The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced an investigation into a double homicide that occurred on June 22 in the Kingman Park neighborhood of Northeast D.C. Officers discovered two deceased male victims, identified as 30-year-old Quonzay Lynch and 41-year-old Cortney Burley, after responding to gunshots near the 1800 block of D Street, Northeast.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced an arrest in a fatal stabbing that occurred on June 8 inside a home in the 4100 block of 7th Street, Northwest. The victim, identified as 27-year-old Jonathan Fuentes-Ferrufino, was found with stab wounds and pronounced dead at the scene. Leslie Flores, 25, was arrested and charged with Second Degree Murder while Armed, with the incident determined to be domestic in nature.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 30-year-old Delonte Brown in connection with a shooting that occurred on June 7 in Northwest D.C. Officers responded to gunshots near 10th and U Streets and found an adult male with non-life-threatening injuries. Brown, who was found with an unregistered firearm, is charged with Assault with a Dangerous Weapon and Carrying a Pistol without a License.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 20-year-old Antoine Lowery, who is alleged to be involved in a fatal shooting on May 13 on the 4500 block of Benning Road, Southeast. The incident resulted in the death of 21-year-old Jacquise Zanders and left one surviving victim with non-life-threatening injuries. Lowery has been charged with First Degree Murder while Armed.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced a third arrest in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred in Southeast in December 2023. The victim, 39-year-old Dwayne Barbour, succumbed to his injuries on Dec. 31, 2023. Avery Taylor, 20, was arrested on Jun. 5, 2025, and charged with First Degree Murder while Armed-Felony Murder, joining previous arrestees Rayon Davis Jr. and Quintin Reed, both 17 at the time of their arrest, who were charged as adults.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are seeking assistance in identifying a suspect and two people of interest involved in a shooting on May 30 in the 400 block of M Street, Southwest. An 18-year-old man was shot multiple times and transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. Surveillance footage captured the suspect on a scooter and the two individuals of interest.
“On behalf of Mr. Chapman, I ask that your last two words be not guilty,” a homicide defendant’s attorney told the jury in DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman’s courtroom on June 17.
Daniel Chapman, 37, is charged with second-degree murder while armed and carrying a dangerous weapon outside a home or business for his alleged involvement in the stabbing of 43-year-old Antoine Ealey. The incident occurred on July 22, 2023, on the 2300 block of L’Enfant Square, SE.
According to court documents, Chapman claimed he was acting in self-defense against Ealey, who allegedly threatened him in an alley. The risk was heightened in that Ealey was said to be using PCP and K2, a synthetic cannabinoid made to mimic the effects of marijuans. PCP has linked to outbursts of violent behavior.
Prosecutors claimed Chapman was the aggressor in the incident. “Self defense is not a license to pursue trouble,” they said. They say Chapman was hanging out with three friends in an alley near his apartment when Ealey approached the group. They argued that “Ealey was the outsider,” since the group appears to be arguing and kicking him. Ealey eventually collected his bags and walked away, but Chapman followed him, knife in hand, fatally stabbing him four times.
The prosecution claimed that Chapman’s choice to follow Ealey as well as his choice to flee the scene without calling EMT or police suggested Chapman was not acting in self defense.
“Chapman was the architect of his own peril” the prosecution declared.
In the defense’s closing argument, David Knight stressed that Chapman is not guilty from viewing the security footage of the group interactions during the incident. Knight further claimed that because of Ealey’s being under the influence of PCP and K2, he was acting erratically and dangerously unpredictable.
Knight asked the jury to recall the defendant’s previous testimony about his own relationship with Ealey before the incident. “He didn’t want him to die, he didn’t expect him to die,” Knight said.
“On behalf of Mr. Chapman, I ask that your last two words be not guilty,” Knight said.
Parties will reconvene once the jury reaches a verdict.
DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno granted a non-fatal shooting and carjacking defendant more time to review a plea offer during a hearing on June 13.
Elijah Hernandez, 20, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, armed carjacking, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unauthorized use of a vehicle during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in an armed carjacking and non-fatal shooting on June 21, 2024 at the Falcon Gas Station on the 1300 block of 13th Street, NW. One victim sustained a gunshot wound on the buttocks.
