Homicides Increase by Nearly 50 percent in July

There was a 46 percent uptick in homicides in Washington, DC during the first full month of summer compared to the same time period last year.

In July 2017, there were 13 homicides in the district meanwhile in July of 2018 there were 19. Of the 19 homicides, the majority were the result of fatal shootings. According to D.C. Witness data, throughout the past four years the majority of DC homicides have been gun related.

There were 11 homicides in Southeast DC in July, according to D.C. Witness data. Homicides in Southeast DC more than doubled the amount of other homicides in any of the other quadrants.

The first homicide of the month began on the evening of July 1, when police found

Stephen Cade unconscious and unresponsive on the 1800 block of 23rd Street, SE. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner later deemed Cade’s cause of death a gunshot wound. Cade, 60, was the first of 15 people to have a gun related death in July.

On July 2, police found William Mayo, 34, suffering from a gunshot wound on the 400 block of 2nd Street, NW.

Police are currently searching for 37-year-old Reginald Johnson in connection with Mayo’s murder.

The following day, Tyron Anthony Johnson was fatally shot on the 4400 block of E Street, SE. Police found Johnson, 24, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

The day after Independence Day, police responded to shooting complaints on the 500 block of Newcomb Street, SE. Police found three

people suffering from gunshot wounds. The trio was brought to a nearby hospital, where 26-year-old Derek Jeffrey Taylor was pronounced dead.

On July 8, nearly a year and a half after initially being shot, Kevin Kennedy succumbed to his injuries from a 2017 fatal shooting on the 600 block of 14th Place, NE. The shooting left 22-year-old Ronnell Reaves dead as well.

Matthew Moore was arrested and charged Feb. 6, 2017, with Reaves’ death. According to a press release, the Metropolitan Police Department plans to press additional charges against Moore, 33, in connection to Kennedy’s death.

Nearly a week later, on July 16, police responded to the 300 block of 53rd St., NE, where six people were shot. All six people went to a nearby hospital; however, 10-year-old Makiyah Wilson succumbed to her injuries.

According to a press release, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that the MPD and the FBI would offer a joint reward of up to $45,000 for information that leads to the identification, arrest and prosecution of four suspects responsible for Wilson’s death.

“We need those with information about this case to share what they know, and they can do so anonymously,” Bowser said. “Our community cannot and will not tolerate the murder of a child.”

On July 18, police found Cheyenne Washington suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 4400 block of E Street, SE. Washington, 26, was pronounced dead on the scene.

The following day, 44-year-old Lusharone Nicholson was fatally stabbed on the 1500 block of 19th Street, SE, where she was later pronounced dead.

James Tyrone Eaton, 26, was fatally shot on the 300 block of Rhode Island Avenue, NE on July 20. Eaton was pronounced dead on the scene.

The subsequent morning, police found Michael Miller suffering from a gunshot wound on the 1600 block of Minnesota Avenue, SE. Miller, 37, was pronounced dead on the scene.

On July 22, police found Ivey Coleman suffering from multiple stab wounds on the 400 block of Southern Avenue, SE. Coleman, 25, was pronounced dead on the scene.

A day later, Monshae Burroughs was fatally shot on the Unit block of 53rd Street, SE.

Nearly 20 minutes into the start of July 24, police responded to Friendship Heights Metro station, located on the 5200 block of Wisconsin Avenue, NW, where they found 28-year-old Jeremy Bond suffering from a stab wound.

According to a press release, Bond got into a physical altercation with a metro station employee and she stabbed him. MPD is currently investigating whether or not the metro station employee acted out of self-defense.

Later that day, police found 46-year-old Paul Williams, Jr. suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 800 block of R Street, NW.

A homicide that started nearly a decade ago resulted in the death of James Eason on July 25, when he succumbed from his injuries associated with a 2007 shooting. According to a press release, two suspects approached Eason on the 3100 block of 24th Street, SE, “demanded property.” The suspects subsequently shot Eason in 2007 during the hold up.

