Document: REWARD FOR INFORMATION IN 7TH STREET HOMICIDE INCREASED

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced an increased reward for information regarding the homicide of 21-year-old Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, which occurred on June 30 on the 1200 block of 7th Street, NW. Tarpinian-Jachym, an intern for a U.S. House Representative, was fatally shot, while an adult female and a 16-year-old male survived. The investigation suggests multiple suspects fired at a group, with Tarpinian-Jachym not being the intended target. The reward, now totaling $40,000, is supported by the FBI Washington Field Office.

Document: Updated with a Video MPD Investigating E Street Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced an investigation into a fatal shooting on the 1800 block of E Street, SE, on July 1. The victim, identified as 50-year-old Lawrence Meekins of Northwest, DC, was found with gunshot wounds and pronounced dead at the scene. A suspect was captured on surveillance video, and the MPD is seeking public assistance in identifying the individual.

Document: MPD Investigating Congress Heights Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are investigating a shooting that occurred on June 22 at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and Mellon Street, SE. An adult male and a 16-year-old juvenile male were found with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds and were transported to hospitals. The suspect, captured on surveillance, remains unidentified, and the MPD is seeking the community’s assistance in identifying them.

Document: MPD Investigating 4th Street Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on Jun. 27 on the 4200 block of 4th Street, SE. The victim, identified as 29-year-old Deandre Lewis, was found with a gunshot wound inside an apartment and was pronounced dead despite lifesaving efforts.

Document: MPD Makes Second Arrest in Southeast Double Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced a second arrest in the double homicide that occurred on May 23 on the 4200 block of 4th Street, SE. The victims, 16-year-old Royell Walker and 19-year-old Jamar Jackson, were found deceased, with one surviving victim, a 14-year-old male, who sustained life-threatening injuries. Sean McFadden, 23, and Royale McGlenn Jr, 19, have been arrested and charged with premeditated first-degree murder while armed.

Document: MPD ARRESTS SUSPECT IN 1999 HOMICIDE

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 70-year-old George Mudd in connection with a 1999 homicide. On May 21, 1999, Susan Cvengros, 24, was found fatally stabbed in the 400 block of F Street, NE. Mudd has been charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed.

Document: MPD Arrest Made in Southeast Double Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced an arrest in a double homicide that occurred on May 23 on the 4200 block of 4th Street, SE. The victims, 16-year-old Royell Walker and 19-year-old Jamar Jackson, were found deceased at the scene, with one surviving victim, a 14-year-old male, hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. Sean McFadden, 23, has been arrested and charged with premeditated first-degree murder while armed.

Document: MPD Makes Arrest in Northwest Fatal Hit and Run Crash

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 17-year-old Kyree Young, who is alleged to have been involved in a fatal hit and run on May 7 at the intersection of 12th and U Streets, NW. The victim, identified as 55-year-old Donnel Bracket Phillips, was struck by a white Hyundai Santa Fe while in a marked crosswalk and later died from his injuries. Young has been charged as an adult with first-degree murder while armed.

Stabbing Defendant Will Represent Himself Claiming Ineffective Counsel

DC Superior Court Judge Carmen McLean on July 8 reluctantly granted a stabbing defendant’s decision to represent himself

Ovid Gabriel, 20, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and assault with significant bodily injury. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in an inmate stabbing inside the DC Jail, on the 1900 block of D Street, SE, on March 28.

Rashid Shabazz, 35, is charged with tampering with physical evidence for allegedly hiding the shank used during the incident.

Shabazz was not present during the hearing.

According to court documents, Gabriel allegedly used a “shank,” a sharp piece of metal wrapped with gauze, to stab the victim multiple times. The incident was captured by a jail surveillance camera.

During the hearing, Gabriel said he believed his defense attorney, Anthony Dimillo, had provided ineffective counsel.

Judge McLean okayed Gabriel’s motion to represent himself despite a history of requesting new counsel. She ordered a standby attorney be appointed before trial.

Judge McLean afterwards discussed the potential of severing Shabazz and Gabriel’s cases due to Shabazz’s repeated failure to show up for hearings,

Parties are set to reconvene on July 10, 9:30 AM.

Co-Defendants Take Plea in 6-Year-Old Homicide Case

Three homicide co-defendants accepted a prosecution offer, pleading guilty to second degree-murder before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz during a June 27 hearing.

Tyler Stringfield, 23, Raymond Avent, 24, and Keith Baham, 26, were originally charged with first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, two counts of destruction of property $1000 or more, fleeing a law enforcement officer, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle, conspiracy, two counts of possession of an unregistered firearm, two counts of unlawful possession of ammunition, two counts of possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device, leaving after colliding property damage/injury to animal, destruction of property less than $1000, and two counts of carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business.

The charges stem from their involvement in the fatal shooting of 23-year-old Rafiq Hawkins on March 23, 2019, on the 1200 block of Brentwood Road, NE.

The prosecution offer required them to plead guilty to second-degree murder while armed and carrying a pistol without a license, in exchange for the prosecution’s dismissing all other charges.

Also through the deal, prosecutors agreed to dismiss Avent’s case in which he is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for allegedly stabbing another inmate on June 3, 2021 in the DC Jail, and Baham’s other case, in which he is charged with assault with intent to kill for his alleged involvement in another jail stabbing on Feb. 16, 2020.

Parties agreed to a sentence of 11 years for Baham, 12 years for Stringfield, and 16 for Avent.

Sentencing is slated for Sept. 9.

