Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a vehicle in reference to a homicide that occurred on Monday, July 3, 2023.
At approximately 12:56 am, Seventh District officers responded to a shooting report and found the body of 27-year-old Frank Maddox.
The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch is investigating a homicide that occurred on July 14 on the 100 block of Atlantic Street, SE.
According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a gunshot wound seeking medical assistance at a DC Fire Station, where they located an adult female shooting victim. She was transported to a local hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries.
The victim was identified as 34-year-old Pamela Taylor.
The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch is investigating a homicide that occurred on July 15 on the 6100 block of 3rd Street, NW.
According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a man down, where they located an adult male shooting victim. The individual was found with no signs consistent with life.
The victim was identified as 27-year-old Dzhoy Zuckerman.
On July 14, DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein sentenced Keith Hudson Jr. to 19 years in prison with 5 years of supervised release for second-degree murder.
Hudson, 27, was originally charged with first-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for shooting and killing 25-year-old Isaiah Glover on the 4100 block of Minnesota Avenue, NW on Feb. 9, 2021.
The defendant allegedly shot Glover twice in the back of the head after following him down an alleyway, in a manner that Judge Epstein described as “execution-style.”
As part of Hudson’s plea, his charge was reduced to a single count of second-degree murder.
The sentencing guidelines for Hudson’s criminal history score and the charge of second-degree murder led to a suggested range of 13-25 years in prison.
However, as a part of Hudson’s plea, the prosecution and defense agreed to a range of 17-19 years, with the prosecution arguing for the maximum sentence in that range.
As part of their case, the prosecution brought forward several of Glover’s family members to testify about how much they had suffered since his murder. The prosecutor read a letter from one of the victim’s family members aloud, where the individual stated that “the lack of remorse shown by the perpetrator only deepens my anguish.”
As the sentencing continued, family members began to direct their anger and frustration toward Hudson, with one individual saying that he was “just a weasel” and another indicating he wished “the worst possible things” could happen to the defendant.
Many family members spoke of Glover’s bright future that was taken away from him, with one stating they were trying to help him “to get the hell out of DC” and away from the violence that often happens in the city.
Family members repeatedly stressed their desire for closure, indicating that the defendant’s lack of an explanation for why he shot Glover continued to weigh heavily on them.
The prosecution also displayed a slideshow of photos of the victim, attempting to illuminate the level of affection and love that his family held for him and how deeply they were impacted by his murder.
In response to the prosecution’s requesting the maximum penalty under the plea deal, defense attorney Michael Madden asked for 17 years, saying that Hudson’s behavior during the incident was “wildly out-of-character.”
Madden also stated that there was “no rational explanation” for why Hudson committed the murder, though he wished that he could give the family members one.
Hudson was given the opportunity to speak on his own behalf or to Glover’s family by Judge Epstein, but declined and remained silent throughout the proceeding.
Judge Epstein indicated that would be handing down the maximum sentence in the range agreed to by the parties, citing the fact that Hudson shot Glover while his back was turned as part of the reason for the higher sentence.
In addition to being sentenced to 19 years in prison, Hudson was also sentenced to 5 years of supervised release and is required to register as a gun offender.
On July 14, Nikia Cunningham pled not-guilty to fifteen charges resulting from a shooting.
Cunningham, 28, is charged with assault with intent to kill, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, armed robbery, assault with a dangerous weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction, second degree cruelty towards children, possession of a pistol without a license outside of a home or business, possession of an unregistered firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition for her alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on the 300 Block of Franklin Street, NE on March 28.
The incident left one victim suffering from non-life-threatening injuries.
According to court documents, Cunningham went with another individual and her baby to the victim’s residence in search of drugs.
Cunningham pleaded not guilty to all charges in front of DC Superior Court Judge Heidi Pasichow, though the case has been transferred to DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun for all future proceedings.
Parties are scheduled to return to court on July 27.
On July 14, Kirk Spencer waived his right to independently test evidence recovered at the crime scene for DNA.
Spencer, 28, is charged with first-degree murder for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 49-year-old Marcus Covington. Spencer allegedly shot and killed Covington in the Anacostia Metro Station on the 1000 block of Howard Road, SE on Feb. 23, 2021.
According to Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) documents, there is surveillance footage of Spencer hugging and chatting with Covington briefly before allegedly shooting him at least three times at “near point-blank range” and then fleeing the station.
