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D.C. Had 48 Mass Shootings in the Last Six Years

A grocery store. A gas station. A barbershop. A non-denominational church. Homicides are on the rise in Washington, DC and mass shootings are one of the causes. Neighborhoods spanning across the District have been ravaged by mass shootings in the last six years. D.C Witness documented and analyzed every single one that has occurred in the last six years. 

The number of incidents varies when addressing mass shootings. The FBI and other organizations define it as any incident with four or more victims hit by gunfire. D.C. Witness follows this definition.  

This means that while there has yet to be an incident with four or more people killed during the last six years- there have been 48 incidents where four or more people were hit by gunfire. But the yearly rate of mass shootings is only rising. Washington, DC saw the highest number of mass shootings in 2021 with 14 incidents.   

On July 4, 2015, a mass shooting took place near a school in the Barry Farm neighborhood in Southeast DC. 

Harry Herbert and Shakim Lyons, who were 28 and 26, respectively at the time, came into view of a surveillance camera at 7:13 p.m. while on a sidewalk on the 2600 block of Douglass Place, SE. They stop briefly before entering a building nearby.

The camera captured two suspects leaving the building three hours later, walking and conversing. A few minutes after the men left, they began to physically fight. As others quickly gathered around to watch, the fight escalated into a gunfight that included two different groups of people. 

More than 100 shots were fired from the two suspects and two others.

Dwayne Dillard, 23, was shot on the side of his body and killed during the altercation. Three others were also shot, including Lyons, who was shot in the eye and later charged with second-degree murder while armed along with Herbert and James Coffield, who was 23 at the time.   

 A witness told officers that Lyons and Jonathan Taylor, who was 24 at the time, were on opposite sides of the shootout. The witness also said Herbert was firing at Taylor and another person on his side of the fight.

Herbert, Coffield and Lyons later pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter. Herbert was sentenced to 11 years, Coffield to seven-and-a-half years and Lyons to two years in prison.

Taylor also pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in relation to the mass shooting but was sentenced to six years. He was also sentenced in a separate incident to 40 years in prison for first-degree murder in relation to the 2014 death of 25-year-old Dexter Motley, D.C. Witness previously reported. 

Dillard is not the only person to die from a gunshot wound incurred during a mass shooting in Washington since 2015. D.C. Witness found that 28 people have died in mass shootings and 221 others have been injured in the last six years.

 

But only 37% of the mass shootings in the District in the last six years have led to an arrest. And even when a suspect is arrested, prosecutors may make the cases inactive, meaning cases can be suspended for any reason. 

One mass shooting without an arrest left 21 people with gunshot wounds and one teenager dead. According to documents from the MPD, hundreds of people were gathered on Aug. 9, 2020, in a Southeast neighborhood located in Greenway for a block party when at least four gunmen opened fire, shooting more than 100 bullets into the crowd. 

 The organizer had been denied an event permit due to the 50-person limit Mayor Muriel Bowser set on events amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Former MPD Police Chief Peter Nesham held a press conference with Mayor Bowser in the wake of the mass shooting and focused their concerns on the violence itself rather than the illegal gathering.  

Like many other mass shooting incidents, there have been no arrests in relation to this shooting. Christopher Brown was just 17 years old when he was shot and killed that night. But he is not the only young person to be killed in a mass shooting. Six victims under the age of eighteen have been killed in mass shootings. 

Mass shootings are affecting the younger population more than homicides, according to D.C. Witness data. The average age of both victims and suspects arrested was just 23 years old. This is significantly younger than the average homicide age of 32.  Less than half of these incidents have someone dying due to gunshot wounds. 

Ten mass shooting investigations have been closed before an arrest was made, while many still remain open. 

On Oct. 25, 2015, five people were shot in the Washington Highlands neighborhood, which is also located in Southeast DC. Multiple vehicles were hit, but nobody died from their gunshot wounds. The investigation was closed two months later without an arrest. The motive for the shooting is unknown. 

Check out our interactive map to see all of the mass shooting incidents that have happened in DC over the last six years.

 

Parties Close to Plea Agreement in Sex Abuse Case

Parties in a sex abuse case are close to reaching a plea agreement.

The 19-year-old defendant is charged with first-degree child sex abuse for allegedly sexually assaulting a girl multiple times when she was 11-years-old.

During the Jan. 6 hearing, parties told DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt they were close to a plea deal for a misdemeanor charge and would like to set a date for the defendant to accept the plea.

