Document: Homicide: 2500 Block of Ontario Road, Northwest

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch is investigating a homicide that occurred on Aug. 5, on the 2500 block of Ontario Road, NW.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they located three adult male shooting victims. Two of the victims were found with no signs consistent with life, and the third victim succumbed to his injuries on Aug. 7 at a local hospital.

The victims have been identified as 34-year-old James Morgan, 30-year-old Jamal Morgan, and 42-year-old Vincent Martin.

Document: Homicide: 1600 Block of Good Hope Road, Southeast

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch is investigating a homicide that occurred on Aug. 5, on the 1600 block of Good Hope Road, SE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they located one adult female and four adult male shooting victims. Two of the adult male and the adult female shooting victims had no signs consistent with life. The two remaining male victims were transported to a local hospital for treatment of injuries.

The homicide victims were identified as 27-year-old Tymea Cook, 35-year-old Bernard Hodges, and 34-year-old Reginald Gilbert.

Document: Vehicle Sought in an Assault With Intent to Kill (Gun) Offense: 1800 Block of 9th Street, Northwest

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a vehicle connected to a non-fatal shooting that occurred on Aug. 6, on the 1800 block of 9th Street, NW.

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 the treatment of life-threatening injuries.

The suspect vehicle was captured by a nearby surveillance camera.

Document: Arrest Made in a Homicide: 1200 Block of U Street, Northwest

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch arrested and charged 20-year-old David Botchway in connection to a homicide that occurred on Aug. 5, on the 1200 block of U Street, NW.

According to MPD documents, officers were in the area of the location when they heard the sound of gunshots. Upon arrival, they located an adult male victim suffering from apparent gunshot wounds, and with no signs consistent with life.

The victim was identified as 19-year-old Andre Baker.

Document: Arrests Made in a Homicide: 100 Block of Irvington Street, Southwest

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch have arrested and charged two 19-year-olds in connection to a homicide that occurred on Aug. 9, 2022 on the 100 block of Irvington Street, SW.

According to MPD documents, an off-duty officer was flagged down at the location in reference to a shooting victim. The off-duty officer located an adult male victim suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment of life-threatening injuries where he succumbed to his injuries on Aug. 10, 2022.

The victim was identified as 20-year-old Brian Buxton.

On Aug. 4, MPD arrested and charged 19-year-old Aaron Walker and 19-year-old Dasani Dawson with first-degree murder while armed.

Document: Homicide: 900 Block of Division Avenue, Northeast

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch is investigating a homicide that occurred on Aug. 4 on the 900 block of Division Avenue, NE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they located an adult male shooting victim. He succumbed to his injuries at the scene, following all lifesaving efforts.

The victim was identified as 31-year-old Vincent Harvey.

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Document: Correction and Updated with Video Suspect Sought in an Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Gun) Offense: 2600 Block of Wade Road, Southeast

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a suspect connected to a non-fatal shooting that occurred on July 27 on the 2600 block of Wade Road, SE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they learned that an adult male shooting victim was at a local hospital receiving treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

Document: Suspect Sought in an Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Gun) Offense: 800 Block of 6th Street, Northwest

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a suspect connected to a non-fatal shooting that occurred on Aug. 4 on the 800 block of 6th Street, NW.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, where they learned an adult male shooting victim was located at a hospital seeking treatment for non-life-threatening injuries.

Document: Updated Photos Suspect Sought in an Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Gun) Offense: 2200 Block of Wade Road, Southeast

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a suspect connected to a non-fatal shooting that occurred on July 27 on the 2200 block of Wade Road, 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.

Remorseful Defendant Sentenced to 15 Months for Assault Rifle Shooting

On Aug. 4, non-fatal shooting defendant Michael Dukes was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment on three charges.

Dukes, 25, pled guilty at a hearing in May to one count of attempted assault with a dangerous weapon and two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm for his involvement in a shooting that occurred on March 24, 2022, on the 1400 block of Brentwood Road, NE.

According to court documents, Dukes was standing in front of a 7-11 with co-defendant Rickeis Watkins, 22, when they heard apparent gunshots. Both defendants say they were targeted by gunfire. After a few moments, Dukes and Watkins allegedly began firing back using an assault rifle. Watkins and one other person sustained non-life-threatening injuries and there were no victims found at the scene.

Prosecutors asked DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein to consider a 28 month sentence for the two firearm charges and a 19 month sentence for the attempted assault with a dangerous weapon charge.

Surveillance footage of the incident was shown and witness impact statements were read by prosecutors. One witness, on behalf of their family, wrote that gun violence “increases the sense that you are less safe all of the time.”

Prosecutors asked the court to deny the Youth Rehabilitation Act in this case, which gives judges the latitude to impose lighter sentences.

Jamison Koehler, Dukes’ defense attorney, argued that although Dukes shot back at his attackers, “Let’s not forget that, in this case, he started as a victim.”

Koehler pointed out the friends, family members, and mentors of Dukes that were present in the courtroom. One family member began crying as Dukes was sentenced.

Dukes was given a chance to address the court. “I need to change my life and I know it… I am committed to taking advantage of every program the court sees fit.”

Judge Epstein determined that the Youth Rehabilitation Act would be inappropriate for this case. He sentenced Dukes to a total of 15 months for all three charges, with three years of supervised release to follow. He will also be required to register as a gun offender.

