Delrico Shuford | Homicide Watch DC

A Look Back on the 21st and Vietnam Cases in 2014

Imari Williams — Sun, 28 Dec 2014 17:50:37 -0500

It's been more than three years since Tyrell Fogle, Isaiah Sheffield and Steven Moore were killed in separate crew-related shootings in Northeast DC. This year their alleged killers were convicted and sentenced, ending a complex multi-defendant case.

Six men were charged in 2011 and 2012: Kevin Charles, Johnnie Harris, Anthony Hatton, Stanley Moghalu, Delrico Shuford, and Jewkan Smith. They were bound by their allegiance to "21st and Vietnam," a crew allegedly responsible for taking part in a number of violent acts that injured one person and killed Fogle, 17; Sheffield, 24; and Moore, 36. The men were all charged with 21 criminal counts including conspiracy, first-degree murder, obstruction of justice, assault and weapons charges for the 2011 murders.

On August 29, 2011, Tyrell Fogle was chased through Langston Terrace and gunned down by a masked man. Isaiah Sheffield was shot and killed in September 2011 when he rode his bike down 21st Street Northeast. Steven Moore was simply found shot, early in the evening of Dec. 3, 2011, in the 1100 block of 21st Street Northeast.

Shuford and Charles pleaded guilty in April and June 2013 for their involvement in the deaths of Moore and Fogle.

Shuford pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed and conspiracy in connection with Fogle's death. He testified later in the case that Hatton was the shooter and claimed that he himself played a limited role in Fogle's death.

Shuford told jurors that he didn't fire one gunshot at Fogle the night he was murdered, but that Hatton did, and that he tried to stop Hatton. Shuford told jurors that he used to belong to 21st and Vietnam, which is named after an area near 21st and I Street Northeast, where the group sold drugs. According to Shuford, his crew and another group called "E Street" had been "beefing" for a reason he could not remember dating back to at least 2010, and that beef is what ended Fogle's life. Shuford was sentenced to five years in prison.

Days before trial, Charles pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed and conspiracy to commit a crime of violence in connection with the December 2011 shooting death of Steven Moore. He was sentenced to five years in prison.

Harris, Smith, Hatton and Moghalu went to trial. During five weeks of testimony, prosecutors argued Fogle and Sheffield were murdered almost within a month of each other due to their affiliation with the rival gang "E Street."

Hatton shot Fogle, who was unarmed, over a woman, prosecutors said. He was shot three times -- in the back and the back of the legs -- as he tried to flee his own apartment because he was dating the same person as Delrico Shuford, according to prosecutors. The murder weapon was found at Hatton's feet when he was arrested.

About a month later, on Sept. 24, Fogle's friend Sheffield was riding his bike when he was shot multiple times by Jekwan Smith, prosecutors argued at trial. Sheffield attempted to hide behind a car and return fire, but it was too late.

Prosecutors added that two months later, the group murdered Steven Moore, a witness in Sheffield's death, who was believed to be a police informant, leading Jewkan Smith, Johnnie Harris and others to plot his death. The men had an unspoken agreement to protect each other, prosecutors said.

After three weeks of deliberations, Smith and Harris were cleared of first-degree murder while armed in connection with Sheffield's death. Harris and Moghalu were acquitted of killing Moore. Moghalu was also found innocent on a separate charge of committing a crime while on release, but a judge declared a mistrial after jurors couldn't reach a verdict on two counts of carrying a pistol without a license and unlawful possession of a firearm. Moghalu was retried in 2014 on the gun charges, convicted, and sentenced to three and a half years in prison.

But jurors could not reach decisions on the other men's charges in the cases, including charges of first-degree premeditated murder while armed, second-degree murder, conspiracy, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and carrying a pistol without a license in connection with Fogle and Sheffield's death. Smith, Harris, and Hatton's cases were declared a mistrial.

On Sept. 8, 2014, Smith, Harris and Hatton pleaded guilty to lesser charges for the deaths of Tyrell Fogle and Isaiah Sheffield.

Hatton pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed for killing Fogle and is serving a 15-year prison sentence.

Harris pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter for Sheffield's death and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Smith pleaded guilty to two counts of voluntary manslaughter while armed -- one count for Sheffield and another for the 2007 murder of Michael Pearson. He was sentenced to 17 and a half years.