“We’re extremely close, I would say 95 to 100 percent there,” defense attorney Johnathan Lanyi said.

Judge Brandt set a Jan. 25 date for the defendant to accept the plea.

Trial Concludes with Parties Presenting Opposing Theories on Evening of Deadly Shooting

After a two-week delay and multiple other complications along the way, a trial centered on an 11-year-old’s fatal shooting wrapped up with parties delivering their closing arguments before the case was handed off to the jury.

Tony McClam is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the 2019 death of Karon Brown. His trial began on Dec. 6. A number of witnesses including a detective had testified but the trial was paused on Dec. 21 after McClam tested positive for COVID-19. Parties all tested negative before entering the courthouse after the new year for the final days of the trial.

DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz said he was informed by his court clerk that McClam was not on the Department of Corrections’ transportation list for the second day in a row, even though he was scheduled for a hearing on both days. This presented issues but they were able to get McClam into the courtroom by 9:30 a.m., the scheduled start time for the hearing. The clerk was only made aware because she gave a U.S. Marshal her cell phone number for them to call if there were any issues.

“I don’t know what is going on and I don’t know why this happened but I am inclined to issue an order today to the director of the Department of Corrections,” Judge Kravitz said, saying he will ask for McClam to be there every single day until further notice, other than on weekends. 

Judge Kravitz said that one of the jurors tested positive for COVID-19 on Jan. 4, right after closing arguments began. That juror appeared virtually for the next day’s proceedings. Another juror was denied entry because they noted they had a cough on their COVID questionnaire upon arriving at the courthouse that same day. They were eventually able to enter after Judge Kravitz’ chambers intervened.

“Anyone who is brutally honest on those forms is going to be in trouble,” defense attorney Jason Tulley said.

“On the other hand, we like honest jurors,” Judge Kravitz replied.

When the jury came in, they were given instructions that took more than an hour to explain. Judge Kravitz told the jury in detail how exactly they should examine each charge and detailed what it takes to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that McClam is guilty of each specific offense. He also emphasized looking at each individual witness and assessing their demeanor and behavior when on the stand.

The prosecution and the defense had near opposite stances on what happened the evening of July 18, 2019. The prosecutor described the shooting as premeditated murder while defense attorney Jason Tulley framed it as self-defense.

The prosecution began delivering their arguments on Jan. 4, showing a picture of Brown on the front page of their slideshow. McClam, they allege, wanted to shoot Brown because he did not want another child to get away from his discipline – which shows premeditation.

McClam and a group of people walked over to a BP gas station on the corner of Naylor Road and Alabama Ave, SE, from a nearby residential area because someone asked them to talk to a group of boys involved in an alleged bullying issue. He scolded the boys, who ran off. The prosecutor showed videos and photos from the gas station security camera of McClam during this period of the incident.

Brown was in the area at the same time and can be seen in the same footage.

After the group was scolded, Brown got in a vehicle and left, but the driver circled back to confront McClam about his interactions with the kids, including Brown, which allegedly led to the shooting. The driver first began to drive away but made a U-turn back towards McClam. The prosecutor brought up the driver’s testimony, where he said the reason he turned around was to confront McClam about punching Brown when he was scolding the kids.

The prosecutor said the driver’s actions were valid because he wanted to confront McClam about his actions. He said the defendant shot Brown when he was confronted was to get back at him for misbehaving.

 “He did it without justification and he did it intentionally,” the prosecutor said. 

Photo evidence of Brown’s blood-stained shirt was shown by the prosecutor, calling attention to how it was originally white until he was shot. By the time it was removed from Brown’s body for evidence collecting, it was drenched in blood.  He showed photos of the video surveillance as well, going frame by frame to show how McClam could have clearly seen Brown in the vehicle prior to firing his weapon. This shows, according to the prosecutor, that the shooting was not an accident.

The 911 call from the driver’s girlfriend has played the prosecutor. He said that they were attempting to get help for the 11-year-old victim while driving him to a nearby fire station for medical assistance. 

Legal terminologies were also explained by the prosecutor- how transferred intent works in a charge. If McClam was intending on shooting the man driving the vehicle, he is still at fault for Brown’s death because of the transfer. The prosecutor said this places the blame on McClam even if the jurors decide he did not fully intend to shoot the child. He also questioned if the legal precedent for self-defense was even a defense at all- asking if there was reasonable ground for McClam to believe he was about to be shot at. McClam said the driver motioned that he was about to pull a gun when he fired- but the only shots that were fired were by McClam. 

