Homicide Watch D.C.

At a press conference Wednesday afternoon, Assistant Police Chief Peter Newsham urged the public to come forward with any information that might lead authorities to the location of missing 8-year-old Relisha Rudd. Police, along with volunteers, have been searching Kenilworth Park for Rudd since late last week.

Newsham said that the search of the park, the “best chance” to find Rudd “with the information we have”, is expected to conclude by Thursday.

On Monday, the man suspected of abducting Rudd, Kahlil Malik Tatum, was found dead in a storage shed from an apparent suicide.

Emphasizing that the search in Kenilworth Park was sparked by a tip, Newsham encouraged anyone with information to come forward. Newsham added that though the number of tips has dwindled, the investigation will continue beyond the park.

Below is a collection of reports from other media outlets.
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A 25-year-old Southeast D.C. man was arrested Wednesday in connection with the shooting death of Derrick Eugene Williams last week. The man, identified by police as Gregory Allen Green, is suspected of first-degree murder while armed.

Williams was found on March 29 with an apparent gunshot wound in the 1200 block of Eaton Road Southeast. He died at a local hospital.

A press release from MPD is below.
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Missing eight-year-old Relisha Rudd remained missing Tuesday afternoon, more than 24 hours after the man who is accused of abducting her was found dead of a self-inflected gunshot wound.

At a press conference Tuesday afternoon, MPD Chief Cathy Lanier said that that man, Kahlil Malik Tatum, had been dead for at least 36 hours— and as long as several days— when found by authorities in a storage shed at Kenilworth Park.
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Four months after a jury deadlocked, unable to decide whether Joshua Andrews was guilty or innocent of first-degree murder while armed, a second jury has been assembled. On Tuesday they heard opening arguments in the case.

Andrews is charged in the 2010 shooting death of Darond Alonte Lucas.
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A shooting in the 5400 block of Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue, Northeast killed 22-year-old Charles Melvin Parrish Monday night, according to MPD.

Police found Parrish suffering from apparent gunshot wounds at approximately 9:50 p.m. when they responded to a report of a shooting. Parrish was then transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. According to a press release, the cause and manner of death is pending.

A press release from MPD is below.
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Judge Brian Holeman ruled that there was enough evidence Saturday to hold Antonio Williams on a charge of second-degree murder in connection with the death of Andre McIntyre. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on April 7.

McIntyre was found unconscious near the 300 block of Ridge Road Southeast bleeding from a head wound shortly after midnight on March 1. Police arrested Williams about four weeks later.

Two witnesses told police that McIntyre owed money to Williams for “drugs bought on credit” prior to the attack, according to charging documents.
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Update: MPD has confirmed the identity of the man found as Kahlil Malik Tatum. A press release has been added to the bottom of this post.

Update: MPD has tentatively identified the man found as Kahlil Tatum.

Police say an adult man found in woods of Kenilworth Park in Northeast D.C. appears to have committed suicide. Law enforcement officers have been searching the park in connection with the abduction of 8-year-old Relisha Rudd, who has been missing since March 1.

During a press conference Monday afternoon, Metropolitan Police Chief Cathy Lanier said law enforcement cannot yet say if the man found is Kahlil Tatum, the janitor suspected in Rudd’s abduction and the death of his wife.

Instead, Lanier turned the focus to Rudd, promising that the search in the park will likely continue for “a few more days.”

“Our primary focus here was to find Relisha,” Lanier said. “We’re not finished.”
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A shooting just after midnight Saturday killed 35-year-old Derrick Eugene Williams, MPD reported Sunday.

Police officers found Williams, of Southeast D.C., with an apparent gunshot wound in the 1200 block of Eaton Road Southeast. He died at a local hospital.

MPD’s full press release is below: Read more

In brief:

There were no murders reported in DC this week.

Twenty-six-year-old Antonio Williams was arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder in the homicide of Andre McIntyre. McIntyre was found unconscious on March 1, suffering from apparent head trauma. The cause of death was found to be blunt force trauma of the head and neck and the manner was ruled a homicide.

Police continued to search for signs of missing eight-year-old Relisha Tenau Rudd, but MPD Chief Cathy Lanier was fearful that the child may be dead.

Marcellus Jackson was found guilty Tuesday of second-degree murder and related charges in connection with the 2010 shooting death of Jamal Coates. Prosecutors alleged in an indictment that Jackson exited the car at 12th and V Street Northwest and gave Miller a description over the phone of the vehicle that Keir Johnson and Lester Williams later fired on.

Jurors in the second trial of James Sandidge were unable to render a verdict. Sandidge is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of Keenan Jerel Lee during Howard University’s 2011 homecoming weekend. Prosecutors have begun preparations for a third trial.

Opening statements were heard in the trial of Donte Graves, accused of second-degree murder in the shooting death of Tyrone Joyner. Prosecutors say they will present jurors with eyewitness testimony of the shooting. But defense attorney say that the testimony is biased and can’t be trusted.

The trial of 22-year-old Daren Vaughn, who faces charges including with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, began Thursday. Prosecutors say Vaugh stabbed his best friend and neighbor Tyrell Swann on Sept. 27 2012 in the chest after an argument.

James Woods will have additional time to consider a plea deal in connection with the bar fight death of Rockwell John Flint. If Woods pleads guilty to involuntary manslaughter and simple assault, prosecutors will drop additional charges, including second-degree murder and felony assault charges. Prosecutors believe Flint died trying to break up a fight between Woods and another man.

Judge Jennifer Anderson found probable cause to hold Jibril Abdul-Muwwakil in connection with the stabbing death of 17-year-old Jonathon Adams. Prosecutors say that at the time of the murder, Abdul-Muwwakil was on release for a simple assault charge and was supposed to be seeking mental health treatment.

David Washington was ordered held after Judge Jennifer Anderson found probable cause that he participated in the shooting death of Deangelo Gatling. Charging documents say that one witness saw Washington in a car that another witness later saw the shooter exit from.

Judge Rhonda Winston ruled Friday that there is probable cause in the case against Andre Burks, held in connection with the shooting death of Antwan Boseman. MPD Detective Gabriel Truby testified that the shooting stemmed from two fights earlier on August 3, each becoming more violent than the last.

Mauda’Rico Proctor, 22, pleaded innocent Monday to charges of two first-degree murder while armed, two robbery while armed, four firearms charges with violence, and one unlawful possession of a firearm in connection to the shooting death of 27-year-old Dominic Anthony Davis. A status hearing is scheduled for April 25 before Judge Robert Morin.

In what was once the murder capital of the United States, three mayoral candidates pledged to end homicide once and for all.

“We believe that one murder is one murder too many,” said David Bowers, the event’s organizer. “There should be some righteous indignation within the community when any person is gunned down in our streets.” Read more