock app that takes photos of residents whenever they unlock a door. According to the detective, Latch captured an individual, identified as Jones, accessing the elevator and the garage of the building in which Morris’ body was found. There were no other individuals who were allegedly able to access the apartment except Morris and Jones.

Jones’ defense attorney, Madalyn Harvey, believed that the Judge should take into consideration Jones’ age, health issues, and the fact that he turned himself in to make the decision on whether he should be placed in home confinement.

The prosecution argued that an individual who allegedly committed a crime so brutal and savage should stay incarcerated. Judge Epstein agreed and claimed that no accommodation can protect the community from Jones.

Judge Epstein stated that the evidence provided by the prosecution was more than sufficient to find probable cause.

Parties are set to return on May 17 for a felony status conference.

Document: MPD Seeking Vehicle in Southeast Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a suspect vehicle involved in a homicide that occurred on the 3200 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, on Feb. 6.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a traffic collision. Upon arrival, they discovered a man with gunshot wound injuries inside of a vehicle. He died at the scene.

The victim was identified as 48-year-old Rufus Brown.

The suspect vehicle was 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 homicide in the District.

Document: Decedent Identified MPD Investigates a Hit and Run Traffic Fatality Involving a Scooter

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a hit and run traffic crash that resulted in the death of a man on Feb. 9 on the Whitney Young Memorial Bridge.

According to MPD documents, a vehicle and a scooter were traveling westbound on the bridge in the center lane, when the vehicle struck the back of the scooter, which was occupied by two men.

Both men were thrown from the scooter and were ejected onto the roadway. While on the roadway, the passenger of the scooter was struck by a second vehicle and died at the scene. The driver of the scooter was taken to a local hospital for the treatment of critical injuries.

Both striking vehicles fled the scene without rendering aid or identifying themselves.

The victim that died was identified as 26-year-old Diego Rodriguez-Flores.

Anyone who has knowledge of the incident should call police.

Document: MPD Investigating a Homicide in Northwest DC

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on Feb. 12 on the 900 block of Shepherd Street, NW.

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

The victim was identified as 32-year-old Jeremy Dewayne Johnson.

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 Extradites and Charges Teenager for December Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the extradition of a juvenile suspect wanted for a homicide that occurred on Dec. 18, 2023, on the 5400 block of Illinois Avenue, NW.

According to MPD documents, officers were at the intersection of Georgia Avenue and Kennedy Street, NW, when they heard gunshots. They responded to the location, where they located a man with gunshot wound injuries. A private vehicle took the victim to the hospital, where he died.

The victim was identified as 27-year-old Jihad Darden.

On Feb. 7, pursuant to a DC Superior Court custody order, a 15-year-old juvenile male was arrested in Bowie, MD.

He went through the extradition process and was returned to the District. On Feb. 12, he was taken to the Homicide Branch, where he was charged with first-degree murder while armed.

Document: MPD Seeks a Suspect Involved in a Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a man involved in a shooting that occurred on Feb. 7 on the 2400 block of Elvans Road, 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. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

The suspect was captured by surveillance camera.

Document: MPD Arrests a Man for Armed Offenses

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced an arrest was made, and additional suspects are sought, in connection to multiple armed offenses that occurred in the Sixth and Seventh Districts.

According to MPD documents, on Jan. 9, at the 3600 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE, the suspects approached the victim in the hallway of an apartment building. They displayed a firearm, and took the victim’s property, including their vehicle keys. The suspects fled the scene in the victim’s vehicle. The vehicle has been recovered.

On Jan. 10, the carjacking victims were at the 4100 block of Hunt Place, NE, when the suspects approached them. One of the suspects brandished a handgun, demanded the keys, and ordered them out of the vehicle. The victims complied and the suspects fled the scene in the victim’s vehicle. The vehicle has been recovered.

On Jan. 20, a victim was shot on the 3400 block of 13th Street, SE. After the shooting, the suspects fled the scene in a vehicle. The victim sought treatment at a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

On Feb. 10, MPD arrested and charged 26-year-old Deangelo Wooten with armed carjacking, armed robbery, theft one for a stolen auto. The case remains under investigation.

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.

Non-Fatal Shooting Defendant Waives DNA Testing Rights

On Feb. 12, DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan accepted a shooting defendant’s waiver to DNA test evidence recovered at the crime scene.

Marcedes Edmunds, 37, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm, carrying a shotgun or rifle outside a home or business, destruction of property worth $1,000 or more, and unlawful possession of ammunition for his alleged involvement in a shooting incident on the 4000 block of Haynes Street, NE, on May 1, 2019. One individual sustained gunshot wounds during the incident.

