Erik Postell, 23, was presented last Saturday with a charge of first-degree murder while armed in connection with the shooting death of 24-year-old Paul Aime Tanoh Danzo. Postell is the second suspect to be held in connection with the case. Michael Smith was arrested in connection with Danzo’s death in September.
The case against Postell is not listed in court records, however, a spokesman for the US Attorney’s office said Postell was ordered held without bond and would next appear in court on October 22 at 9:30 a.m. in front of Judge Lynn Leibovitz.
On March 21, police found Danzo around 2:50 a.m. in the driver’s seat of a car parked on the 1000 block of 17th Street Northwest. He was suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the body and head, and transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead at 3:19 a.m..
Charging documents state that Danzo was murdered after getting into a fight at a night club.
According to court documents, several hours before the murder, surveillance video captured Smith and Postell arrive in a black BMW and park at the Colonial Parking Garage located near the Balleto Club. Video footage from 11:45 p.m. shows Smith, Postell and two other men entering the Balleto Club, documents state.
Nearly three hours later, at 2:30 a.m., video footage also captures Danzo and Postell getting into a verbal argument in the club, according to the documents. Charging documents say that though Danzo first turned to walk away, he turned and punched Postell in the face before leaving the club. Charging documents state that Postell exited shortly after, to run after Danzo.
Around 2:47 a.m., witnesses heard four gunshots coming from 17th Street, and saw a black male turn and rush toward a black BMW that fled the scene, according to the documents.
Documents state that an MPD officer in the area pursued the black BMW fleeing the scene. During the chase, the black BMW traveled north 15th street Northwest, through a block where a pistol was later recovered. Ballistic evidence recovered from the scene of the shooting was later matched to the .45 pistol recovered from the 1100 block of 15th street Northwest.
Charging documents have been added to this post.
