Calvin Shaw | Homicide Watch DC

107 Year Sentence in the Shooting Death of Crevontai Key

Imari Williams — Fri, 20 Jun 2014 19:21:20 -0400

Calvin Shaw was sentenced Friday to 107 years in prison for two shootings, including one which killed 19-year-old Crevontai Key and injured three others on July 4, 2012.

“Every life is precious; the sentence should reflect every victim,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Kerkhoff.

Shaw, 22, was convicted in April of first-degree premeditated murder while armed in connection with Key's death and over 30 other assault and weapon charges in the two shootings.

Kerkhoff said the parents of Key tried to come to court, but couldn’t bear it.

“They are not living anymore; they are trying to survive,” said Kerkhoff. “In order for them to survive, they couldn’t be here today.”

Key, 19, was found fatally shot in the 500 block of First Street Northwest, after he had been celebrating with five of his close friends. They were shot at 28 times outside one of their residences.

As the teenagers and young men ran for cover, a gunshot pierced Key's back, severing his aortic arch and killing him, according to the government’s evidence. Kerkhoff argued that Shaw continued to shoot during a cook-out as Crevontai and others ran.

“It is cowardly to shoot someone unarmed; it is even more cowardly to shoot someone in the back,” Kerkhoff said.

In an impact statement, Key’s uncle Reginald Key said Key tried to stay out of trouble.

“That day he chose to go where he went,” said Key. “He chose not to go somewhere so nothing could happen to him, but something still happened to him.”

Defense Attorney Steven Kiersh asked Judge Anderson to give Shaw a fair sentence that still allows him to hope for a better life.

“This is a young man who has many years ahead of him,” said Kiersh. “Most of those years will be in a highly contained facility, he needs hope that at some point he does get out and betters himself.”

"My nephew wasn't a killer, he was a kid," said Key's uncle after the sentencing. "Nobody wins in this situation."

A press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office is below.

District Man Sentenced to 107 Years in Prison
For Two Shootings, Including Murder of Unarmed Teenager
Defendant and Two Accomplices Fired at Least 28 Shots
At Group Attending Fourth of July Cook-Out

WASHINGTON – Calvin Shaw, 24, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 107 years in prison for his role in two shootings, including one in which he opened fire on a group of unarmed teenagers and young men who were gathered for a Fourth of July neighborhood cook-out, killing one of them, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced.

Shaw, also known as Sharkim Sharp, was found guilty by a jury in April 2014, following a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. He was sentenced by the Honorable Jennifer Anderson.

The jury found Shaw guilty of one count of first-degree murder while armed, five counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, two counts of aggravated assault while armed, and related weapons offenses for the fatal shooting, which took place on July 4, 2012 in the 5000 block of First Street NW. Shaw also was found guilty of two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, one count of aggravated assault while armed, and related weapons offenses for an April 18, 2012 shooting that occurred in the same block.

According to the government’s evidence, the murder took place at about 7:55 p.m. on July 4, 2012, when Shaw and two accomplices walked into the 5000 block of First Street NW and opened fire on a group of unarmed teenagers and young men who were gathered to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday and enjoy a cookout.

As the teenagers and young men ran for cover, a gunshot pierced the back of 19-year-old Crevontai Key, severing his aortic arch and killing him. A second 17-year-old victim suffered serious injuries when he was shot in the abdomen. A 15-year-old victim was injured when a bullet grazed the top of the head. A fourth young man was shot in the back, with the bullet exiting his neck. Several other young men were shot at as they ran away. In total, Shaw and his two accomplices fired 28 times at the group of young men.

The jury also found Shaw guilty of the April 18, 2012 shooting of a young man in the same block, and of attempting to shoot another young man who rushed to that victim’s aid.

In a related matter, Shaw’s girlfriend, Tonika Hilliard, 24, was sentenced today to a three-year prison term for obstruction of justice. Hilliard, also of Washington, D.C., pled guilty to the charge, admitting she interfered with a grand jury investigation. The prison time was suspended on the condition that Hilliard successfully complete three years of supervised probation.