“Find him guilty, ladies and gentleman, of all counts,” the prosecutor said, harping on their idea that McClam meant to kill Brown. 

Tulley began the first ten minutes of his closing on Jan. 4 but finished the following day. His opening slide just said, “Tony McClam is not guilty”. 

He agreed with the prosecution that McClam had gone up to the gas station to scold the group of boys. The defendant works with children for a living, rehabilitating and mentoring those in lower-income communities, so to him this made sense.

But the story differed when talking about why the shots were fired.

Tully said McClam thought he and the children nearby him were about to be the victims of a drive-by shooting. The only reason McClam was still in the area was that, while going back to the residential area, someone stopped him and wanted to go back to confront the children again. The reason he shot at the vehicle was out of self-defense- the driver had previously directly threatened him. His brother had died due to gun violence and McClam was not wanting to follow in his footsteps. 

“He never knew Karon was in the car,” Tulley said.

When McClam found out about Brown dying from gunshot wounds, Tulley said, “he cried and became depressed and eventually turned himself in to police”. 

Tulley harped on what self-defense is defined as in law. He focused on three principles- the presumption of innocence, burden of proof, and proving beyond a reasonable doubt.

“The details matter,”  Tulley said, explaining how McClam is still presumed innocent until when and if the jury finds him guilty. 

The prosecutor has the burden of proving Tony did what he’s being charged with, but Tulley argued this is lacking. One witness, in particular, the driver, made the prosecutor’s argument fall apart, Tulley said.

The witness turned back around to go see the group, which Tulley agreed with. While the prosecutor said the driver came upon McClam on accident, Tulley said this was no accident-it was purposeful. While the prosecutor claims this is because he was trying to flee, Tulley said he had turned back around it was because the driver was trying to “take care of it himself” citing him previously threatening McClam.

When driving Brown to receive medical attention the witness took a much longer route than necessary and was careless, Tulley said. He went to a fire station, and not a close one. Tulley showed a map of just how much closer a different fire station was compared to the one he went to. He also took a long way, through a neighborhood with speed bumps. Tulley said the witness was not driving fast because no speeding tickets were recorded with ticketing cameras in the area. His girlfriend, the second passenger, also hung up on the 911 person in order to call his mom, who was an EMS personnel.  

McClam testified that seconds before firing, the driver used “street” terminology for pulling out his gun, then made a gesture that he was about to. This is what triggered McClam to fire the gun he was carrying. Tulley said the reason he had the gun was because of the dangerousness of the neighborhood, not because he planned to shoot anyone in particular.

The prosecutor did not cross-examine McClam during his testimony but instead relied entirely on this witness, who was driving the car when Karon was shot. Tulley said this weakened the prosecutor’s case.  

Regardless of anything, the witness also was previously forced to quit his position as a cadet in the police force for issues relating to a robbery incident. Tulley claimed this invalidated him, adding to the unreliability of his testimony. 

“He’s making things up right from the start,” Tulley said, harping on the idea that the witness lied. The medical examiner did not find any proof in the autopsy of Karon being punched, yet the witness says he saw it happen.

Multiple people who were directly at the scene of both the shooting and the previous confrontation were not called to testify, Tulley said. This little number of witnesses shows a gap in their story and cannot hold the burden of proof. 

Tulley also blamed that the Department of Forensic Services (DFS) was to blame for the lack of evidence One of the people currently being investigated at the DFS was heading up their portion of the investigation and according to Tulley, they mishandled evidence at the scene. The jurors were instructed on how to go about DFS material because of the ongoing investigation. 

On the self-defense perspective, Tulley explained how exactly McClam’s actions fall under that ruling. McClam testified that he had seen videos of drive-by shootings and felt that the situation he was in was all too similar. His brother had been killed in a shooting and he was determined not to be the same. 

“I thought someone was going to kill me like they did my brother,” McClam said. 

The two parties also claim the fatal shot, one of four fired, hit Brown on a different street. While the prosecutor claims it occurred on Naylor road, the defense said it was on Alabama Avenue. Tulley used physics and angles to prove his stance during his closing argument, during what he said is his “favorite part” of the defense.  Tulley provided a graphic on how each of the four bullets entered the vehicle on Alabama Avenue and showed how they were not directed at Brown but instead fired in self-defense. He said not only does the entrance and exit site of the gunshot wound on Brown prove this, but so do the other bullet holes on the car.

Tullley said McClam was “not able to make those shots”  because of the angles of the shots and the physics behind it. 

