Leon Allen Smith pleaded innocent Friday to 12 criminal charges, including first-degree murder, in connection with the death of 45-year-old Stephan Manuel Pool.
He is also charged with 10 counts of obstruction of justice in connection with alleged attempts to intimidate a witness.
Justin Wilson, 20, pleaded innocent Thursday to charges of first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill and three other weapon related charges in connection to the shooting death of 28-year-old Freddy Bernard Hawkins.
Wilson appeared in court alongside Reese Williams, who was arraigned for seven charges including accessory after the fact, weapons charges, and fleeing law enforcement.
Hawkins was found by police outside a Valero gas station near the intersection of Florida Avenue and North Capitol Street, Northwest on October 26, 2013. He was suffering from gunshot wounds and transported to the hospital along with another victim who survived the shooting. Read more
Montez Warren was acquitted Thursday of all 14 counts he faced, including first-degree murder, in connection with the shooting death of Ervin Lamont Griffin. He has been held more than two years while he awaited trial.
David Warren was found guilty on 12 charges Wednesday, including charges of first- and second-degree murder.
The verdict was a partial one; jurors are expected to announce their decision on the charges faced by Warren’s brother, Montez Warren Thursday. Read more
Defense attorneys say the case against James Sandidge depends on the testimony of a single lying witness. Prosecutors say Sandidge acted with excessive force when he shot Keenan Jerel Lee in response to a punch.
In July jurors deadlocked, unable to decide which side to believe. Now a new group begins deliberations. After closing arguments Wednesday jurors were sent to decide whether Sandidge is guilty of first-degree murder in connection with Lee’s shooting death during Howard University’s 2011 homecoming weekend. Read more
Navy personnel and a government contractor missed key warning signs that might have prevented Aaron Alexis from killing 12 people in mass shooting at Washington Navy Yard last September, a report released Tuesday said. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel promised reforms. Read more
The man killed in a police-involved shooting Tuesday morning has been identified as 19-year-old Daquan Hendrix. Hendrix was sought in connection with the shooting death of Tykia Dickerson.
According to a press release from MPD, Hendrix was shot at approximately 6:17 a.m. when officers arrived to execute an arrest warrant and Hendrix fired a handgun at the officers. News reports indicate that Hendrix exited a home in the unit block of K street Northwest with people inside when he began shooting.
A press release from MPD and a collection of tweets published in memory of both Sykes and Hendrix are after the jump. Read more
The suspect is identified as 19-year-old Daquan Hendrix from Hyattsville, Maryland. He was wanted in the homicide of 19-year-old Tykia Dickerson which occurred on February 27, 2014, in the 3600 block of Jay Street, NE.
UPDATE 1:05 p.m.: In a listserve message, MPD Chief Cathy Lanier thanked the community for their help in identifying the suspect:
Good afternoon all,
I wanted to take a moment and provide an update to you regarding the homicide case that was discussed at last week’s Deanwood meeting. We asked for your assistance in locating the suspect that was responsible for the February 27th, 2014 murder of 19 year old Tykia Dickerson, in the 3600 block of Jay Street, NE. This morning, members of our fugitive task force were able to locate the suspect in the unit block of K Street, NW. Unfortunately, the suspect opened fire on MPD police officers, who returned fire and killed the suspect.
While this is not the outcome we hoped for, we sincerely appreciate the support and assistance provided by the Sixth District community in bringing this case to closure.
***
A man suspected in the death of Tykia Dickerson has died after he fired a gun at police officers. MPD is expected to release his name later Tuesday.
According to Lanier, the department had received a tip indicating a suspect in a recent homicide was at a location in the unit block of K St. The regional area task force staked out the area at 6:15 a.m. Tuesday and eventually approached the house.
WUSA reports that the man was suspected in a February 27 homicide in the 3600 block of Jay St. Northeast. That’s where Dickerson was killed. Read more
This is sooooooooo sad!!!!!!! My heart is very heavy, this hits too close to home. He was so talented, cool & funny. Always knew just what to say to make a person smile. Why would someone do this! He didn’t deserve that. His brother was murdered last year and now this. I never question God but this I can’t fathom. So many young people are being murdered! For lives to end so tragically, it just isn’t fair. I hope they find the person(s) responsible for this!!!!! Please, if anyone knows anything, call or text the tip hotline. Please!!!!!!!
Rest in Peace Baby! And may they find who did this & bring them to JUSTICE!!!!!!
Homicide Watch is a community-driven reporting project covering every murder in the District of Columbia. Using original reporting, court documents, social media, and the help of victims’ and suspects’ friends, family, neighbors and others, we cover every homicide from crime to conviction. Read more…