Several of Covington’s personal belongings and items of clothing were reportedly found at the scene, with MPD officers allegedly recovering further evidence at Spencer’s home, including an additional firearm that was not used in the shooting.
The prosecution stated that they did not intend to test any of these items for DNA evidence.
DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein also accepted Spencer’s request to waive his right to have the evidence independently tested. Judge Epstein also noted that if the defendant decided that he did want the screening done at a later date, it might not be ready by his trial date.
Spencer’s trial is set to begin before Judge Epstein in March of 2024.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating persons of interest connected to a non-fatal shooting that occurred on July 5 on the 4700 block of Meade Street, NE.
According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they located nine shooting victims. Two of the victims were juveniles. All victims were transported to local hospitals for treatments of non-life-threatening injuries.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a vehicle connected to a non-fatal shooting that occurred on July 10 on the 2600 block of Birney Place, SE.
According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they located an adult male shooting victim. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a suspect vehicle connected to a homicide that occurred on July 13 on the 2200 block of 6th Street, NW. The vehicle being sought is a white Nissan SUV, last seen bearing Maryland tags 5EW6340.
According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they located an adult male shooting victim. He was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The victim has been identified as 34-year-old Rafael Adolfo Gomez.
The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch is seeking the public’s assistance in the investigation of a homicide that occurred on July 11 on the 1700 block of North Capitol Street, NE.
According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a man down, where they located an adult male shooting victim. He was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on July 12.
The victim has been identified as 55-year-old Elias Key.
On July 13, during a pre-trial motions hearing, defense attorneys for a murder defendant questioned the accuracy of a firearm expert’s testing methods.
Robert Green, 30, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 43-year-old Andre Junior on the 1500 block of Park Road, NW, on March 15, 2018.
A defense motion was filed on June 20, to exclude firearm and tool mark evidence in Green’s trial expected to start on Feb. 12, 2024.
Gun experts are frequently used in trials to establish whether a particular weapon is linked to a shooting.
In court, defense attorney Mani Golzari cross-examined a prosecution expert in firearms and tool mark examination, raising concerns about the accuracy of his previous testimony. Golzari questioned the expert about the validity of his of tests since he can consider an inconclusive result as positive.
Defense attorneys also introduced studies showing methods in tool mark examination that appear to contradict the prosecution expert’s approach.
The expert was also questioned about not collecting measurements from cartridges for further testing in the interest of not prolonging the examination.
Prosecutors rebutted the claim saying that additional tests weren’t necessary to get a valid result.
Following testimony of the firearms and tool mark expert, prosecutors brought forward a specialist in research decision-making to describe the process of firearm and tool mark examination.
Both experts will continue their testimony on July 14 before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun.
In a July 12 hearing, a defendant charged in connection to a non-fatal shooting waived his right to DNA testing.
Tyrone Astorias Johnson, 42, is charged with assault with intent to kill, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with significant bodily injury, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on Aug. 30, 2022 on the 1500 block of Maryland Avenue, NE. One individual was injured during the incident.
Prosecutors stated they are not planning to test the physical evidence in their possession.
DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun advised Johnson that if he foregoes genetic analysis, he will not be able to change his mind during the trial. In response, Johnson waived his rights to any further DNA testing.
Parties are expected back Dec. 15.
On July 13, a defendant in a homicide case was arraigned before DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe.
William Brock, 32, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, robbery while armed, among several other charges for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 68-year-old Nathaniel Martin on Nov. 15, 2021, on the 1900 block of 14th Street, SE.
Brock was initially charged with second-degree murder but the case was dismissed in June with the possibility of its being reopened.
One of Brock’s defense attorneys, Aubrey Dillon, alerted the court Brock was pleading not guilty to all counts.
According to the defense, Brock may join the the growing number of defendants involved in a pending motion that argues juries have not been representative of the DC population, specifically that not enough African Americans serve on the panels.
Judge O’Keefe told the defendant that joining the motion may delay proceedings in this case but Brock asserted his right to a speedy trial.
Parties are expected to return on July 20 for a status hearing.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested and charged 51-year-old Avon Burke with assault with a dangerous weapon (gun) for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on July 9 on the 1300 block of New York Avenue, NE.
According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they located two adult male shooting victims. The individuals were transported to local hospitals for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a vehicle connected to a non-fatal shooting that occurred on July 11 on the 900 block of Division Avenue, NE.
According to MPD documents, officers responded to the scene and located an adult female shooting victim. She was transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. While at the scene, officers were alerted that an adult male victim was at a local hospital receiving treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.