The U.S. Attorney's Office and MPD declined to comment on whether the 21st and Vietnam crew remains active.

5 Year Sentence in Tyrell Fogle's Fatal Shooting; Judge: "This is a gift"

Imari Williams — Fri, 12 Dec 2014 12:58:18 -0500

A judge sentenced Delrico Shuford to five years in prison Friday for his participation in the shooting death of Tyrell Fogle, 17, on August 29, 2011.

Addressing the court, Shuford said: "I apologize to the family and I'm glad I had a chance to cooperate fully." He added, "I had no intentions of harming Fogle. I wish I could take it back."

In April 2013, Shuford pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed and conspiracy. Shuford testified later at trial that Anthony Hatton shot Fogle. Shuford said he had tried to stop him.

Shuford said that he spoke with Fogle months before his death and settled a dispute that began over a woman both men had dated. "We shook hands and left it then and there," Shuford testified.

Almost two months later, though, on August 29, Fogle was riding his bike along 21st Street when someone else affiliated with 21st and Vietnam told him that he better not come back to the area. Fogle relayed the message to a friend, and a little later, Fogle's friend and Shuford got into an argument, Shuford said.

Hatton heard about the argument, tracked Fogle down and shot him, according to Shuford.

Shuford is the last man to be sentenced in connection to the 21st and Vietnam killings.

Hatton, Kevin Charles, Johnnie Harris, and Jekwan Smith were sentenced last month for the murders of Fogle, Isaiah Sheffield, 24, and Steven Moore, 36, in 2011.

Police witnessed Hatton chase and fire shots at Fogle. They found Fogle suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Bach argued that Shuford had a small role in Fogle's death. "Shuford was making the right decision until he ran away," Bach said "He supported an associate, but he has shown a ton of remorse." She added: "He feels like it's his fault."

Shuford's defense attorney Elliott Queen agreed. "It's already been said, Shuford wished that the whole situation had not happened," Queen told the court.

"You did cause his death because of the lifestyle you lead," Judge Lynn Leibovitz said before sentencing. Leibovitz told Shuford, "This is a gift," and said she hopes that he takes it seriously.

Delrico Shuford Testifies in "21st and Vietnam" Murder Trial

Penny Ray — Mon, 08 Jul 2013 15:57:23 -0400

For each of the past three days that jurors have sat in the “21st and Vietnam" murder trial, 21-year-old Delrico Shuford has taken the stand, telling jurors about crew life, drugs, and murder on the Northeast DC streets he calls home.

Or called home.

Shuford now resides in witness protection, awaiting his own sentencing in connection with the "21st and Vietnam" killings. In April, he pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed and conspiracy in connection with the death of 17-year-old Tyrell Fogle.

He wrapped up his final day of testimony in the case Monday.

On the stand he told jurors that although he entered into a plea agreement with the government, his role in Fogle's death was limited to that of a witness. He did not fire a single gunshot at Fogle on the night he was killed. The lone shooter, Shuford said, was Anthony Hatton. And Shuford tried to stop him from firing.

Hatton, along with co-defendants Jekwan Smith, Johnnie Harris and Stanley Moghalu are alleged to be members of a crew called “21st and Vietnam,” and are on trial for the murders of Fogle, Isaiah Sheffield and Steven Moore.

Shuford told jurors that he used to be affiliated with 21st and Vietnam, which is named after an area near 21st and I Street in Northeast DC where the group sold drugs. Shuford said that dating back to at least 2010 his crew and another group called “E Street” had been “beefing” for a reason he could not remember. That “beef,” Shuford said, ended Fogle's life on August 29, 2011.

Shuford said that he spoke with Fogle months before his death and settled a misunderstanding that centered around a woman both men had dated. “We shook hands and left it then and there,” Shuford testified.

About two months later, though, on August 29, Fogle was riding his bike along 21st Street when someone else affiliated with 21st and Vietnam told him that he better not “bring his b— a— back.” So Fogle relayed the message to a friend, and a little later, Fogle's friend and Shuford got into an argument, Shuford said.

Later that day, Hatton heard about the argument and tried to convince Shuford to find the guy, but Shuford wanted to “catch him later.” Hatton said, “F— that; come on!” and then ran toward Bennett Place NE carrying a 9mm Beretta and a ski mask. Shuford followed, he said.