Tulley invited the jury to play with the map and even went into explaining how to use it. He said there is no possible way Brown was ducking for cover out of fear, like the prosecutor said. The only way the bullets could have hit him at the angles he did was if Brown was sitting up. 

The prosecutor had a chance to rebut before the case went into the hands of the jurors. They focused their attention on what they believed to be evidence the defense wrongly presented. 

He reiterated that they believed the fatal shot was on Naylor Road- before the driver turned the corner to Alabama Avenue. He praised Tulley for explaining how to use the map and that if they did, they would clearly see something different than the defense. 

“For the demonstration of angle, he put that car in the right lane, ” the prosecutor said about the car Brown was in on the map, explaining that the car was in a different place.

He also rebutted any claim that the witness was being malicious when driving. 

“Would it be completely outrageous for him to pick up Karon and go back to ask, ya know, what did you do to this little boy,” the prosecutor said. “He wanted to talk to this guy about why he attacked this little boy.”

The prosecution explained how they did not go into self-defense because it was a “preposterous” idea to even bring up. They focused on McClam’s intent, saying it was to hurt Brown. He also commented on the issues with the witness, saying they were “not a perfect person” but did not know the true reason they had to resign until years later. 

Once closing arguments were over, Judge Kravitz explained now the jurors would deliberate while social distancing in the courthouse. A large room with socially distanced tables was made available. Jurors left soon after and will deliberate until a decision is made.

Case Acquitted: Plans for Murder Trial Change Following Recent Order from Chief Judge

This case has been acquitted.

A recent rise in coronavirus cases prompted DC Superior Court Chief Judge Anita-Josey Herring to order that new jury trials scheduled through Feb. 11 be continued to the earliest possible date after the 11th. The decision forced parties in a 2018 murder case to change their trial plans.

Cedric Alexander, who is also known as Tony White, currently has six charges including first-degree murder while armed for his alleged role in the death of 38-year-old Daquan Hooks on the afternoon of March 23, 2017, on the 1900 block of 13th Street, SE. The 50-year-old defendant is also charged with armed robbery, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business.

Alexander has been detained at DC Jail since his arrest in August 2018. His trial was previously scheduled to begin on Feb. 7 with jury selection taking place on Feb. 2 and 3. 

Judge Robert Okun did not schedule new trial dates during the Jan. 6 hearing, instead opting to do so at a later date. Parties are scheduled to reconvene on Jan. 26 to discuss motions filed in the case. 

Chief Judge Josey-Herring issued the order updating court procedures on Dec. 30, 2021. The order serves to modify the one last amended on Nov. 21, 2021. In it, she states that “the projected continuation of the recent spike in coronavirus cases requires the Court to make temporary modifications in its operations.”

While jury trials like Alexander’s have been halted, non-jury trials are to proceed as scheduled, according to the order.

Man Sentenced to Eight Years for Stabbing Cousin to Death

A DC Superior Court judge handed down an eight-year prison sentence for a 44-year-old man convicted of stabbing his cousin to death in an apartment complex near Rock Creek Park.

Jaamil Hipps was initially charged with second-degree murder while armed eight days after his cousin, 40-year-old Sa’id Grey, was found on the first floor of an apartment complex on the 1300 block of Missouri Avenue, NW, suffering from multiple stab wounds on Aug. 12, 2020.  He pleaded down to voluntary manslaughter in August 2021.

Family members of the victim and defendant were virtually present for the Jan. 6 sentencing.

The prosecution said during the sentencing that if the case had gone to trial, it may have gone very differently. “This is a circumstantial case- the murder occurred off camera and there are no witnesses,” the prosecution said.  

Parties agreed the homicide did not include any self-defense and was premeditated, meaning Hipps intended to kill his cousin.

“The government wants to make it clear- this was not a self-defense case,” the prosecutor said.

Defense attorney David Knight said Hipps is remorseful for his actions.

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo agreed with the sentencing guidelines and sentenced Hipps to eight years in prison.

Woman Charged with Murder Alongside Eldest Son Seeks Release

Mother and son co-defendants Jaquell and Chakeatia Jackson are awaiting trial on charges of second-degree murder while armed. The defense attorney for 37-year-old Chakeatia is now seeking her client’s release from custody.

The two are charged in connection with the death of 37-year-old Tarshaqua Chappell on Sept. 15, 2021, on the 1300 block of Congress Street, SE. 