In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Machen praised the efforts of those who worked on the case from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and the FBI. U.S. Attorney Machen also expressed appreciation to those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialists Kelly Blakeney and Kwasi Fields; Victim/Witness Advocate Marcia Rinker; Witness Security Specialist Debra Cannon; and Litigation Technology Specialist Leif Hickling.

Finally, he commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer Kerkhoff and Michelle Parikh, who tried the case, as well as former Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bruce Hegyi and Heather Carlton, who investigated the case.

Calvin Shaw Found Guilty in Shooting Death of Crevontai Key

Kristian Hernandez — Fri, 18 Apr 2014 11:42:37 -0400

The jury delivered a verdict late Thursday afternoon after less than one day of deliberations in the case of Calvin Shaw.

Shaw was convicted of first-degree premeditated murder while armed and related assault and weapon charges in connection to two separate shootings and the death of 19-year-old Crevontai Key on July 4, 2012.

The trial lasted four days and all survivors and eye witnesses to the July 4, shooting where called up to the stand. Four of them identified 22-year-old Shaw as the man who pulled the trigger that day.

Judge Jennifer Anderson scheduled a sentencing hearing for June 20, 2014 at 11:30 A.M.

Jurors Begin Deliberations in July 4 Shooting Death of Crevontai Key

Kristian Hernandez — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 21:15:35 -0400

UPDATE: Jurors found Calvin Shaw guilty on all counts Thursday afternoon after deliberating for approximately four hours.

Closing arguments in the case of Calvin Shaw were delivered Thursday after a four day trial full of emotional testimony by survivors of the shooting, something the defense calls "unreliable," and "full of doubt."

Crevontai Key, 19, was killed nearly two years ago on the Fourth of July while celebrating with five of his close friends. They were all shot at, twenty eight times, outside one of their homes in Northeast D.C.

Three of the men were seriously injured and four of the survivors say they saw Shaw, also known as “Shocka,” pull the trigger that day.

Shaw, 22, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed and other related assault and weapon charges for the July 4, 2012, shooting. He is also charged with a separate shooting that happened at the same location on April 18, 2012 in the 500 block of First Street Northwest.

Prosecutors believe the shootings are connected. Shaw is charged with a total of forty counts the jury began deliberations Thursday.

During Thursday’s closing arguments, prosecutors told the jury Shaw shot at the six men who were laughing and talking, without any provocation or any exchange of words.

“Only someone who feels untouchable goes up to your house and shoots at you in broad daylight,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Kerkhoff.

During the six day trial prosecutors presented eye witness testimony from those who were present and survived the July fourth shooting. Ballistic evidence and Shaw’s phone records and cell site information were also presented during trial.

Prosecutors believe this evidence places Shaw at the scene but defense attorney Steven Kiersh argued the same evidence proves Shaw was close by but not at the scene when the shooting happened.

During closing arguments Kiersh told jurors none of the eye witness testimony is reliable calling it biased and emotional. Kiersh asked jurors to, “listen to the words.”

“He said, he thinks this is the shooter, and that’s what you need to look at,” said Kiersh as he read back the testimony of one of the men standing with Key when the shooting happened.

“If you have a doubt for which you can give a reason, then the only verdict is not guilty,” Kiersh said.

Brown had previously testified to the grand jury saying he looked the shooter, “dead in the eyes” and that he was, “positive,” it was Shaw, but during his recent testimony said he could not recall.

Prosecutors said it was hard for all the witnesses to take the stand and face this “untouchable” man. They reminded jurors of the nervous energy displayed by some of the witnesses and asked the jurors to “focus on the big picture.”

Jamar Savage-Bay, 21, linked the shootings but while on the stand he refused to cooperate with prosecutors.

Bay refused to give an in court identification of Shaw saying, “No I’m not pointing him out” and “man you know where he at.” Bay railed against Kerkhoff several times during his testimony, saying she lied to force him to testify and refusing to answer some of her questions.

