Judge Thomas Motley ordered Tawana Barnes Copeland’s ex-boyfriend held at D.C. Jail Monday, following a preliminary hearing where the court found probable cause to believe that he killed Copeland in her apartment in Southwest D.C. on Dec. 7, 2010.
Shawn Davis, also known as Shawn Jones, sat quietly through Monday’s preliminary hearing and did not appear to express any emotion. He is charged with first-degree murder while armed. His attorney, public defender Larry Kupers, argued that the case against Davis is “entirely circumstantial.”
There is no witness to say he was ever in her apartment. That he ever had a weapon. That he ever attacked the decedent.
Read more
Government prosecutors charging a 23-year-old D.C. man with the murder of a missing woman said in court documents filed Monday that the man has confessed to the crime.
The defendant, Brian Gaither, appeared in D.C. Superior Court Monday to be arraigned on a second-degree murder charge in the death of 18-year-old Latisha Frazier, who was reported missing by her mother on Aug. 4, 2010.
Read more
Police have identified the two victims in last night’s double homicide as 26-year-old Rashid Paul of Northwest and 27-year-old D’Angelo Thompson of Northeast. Metro PD’s full statement is below:
(Washington, DC)-Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a double fatal shooting which occurred in the 200 block of Peabody Street, NE.
On Sunday, January 23, 2011, at approximately 7:00 pm, units from the Fourth District responded to the 6000 block of New Hampshire Avenue, NE, for the sounds of gunshots. Upon their arrival, officers canvassed the area and located two victims inside a vehicle in the 100 block of Peabody Street, NE. Personnel from DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and determined neither victim had any signs consistent with life.
The decedents have been identified as 26 year old Rashid Paul of Northwest, DC and 27 year old D’Angelo Thompson of Northeast, DC.
Read more
The Washington Post has more details on last night’s double homicide in Northeast:
Based on interviews with neighborhood residents, it appeared the victims were driving when they were attacked and were possibly pursued into the area where they were found.
One resident said the victims’ vehicle came to rest against a curb, pointed west on the eastbound side of Peabody Street.
The resident said she was watching television when she heard what sounded like several loud reports in quick succession.
“It was bang, bang, bang, bang,” the woman said.
Neither victim has been identified yet.
D.C. Fire and EMS reported on their Twitter feed tonight that a shooting in the 6000 block of New Hampshire Avenue Northeast has killed two people.
The message said Metro Police are investigating. Metro Police posted a message on the Fourth District Listserve soon after the shooting.
Around 7pm, units received a call for a shooting in the 6000 blk of NH Ave NE. Upon arrival, 2 male victims were located inside a vehicle suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Both males are deceased. A black Scion was seen fleeing the area towards PG County. This case is being investigated by the Homicide Branch. Anyone with information is asked to call 1-888-919-CRIM(E).
A D.C. Alert was sent out at 7:40 saying the block was closed to traffic in both directions.
This post has been updated since its original publication.
Latisha Frazier
Metro Police today announced an arrest on murder charges in a missing persons case. Brian Gaither, 23 of Southeast D.C., is expected to be arraigned tomorrow on a second-degree murder charge in the death of 18-year-old Latisha Frazier, who was reported missing on Aug. 4, 2010. Her body has not been found.
ABC7 reported Thursday that Frazier’s family had recently received threatening Facebook messages saying that she was dead.
Someone created a Facebook page using the missing woman’s middle and last name. And then they started sending threatening messages to family members via Facebook.
The messages said: “Your sister is dead and gone. I’m watching you! One more dead to go!” according to Latoya Frazier, the missing woman’s sister.
Then more messages started arriving. They were just as bad.
“Her (Latisha) black a** has been gone,” said the message. “Body parts in Rock Creek. Keep the fliers out of the (expletive) hood. We took them down.”
Latoya said whoever is sending the threatening messages has also menaced her.
“The fact that my little sister is missing is a stressful situation,” Latoya said. “They’re saying they’ve done stuff to her and they’re going to do me like they did her.”
Metro PD’s press release and more coverage follow afte the jump.
Read more
This letter was sent today to the Fifth District Listserve on behalf of the Bloomingdale Civic Association and 5DCAC:
Dear Bloomingdale Neighbors and Friends of Bloomingdale,
This has been a spirit challenging week for our Bloomingdale community. The recent deaths of Mrs. Deloris Gibson-McCarter, Mr. William (Billy) Mitchell, Jr. along with the house fire at 1923 Second Street, NW, should help to remind us of the value of community and the importance of caring for each other.
Read more
A vigil in memory of Bill Mitchell, Jr., who was shot to death late Wednesday night on North Capitol Street NW, is planned for 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Councilmember Harry “Tommy” Thomas Jr. announced the vigil in a message on the Fifth District listserve Saturday.
A community meeting to discuss the homicide will follow the vigil. It is hosted by Thomas, the Fifth Police District and North Capitol Main Street, Inc..
Vigil: Tuesday, Jan. 25 at 6 p.m. at the park at the intersection of Florida Avenue and North Capitol Street NW.
Community Meeting: Tuesday, Jan. 25 at 7 p.m. at the North Capitol Main Street Office, 1703 North Capitol Street, NE
Note: This column normally appears on Saturdays. It is back today after a two-week absence due to some family emergencies.
In brief:
- Ronald Page was released from jail, following a preliminary hearing on first-degree murder charges in the shooting death of his step-son Nicholas Satcher.
- Shawn Davis was arrested Jan. 13 on first-degree murder charges in the stabbing death of Georgetown University Hospital employee Tawanna Barnes Copeland in her Southwest D.C. apartment Dec. 7.
- The United States Attorney’s Office has promised a renewed effort to investigate unsolved murders in D.C.
- Bill Mitchell, 33, was shot to death late Wednesday night near Truxton Circle.
- Ramona Gray pleaded guilty Friday Jan. 21 in the stabbing death of Shemese Grant on Aug. 31 in a parking lot on Good Hope Road SE.
Read more
Following are scheduled court appearances for murder cases. This information is current as of Friday, Jan. 21 at 6 p.m. and will be re-verified throughout the week. Please remember that court dates can change, even at the last minute. To view the docket of a case please go to the D.C. Courts website and search by the defendant’s name. To add an item to the calendar, email homicidewatchdc [at] gmail.com.
Monday
DeAngelo Garner in courtroom 310 (Judge Lynn Leibovitz) for a felony status conference in a second-degree murder case. The victim, Antonio Valdez Vela, was shot to death August 30 at approximately 11:30 p.m. in the 4400 block of F Street SE. Garner is represented by attorney Justin Okezie. The status conference is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Charging documents in the case are here.
Read more