Prosecutors allege that Chakeatia was involved in a verbal dispute with adults and students at Ballou High School, according to court documents. She was seemingly followed home by two cars after deciding to leave. Jaquell, 18, is accused of shooting into the driver’s side window of one of the cars before fleeing.

Jaquell was arrested less than one week after his mother. He was not present for the Jan. 5 proceedings due to being in quarantine at DC Jail. However, family members were present in the courtroom.

In a motion, Chakeatia’s defense attorney, Errin Scialpi, argued that there is not enough evidence against her client to hold her without bond. 

“Specifically, there is no evidence that Ms. Jackson was aware of the intended shooting before it occurred, nor that she intended for the shooting to occur,” she stated.

Sciapli also pointed out Chakeatia’s employment history as a teacher assistant and her limited criminal history.

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan decided to hold off on making a ruling as parties await a preliminary hearing, at which time they are expected to discuss release prior to trial. A date for that hearing has yet to be set.

Document: Person of Interest Sought in August 2021 Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD)has identified a person of interest in an Aug. 30, 20201 homicide.

At approximately 10:56 p.m. officers responded to the 1300 block of Good Hope Road, SE, due to a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located 35-year-old Terrence Major with gunshot wounds and pronounced him dead on scene, according to the press release.

The MPD released a video of a person of interest.

Document: 18-year-old Killed in Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a Jan. 4 homicide.

At approximately 4:37 p.m. officers responded to the 3300 block of 12th Street, SE, due to a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located  18-year-old Dmaree Miller with gunshot wounds and pronounced him dead on scene, according to the press release.

Document: Jan. 3 Homicide was Domestic in Nature, Police Say

A 67-year-old man was fatally stabbed on Jan. 3. Police arrested a suspect that same day.

At approximately 3:44 p.m., officers responded to the 500 block of 55th Street, NE, for the report of a stabbing, according to a press release. They found the victim, Michael Stover, Jr., inside a residence suffering from apparent stab wounds. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

Marcus Isom, 42, was arrested for second-degree murder while armed.

Man Charged in Fatal November Shooting Set for Preliminary Hearing

A judge scheduled a man accused of fatally shooting his ex-girlfriend’s partner for a preliminary hearing to determine if his case has enough evidence to go to trial.

Christian Johnson, 31, is charged with first-degree murder while armed in the death of 25-year-old Lavonte McCloud on Nov. 25, 2021.

A witness in this case who has a child with McCloud said she called Johnson asking him to bring her other child, who she shares with him, to McCloud’s apartment in Kennilworth. When the witness met with Johnson they started arguing. McCloud then reportedly told her to stop arguing with Johnson and to go back into the apartment. She heard gunshots as soon as she entered the apartment, according to court documents.

DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun set the preliminary hearing to take place on Feb. 25.

Document: Person of Interest Sought in Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has released information on a person of interest sought in a Dec. 14 homicide.

At approximately 6:50 a.m. officers responded to the Unit block of 61st Street, NE, due to a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located 44-year-old Jacques Russ with gunshot wounds and pronounced them dead on scene, according to the press release.

Judge Sentences Child Sex Abuse Convict to 12 Years in Prison


A DC Superior Court judge imposed a 12-year sentence for a defendant who pleaded guilty to three counts of second-degree child sex abuse.

Ellisante Ewing was charged with first-degree child sex abuse in November 2019 for a series of rapes in 2018 and 2019 involving two victims less than 11-years-old. The following February, Ewing made a deal with prosecutors and pleaded guilty to three counts of second-degree child sex abuse.

During an interview with children’s advocates, one victim reported Ewing would wake her up as she was sleeping, bring her up to his bedroom, put her on her knees and force her to give him oral sex while blindfolded. The victim reported she was seven-years-old when the abuse began. The other victim was 10-years-old.

According to court documents, the most recent assault occurred on the night of Nov. 19, 2019, into the following morning, when a witness walked in on the abuse at around 3 a.m. The victim was eight years old, and the defendant was 29 years old at the time. The witness also told police that she would see the victim leave the defendant’s room while covering her mouth.

“I don’t want this man to ever see the light of the day, I’m still internally hurt,” said the mother of the younger victim Dec. 17 during an impact statement. “We are raising tough Black girls. We are trying to break these generational curses where men think they can come into our homes, touch our girls and think they can get away with it.” 

An uncle of the older victim also gave a statement directed at the defendant.

“This crime you committed, messing with these children, is a serious thing,” he said. “It’s going on all over the world. People in high places doing stuff, messing with kids. It’s not a joke.” 

