Document: Southeast Shooting Leaves Woman Dead

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch is investigating a shooting that left a woman dead on Sept. 25 on the 5100 block of Fitch Street, SE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the sounds of gunshots, where they located a woman on the roadway suffering from gunshot wounds. She died at the scene.

The victim was identified as 40-year-old Tangia Tates-Little.

MPD is offering a reward to anyone that provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for this homicide.

Document: Suspects and a Vehicle Sought in a Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating three individuals and a vehicle involved in a shooting on Sept. 22 on the 5300 block of East Capitol Street, SE.

According to MPD, the three suspects, armed with handguns, began shooting at the location. A victim was struck by a bullet, and was transported to a local hospital for the treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. The suspects fled the scene before officers arrived.

They were captured by surveillance footage.

Document: Man Dead After Shooting in Southeast DC

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch is investigating a shooting that left one man dead on Sept. 24, on the 4400 block of 3rd Street, SE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the sound of gunshots at the location, where they located a man suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

The victim was identified as 22-year-old Vashawn Jones.

MPD is offering a reward to anyone that provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for this homicide.

Judge States His Job Is Punishment In Sentencing a Non-Fatal Shooting Defendant

On Sept. 25, DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan sentenced a non-fatal shooting defendant to 40 months incarceration

Eric Cisneros, 33, was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his involvement in an April 21 shooting that occurred on the 1300 block of 6th Street, NW. During the incident one person was shot in the leg.

On June 8, Cisneros accepted an offer extended by prosecutors to plead guilty to both charges in exchange for dropping the remaining charges.

Before the sentencing, prosecution displayed surveillance video of the incident allegedly depicting Cisneros exiting a gate and shooting the victim in close range.

No victim impact statement was provided.

Judge Ryan sentenced Cisneros to 40 months for one count of assault with a dangerous weapon, with a concurrent sentence of two years for possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.

Due to these sentences being served concurrently, Cisneros will be incarcerated for a total of 40 months, with credit for time served.

In addition, Cisneros will be on probation for 18 months and supervised release for three years.

Cisneros will also have to register as a gun offender and comply with a no contact order for the complaining witness.

The court recommended Cisneros be sent to a facility that had mental health treatment and evaluation. Additionally, he must maintain or seek employment under his probation, or educational training under the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA).

Addressing the court, Cisneros said, “I would like to apologize to the person I hurt. I know I need treatment, because I couldn’t do it on my own.”

While acknowledging the importance of treatment and the difficulty of attaining it in jail, Judge Ryan stated, “My first job has got to be to punish somebody who shoots someone else.”

Defendant Accepts Pre-Indictment Plea Deal in Non-Fatal Shooting Case

On Sept. 25, a non-fatal shooting defendant accepted a pre-indictment plea offer extended by prosecutors.

Ivan Holmes, 19, was charged with carrying a pistol without a license, possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device, unlawful discharge, possession of an unregistered firearm, possession of unregistered ammunition, and destruction of property for his involvement in a non-fatal shooting on Aug. 18 on the 1500 block of 1st Street, SW. The shooting resulted in property damage to a wall and windows.

There were no injuries reported from the shooting.

Holmes pleaded guilty to one count of carrying a pistol without a license, and one count of unlawful discharge of a firearm, in exchange for a dismissal of all other charges.

Holmes’s defense attorney, Thomas Healy, filed an oral motion for release, which was denied by DC Superior Court Judge Erik Christian.

Parties are expected back for sentencing on Nov. 29.

Defense Argues for Right to Independently Test DNA in Homicide Case

On Sept. 25, Aaron Brown asserted his right to independently test DNA evidence found at a crime scene in a hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt.

Brown, 27, is one of four defendants charged with first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a pistol without a license, unlawful possession of a firearm and conspiracy for his alleged involvement in a homicide that occurred on March 1, 2020, on the 600 block of S Street NW.

DNA testing done by the prosecution showed no DNA evidence from Brown that linked him to the scenes or objects recovered. However, the defense still said that Brown has a “due process right” to independent DNA testing.

“There is no DNA connecting him to this,” the prosecutor objected.

Judge Brandt did not reach a conclusion on this matter.

According to court documents, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) responded to the location for the report of shots fired, where they located 13-year-old Malachi Lukes suffering from a gunshot to the neck, and another juvenile victim suffering from a gunshot wound on the leg.

Surveillance footage depicted a silver SUV pull up beside the victims and begin shooting.

The next hearing is scheduled for Oct. 3.

Co-Defendants Accept Plea Offer for Non-Fatal Shooting

On Sept. 22, two co-defendants accepted plea offers for a non-fatal shooting in Northeast DC.