On July 27, an off-duty officer witnessed an on-going assault between two men on the 3600 block of 14 Street, NW. The victim, 68-year-old Anthony Anderson, was brought to a nearby hospital suffering from multiple stab wounds, he later succumbed to his injuries.

The same day, Alton Rivers, 54, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder while armed in connection to Anderson’s death. According to court documents, the murder weapon was a screwdriver.

Later that day, police found David Hart, 22, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 4300 block of 4th Street, SE.

Police are searching for 28-year-old Marcus Whitaker in connection with Hart’s death.

On July 30, Dion DeMarco Boyd, 21, was fatally shot on the 1400 block of Maryland Avenue, NE.

Within an hour of locating Boyd, police found 47-year-old Andre Hakim Young suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the 1500 block of 19th Street, SE. Young was pronounced dead on the scene.

Mark Price was arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection with Young’s death. Price is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Aug. 18.

Judge Sentences Co-defendants for Fatal Shooting

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced Aug. 13 three co-defendants for fatally shooting an innocent bystander in 2015.

Andre Dudley, Christopher Proctor and Marcus King were sentenced after pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed and assault with a dangerous weapon for killing Matthew Shlonsky, 23, at the intersection of 7th Street and S Street, NW. Dudley, 22, also pled guilty to an unrelated charge of attempted assault with a dangerous weapon after stabbing a DC Jail inmate in May.

According to the prosecution, Proctor, 28, and King, 22, argued with Dudley before engaging in a gunfight on a Sunday afternoon near the exit of the Shaw-Howard University Metro Station.

Judge Juliet McKenna said she believed the prosecution had taken into account the seriousness of the defendants’ reckless behavior, their criminal records, their ages, the need to affix the appropriate penalty for the crime, the obligation to deter others from committing the same offense and the impact the shooting had on the surviving victims. Therefore, she accepted the plea agreements.

While discussing Shlonsky’s death, Judge McKenna described the trio’s actions as “reckless conduct in a highly populated area, which resulted in the senseless death of Mr. Shlonsky.” According to the prosecution, there were 10 adults and five children present at the time of the shooting. Shlonsky was the only person injured from the shooting.

Shlonsky’s parents were not in attendance at the sentencing. “We do not want to be in the same building as the men that killed Matthew,” the parents told the judge in a letter.

During his impact statement, Shlonsky’s former college roommate said his friend’s death “resulted from the mercy repeatedly shown” to the defendants. According to court records, Dudley and Proctor have multiple prior convictions in DC, including convictions for violent offenses.

Dudley and King remained silent throughout the sentencing; however, Proctor addressed the court to apologize.

“I take full responsibility for my actions and I apologize,” he said.

Dudley was sentenced to 18.5 years of incarceration for the shooting, followed by 22 months for the unrelated assault. He received a total sentence of 20 years and four months in prison.

Proctor was sentenced to 14 years in prison.

Kevin Mosley, King’s defense attorney, requested King be sentenced under DC’s Youth Rehabilitation Amendment Act. However, Judge McKenna denied the request based on reports from the jail that state King‘s behavior created safety concerns. Judge McKenna sentenced King to 17.5 years in prison.

Following their prison terms, the defendants will be placed on five years of supervised release.

During their incarceration, the men will undergo mental health evaluations, take drug tests, and participate in educational and vocational training programs. King is also required to obtain a GED or high school diploma while he is incarcerated.

Judge Rules Murder Suspect Competent to Stand Trial

During a mental observation hearing Aug. 14, a DC Superior Court judge found a murder defendant competent to stand trial.

Juan Kibler is charged with second-degree murder while armed for allegedly stabbing 40-year-old Joseph Harris on the 2300 block of Green Street, SE on May 7.

On June 12, Judge Ronna Beck ordered Kibler, 27, to undergo a full competency examination at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, DC’s psychiatric hospital. After reviewing the mental observation report, Judge Beck found Kibler competent to proceed to trial. A trial date has not been scheduled.

Neither party contested the findings of the report. The defendant is expected to be transferred from St. Elizabeth’s to the DC jail on Aug. 15.

