Arrest Made in July 4 Stabbing in Metro That Left A.U. Grad Dead

Police have arrested a suspect in the July 4th stabbing death of a 24-year-old D.C. man in the NoMa-Gallaudet Metro station.

An arrest warrant was issued for Jasper Spires for first-degree murder while armed, following the stabbing, which occurred around 12:50 p.m. Saturday as a Red Line subway train was pulling into the NoMa-Gallaudet station in Northeast D.C.

The victim, identified as Kevin Joseph Sutherland, had no signs of life at the scene, according to fire and emergency service personnel.

A 2013 graduate of American University, Sutherland was served as a secretary in student government and was a former Congressional intern for Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.).  

“[I] am absolutely heartbroken by the tragic loss of intern, staffer and wonderful friend, Kevin Sutherland. I’ve known few as selfless and decent,” Himes tweeted July 5.

Sutherland was employed at New Blue Interactive at the time of his death. The company expressed its sympathies over his passing in a statement made on its Facebook page: “Our thoughts and prayers are with his entire family during this difficult time.”

Authorities believe the attack was random, though it comes just a day after Spires, 18, was released from policy custody for a June 2 robbery. According to Superior Court records, the incident had been amended from a felony charge to a misdemeanor.

Metropolitan Police Chief Cathy Lanier said she is unsure why the initial charge against Spires had changed. “We are going to look into that investigation and see what happened. It seemed like a solid case. Obviously, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will be looking at it as well,” Lanier told the Washington Post.