Public Safety: Criminologists Puzzle Over D.C.’s Rising Homicide Rates; Local Reports
By • August 21, 2023 0 2035
Once again, rising homicide rates in the nation’s capital are drawing national attention. And criminologists are puzzling over why the District appears to be regressing relative to other major U.S. cities.
“Homicides are falling in many big cities. In D.C., they’re rising,” the Washington Post’s Peter Hermann reported August 19. While they’re “dropping in dozens of… major cities, including New York, Chicago, Philadelphia and Baltimore,” only four cities, including Kansas City, Cleveland, and Memphis, had “bigger percentage spikes” in homicides than Washington, D.C.
Reasons cited by experts for D.C.’s poor performance include tensions between city and federal officials and representatives on criminal code revisions, law enforcement measures and prosecutions, the District’s hollowed-out downtown office districts where office workers have not returned to their job sites and continue to work remotely despite the subsidence of the pandemic, ineffective governmental administration by the city, a surge of illegal gun trafficking in the District, gang violence, and too few MPD officers on the beat to handle the rise in violent crimes.
The District has “recorded 166 homicides this year, compared with 131 at this time last year — a roughly 27 percent increase. Shootings are up 20 percent, and more juveniles have been killed so far this year than in all of 2022. In contrast, homicides are down about 24 percent in nearby Baltimore, which could end the year with under 300 killings for the first time since the riots over Freddie Gray’s death in police custody in 2015,” Herman reported.
Some of the D.C. Council’s more creative crime-fighting initiatives have been maladministered, according to Herman. A program called People of Promise, designed to “provide intensive resources to those considered most at risk of committing violence – or becoming a victim of violence themselves – faltered, as the city failed to make contact with many people in need of help.” The Office of Gun Violence Prevention, established in 2021, and the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement, which oversee violence interrupters, have also “been without permanent leaders for months.”
While Mayor Bowser recently announced a partial curfew for minors and the city’s recent emergency crime legislation has allowed pre-trial detention for certain juvenile violent-crime alleged offenders, Acting Police Chief Pamela Smith, who has never managed a major city’s police bureaucracy before, is sure to face tough questioning from the D.C. Council.
Meanwhile, Ward 8 Council member Trayon White (D) has called for mobilizing the D.C. National Guard to stem the violence in his district, a surprising plea from a representative so critical of MPD policing measures just a few years ago.
Teenage Crime Sprees: Robbery and Armed Carjacking Offenses in Northwest, D.C.
On August 19, detectives from MPD’s Carjacking Task Force announced 2 arrests of male teenagers on multiple Robbery and Armed Carjacking charges in Northwest D.C.
- Armed Carjacking (Gun): On Sunday, August 6, 2023, at approximately 9:39 p.m., in the 1300 block of Tewkesbury Place, NW.
- Theft One (Stolen Auto): On Monday, August 14, 2023, at approximately 7:52 p.m., in the 2500 block of 13th Street, NW.
- Armed Robbery (Gun): On Tuesday, August 15, 2023, at approximately 11:40 p.m., in the 6700 block of Piney Branch Road, NW.
- Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Gun): On Wednesday, August 16, 2023, at approximately 1:30 a.m., in the 1300 block of Tewkesbury Place, Northwest. Armed Robbery (Gun): On Wednesday, August 16, 2023, at approximately 1:50 a.m., in the 5400 block of 9th Street, NW.
- Armed Carjacking (Gun): On Wednesday, August 16, 2023, at approximately 2:23 a.m., in the 1300 block of Missouri Avenue, NW.
- Theft One (Stolen Auto): Between Tuesday, August 15, 2023, at approximately 2:00 p.m., and Wednesday, August 16, 2023, at approximately 12:35 p.m., in the 2700 block of Macomb Street, NW..
- Carrying a Pistol Without a License/ Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle: On Wednesday, August 16, 2023, at approximately 7:27 p.m., in the 3000 block of 30th Street, SE.
On Wednesday, August 16, 2023, 17-year-old Montello Washington IV, of Northwest, D.C., was arrested and charged, as an adult under Title 16, with the above offenses.
- Armed Robbery (Gun): On Friday, July 14, 2023, at approximately 11:56 p.m., in the 4400 block of 7th Street, NW.
- Theft One (Stolen Auto): On Saturday, July 15, 2023, at approximately 10:13 a.m., in the 1100 block of 6th Street, SW.
- Armed Robbery (Gun): On Monday, July 17, 2023, at approximately 12:01 a.m., in the 1200 block of Aspen Street, NW.
- Armed Robbery (Gun): On Monday, July 17, 2023, at approximately 12:30 a.m., in the 5900 block of Eastern Avenue, NE.
- Armed Robbery (Gun): On Monday, July 17, 2023, between 1:00 a.m. and 1:10 a.m., at Gallaudet Street and Corcoran Street, NE.