Shuford testified that as he reached the intersection of 21st and Bennett he saw Fogle riding his bike and yelled out to Hatton, “No, brah. No, brah. Don't shoot.” But it was too late.

Hatton fired 10 or 11 shots at Fogle as he tried to jump off his bike, Shuford told the court.

Shufford said that he yelled for Hatton to stop because Fogle “didn't have anything to do with” the argument from a few minutes earlier. And although he never fired a shot at Fogle, Shuford pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed and conspiracy “because I was there and I had a firearm,” he said.

Prosecutors in the case expect the trial against Hatton, Smith, Harris and Moghalu to last another four weeks.

Megan Arellano contributed to this report.

Delrico Shuford Pleads Innocent to Murder of Tyrell Fogle

Penny Ray — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 16:11:51 -0500

A 21-count indictment charging a DC street gang with murder, conspiracy, and other crimes, has been amended to include a sixth suspect: 20-year-old Delrico Shuford.

Shuford was added to the indictment Wednesday, charged with conspiracy and first-degree murder in connection with the 2011 shooting death of Tyrell Fogle. Shuford pleaded innocent at his arraignment before Judge Herbert Dixon Thursday.

According to documents in the case, Fogyle was shot by masked men who chased him through Langston Terrace. Bullets struck Fogle three times in his back.

Anthony Hatton was arrested in connection with Fogle's death on Aug. 29, 2011, the same night as the incident. According to court records, two MPD officers witnessed the shooting and chased Hatton through a neighborhood. Hatton is believed to have eventually dropped a gun, put up his hands, and came out from hiding behind a bush. He is expected to be arraigned in connection with the case on Jan. 18.

Prosecutors say the shooting was the product of an ongoing feud between “21st and Vietnam” and a rival gang called “E Street.”

The 24-count superseding indictment charges six men: Kevin Charles, Johnnie Harris, Stanley Moghalu, Jekwan Smith, Hatton, and Shuford for their involvement in a series of murders that took the lives of Isaiah Sheffield, Steven Moore, and Fogle.

It states that the violent campaign was undertaken to protect members of “21st and Vietnam” and the streets they claimed as their own territory for drug dealing.

Shuford is scheduled for a status hearing Jan. 18.

Delrico Shuford Bench Warrant (PDF)Delrico Shuford Bench Warrant (Text)

Delrico Shuford Indictment (PDF)Delrico Shuford Indictment (Text)

Delrico Shuford Arrested in Death of Tyrell Fogle

Laura Amico — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 22:48:45 -0500

A second suspect was arrested Wednesday in connection with the August 2011 shooting death of DC teen Tyrell Fogle, MPD said Wednesday night.

The suspect, 20-year-old Delrico Shuford, is suspected of first-degree murder while armed and conspiracy, police said.

Another suspect, Anthony Hatton, was indicted in connection with Fogle's death in May. He is due to be arraigned on a superseding indictment on Jan. 18.

MPD's press release is below.

January 9, 2013

Second Arrest Made in the Homicide of Tyrell Fogle

(Washington, DC) - Metropolitan Police Department Homicide Detectives announced that a second arrest has been made in the fatal shooting of a man that occurred in the 1900 block of Bennett Place, NE.

On Monday, August 29, 2011, at approximately 10:34 p.m., a unit from the Fifth District, while on a radio assignment in the 1900 block of Bennett Place, NE, heard the sounds of gunshots. The officers further observed a subject being chased and shot at by a masked suspect with a gun. The victim who was shot multiple times collapsed in the 1900 block of Bennett Place, NE. The officers chased the armed suspect and arrested the suspect in the 700 block of 21st Street, NE. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel responded to the scene and transported the victim to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

The decedent has been identified as 17- year-old Tyrell Fogle of Northeast, DC.

Members of the Homicide Branch subsequently charged an adult male with First Degree Murder While Armed.

On Wednesday, January 9, 2013, personnel from the United States Marshals Service arrested 20 year-old Delrico Shuford of Southeast, Washington, DC, charging him with First Degree Murder While Armed and Conspiracy in connection with the fatal shooting of 17 year-old Tyrell Fogle.