Judge Denies Release for Stabbing Defendant in Metro Bus Incident

DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro denied a July 2 request to release a stabbing defendant.

Daniel Williams, 42, is charged with aggravated assault knowingly while armed for his alleged involvement in a stabbing that occurred on May 27 at the Minnesota Avenue Metro bus station on the 4100 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE.

According to court documents, Williams and the victim exchanged heated words on board the bus before the incident. The victim was stabbed in their shoulder and back, puncturing a lung.

Williams’ defense attorney, Darryl Daniels, requested that Judge Di Toro reconsider Williams’ release for his positive behavior while he has been detained.

Daniels noted that Williams has no criminal history, and that Williams’ detention has had a negative impact on Williams’ ability to work.

Daniels said Williams has “done a lot to elevate his life.”

However, the prosecution disagreed, stating Williams’ detention would ensure the safety of the community. They cited that the victim was a stranger to Williams, and the attack was unprovoked.

Judge Di Toro agreed with the prosecution, adding, “these are serious charges” that are levied against Williams, and the crime is too recent to comment on any positive growth in Williams’ life.

Ultimately, Judge Di Toro denied Daniels requests for release.

Parties are slated to reconvene on Aug. 11.

Judge Allows Non-Fatal Shooter’s Probation Despite Condition’s Breach

DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro allowed a shooting defendant to remain on probation in a hearing on July 1, after he violated a rule for possession of an open container of alcohol in a vehicle.

Antonio Harrison, 49, was sentenced to two years of confinement with all time suspended and three years of supervised release for carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business and attempted assault with a dangerous weapon. The charges stem from his involvement in a shooting on the 700 block of 18th Street, NE, on July 17, 2023. No injuries were reported.

The prosecution and a representative from the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) asked Judge Di Toro to revoke Harrison’s probation for possession of an open container of alcohol in a vehicle.

Harrison’s defense attorney, Kavya Naini, argued Harrison has kept in close contact with his probation officer, is not a danger to the community, and is employed. She also highlighted that Harrison was not driving the car at the time of the arrest, but was stopped on the side of the road where he was listening to the radio.

Judge Di Toro agreed with the prosecution that Harrison clearly has an issue with alcohol and potentially other substances that needs to be addressed, however, she discharged the hearing and allowed Harrison to continue his probation so he can get appropriate treatment.

There are no further court dates set for this case.

Judge Extends Indictment in Non-Fatal Shooting

DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman granted a 45-day indictment extension to the prosecution in a shooting case during a hearing on July 3.

Demetry Ferguson, 31, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on Sept. 8, 2024, on the 4400 block of E Street, NW.

According to court documents, the victim was romantically involved with the mother of Ferguson’s child. The victim sustained eight gunshot wounds: two to his left arm, two to his left leg, one to his right leg, and three to his abdomen.

Ferguson is currently on release and his nine-month indictment deadline expired in June. At the hearing, the prosecution requested an extension to the deadline for reasons discussed at the bench under seal.

Judge Edelman granted prosecutors’ request and extended the indictment deadline for 45 days. If prosecutors fail to indict Ferguson before the new deadline then they must drop the case.

Parties are set to reconvene on Aug. 1.

Judge Issues Bench Warrant for Missing Defendant

DC Super Courts Judge Michael Ryan issued a bench warrant for a no-show defendant on July 2.

Kaevon Sutton, 24, was originally charged with the fatal shooting of 22-year-old Aujee Tyler on March 19, 2018 on the 3500 block of Stanton Road, SE. On March 23, 2023, Sutton was acquitted by a jury of first-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. However, Sutton was convicted of carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business.

Judge Ryan sentenced Sutton on Aug. 9, 2023 to four-years-and-11 months with three years of supervised release.

Sutton’s probation officer reported him as non-compliant because he lost contact on June 13. After failing to appear at the hearing, Judge Ryan issued a bench warrant for the defendant.

Parties will reconvene when Sutton is taken into custody.

Judge Halts Double Murder Plea Amid Claims of Inadequate Counsel

D.C. Superior Court Judge Micheal Ryan declined to proceed with a plea disposition for a double homicide defendant during a July 3 status hearing.

Kevin Foster, 20, is charged with conspiracy while armed, first-degree murder while armed, second-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, and three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.

The charges stem from his alleged involvement in two fatal shootings on March 7, 2023, on the 2700 block of Bruce Place, SE, which claimed the lives of 23-year-old Dana Faulkner, and 15-year-old Abdul Fuller, who was shot and killed at the intersection of Mississippi Avenue and Wheeler Road, SE. There was one surviving victim from the shooting on the 2700 block of Bruce Place.

Foster appeared in court with his attorney, Matthew Davies. During the hearing, Judge Ryan was preparing to file a plea rejection from Foster, until Foster expressed dissatisfaction with his attorney’s representation. This prompted Judge Ryan to say he could not find that the defendant had knowingly and voluntarily rejected the prosecution’s offer.

The deal would have required Foster to plead guilty to second-degree murder while armed and assault with a dangerous weapon. In return, the prosecution would have dropped all remaining charges, including first-degree murder and conspiracy, and parties would agree to a sentencing range of 12-to-18 years in prison.

Prosecutors tried to push the plea rejection, stating that Foster’s dissatisfaction was inconsequential since the plea offer would be taken back regardless. However, Judge Ryan stated that his priority was finding out the reason for Foster’s claims of insufficient counsel.

Foster has since requested a new attorney.

The case is scheduled for a status hearing on August 15.

Search