- Armed Robbery (Gun): On Monday, July 17, 2023, between 1:00 a.m. and 1:10 a.m., in the 200 block of Jefferson Street, NW.
- Armed Robbery (Gun): On Monday, July 17, 2023, at approximately 10:20 p.m., in the 900 block of Elder Street, NW.
- Armed Robbery (Gun): On Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at approximately 1:05 a.m., at 7th Street and N Street, NW.
- Armed Robbery (Gun): On Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at approximately 1:40 a.m., in the 1100 block of 18th Street, NW.
- Carrying a Pistol Without a License/ Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle: On Wednesday, August 16, 2023, at approximately 7:27 p.m., in the 3000 block of 30th Street, SE.
On Wednesday, August 16, 2023, 18-year-old Amon Ward, of Northwest, D.C., was arrested and charged with the above offenses.
Arrests Made in Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle Offenses
MPD recently announced arrests on charges of “Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle offenses” in D.C. Following are arrests in or affecting Northwest, D.C.:
Sunday, August 13, 2023
- 32-year-old Devon Loften, of Suitland, MD, was arrested for an Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle offense that occurred in the 100 block of Irving Street, NW.
Thursday, August 17, 2023
- 20-year-old Geraldo Webb, of Northwest, DC, was arrested for an Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle offense that occurred in the 1900 block of 14th Street, NW.
MPD Weekly Firearm Recoveries – Youth Arrests Continue
On August 18, MPD released its “Weekly Firearm Recoveries” report for Aug. 7 – 14. According to the report, 64 firearms were recovered by police in the District over this timeframe. Of the 37 arrestee names provided in the report, 13 were ages 21 or younger, including two 21-year-olds, two 20-year-olds, two 19-year-olds, two 18-year-olds, two 17-year-olds, one 16-year-old, and two 14-year olds.
One rap sheet listing for a 16-year-old ran as follows: “A 9mm caliber “Ghost Gun” handgun, a Glock 43 9mm caliber handgun, a Romanian Arms Cugir WASR-10 AK-47 7.62×39 caliber assault rifle, and a SCCY Industries CPX-1 9mm caliber handgun were recovered in the 200 block of Stoddert Place, SE. The following people were arrested… and 16-year-old male juvenile, of Northeast, D.C., for Carrying a Pistol without a License, Possession of Unregistered Ammunition, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Possession of an Unregistered Firearm, Receiving Stolen Property, Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle – Crime of Violence, and Possession of a Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Device.”
Local Crime Reports
On August 20, detectives from MPD’s Homicide Branch announced an investigation into a homicide that occurred August 19 in the 2100 block of H St. NW. “At approximately 10:12 p.m., members of the Fifth District responded to the report of a shooting,” an MPD press release said. “Officers located an adult male shooting victim. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and after finding no signs consistent with life, the victim was pronounced [dead] and remained on the scene until transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The decedent has been identified as 34-year-old Kevin McDowell, of Northeast, DC.”
On the Nextdoor app, a picture purporting to show a “Stabbing at [the] intersection of 22nd and P [Streets NW] in Dupont Circle was posted by a Kate Delacour August 19. “Police onsite,” the post added. Here’s is the picture posted:
A photo of a purported stabbing incident on Dupont Circle was posted on Saturday on the Nextdoor app. Courtesy Nextdoor.
On August 18, detectives from MPD’s Second District requested public assistance in identifying and locating a suspect in reference to a “Burglary Two of an Establishment offense” July 31 in the 1800 block of Wisconsin Ave. NW. “At approximately 1:26 a.m., the suspect gained entry into an establishment at the listed location,” the MPD report said. “Once inside, the suspect took property then fled the scene. The suspect was captured by a surveillance camera and can be seen in the Video [here]: https://youtu.be/vUe7ZJtpVSA.
On August 18, detectives from MPD’s First District requested public assistance in “identifying and locating a suspect in reference to a Robbery (Snatch) offense” August 16 in the 700 block of 7th St. NW. “At approximately 11:55 a.m., the suspect approached the victim at the listed location. The suspect snatched property from the victim then fled the scene,” the MPD report said. “The suspect was captured by a surveillance camera and can be seen in the photo below and in this video:” https://youtu.be/EPWJPmLfUhA
On August 18, detectives from MPD’s Third District announced an arrest on an “Armed Robbery (Gun) offense” August 16 in the 900 block of Florida Ave. NW. “At approximately 11:54 p.m., the suspect approached the victim at the listed location,” the MPD report said. “The suspect brandished a firearm and demanded the victims’ property [then] took the victims’ property [and] fled the scene.” On August 17, 34-year-old Deandre Britton, of Southeast, D.C., was arrested and charged with “Armed Robbery (Gun), and Possession of a BB Gun.”