Murder Defendant Requests Trial

On Aug. 9, a murder defendant insisted that he was innocent and chose to proceed to trial.

Mario Alfaro is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting Jonathan Vilchez on the 5400 block of Georgia Avenue, NW in Nov. 8, 2017.

During a felony arraignment, Alfaro, 23, pled not guilty to first-degree murder while armed and unlawful possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. He rejected a plea deal for second-degree murder while armed on Aug. 2.

According to court documents, surveillance footage shows Vilchez, 22, fire the first shot at Alfaro. However, DC Superior Court Judge Zoe Bush initially denied the defendant’s self defense claim on Nov. 29, 2017.

As of Aug. 13, a trial date has not been set. But, a status hearing is scheduled on Aug. 30.

Scheduling Conflict May Delay Murder Trial

Even though a DC Superior Court judge said she wanted a man, charged with a six-year-old murder, to go to trial in January, there may still be a delay.

Reynaud Cook is accused of shooting Yolanda Stone, his girlfriend, while their children watched. Stone was 30 years old. Cook, 34, is charged with first-degree murder while armed. The incident occurred in 2012 on the 3300 block of Alden Place, NE.

According to Cook’s defense attorney Brian McDaniel, the current trial date, which is set for Jan. 28, conflicts with his obligation for another trial. Still, Judge Judith Bartnoff was reluctant to delay the trial any further.

“This needs to be tried,” Judge Bartnoff said. “I’ve lost track of the trials we’ve continued.”

A new trial date was set for April 22, 2019, but Judge Bartnoff said she would try to help free up the defense attorney so he could make a trial date in November. According to DC Courts, a trial date was also set on Nov. 27.

A status hearing is scheduled on Sept. 7.

Cook is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for the murder of Nacarto Gladden.

Judge Finds Probable Cause Against Murder Suspect

During an arraignment on Aug. 9, a DC Superior Court magistrate judge ordered a murder suspect held without bond.

Mark Price, 23, was arrested and charged with premeditated first-degree murder while armed for the murder of Andre Young on the 1500 block of 19th Street, SE on July 30. During the shooting another person was shot but survived.

According to court documents, Price’s girlfriend received a verbal eviction notice at the apartment she and Price resided in. She called him for assistance.

Price arrived at the scene in a hostile state and proceeded to threaten various people, according to witnesses. He apparently flashed his firearm, stating, “If I can’t live here nobody can. I am the reason the DC death rate is so high.”

Fearing for their safety, multiple witnesses reported their versions of events to the Sixth District police station. They requested to be escorted back to the apartment by law enforcement; however, their request was denied, according to court documents.

Young, 47; a victim who survived the shooting; and a witness drove back to the apartment to retrieve personal items.

Price and another male suspect allegedly approached the three as they exited the apartment building. Price and a suspect, who has not been apprehended, reportedly opened fire while the three were crossing the street.

Young sustained a gunshot wound to the head and was brought to a nearby hospital, where he ultimately died.

During the arraignment, Judge Sean Staples found probable cause against Price based on the evidence put forth in the court documents. Judge Staples refused release based on Price’s criminal history and a prior felony conviction for armed carjacking in Maryland in 2012.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 17.

Judge Sentences Double Offender to 15 Years

On Aug. 10, a DC Superior Court judge sentenced a convicted murderer to 15 years in prison.

Elliott Starks pleaded guilty on May 17 to second-degree murder while armed for stabbing Antina Pratt in 2016 on the Buena Vista bike trail between Suitland Parkway and the 2600 block of Pomeroy Road, SE. Starks killed Pratt while he was released on parole after serving a sentence for a 1999 murder conviction.

According to the prosecution, Pratt, 40, and Starks, 35, knew each other. Surveillance footage shows Pratt did not feel threatened by Starks’ presence as they walked on the trail before he stabbed her multiple times.

According to court documents, Pratt fought back. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner later identified Starks’ DNA under her fingernails.

According to a press release, Starks stopped reporting to meetings in January 2017 and was arrested on Oct. 4, 2017, after nearly a year in hiding.