Defense lawyer Roderick Thompson preempted his statement by offering his sympathies to the victims’ families, explaining how he understands how much work it will take the victims to overcome their trauma.

“I read a report, 28 percent of adult women have suffered child sexual abuse and I’m here to tell you my family falls in that 28 percent…I know it’s a lifetime of work,” Thompson said.

Erwing himself apologized to the victims when given the opportunity to speak. 

“I truly apologize for the pain and suffering terminal grief I have caused the victims and their families,” Ewing said. “I’m sure I’ll dedicate myself to make myself better not only for myself or the things I’ve done but for my own kids.”

Thompson also told a story of the abuse the defendant suffered as a young child living in a trailer in North Carolina. “Mr. Ewing’s childhood trauma has informed every aspect of his life,” he said.

Ewing’s mother would do drugs and have sex in front of the children with various boyfriends. One of them,—who was described as smelling of “Newports, malt liquor and rage”—was to be avoided at all costs and would commit beatings and sexual abuse as a form of punishment, Thomspon said. 

Once when five-year-old Ewing and a sibling came home from school one day with letters from school that said they got in trouble, it lead to both of them being sexually assaulted by one of their mother’s boyfriends.

Thompson also noted that his client did not own child pornography.

“Mr. Ewing is likely to be ultimately a healthier person if he’s able to get treatment on the outside sooner than if he has to rely on treatment on the inside,” Judge Neal Kravitz, who presided over the trial, said. “That’s an unfortunate reality of our prison system.”

Thompson requested the minimum sentence and a period of probation up to the judge’s discretion. “It’s not lost on anyone the psychological and emotional cost that the victims and families have undergone,” he said. “It’s profound and in looking at treatment as a way to kind of heal for everyone. Treatment services exist not to help Mr. Ewing rehabilitate but also the victims’ recovery.” 

Thompson stressed the importance of arriving between a “balance of what Mr. Ewing has done and what he can be,” expressing confidence in the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency’s (CSOSA) post-conviction resources.

“Ultimately, for me in balancing these different interests, the protection of the community in the relative short-term—community meaning other young children Mr. Ewing could come in contact with and their families—has to be given the greatest weight,” Judge Kravitz said. “What has happened to [the victims] in my view cannot be allowed to happen to another child. While it may not be Mr. Ewing’s fault that he has the challenges he has, he nonetheless has them. I just think a significant prison term is necessary to protect the community.”

The prosecutor requested the maximum sentence, which is 14 years in prison. 

“This was not a one-time incident. I read Mr. Ewing’s letter he submitted with his sentencing memorandum. He seems remorseful but he said he regrets ‘that fateful day’,” the prosecutor said. “Was it the day he was caught or the months he was abusing those girls?”

“This is something [the victims are] going to have to live with forever,” the prosecutor continued.

Judge Kravitz handed down a sentence of 36 months for the first two counts of second-degree child sex abuse and 72 months for the third count, all of which will run consecutively. The 12-year prison sentence will be followed by 25 years of supervised release. 

Ewing must also register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

In addition, Judge Kravitz required consistent psychosexual evaluations, substance abuse treatment and vocational training while Ewing is in prison. When he gets out, he will be required to stay away from and have no contact with the victims and will not be permitted to come in unsupervised contact with children less than 14-years-old.

“For me, it’s less about punishment and more about protecting others,” Kravitz said. “This is ultimately why it’s hard for me because I wish there were a better and more humane way to keep Mr. Ewing separate from the rest of us. I truly wish there was. Unfortunately, that’s not something I have any control over, and it’s not really available.”

Document: Dec. 29 Homicide

Metropolitan Police Department detectives are investigating the fatal shooting of a man on Dec. 29.

At approximately 3:21 p.m. that day, officers responded to the 2500 block of Elvans Road, SE, for the report of a shooting, according to a press release. They found 25-year-old Malcolm Turner in the hallway of an apartment building suffering from gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on scene.

Document: Suspect Arrested in 2018 Homicide

A suspect has been arrested in reference to a homicide that occurred in 2018.

At approximately 12:13 a.m. on Sept. 30, 2018, Metropolitan Police Department officers responded to the 1500 block of Benning Road, NE, for the report of sounds of gunshots, according to a press release. There, they found 27-year-old Wilbert Brooks suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead on scene.

On Dec. 19, 27-year-old Rashad Hood III was arrested for first-degree murder while armed.