During the hearing, the prosecutor alerted the court that they had multiple pieces of evidence from the crime scene that were believed to contain biological material. None of the evidence mentioned had been tested by the prosecution.

Edmunds’ defense attorney, Mark Rollins, alerted the court that his client had agreed to waive his rights to DNA testing.

Parties are expected to reconvene for trial readiness on Apr. 12.

Document: MPD Makes an Arrest in a Homicide in Northwest

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced an arrest was made in connection to a fatal tabbing that occurred on Feb. 10 at the 1600 block of 6th Street, NW.

According to MPD documents, officers were flagged down at the intersection of North Capitol Street and P Streets, NW, by a woman, who reported she had stabbed a man inside of a residence at the 1600 block of 6th Street, NW. Officers responded to the residence and located a male stabbing victim. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries.

On Feb. 10, 32-year-old Brittany Gaylor was arrested and charged with assault with intent to kill (knife).

On Feb. 11, the victim succumbed to his injuries. He was identified as 70-year-old James Gaylor.

Brittany is now charged with second-degree murder.

The detectives’ investigation determined the offense was domestic in nature, and the suspect is the daughter of the victim.

Document: MPD Arrests a Man for a Shooting in Southeast

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced an arrest was made in connection to a shooting that occurred on Feb. 10 on the 1800 block of Alabama Avenue, SE.

According to MPD documents, the suspect and the victim were inside a home at the location. The suspect brandished a handgun and shot the victim. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

The suspect was apprehended by responding officers, and a firearm was recovered at the scene.

MPD officers arrested and charged 42-year-old Raymond Robinson with assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of an unregistered firearm.

Document: MPD Investigating Officer-Involved Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Internal Affairs Bureau is investigating an MPD officer-involved shooting that occurred on Feb. 9 on the 1400 block of Bangor Street, SE.

According to MPD documents, officers were on proactive patrol in the area when they identified themselves and attempted to speak to an individual in a courtyard at the location. The man fled into a nearby alley.

When officers entered the alley, the individual pulled out a firearm and appeared to discharge at least one round. The individual then pointed the firearm at the officers. Officers then fired, striking the suspect.

The officers immediately rendered aid to him, and summoned DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS), who transported him to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The suspect was identified as 35-year-old Kenneth Coleman, and was arrested and charged with aggravated assault on a police officer, carrying a pistol without a license, possession of an unregistered firearm, and possession of unregistered ammunition.

The suspect’s firearm was recovered at the scene.

The officers involved have been placed on administrative leave, and their body-worn camera footage, which were activated at the time of the incident, will be released pursuant to the District’s law.

Document: MPD Investigates a Hit and Run Traffic Fatality Involving a Scooter

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a hit and run traffic crash that resulted in the death of a man on Feb. 9 on the Whitney Young Memorial Bridge.

According to MPD documents, a vehicle and a scooter were traveling westbound on the bridge in the center lane, when the vehicle struck the back of the scooter, which was occupied by two men.

Both men were thrown from the scooter and were ejected onto the roadway. While on the roadway, the passenger of the scooter was struck by a second vehicle and died at the scene. The driver of the scooter was taken to a local hospital for the treatment of critical injuries.

Both striking vehicles fled the scene without rendering aid or identifying themselves.

The victim’s identity is being held pending next of kin notification.

Anyone who has knowledge of the incident should call police.

Document: MPD Investigating a Homicide in Northeast

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on Feb. 10 on the 1200 block of Raum Street, NE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they located a man on the street with gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

Officers were then directed to an additional victim inside of an apartment at the location, where they located an adult male shooting victim. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

Two additional victims walked into local hospitals seeking treatment for non-life-threatening gunshot wounds.

The detectives’ investigation revealed that the offense took place inside an apartment at the location.

The man who succumbed to his injuries was identified as 22-year-old Donte Dudley.

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 Seeking Suspects and Vehicle in an Assault with Intent to Rob While Armed

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and lcoating suspect who attempted to rob a teenager in Anacostia on Feb. 9, on the 2400 block of Martin Luther King JR. Avenue, SE.

According to MPD documents, the suspects approached the victim, demanded property from one of the teens and a struggle ensued. A second teen was assaulted, and, during the struggle, one of the suspects produced a handgun and fired a single shot. The victims were not injured and were able to escape. The suspects fled in a vehicle without taking any property.

The suspects were captured by nearby 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.

Search