Homicide Watch D.C.

Ward One Councilmember Jim Graham released the following message this afternoon regarding a girl’s body found in a trash receptacle in Columbia Heights Monday afternoon. Graham says the victim is believed to be a missing Maryland girl and the investigation is ongoing.

Friends:

Yesterday’s discovery of the body of a young woman in a dumpster was horrendous. MPD Detectives are actively investigating the death and will keep me advised as appropriate.Read more

Local news reports a girl’s body was found today by a Public Works employee in a trash can in Columbia Heights. According to reports, the girl appeared to be in her late teens and police are investigating the death as a homicide.

Nini Jin is one among about a dozen neighbors who live in the apartment building that sits in front of the trash bin. She said when she came home and went out her back door to take out her trash, she was met by police officers.

“They told me I better not go out that way because a body was found in the blue recycling bin,” she said. “Then they told me I’d see it on the news tonight.”

Ward One Councilmember Jim Graham said in an email message to Ward 1:

The loss of life anywhere is tragic. However, the circumstances in which this young woman was found is especially troubling.

Read more

This just in from Metro PD:

Additional Arrest Made in Homicide of Joseph Alonzo Sharps, Jr.

(Washington, DC) - Detectives assigned to the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch have announced that a second arrest has been made in the homicide of 17-year-old Joseph Alonzo Sharps, Jr.

On Monday, November 8, 2010, at approximately 8:45 pm, units from the Fifth District responded to the 1300 block of Holbrook Street, NE, to investigate the report of sounds of gunshots. Upon arrival, they discovered two victims suffering from gunshot wounds. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel responded and transported both victims to a local area hospital. One of the victims, 17-year-old Joseph Alonzo Sharps Jr., of the 1500 block of Queen Street, NE succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

On Tuesday, November 23, 2010, members of the Homicide Branch arrested and charged a 19-year-old male with Murder One While Armed.

On Friday, November 26, 2010, members of the Homicide Branch arrested 19-year-old Larnell Allen. He has also been charged with Murder One While Armed in the shooting death of Joseph Alonzo Sharps, Jr.

Kwan Kearney was charged in the case Nov. 14.

A 19-year-old D.C. man stabbed Nov. 6 died of his injuries Monday, Nov. 22 and Metro Police are investigating his death as a homicide. Police identified the man as Kevin Willis of Northeast D.C.

Homicide in the Unit Block of Hanover Place, NW
Metropolitan Police Department | Nov 24, 2010
Quote: On Saturday, November 6, 2010, at approximately 3:30 am, units from the Fifth District responded to the Unit block of N Street, NW for the report of a stabbing.  Upon their arrival they located a victim suffering from stab wounds.  The investigation revealed that the stabbing occurred in the Unit block of Hanover Place, NW.  The victim was transported to a local area hospital where he was admitted. On November 22, 2010, the victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

District man dies from stabbing
Washington Post: Crime Scene | Nov 24, 2010
Quote: Kevin Willis, 19, of Northeast, died Monday of stab wounds he suffered Nov. 6 in an attack that District police said Wednesday is being investigated as a homicide.

I’ll be checking in periodically over the holiday for breaking news, but most coverage, including courts, will be posted Monday. You can always reach me through the comments sections on HWDC, or by sending an email to HomicideWatchDC [at] gmail.com.

D.C. Superior Courts is closed, with exceptions. From their site:

On Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 25, 2010, the D.C. Courts will be closed, except for adult arraignment and juvenile new referrals.

On Friday, November 26, 2010, the D.C. Superior Court will be open for adult arraignments, juvenile new referrals, preliminary hearings and requests for temporary protection orders in domestic violence cases. In addition, the Judge in Chambers office will be open. The D.C. Court of Appeals will not have counter service; however, documents may be filed by placing them in the night drop box at the security desk. Pleadings due on November 26th will be timely filed if received by midnight on November 28th.

Enjoy your holidays.
 Laura

HWDC reported yesterday that a second man had been charged in the shooting death of 19-year-old Jamal Wilson in Northwest D.C. on Sunday Nov. 14. Charging documents for the second suspect to be arrested in the case, Jeremy Risper follow: Read more

Defendant Marvin Palencia, in photo from Metro Police

Murder defendant Marvin Palencia believed he had evidence that a former co-worker was romantically involved with his estranged wife when he shot and killed the man in the Constitution Avenue office building that they shared, charging documents against Palencia allege.Read more

This just in from Metro PD

ARREST MADE IN HOMICIDE IN
THE 4000 BLOCK OF FIRST STREET, SE

(Washington, DC) Detectives assigned to the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch announced today that an arrest has been made in the homicide of 36 year-old Rico Matthews.

On Friday, November 5, 2010, at approximately 2:00 pm, units from the Seventh District responded to the 4000 block of First Street, SE, to investigate the report of sounds of gunshots. Upon their arrival they located a victim suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel responded and transported the victim to a local area hospital where the victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

On Tuesday, November 23, 2010, at approximately 9:00 am members of the Capitol Area Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested 20 year old Jerome Bailey of no fixed address and charged him with First Degree Murder While Armed pursuant to an arrest warrant in the shooting death of Rico Matthews.