Tyrone Hawkins, 22, and Clint Broadus, 25, were originally charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and destruction of property, among other charges, for their alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on Sept. 23, 2021 on the 1900 block of Fairview Avenue, NE.The incident left one individual suffering from non-life-threatening injuries.

Hawkins pleaded guilty to one count of assault with intent to kill and one count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, in exchange for a dismissal of all other charges. He could face up to 15 years in prison for each charge.

Broadus pleaded guilty to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon and one count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, in exchange for a dismissal of all other charges. He could face up to five years in prison.

According to the prosecutors, had the case gone to trial, there would be evidence to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Hawkins and Broadus were the shooters in this incident.

DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe confirmed that he was satisfied with both defendant’s understanding of their terms and accepted their guilty pleas.

A sentencing hearing for both defendants is scheduled for Dec. 1.

Homicide Defendant Found Mentally Competent To Stand Trial

On Sept. 22, DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe found a homicide defendant mentally competent to stand trial based on a report from the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH).

Julius Worthy, 39, is charged with one count of second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the murder of 36-year-old Orlando Galloway on April 2 on the 200 block of 14th Street, SE.

The DBH’s report indicates that Worthy does not have any diagnosed mental illness and is aware of the facts of his case.

However, Worthy’s defense attorney, Christen Phillips, said the defense will be challenging this finding with their own expert. Phillips references that the competency report states Worthy does have psychotic symptoms and delusional thoughts.

The doctor who delivered the competency report responded by stating there is no acuity that would warrant specialized treatment.

Phillips requests that Worthy be allowed to stay at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric institution, until the defense can gather a report from their expert challenging the competency finding.

Judge O’Keefe ordered that he be moved to DC Jail because he was found competent based on the DBH report and St. Elizabeth’s has a limited number of beds.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 13.

Defense in Homicide Case Moves to Have Defendant’s Mental Competency Re-Examined

On Sept. 22, Wonell Jones Jr’s defense team declared their intent to have his mental competency re-evaluated.

Jones, 35, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the shooting death of 33-year-old Audora Williams. The incident occurred on July 19, 2022, on the 2900 block of Knox Place, SE.

At a previous hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan stated that the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) had found Jones competent. However, the preliminary screening, also done by DBH, found Jones incompetent.

Due to the discrepancy, the defense plans to have his competency evaluated once again.

If the defendant is found incompetent during the hearing, he will be committed to psychiatric care until deemed competent enough to stand trial.

According to court documents, Jones has a history of domestic violence and allegedly threatened Williams on multiple occasions before she was killed. Williams is survived by her five children, two of which are Jones’ kids.

The parties will reconvene Jan. 9, 2024.

Judge Sentences Homicide Defendant to 10 Years In Prison Following Denial of Motion to Withdraw Plea

On Sept. 22, DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein denied homicide defendant Mohamed Goodwin’s motion to withdraw a guilty plea in connection to a 2020 homicide.

Goodwin, 35, was originally charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and carrying a pistol without a license for his involvement in the fatal shooting of 25-year-old Devonte Wilson. The incident occurred on Dec. 3, 2020, on the 700 block of Morton Street, NW.

On Jan. 30, Goodwin pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed in exchange for a dismissal of all other charges.

On June 23, in what was supposed to be his sentencing, Goodwin requested to withdraw his guilty plea. The motion filed by Goodwin’s defense attorney stated that Goodwin continued to insist the shooting was in self defense.

On Aug. 18, Judge Epstein denied the motion to withdraw the guilty plea.

During the Sept. 22 hearing, parties agreed to sentence Goodwin to voluntary manslaughter.

Judge Epstein sentenced Goodwin to 10 years, with credit for time served. He is expected to remain incarcerated for seven years.

In addition, Goodwin must serve five years on supervised release, register as a gun offender, and pay $100 to the Victims of Violent Crime Fund.

No victim impact statement was given, but the prosecution did say Wilson’s family was, “Not enamored with the plea agreement.”

During the sentencing, it was emphasized by the prosecution that Wilson did not act violently towards Goodwin, and Judge Epstein expressed his disbelief at how this seemed out of character for Goodwin.

“I am remorseful for what happened,” Goodwin said.

Document: Man Dead, 3 Injured in Northeast Nightclub Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch is investigating a shooting at a nightclub that left one man dead and three others injured on Sept. 23, on the 1300 block of H Street, NE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they located three men and one woman suffering from gunshot wounds.

They were all transported to local hospitals, where one of the men succumbed to his injuries. The other three victims are being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

The victim was identified as 31-year-old Blake Bozeman.

The suspect is described as a black male, approximately 5’7″, wearing a white/cream sweater and a black hat.