“You (Starks) are a murderer and don’t care,” one of the victim’s sisters said during her impact statement, calling him a “monster.”

Madalyn Harvey, Starks’ defense attorney, reminded the court that her client had been in prison since he was 16 years old. “Prison doesn’t make people better,” the attorney said. Harvey requested that Starks be imprisoned in a facility that was accessible to his family. She said familial contact would be a key part to Starks’ rehabilitation.

Judge Craig Iscoe accepted the plea recommendation and sentenced Starks to 15 years of incarceration. Judge Iscoe also recommended Starks be detained in a facility that is close to the area.

In addition to his 15 year sentence, Starks could also be required to serve an additional 25 years to complete his previous sentence. Once released, he will be required to serve five additional years on supervised release.

Murder Defendant Pleads Not Guilty to 2015 Homicide

After being formally indicted, a murder defendant pleaded not guilty to charges related to a 2015 homicide.

Talib Clay is charged with first-degree murder while armed for the shooting death of Ernest Baylor, Jr. on the 2200 block of Hunter Place, SE. According to court documents, two witnesses told the police they saw Clay raise his right arm toward Baylor and heard three or four shots. The witnesses said they didn’t see a gun.

On Aug. 10, the prosecution also charged Clay, 28, with possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior felony.

Clay pleaded not guilty. A trial date is scheduled for March 18, 2019.

The prosecution extended a plea offer. Per the terms of the plea agreement, Clay would plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed. He is expected to respond to the plea by Sept. 4.

Prosecution Demands Jury Find Murder Defendant Guilty

During closing statements in a murder trial, a prosecutor told the jury that the law “compelled” them to find the defendant guilty.

Sean Green is charged with first-degree murder while armed for the shooting death of Derrick Black on the 3300 block of Georgia Avenue, NW in 2015. Green, 27, is also charged with assault with intent to kill, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior felony.

After nearly two weeks of trial, the prosecution summed the case up into a powerpoint slideshow. According to the prosecution, on the day of the murder, Black was on Georgia Avenue trying to sell Lebron James sneakers and flashed a gun on his waistband while “talking trash.” However, the prosecutor said regardless of Black’s behavior nothing could justify the “callous” manner in which Green killed him.

According to the prosecution’s theory, Green chased Black on Georgia Avenue and shot him three times in the back, the chase is depicted in surveillance footage. After being shot, Black fell to the ground and was shot two more times.

The prosecution noted that a witness gave the police a description of the shooter, which matched Green’s description. In addition, the police located a cell phone and a 10-round gun magazine on the scene, which contained Green’s DNA. Furthermore, the magazine contained three bullets. Apparently, there were exactly seven casings located on the scene.

Green’s defense attorney, Steven Kiersh, countered the prosecution’s point and told the jury that while the gun magazine was linked to his client, “gun magazines don’t shoot people guns do.” Kiersh later added that the murder weapon was not located. Furthermore, Kiersh noted the DNA evidence on the magazine contained traces of DNA from two people and that there was no way of knowing when Green’s DNA was left on the magazine.

Kiersh also argued that footage from a recorded interview with the Metropolitan Police Department showed that his client told MPD detectives on three separate occasions that he was confused about what was going on. Kiersh later added that while talking to a female visitor in the interrogation room, Green told her that he told the detectives he shot Black because that’s what he thought the detectives wanted to hear.

The prosecution then countered Kiersh and told the jury that Green, “knew exactly what he was doing” and was not confused. According to the prosecution, Green began his police interview by providing a false alibi that was later contradicted by a witness.

In closing, the prosecution told the jury that there was absolutely no reasonable doubt in this case and based on the lack of doubt the law compelled them to find Green guilty on all charges.

The jury began deliberating on Aug. 9.

Co-defendants in Murder Case Plead Guilty

On Aug. 8, two co-defendants pleaded guilty to their respective roles in a murder case.

Michael “Mike” Jones and Khalil “Boogie” Davis admitted to fatally shooting Omar Rogers on the 2200 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE in 2017.