During the hearing, prosecutors offered Hernandez a plea deal in which he pleads guilty to charges from a separate non-fatal shooting incident in exchange for prosecutors dismissing all other charges. The deal would require Hernandez to plead guilty to aggravated assault while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and armed robbery.
Joseph Fay, Hernandez’s attorney, requested additional time to review the offer with his client.
“If probable cause is found, he is unlikely to be released in other cases,” noted Judge Salerno and urged Hernandez to carefully consider the offer.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Aug. 28.
DC Superior Court Judge Deborah J. Israel granted an extension to indict a carjacking defendant on Jun 23.
Martrail Cunningham, 26, is charged with two counts of armed carjacking and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence from his alleged involvement in multiple incidents, which occurred on Aug. 4, 2024, at the 1300 block of Wallach Place, NW, and on Aug. 25 at the 1300 block of Jasper Place, SE.
Judge Israel has agreed to the prosecutor’s motion to extend Cunningham’s indictment date in light of ongoing plea deal negotiations between Darryl Daniels, Cunningham’s attorney, and the prosecution. Daniels explained to the court that the prosecution responded to the defense’s counte-roffer on June 20 and hopes to reach an agreement, making a trial unnecessary.
Parties are slated to reconvene on July 14.
A defendant who threatened to shoot a number of people was sentenced to a year of probation by DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro, June 17.
Tyhrez Williams, 24, pleaded guilty to carrying a pistol without a license outside a home/business and an unlawful discharge of a weapon for threats he made to shoot a friend’s family on July 8, 2024 on the 2000 block of Bowen Road, SE.
A warrant for Williams’ arrest was made after multiple witnesses claimed to have seen him discharging his pistol out of his car. Williams then made multiple threats to several people and their families.
As Williams was leaving Joint Base Anacostia-Bowling he was detained and his car was searched by security forces who found a pistol in a hidden compartment. Later Williams’ house was also searched and two additional firearms were found.
He was arrested for unlawful discharge, three counts of possession of an unregistered firearm, possession of unregistered ammunition, carrying a pistol without a license, possession of a large capacity feeding device, and carrying a dangerous weapon inside home.
Williams quickly took a deal, pleading guilty to carrying a pistol without a license outside a home/business so that the prosecution would not seek indictments on any remaining or greater charges arising from the facts in this case
Williams was given 12 months probation and three years supervised release with the Youth Act being applied to him. This act will remove the felony charge from his record if he sticks with the stipulations of his release.
No further dates are set.
DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz denied a murder defendant’s emergency motion for immediate release or to be transferred to a hospital during a hearing on June 20.
Tommy Whack, 35, is charged with first-degree murder while armed – felony murder for his alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of Fasil Teklemariam, 53, that occurred on April 5, 2024, on the 1300 block of Peabody Street, NW.
In addition, Tiffany Taylor-Gray, 22, and Audrey Miller, 20, have been charged in the crime.
Whack’s attorney, Kevin O’Sullivan, claimed that Whack has found it difficult to shower, go for his physical therapy or visit his lawyer for a month due to the Department of Corrections (DOC) refusal to provide a him wheelchair.
An attorney for the DOC, said that medical staff found no clinical reason for a wheelchair
The prosecution also provided the court with pictures of Whack walking and playing basketball while in jail and called his condition is a “ruse.”
Whack told the court that he recently had a fall, which further exacerbated his condition.
“I understand I have committed a serious crime but I am also a human being,” said Whack.
The DOC rep told the judge he would contact parties regarding the defendant’s recent fall and perform another examination.
Whack’s family was present in the courtroom and his mother told the court she would buy a wheelchair for her son.
Parties are slated to reconvene June 27.
DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson granted a final continuance for a mass shooter’s sentencing on June 20.
Jaylaun Brown, 22, pleaded guilty to assault with significant bodily injury and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict on January 22, for the dismissal of seven counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, eight counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, and unlawful possession of a firearm, for his involvement in a mass shooting that occurred on Jan. 21, 2023, on the 1400 block of 9th Street, NW that injured seven people.