MPD is offering a reward to anyone that provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible.

Document: Second Person Arrested in Homicide of Missing Person

On Sept. 22, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested and charged 35-year-old Nichelle Thomas with first-degree murder while armed – felony murder, accessory after the fact – second-degree murder while armed, and obstructing justice, for her alleged involvement in a homicide that occurred on Aug. 4, on the 2500 block of Pomeroy Road, SE.

According to MPD documents, on Aug. 8, 42-year-old Anthony Jordan was reported missing. During the investigation into his disappearance, detectives located evidence that he was the victim of a fatal stabbing on Aug. 4 at the listed location.

On Sept. 19, MPD arrested and charged an adult male with first-degree murder while armed – felony murder and second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the incident.

Document: Fatal Traffic Accident in Southeast, DC

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Major Crash Unit is investigating a fatal traffic accident that killed a man on the 3300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, on Sept. 21.

According to MPD documents, a man was driving a 1997 Ford F-150 pickup truck at a high rate of speed westbound at the location. He lost control and mounted a raised median, struck a small tree, and crossed over the median into oncoming traffic, striking a 2017 Lexus RX350 SUV. The driver of the pickup truck died on the scene, and the driver of the Lexus was taken to a hospital for treatment of injuries.

The decedent was identified as 34-year-old John Gibson.

Homicide Defendant Rejects Plea Offer

On Sept. 22, Idrissa Fall rejected a plea offer extended by prosecutors in connection to a 2021 homicide.

Fall, 36, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in a bias-related hate crime, 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 29-year-old Dara Northern on July 18, 2021, on the 6100 block of 4th Street, NW.

During the Sept. 22 hearing, prosecutors offered Fall a plea agreement that would have him plead guilty to one count of second-degree murder while armed in exchange for a dismissal of all other indicted charges, as well as a case that stemmed from his alleged possession of contraband in a penal institution.

According to court documents, on March 30, Fall was charged with unlawful possession of contraband in a penal institution. Court documents state that on Sept. 12, 2022, during a shake down in his cell, Fall was found to be in possession of a homemade weapon made out of metal with a sharpened point.

Fall rejected the plea offer, and continued to assert his right to a speedy trial.

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt ordered a forensic screening for Fall based on arguments made by Fall’s defense attorney in a bench conference.

Parties are expected back for a mental observation hearing on Oct. 2.

Jury Finds Defendant Guilty for Five Counts in Non-Fatal Shooting Trial

On Sept. 21, a jury found a non-fatal shooting defendant guilty on five counts.

Dominic Copeland, 33, was convicted of assault with intent to kill while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, and unlawful possession of a firearm. Copeland was involved in a non-fatal shooting that left one individual injured on the unit block of N Street, NW, on April 26, 2019. He was acquitted of robbery while armed and one count of possession of a firearm.

His co-defendant, Artie Byrd, was acquitted of accessory after the fact for allegedly helping Copeland flee the scene in a white Toyota Camry soon after the shooting.

Throughout the two-week trial, jurors heard from members of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), the victim, a firearms expert, a crime scene investigator, an eyewitness to the crime, a detective who investigated the scene, and a doctor who saved the victim’s life.

The victim said he knew Copeland through work and, on the day of the incident, he reached out to Copeland to arrange a drug transaction.

The victim testified that, on the day of the incident, he first met Copeland at a Wendy’s on New York Avenue, NE, and then he followed a white Toyota to the unit block of N Street, NW where the shooting took place. According to the victim, Copeland was a passenger in the Toyota, which was driven by another individual.

Once parked parallel to the white Toyota Camry, the victim got out of his black Toyota Camry and got into the white vehicle with Copeland and the driver. The victim allegedly paid Copeland $480 for the narcotics.

According to the victim, when Copeland did not turn over the narcotics, he tried to get his money back. To do so, he engaged in a struggle with Copeland when the two got out of the white vehicle.

Copeland produced a handgun out of a black bag and shot twice at the victim as he attempted to get back into his car. Copeland continued to shoot as the victim’s car pulled away, which led to his car swerving off the road and hitting a pole.

Copeland and his driver fled the scene in the white Camry.

“The only verdict that the evidence demands is that of guilt for the shooting and robbing,” the prosecutor said.

Copeland’s defense attorney, Michael Madden, said there are inconsistencies with what the victim told the court about the drug exchange.

Madden said the evidence against Copeland can’t be deemed “overwhelming” because there was skepticism in the testimony of the victim about whether or not the victim was buying cocaine or marijuana from Copeland.

He asked the jury to consider a verdict of not guilty based on these inconsistencies.

Following a day of deliberations, the jury delivered their verdict.

Parties are expected back for sentencing on Nov. 29.

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