While up on the stand Bay did recall Key’s final moments telling the court what happened moments after the shooting.

“He was bleeding. I pulled his body up and he was taking his last breath. Blood started coming out of his mouth. He pissed his-self and then he was gone,” said Bay.

~~Jury deliberations are expected to continue Friday.~~

Additional reporting by Dana Jennings.

"Twenty-eight times, twenty-eight bullets, twenty-eight shots as they ran for their lives."

Kristian Hernandez — Wed, 09 Apr 2014 14:18:10 -0400

During opening statements Wednesday, prosecutors described six unarmed teenagers celebrating the Fourth of July, "just hanging out," as one of the teen's mother watched from the front porch.

Then, in a matter of seconds, three men wearing white t-shirts walked out of a nearby alley and opened fire. Four of the teens were taken to the hospital suffering from bullet wounds, one never came out.

Nineteen-year-old James Crevontai Key also known as "Poody," died that night, July 4, 2012, from a single shot to the left side of his back. The bullet punctured his lung and aorta and exited through his neck, according to charging documents.

"Twenty-eight times, twenty-eight bullets, twenty-eight shots as they ran for their lives," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Kirkoff, in opening statements in the case against Calvin Shaw Wednesday.

"He shattered their lives that day and this trial is about holding him accountable for his role in this shooting," Kirkoff said.

Shaw, 22 also known as “Shocka” is charged with a total of 40 crimes including first-degree murder while armed and weapons charges.

Shaw is charged with attempted murder in connection with an April 18, 2012 shooting which involved one of the surviving victims from the July 4th shooting. Both shootings occurred in the 500 block of First Street Northwest.

Defense attorney Steven Kiersh asked jurors to keep each of the allegations separate and to question the credibility of the prosecution’s witnesses, saying some have a personal bias against Shaw and others have prior convictions.

The prosecution is expected to call all surviving victims to the stand; four of the five identified Shaw as the shooter from a police photo array.

Prosecutors also plan to call two of Shaw’s girlfriends to the stand. One of them will identify Shaw’s silver car involved in the first shooting, according to prosecutors.

Prosecutors anticipate the other girlfriend will testify that Shaw showed up to her house around 4 A.M. with three guns, one that matched the silver .45 caliber witness described was used by the shooter. Prosecutors also say the same witness will testify that Shaw told her he killed someone on July fourth.

Defense attorney Kiersh reminded jurors that opening statements are just a version of what the defense believes happened and said the evidence presented by them will not prove Shaw committed either of these crimes.

"What’s not in dispute is that this was a terrible crime, we are not disputing that," said Kiersh, "It’s whether or not the government has proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Calvin Shaw did this."

This trial is expected to last six days and is scheduled to continue Thursday.

Correction April 15: The original story incorrectly stated which direction the guns were pointed in when they were fired. The error has been removed from the story.

Grand Jury Indicts Calvin Shaw in Connection with July 4 Homicide

Sam Pearson — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 16:31:59 -0400

A grand jury has named Calvin Shaw in a 40-count indictment, in connection with the July 4, 2012 shooting death of 19-year-old Crevontai Key.

Shaw, 22, was arrested on suspicion of the shooting, which police consider gang-related.

The indictment, released April 10, charges Shaw with first-degree murder while armed in connection with Key’s death, as well as five counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, five counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and two counts of aggravated assault while armed. All of those incidents allegedly took place on July 4.

The indictment also charged Shaw with unlawful possession of a firearm and obstructing justice.

Police say Shaw was one of three men who approached the victim and his friends on July 4 in Fort Totten and that he fired a silver handgun at them “without provocation.” Several of Key's friends were reportedly injured in the attack.

In addition to the July 4 shooting, the grand jury also indicted Shaw for an earlier April 18, 2012 incident. Shaw faces two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and one count of aggravated assault while armed in connection with that incident.

Eighteen counts of the indictment are for possessing a firearm during a crime of violence or dangerous offense – an enhancement that could add to Shaw’s sentence if convicted.