During the hearing, Brown and his defense team asked for continuation of his sentencing due to Brown’s being unprepared based on safety considerations at the DC Jail.
Brown’s attorney, Terrence Austin asked for an investigation and the prosecution said they would be amenable.
However, the prosecution and Judge Dayson were very upset with the defense for its lack of preparation. Judge Dayson begrudgingly accepted the defense’s request for extension, but said that this hearing has been pushed on for way too long.
Judge Dayson also mentioned Brown had not shown up for a previous sentencing hearing, and the court nor Judge Dayson could determine why.
The next hearing is slated to occur on July 18.
A defendant waived his right to independently test DNA evidence in front of DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson on June 20.
Tremon Jackson, 21, is charged with second-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in the murder of 20-year-old Charles Towles on the 1400 block of L Street, SE that occurred on Nov. 4, 2023.
On June 20, Jackson was presented several items that could be up to be independently DNA tested. Some of the items included: five cartridges and bullet fragments, a face mask, and projectiles.
During the hearing, Tremon waived his right and acknowledged that he could not get them tested later.
Tremon’s attorney, Russell Harriston, also asked Judge Dayson for Harriston to be released on home confinement but the motion was denied. Parties are set to reconvene on Oct. 24.
A murder defendant rejected a plea deal before DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park on June 23.
Joshua Allen, 35, is charged with first-degree murder premeditated while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in a June 11, 2021 fatal shooting of Delonte Johnson, 28, and non-life-threatening injuries to another person on the 4600 block of Hillside Road, SE.
The prosecution announced a global plea offer stating that Allen would plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed and all greater charges would be dismissed, including a district court case.
The plea deal would also waive enhancements, or additional punishments, that could expose Allen to a life sentence due to his prior convictions. The prosecution recommended a sentence of 14-to-20 years with the defendant held pending sentencing.
Allen rejected the plea offer.
Sara Kopecki, Allen’s defense attorney, challenged the enhancement, contending that the jury would need to decide whether his prior convictions qualify as separate cases. The judge noted that the enhancement might still apply, leaving it uncertain.
A trial readiness hearing is slated for July 25.
DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur imposed a one year suspended sentence for a shooting defendant whose actions put children in harm’s way. The ruling occured during a hearing on June 20.
On April 17, Joe Phoenix, 34, pled guilty to endangerment with a firearm for his involvement in a shooting that took place on May 2, 2024 on the intersection of 10th and F Streets, NE, next to Goding Elementary School.
According to court documents, video surveillance shows the defendant shooting his gun four times while children were present in front of the school.
The prosecution requested six months of incarceration along with a stay away order from the incident address. In addition, the prosecutor told the court that the incident was “more than endangerment” and went beyond simple recklessness.
The prosecution told the court, “When you ask a parent what their worst nightmare is, they answer you with this.”
Phoenix’s defense attorney, Wole Falodun, argued that the incident was a mistake and that Phoenix had no prior criminal history. Falodun claimed that Phoenix has been on home-confinement for the past two months and requested probation, claiming that Phoenix would have support from his mother and girlfriend.
Judge Arthur told the court that a “mistake” would be accidentally picking up someone’s car keys, which was far from the severity of Phoenix’s actions that day. Further, Judge Arthur emphasized the impact of the crime, telling Phoenix that the shooting may remain engrained in the minds of the children and he would be solely responsible for it.
Judge Arthur asked Phoenix if he had any children of his own, to which Phoenix claimed he had two. He asked Phoenix how he would have felt had someone carried out the same crime in front of his children and Phoenix acknowledged punishment was warranted.
Judge Arthur told Phoenix that he should consider the importance of his decisions as many defendants that come into the criminal justice system end up losing time they wish they could get back.
Ultimately, Judge Arthur sentenced Phoenix to 12 months of incarceration while suspending its execution in its entirety, one year of supervised release which was suspended, and one year of probation with the condition that he not possess any firearms. Phoenix will also have to pay $100 to the victim’s compensation fund and register as a gun offender.
No further dates were set.