According to a proffer of facts submitted during the plea hearing, Rogers, 25, performed with his band, the “AJA Band,” at Uniontown Bar and Grill where Jones, 23, and Davis, 22, were also in attendance. After the club closed, Rogers had a brief verbal altercation with Jones and Davis in a parking lot behind the establishment.

A second altercation ensued after Rogers backed his car into Davis’ car, a 2001 red Oldsmobile Intrigue, when he was attempting to pull out of his parking spot.

Jones followed Rogers on foot to a nearby parking lot and fired seven shots within close range at Rogers. Jones then ran to Davis’ car, which was parked directly behind Rogers’ car, and jumped into the rear passenger seat. The two fled the scene.

A witness transported Rogers to a hospital, where he died soon after.

Jones pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed. Davis pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact of second-degree murder while armed.

Per the terms of the plea agreements, the prosecution dropped all other charges and requested that DC Superior Court Judge Judith Bartnoff sentence the co-defendants within the range provided by the sentencing guidelines.

According to the sentencing guidelines, Jones could receive a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison with five additional years on supervised release. Davis could receive a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison with three additional years on supervised release. Following their prison terms, both men are required to register as gun offenders.

The defendants’ sentencing hearings are scheduled on Oct. 12.

Video Footage Shows Change in Defendant’s Story

During arguments, the prosecution in a murder trial, showed a recorded interrogation of a defendant changing his story several times.

Sean Green is charged with felony murder while armed for allegedly shooting Derrick Black on the 3300 block of Georgia Avenue, NW in 2015.

A Metropolitan Police Department detective, who interviewed Green, 27, told him that his DNA and phone were found at the murder scene. Green, who experienced bouts of homelessness during the time period, initially denied knowing anyone named Black and said his phone was stolen a month before the shooting.

However, during the taped interrogation, Green told the detective that a person named “Mike-Mike” gave him a gun and forced him, at gunpoint, to shoot Black. Green said he returned the gun to “Mike-Mike” after the shooting.

“He used me ‘cuz he know all I ever do is get high,” Green said during the interrogation. “He used me as a scapegoat.”

According to the prosecution, Green changed his story again, telling the detective that “Mike-Mike” didn’t actually threaten to kill him but instead promised him money and drugs.

Later, a female visitor, who seemed to have a romantic connection with Green, is seen speaking with him inside the interrogation room.

The woman scolded Green, encouraging him to “snitch” on the real killer. “I know you know who did it,” the woman said. “Don’t take nobody’s beef.” It is not apparent why the woman was allowed to speak with Green.

When the detective returned, Green said he lied and that he actually did not shoot Black. He said the real culprit was “Mike-Mike,” whose name was actually “Man-Man.”

Green asked the detective if he could be an “informant” or if he could be “pardoned” if he led the police to Black’s real killer.

D.C. Witness couldn’t verify if “Mike-Mike” or “Man-Man” is a real person. The police have not arrested anyone with the name “Man-Man” or alias “Mike-Mike” in connection with this homicide.

Jury deliberations are expected to begin on Aug. 9.

Jury Finds Defendant Guilty of 1st Degree Murder

After deliberating for less than a day, a jury found Aug. 9 a defendant guilty of first-degree murder while armed, among other charges.

Sean Green was convicted of fatally shooting Derrick Black on the 3300 block of Georgia Avenue, NW in 2015. Black, 24, fell in the street after being shot and was subsequently run over by a car. The incident was captured by a security camera.

The defendant was also found guilty of assault with intent to kill, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior felony.

During opening statements, prosecutors called attention to the physical evidence that linked Green, 27, to the crime scene. Green’s DNA was found on a gun-magazine recovered near the location where Black was killed.

According to court documents, the magazine had the capacity to hold ten cartridges, but only three cartridges were still inside the magazine when it was recovered. A forensic analyst said seven of the eight shell casings he received for examination were ejected from the same gun.

Green’s cell phone was also found on the scene.

According to Green’s defense attorney Steven Kiersh, several witnesses were not reliable. He said one witness was high on K2, a synthetic drug, on the night of the murder.

