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Document: Vehicle Sought in a Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are asking for the public’s help in locating a vehicle in connection to a homicide that occurred on Dec. 17, on the 1700 block of Euclid Street, NW.

According to a press release, at about 10:07 pm, officers responded to the location for the report of a person struck by a vehicle. Upon arrival, officers located 18-year-old Derron McQueen suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.

The suspect vehicle is described as a white Chevrolet Volt, with silver rims.

Document: Traffic Fatality in Northeast

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a traffic fatality from that occurred on Dec. 17, on the 3200 block of 8th Street, NE.

According to a press release, at about 8:11 pm, an adult female approached the driver of the Mercedes-Benz SUV and the two engaged in a verbal altercation. The adult female then grabbed onto the side view mirror and stood on the running board which led to her falling off of the moving vehicle. The driver stopped and called 911.

The woman was pronounced dead at the scene.

The decedent has been identified as 25-year-old Sheda’sa Thompson.

Document: Arrest Made in a Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department detectives made an arrest in a homicide that occurred on August 23, on the 2300 block of Minnesota Avenue, SE.

According to a press release, at about 9:34 pm, officers located 24-year-old Chaquan Barbett suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

On Dec. 19, 18-year-old Jerome Israel was arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed.

Document: Homicide in Northwest

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating a homicide that occurred on Dec. 17, on the 1700 block of Euclid Street, NW.

According to a press release, at about 10:07 pm, officers responded to the location for the reports of a person struck by a vehicle. Upon arrival, officers located 18-year-old Derron McQueen suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at a scene.

Document: Arrest Made in a Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department detectives made an arrest in connection to a homicide that occurred on Oct. 28, on the 900 block of Bellevue Street, SE.

According to a press release, at about 2:53 am, officers located 38-year-old Maurice Frazier in the hallway of an apartment building, suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

On Dec. 16, 34-year-old Myron Hickson was arrested and charged with second-degree murder while armed.

Jury Declares Mistrial After Deliberating Less than 3 Days

A mistrial was declared in a murder on Dec. 16. Jurors began deliberating on Dec. 13.

Jermaine Harris, 21, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection to the death of 38-year-old Lamar Walters on the 2400 block of Franklin Street, NE, on Jan. 6, 2020.  

The mistrial followed a request for more guidance in whether they could find Harris guilty of other charges if not first-degree murder.

A status hearing was set for Jan. 10 to discuss how parties will proceed.

Document: Police Search for Vehicle in Euclid Street Traffic Fatality

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is now searching for a vehicle that is believed to be involved in a homicide on the 1700 block of Euclid Street NW.

According to a press release, officers located 18-year-old Derron McQueen suffering from gunshot wounds after he had been struck by a vehicle. McQueen dies on the scene.

Suspected vehicle: white Chevrolet Volt

The vehicle is a a white Chevrolet Volt, with silver rims that is possibly missing a window on the driver’s side.

Jury Finds Co-defendants Guilty in Murder of 17-Year-Old

Nine days after counsel in a murder trial delivered closing arguments, a jury unanimously found two co-defendants guilty of a shooting that left one 17-year-old dead and three bystanders wounded. . 

Robert Moses, 24 and James Mayfield, 23, were convicted of first-deree premeditated murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, conspiracy, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with intent to kill with an aggrevating cirmcumstace of the victim being vulnerable because of mental or physical infirmity, and aggrivated assault while armed on Dec. 8. 

Moses is also convicted of obstruction of justice.

According to the jury’s verdict form, the murder was not found to be the result of a drive-by shooting.

On Aug. 10, 2017, at around 3:30 p.m. Moses and Mayfield approached the intersection of Montana and Saratoga Avenues NE while armed with .40 and .45 caliber handguns. Collectively, the defendants fired over ten rounds at people standing on Saratoga Avenue. One of these bullets struck 17-year-old Jamahri Sydnor in the head as she was driving, killing her. Three other bystanders were struck by the bullets.  

Moses was arrested on Oct. 16, 2017.  He is charged with 13 counts, including first-degree murder while armed, assault with the intent to kill while armed, and aggravated assault while armed on Oct. 26, 2017. 

Mayfield was arrested on Dec. 27, 2017. He is charged with 25 counts, including first-degree murder, assault with the intent to kill while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, threat to kidnap or injure a person, robbery while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of an unregistered firearm, carrying a pistol without a license, and attempt to commit robbery while armed. 

Phillip McDaniel, 26, an accomplice who was arrested and charged in 2017 for his involvement in Sydnor’s murder, signed a plea deal to lessen his sentence to second-degree murder. This deal included his agreement to testify against Moses and Mayfield. 