Watkins will be sentenced separately in November pending a current trial in Maryland.

Homicide Defendant Waives Right to Test DNA Independently

In an Aug. 4 hearing, a homicide defendant waived his rights to have independent DNA testing.

Vernon Parrish, 39, is charged with first-degree murder, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with a dangerous weapon, and unlawful possession of a firearm for his connection to the murder of 53-year-old Ronald Bailey.

According to court documents, members of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) found Bailey suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in his residence on the 5200 block of E Street, SE on Sept. 26, 2021. Bailey, still conscious at the scene, told responding officers Parrish, his girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend, shot him before succumbing to his injuries an hour later.

Despite the government’s physical evidence, neither party expressed interest in testing DNA.

DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein read Parrish his rights regarding DNA testing. “DNA testing is reliable,” he stated to ensure that Parrish understood the consequences of his decision.

Parrish chose to waive his rights to independent DNA testing for his case.

Parties are expected back Sept. 5.

Defendant Sentenced to 66 Months for ‘Egregious’ Shooting

On Aug. 4, DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park sentenced a defendant to sixty six months imprisonment for his involvement in a 2023 shooting with another 18 months running concurrently.

Alex Barry, 20, pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm for his role in a shooting that occurred on March 9 on the 700 block of O Street, NW. At the time of the incident, Barry was on supervised release with a court-ordered GPS tracking device that reportedly placed him at the scene.

During the proceeding, the prosecution discussed the defendant’s dangerousness and disregard for human life as well as the extensive injuries to the female shooting victim. They asked Judge Park to give Barry consecutive sentences of 66 months imprisonment for the assault with a dangerous weapon charge and 12 months for the unlawful possession charge.

Barry’s defense attorney, Everald Thompson, responded saying his client accepted responsibility for the crime immediately even though he says he’s not the one who pulled the trigger.

The defense also said Barry has post-traumatic stress disorder and needs counseling, having witnessed the father’s shooting when Barry was six-years-old. They proposed a sentence of 36 months for assault with a dangerous weapon, suspending all but 24 months and running concurrently with the sentence for unlawful possession.

Barry spoke before the Court, apologizing to the victim and his community. He said he hopes to get his GED and start a business after he is released.

Judge Park responded by saying the defendant has always been very respectful and his ability to write a letter to the court citing other cases speaks well to his future. However, he said the facts of this case are “about as egregious as assault with a dangerous weapon can get.”

Judge Park sentenced Barry to 66 months imprisonment for the assault charge and three years supervised release, as well as 18 months for the unlawful possession charge also with three years supervised release. The sentences for both charges are to run concurrently.

Barry will have to register as a gun offender following his release and pay $150 pursuant to the Victims of Violent Crime Compensation Act within the next seven years.

Case Acquitted: Expert Witnesses Testify in 2020 Homicide Trial

Green was acquitted of murder on Aug. 24, 2023.

On Aug. 3, before DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo prosecutors called a crime scene technician and a firearms expert as witnesses in a 2020 homicide trial.

Tamika Green, 37, is charged with second-degree murder, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license, for allegedly murdering her 37-year-old boyfriend Bryan Tate Jr. on Feb. 20, 2020, on the 1600 block of 18th Street, SE.

However, the defense argues that Green was acting in self-defense trying to escape a violent relationship.

More than 80 photographs taken by the crime scene technician were presented in court, including images of the victim, bullet casings, bullet strike marks, and three cartridges found in a closet along with the defendant’s birth certificate and female clothing.

After pointing out similar strike marks on photos of the evidence, the firearms expert said the two bullets and two cartridge casings found at the scene were fired from the same firearm.

While the expert could not determine the specific gun that fired the cartridges, he found the markings to be consistent with nine-millimeter Luger caliber firearms using a database of General Rifling Characteristics.

The trial is set to resume on Aug. 4.

Document: Decedent Identified: Homicide: Unit Block of Forrester Street, Southwest

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in investigating a homicide that occurred on Aug. 3 on the Unit block of Forrester Street, SW.

According to MPD documents, officers were dispatched to the scene after hearing gunshots and located an adult female shooting victim. The victim was pronounced dead after DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services found no signs of life.

The victim has been identified as 42-year-old Ebone Lavender.

Homicide Defendant Feels ‘Unsafe’ in Drug Treatment Facility

In an Aug. 4 hearing, William Davenport’s defense counsel, Lauren Morehouse, expressed concerns for his safety during pretrial inpatient treatment.

Davenport, 30, is charged with first degree murder while armed and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in the May 14, 2021 homicide of 27-year-old Leonard Turner. The incident occurred near a shelter on the 400 block of Second Street, NW.

According to court documents, Davenport said he was selling drugs and the shooting may have been in retaliation for a robbery.

A pretrial services report indicated Davenport had been noncompliant with his release conditions, which include inpatient treatment for substance abuse. Defense counsel Morehouse explained to the court that Davenport removed himself from the center for legitimate safety concerns. Morehouse added that after several conversations with the center’s staff, Davenport’s concerns should be rectified in the next week.

At that time, a bed would become available for Davenport’s use.

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt emphasized the importance of promptly returning Davenport to a treatment facility. Judge Brandt scheduled another hearing in three weeks to reassess Davenport’s pretrial treatment compliance.

Parties will return to court on Aug. 25.

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