Also, witnesses gave various descriptions of the shooter. Some witnesses said the man who killed Black was thin and had long dreadlocks, however, Green is not thin and has short hair, Kiersh said. Another witness, a Metrobus driver, said the shooter had a medium build and did not have dreadlocks.

Kiersh also asked the jury to disregard the statements Green made during his initial interview with Metropolitan Police Department detectives. He emphasized that Green is “rambling and mumbling and cursing” when he is alone in the interrogation room. Green told detectives he was confused. Finally, Kiersh said Green had a “closed head injury” from a 2006 car accident that impaired his mental faculties.

The prosecution spent days of the trial playing hour-long chunks of Green’s interview with MPD detectives. During the footage, Green initially said he could not have committed the murder because he was being treated at the Clean and Sober Streets program on the night Black was killed.

However, the director of the Clean and Sober Streets program said Green did not start the program until Aug. 10, 2015, nearly a week after the homicide. The director said Green was not enrolled in the program at any point in July of 2015.

“You can’t get around the fact that your DNA is on that piece of evidence,” the detective said. “That camera caught the shooting. We see you brother, we see you. But you can help yourself by telling us what happened.”

Green then asked if there was any way he could secure a “pardon” for providing information on Black’s real killer. He also asked if he could be an informant for the MPD.

“That’s not how this works,” the detective said.

Green then switched gears and admitted to pulling the trigger, but said a person named Mike-Mike gave him a gun and forced him to kill Black.

Soon after, a woman entered the interrogation room while no detectives were present. She and Green hugged, and Green told her he knew who really killed Black. The woman encouraged him to “snitch.”

After the woman left and the detective returned, Green said he actually did not kill Black, and that the real killer was named “Man-Man.”

Green’s sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 2.

Police Arrest Suspect in 19th Street, SE Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department arrested Aug. 8 Mark Price, a resident of Southeast DC, in connection to a July 30 homicide.

Price, 22, is being charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly shooting 47 year-old Andre Hakim Young on the 1500 block of 19th Street, SE.

Apparently, Young was one of two victims shot in a double shooting. According to the Washington Post, the other victim walked to an area hospital after being shot in the shoulder.

A MPD press release said Young was a resident of District Heights, Md.

Document: Homicide on Livingston Rd., SE

In the midst of summer — and for the first time in August — Washington, DC has recorded another homicide.

According to the Metropolitan Police Department, 44-year-old Denard Orlando Hartwell, a resident of Northeast DC, was found Aug. 8 suffering from gunshot wounds on the 4400 block of Livingston Road, SE. The homicide has been recorded as the 73rd fatal shooting this year.

The Washington Post reported that a bystander took Hartwell to a hospital where he succumbed to his injures.

According to D.C. Witness data, there have been 96 homicides as of Aug. 8, a 28 percent increase from this same time last year. There were 75 documented homicides at this same time last year.

A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this case of any other homicide case in DC.

Drug Program Director Contradicts Defendant’s Alibi

A director with a local drug rehabilitation program contradicted a murder defendant’s alibi when he confirmed that the defendant was not actually in treatment at the time of the murder.

Sean Green is charged with felony murder while armed for allegedly shooting Derrick Black in 2015. Black, 24, was shot and run over by a car on the 3300 block of Georgia Avenue, NW.

The director of the Clean and Sober Streets program said Green’s start date in the program was on Aug. 10, 2015, more than a week after the murder. Green, 27, initially told police that he was in a drug treatment program at the time of the shooting and had nothing to do with it. Green left the program on Sept. 24, 2015, according to the director.

A gun magazine with Green’s DNA on it, which was recovered from the crime scene, was capable of holding 10 cartridges. There were three cartridges left in the magazine and seven casings were found on the scene.

In addition to the director’s testimony, the jury also heard from a witness who said he saw Black on the night of the shooting. The witness said he saw Black waving his shirt “as if he was flashing something.” The witness said Black had a gun in his waistband and that it was visible when he lifted his shirt.

The trial is scheduled to resume on Aug. 8.

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