Shaw is expected to be arraigned on the charges next week.

A copy of the indictment is below:

Calvin Shaw Indictment (PDF)Calvin Shaw Indictment (Text)

Probable Cause Found Against Calvin Shaw in Fourth of July Murder of Crevontai Key

Penny Ray — Sat, 20 Oct 2012 16:42:22 -0400

Judge Robert Morin found probable cause last month against Calvin Shaw for the Fourth of July murder of Crevontai Key. The case is held, pending a grand jury. A felony status conference is now scheduled for Jan. 11, 2013.

Shaw is suspected in Key's death. Key was struck by a single gun shot through the lung while in the 500 block of First Street NW. Three others were injured. According to court documents, Shaw is alleged to have been a member of a neighborhood crew with territory in the 7th and Kennedy Street NW neighborhood; the shooting is considered gang-related.

A witness who “stared the shooter in the face” identified Shaw from a photograph lineup, according to the affidavit.

The affidavit states that three men wearing white shirts emerged from the alley on Farragut Street NW. As Shaw approached Key and a group of others, he drew a semi-automatic from his waistband.

Police found 27 total shell casings at the scene. Eleven were .40 caliber casings, eight were from a .380, and eight were from a .45 caliber gun.

Shaw initially told detectives that he was with his girlfriend around the time of the shooting. His girlfriend denied that statement.

Calvin Shaw Held in Fatal July 4 Gang Shooting

Laura Amico — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 17:28:30 -0400

Calvin Shaw was ordered held today pending a preliminary hearing on a charge that he took part in a fatal gang-related shooting on the Fourth of July.

Nineteen-year-old Crevantai Key was killed in that shooting. Three others were injured.

Shaw, listed in court records as Sharkim Robinson, as well as Sharkim Sharp, is suspected of first-degree murder while armed.

Police say he is one of three men who approached the victim and his friends on July 4 in Fort Totten and that he fired a silver handgun at them "without provocation."

That's according to the account of one of the victims in the case, who also told police that he heard someone say just before the shooting started "that's them KDY youngins." It is not clear in the charging documents whether that statement is believed to have come from the victims or the suspects involved, but charging documents state that Shaw told detectives that he is associated with the crew.

According to those documents, one of the people injured in the shooting remains hospitalized. That victim was struck by a bullet in the back as he ran away and has undergone a series of procedures and surgeries. The two other victims have been released. One of those victims was shot through from the shoulder blade to the neck. The other was shot along the top of his head, requiring stitches.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 19 in the case.

Charging documents in the case are below.

Calvin Shaw Arrested on Murder 1 Charge in Fatal July 4 Shooting

Laura Amico — Sun, 08 Jul 2012 16:53:07 -0400

A 22-year-old Laurel, Md. man was arrested Sunday on suspicion of first-degree murder while armed in connection with a Fourth of July shooting that left 19-year-old Crevantai Key dead.

The suspect, Calvin Shaw, will likely be presented with the charge Monday at DC Superior Court.

The shooting wounded three people, in addition to killing Key.

A press release from MPD is below.

July 8, 2012

Arrest Made in the Homicide that occurred in the 5000 Block of First Street, NW

(Washington, DC)-Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch have announced an arrest has been made in the fatal shooting of Crevontai Key which occurred in the 5000 block of First Street, NW.

On Wednesday, July 4, 2012, at approximately 8:03 pm, members of the Fourth District responded to the 5000 block of First Street, NW for the report of a shooting. Upon their arrival, they located one adult male and two juveniles suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Personnel from the DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services responded to the scene and transported all three victims to an area hospital where two of the victims were admitted in serious condition and the third victim later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead. A fourth victim was transported by a family member to an area hospital, where he was treated and released.

The decedent has been identified as 19-year-old Crevontai Key of NE, Washington, DC

On Sunday, July 8, 2012, 22-year-old Calvin Shaw of Laurel, MD, was arrested by members of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force pursuant to an arrest warrant charging him with First Degree Murder While Armed in connection with the shooting death of Crevontai Key.