The defendants are set for sentencing on June 9, 2023. 

Document: Police Arrest Suspect for Minnesota Ave. Homicide

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested a man believed to be involved in a homicide that took place on the 2300 Block of Minnesota Avenue, SE on AuJermonegust 23.

Jerome Israel, 18, was apprehended on Dec. 19 and charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 24-year-old Chaquan Barbett, according to a press release.

Document: Homicide on 18th Street, NW

Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) are investigating a homicide that took place on Dec. 17 on the 2400 block of 18th Street, NW.

According to a press release, officers responded to a report of gunshots and found two victims suffering from gunshot wounds.

Avon Perkins, a 30-year-old man from Baltimore, Md., dies on the scene.

The second victim, identified as an adult female by police, was treated at a local hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

MPD is offering up to a $25,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this case. Anyone with information is asked to contact the police at 202-727-9099 or text 50411 to send information anonymously.

Document: Police Investigate Homicide on Euclid Street, NW

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a homicide that took place on the 1700 Block of Euclid Street, NW on Dec. 17.

According to a press release, officers found 18-year-old Derron McQueen, a resident of Temple Hills, Md. suffering from gunshot wounds. He died on the scene.

Police are offering a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone that provides information, which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the police at 202-727-9099. Anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s Text Tip Line by sending a text message to 50411.

Judge Sentences Defendant to 10 Years in Prison for His Role in a Robbery Turned Deadly

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan sentenced a homicide defendant to 10 years in prison on Dec. 16.

Deandre Houston was charged with first-degree murder while armed, armed robbery and two gun charges in the shooting of 27-year-old Roderick Thomas on the 3200 block of 12th Street SE, on Oct. 11, 2018. On April 1, the 21-year-old defendant pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed after making a deal with prosecutors.

Judge Raffinan sentenced Houston to 10 years in prison with 5 years supervised release. He will be required to register as a gun offender when released.

According to the proffer of facts, on Oct. 2, 2018, Houston created an account on OfferUp, an online marketplace for individuals to buy and sell items, under the username “John.” He posted an ad to sell a laptop for $225. Thomas responded to the ad and the two agreed on a meeting place in the Congress Heights neighborhood.

The laptop did not exist.

According to the prosecution, Houston and an unknown co-conspirator planned to rob Thomas once they met. When Thomas arrived, the two robbed him of the $225 and then demanded his car. Thomas fought back, and Houston’s co-conspirator shot him.

On Friday, the prosecution requested Houston be sentenced to 14 years in prison.

Houston obtained his high school diploma while incarcerated at the DC Jail. He also participated in a number of programs offered at the Jail and acquired numerous certifications, according to defense attorney Sellano Simmons.

“I know he has a great heart. I know Deandre is not lost,” Houston’s godfather said at the sentencing.

Simmons addressed the victim’s family in a letter written by Houston.

“There is no excuse for everything that has happened,” Houston wrote in the letter. “I know you won’t be able to forgive me but I hope one day you will. To my kids and Thomas’s kids, I am sorry you have to live your life without your father. That is what I struggled the most with.”

The defense requested Houston be sentenced to 10 years.

Case Acquitted: Jury Finds Defendant Not Guilty After Defense Says Murder Was Committed by A Woman

This case was acquitted on Dec. 16, 2022.

On Dec. 16, a jury found that a murder defendant was not guilty after defense attorney, David Knight suggested that the real murderer was actually a woman.

Reginald Hooks, 37,  is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 22-year-old Dy’Mani Priestley on Jan. 5, 2020, on the 1200 block of U Street, NW.

The defense informed the court, during his closing statements on Dec. 15, that on the night in question, only one person, and it wasn’t Hooks, made a stabbing motion toward Priestly.

Knight said he believes the smacking gesture that Priestly’s friend made towards one of the women outside of the Amsterdam Lounge was what led to the stabbing.

According to the prosecution, it was a lighthearted smack, and everyone appeared to be laughing.

But Knight argued the opposite.

According to the defense attorney, in the video from that night the woman seemed to have “stepped up” and was offended by the slap.

He displayed a portion of the surveillance footage from the night of the murder, which he asserts was the time the actual stabbing took place.

“She steps up and makes a pretty classic stabbing motion,” Knight said.

DNA from the victim was discovered in two different places, including the area where the stabbing motion was made and in another separate area where the victim bled out.

“Why was there blood there if Hooks allegedly stabbed him? That’s not where Hooks allegedly stabbed him,” he said. “But the blood makes sense being there if [the woman] stabbed him.”

