Uyer Hooper was killed by friend in argument over drugs, warrant says

Thank you for reading D.C. Witness.
Help us continue our mission into 2025 by donating to our end of year campaign.

Donate Now


The man charged with the murder of Uyer Hooper allegedly killed his friend in an argument over drugs, according to the warrant for his arrest.

Dejuan Etheredge was charged with first-degree-murder while armed for the fatal shooting of Hooper on September 6. Hooper and another man were shot, but Hooper had a gunshot wound to the neck and was pronounced dead at the hospital at 3:54 a.m. At the time of the warrant, a medical examiner had not yet completed an autopsy.

Police discovered that Etheredge and Hooper had been long-time friends, who had a dispute about drugs in the past. According to the warrant, a witness saw the suspect, later identified as Hooper, speed away in a loaner vehicle. Later, police found the suspect who denied any involvement. After police obtained a warrant to search a dwelling attached to Hooper’s, they discovered a gun and drug paraphernalia.

Hooper’s trial is ongoing.