On August 18, agents from MPD’s Force Investigation Team, Internal Affairs Bureau, announced an investigation of an MPD officer-involved shooting August 17 in the 7400 block of Georgia Ave. NW. “At approximately 10:00 a.m., Fourth District officers were dispatched to the 7400 block of Georgia Avenue NW, for a man with a gun involved in a domestic violence incident inside an apartment. All MPD attempts to locate the people involved in this incident were unsuccessful. At approximately 10:35 a.m., officers were again dispatched to [the same location], this time for the sounds of gunshots in connection to the previous domestic incident. As officers arrived on the scene, they were given a description of the suspect by witnesses. Shortly after, officers observed the suspect at the end of the block and began giving verbal commands to the suspect in English and Spanish. The suspect brandished a firearm and fired shots. One of the officers discharged their service weapon, striking the suspect. Officers immediately began rendering aid to the suspect until he was transported to a local area hospital for treatment. The suspect is currently listed in critical but stable condition and expected to survive. The suspect’s firearm was recovered on the scene.”
On August 17 34-year-old Javier Reyes-Lopez, of Northwest, D.C., was “arrested and charged with Assault on a Police Officer, Carrying a Pistol without a License, Possession of an Unregistered Firearm, Possession of Unregistered Ammunition, Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm, Kidnapping, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Gun) Domestic Violence, Destruction of Property, Obstructing/Preventing/Interfering with reports/ requests for assistance from Law Enforcement and Possession With Intent to Distribute Cocaine… The MPD member involved has been placed on administrative leave, pursuant to MPD policy. Body worn camera footage from this incident is currently under review.”
On August 17, detectives from MPD’s Major Crash Unit announced an investigation into a traffic fatality August 16 at the intersection of 10th St. and Pennsylvania Ave. NW. “…At approximately 9:00 p.m., a pedestrian was crossing Pennsylvania Avenue, Northwest, southbound against the light,” the report began. “A 2018 Kia Sorento, operated by an adult male, was traveling eastbound on Pennsylvania Avenue, Northwest, with the green light signal. The Kia struck the pedestrian in the center travel lane. DC Fire and EMS responded to the scene and transported the pedestrian to an area hospital. After all life-saving efforts failed, the pedestrian was pronounced dead. The driver of the Kia cooperated with the investigation, but did show signs of impairment. The driver was subsequently placed under arrest for DUI.” The case remains under investigation. “The decedent’s identify is being withheld pending next of kin notifications,” the report said.
On August 17, detectives from MPD’s Second District requested public assistance in “locating suspects and a vehicle in reference to an Armed Robbery (Gun) offense” August 12 in the 900 block of New York Avenue, NW. “At approximately 3:54 a.m., the suspects approached the victims at the listed location,” the MPD report said. “One of the suspects brandished a firearm and demanded the victims’ property. The suspects took the victims’ property then fled the scene in a vehicle. The suspects and the suspects’ vehicle were captured by surveillance cameras and can be seen in this video: https://youtu.be/lGnFVIwtpQ4.” And, The suspect was captured by surveillance cameras and can be seen in the photos below:
On August 17, detectives from MPD’s Homicide Branch announced an investigation into a homicide August 16 in the 3000 block of 14th St. NW. “At approximately 9:21 p.m., members of the Third District heard the sounds of gunshots and began canvassing the listed location,” the MPD report said. “Officers located an adult male shooting victim. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and after finding no signs consistent with life, the victim remained on the scene until transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Shortly after, officers responded to the 1300 block of Columbia Road, Northwest for the report of a second victim. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male shooting victim. The victim was transported to an area hospital, for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. The decedent has been identified as 33-year-old Kevin Scott, of District Heights, D.C.”
On August 16, detectives from MPD’s Second District requested public assistance in “locating suspects in reference to an Armed Robbery (Gun) offense August 6 in the 1500 block of M Street NW. At approximately 4:10 a.m., the suspects approached the victim at the listed location. The suspects brandished a firearm and demanded the victims’ property [then] took the victims’ property … fled the scene,” the MPD report said. “The suspects were captured by surveillance cameras and can be seen in this video:” https://youtu.be/-PbnO6NJAdA.
On August 16, detectives from MPD’s Second District requested public assistance in “identifying and locating a suspect” in reference to a “Burglary Two of an Establishment offense” July 31 in the 1800 block of Wisconsin Ave. NW. “At approximately 1:26 a.m., the suspect gained entry into an establishment at the listed location. Once inside, the suspect took property then fled the scene,” the report said. “The suspect was captured by a surveillance camera and can be seen in this video: https://youtu.be/uf2cpchsSE0.”
The public is invited to notify MPD with tips or information at (202) 727-9099, or on the department’s TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411. In some cases, money rewards are offered for information leading to arrest and conviction.
Editor’s disclaimer: This crime article is based on MPD reports. Suspect information presented has not necessarily been adjudicated in a court of law. A presumption of innocence applies in all cases pending a legal determination.