Knight made it clear that the only way the blood could have gotten there was if a knife had been removed from the victim’s chest and sprayed.

Knight said, following the incident, the woman was behaving in a suspicious manner and shouting at those who were assisting the police.

“We don’t do that snitchin’ shit over here,” the woman yelled. “Why you snitchin’?”

“You ran up on females and your man got stretched,” she is heard saying.

Hooks, on the other hand, was one of those who remained at the scene, spoke with police, and was being cooperative, Knight told the jury.

A witness who was at the incident said Hooks left the scene and returned without his coat, but that was untrue given that Hooks was seen in his coat on all of the security footage taken after the stabbing, Knight said.

He instead highlighted how attentive and guarded the two women were.

Knight displayed footage showing the women getting into one of their relatives’ trucks and then making their way towards an alley. The friend can be seen returning to the site without her coat.

“They ran up. They got what they needed to get,” body cam footage shows the other woman said. “He started this motherfucker, I’ma catch his ass.”

After the parties completed their closing arguments, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan gave the jury their instructions before sending them to begin deliberations.

Case Acquitted: Prosecution Focuses on Surveillance Footage From Night of Murder During Closing Arguments

This case was acquitted on Dec. 16, 2022.

During closing arguments on Dec. 15, a prosecutor played surveillance footage from the night of the murder and went into great detail about everything that occurred in the video as well as the circumstances he believed led to the murder.

Reginald Hooks, 37,  is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 22-year-old Dy’Mani Priestley on Jan. 5, 2020, on the 1200 block of U Street, NW.

“The defendant snatched the victim Dy’Mani Priestley’s life away,” the prosecutor said. “None of this needed to happen. It was a fight that should’ve remained a fight.”

According to the prosecutor, Priestley was seen playfully hanging with friends in front of the Amsterdam Lounge.

During this time, one of Priestley’s friends, who was a witness in the case, said something to one of the women that was seen hanging with Hooks. The women seemed to respond playfully to what the friend said. The women and the witness were seen laughing.

The witness was also seen making a smacking gesture across one of the women’s faces in a playful manner.

As soon as that occurred, Hooks hit the witness and everyone began to get into a physical fist fight.

Hooks is then seen walking towards one of the women and standing there for a couple of minutes. The fight seemed to have ended, the prosecutor said.

He continued by telling the jury that Priestley then rolled a joint and hung with friends.

The witness who was involved in the psychical altercation with Hooks, approached Priestley, and shook his hand and began talking with him.

A few minutes later, Hooks is seen walking up to the witness and, according to other witnesses, Priestley’s friend said “round two” as Hooks approached them.

Priestley was in between Hooks and the witness. As Hooks took two steps towards them, both men took steps back.

Hooks is then seen striking Priestley in the chest, the prosecutor said.

According to the prosecutor, the defendant was the only person that night that struck Priestley in the chest and the only person that could have caused the stab wound to the victim’s chest.

During the rest of the prosecutor’s closing arguments, he went over several accounts from witnesses about what Hooks told them following the murder.

The prosecutor showed the jury the interview of one of Hook’s friends.

The friend told the detective that he saw Hooks playing with a 3-4 inch knife at the club the night of the murder.

He also said that after the murder, Hooks admitted to him that he did it. “They tried to jump me so I poked him,” the witness said Hooks told him.

The prosecutor also told the court that one of the women, who was close friends with Hooks, told detectives that Hooks said, “fuck that, he was in your face. He did what he did and I did what I did.”

According to the woman, Hooks also said, “You know y’all my sisters. You know I’d do time for y’all. He hit you, so he got what he got.”

The prosecutor emphasized that the motive behind the murder was that Hooks’ ego was bruised since he was the first to throw the punch, but the last to get up.

“He got embarrassed by his love interest and his fellow bouncers,” he said.

Jury Request More Guidance on Considering Other Charges

On Dec. 15, parties returned to the courtroom to address a jury note that had been submitted by the jury.

Jermaine Harris, 21, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection to the death of 38-year-old Lamar Walters on the 2400 block of Franklin Street, NE, on Jan. 6, 2020.  

The note read, “If we cannot come to an unanimous decision on first-degree murder, can we consider the other charges?”

Defense attorney, Jonathan S. Zucker stipulated, in the jury instructions, that the first-degree murder charge must be dismissed before the jury can consider second-degree murder.

In spite of the jury’s apparent inability to decide on the first-degree murder accusation, the prosecution emphasized that the jury could still take into account the two counts of armed assault with the intent to kill as well as the possession of a firearm during a violent crime.

The jury is scheduled to continue deliberations on Dec. 19.