Michael A. Smith | Homicide Watch DC

Michael Smith Pleads Guilty To Charges Connected To Paul Aime Tanoh Danzo Murder

Megan Arellano — Wed, 13 Nov 2013 11:24:44 -0500

Michael Smith pleaded guilty last Wednesday to fleeing law enforcement, acting as an accessory after the fact to an assault with intent to kill, and one other weapons charge in connection with the shooting death of 24-year-old Paul Aime Tanoh Danzo.

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.

Smith entered his plea in open court last Wednesday. At this time, however, a copy of the plea agreement and a proffer of facts in the case are not publicly available in the court's record system. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

Charging documents alleged that Danzo was murdered after getting into a fight at Balleto night club. According to the documents, several hours before the murder, Smith and another man parked at the Colonial Parking Garage near Balleto Night Club.

Those documents stated that video footage showed Smith and his companion get into a verbal argument in the club around 2:30 a.m. on March 21. After the argument, documents say that Danzo punched Smith’s companion in the face and left the club. According to the documents, Smith and the man he arrived with followed Danzo out of the club.

Smith and his companion then headed back to the parking garage to retrieve something from the vehicle, documents say. Video footage shows the two men walk toward the direction where Danzo was, after leaving the parking garage. The documents allege that when the two men were unable to find Danzo, they went back to the parking garage to retrieve the black BMW from valet.

According to the documents, 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.

In October, Erik Postell was also arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder while armed and held in connection with Danzo's death. Postell is scheduled for a felony status conference with Judge Leibovitz on Jan. 3, 2014.

Smith is expected in court Feb. 28, 2014 for what is scheduled as a status hearing.

Erik Postell Held for Grand Jury Investigation in Nightclub Shooting Death of Paul Tanoh Danzo

Clara Pak — Fri, 08 Nov 2013 16:55:36 -0500

Judge Lynn Leibovitz found substantial probability Friday in the case against Erik Postell.

Postell, 24, is suspected of first-degree murder while armed in connection with the shooting death of 24-year-old Paul Aime Tanoh-Danzo. On March 21, around 2:50 a.m., police found Danzo in the driver's seat of a car outside of Balletto nightclub in Northwest DC. He was suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the body and head and was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.

Michael Smith, a co-defendant in the case, pleaded guilty Wednesday to fleeing law enforcement, acting as an accessory after the fact to an assault with intent to kill, and one other weapon charge.

Leibovitz said she found the strong testimonies from eyewitnesses and the distinct differences in appearance between 5-foot-10-inch Postell and 6-foot-5-inch Michael Smith to be enough evidence to hold Postell while a grand jury investigates. Because of Smith and Postell's significant difference in height and hairstyle, Leibovitz said it would be difficult for Postell's defense to try to argue Smith was in fact the shooter.

During the preliminary hearing, MPD detective Ray Shields said authorities recovered a Gucci-style belt from Postell's grandmother's home, which appeared to be the same belt Postell was wearing the night of the shooting. According to Shields, a club photographer had taken a photo of Postell and a group of other people posing inside the nightclub, and in the photo, Postell is seen wearing the belt.

Shields said at least six .45 caliber shell casings were recovered from the scene of the shooting, which later matched a .45 pistol recovered from the 1100 block of 15th Street Northwest. Shields believed the handgun was thrown out the car window at 15th Street Northwest when Secret Service was chasing the fleeing black BMW carrying Postell and Smith.

Postell is scheduled for a felony status conference with Judge Leibovitz on Jan. 3.

Erik Postell Held in Connection With Shooting Death of Paul Aime Tanoh Danzo

Megan Arellano — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 21:39:13 -0400

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.

Postell, Erik Charging Papers (PDF)Postell, Erik Charging Papers (Text)

Second Arrest in DC Nightclub Shooting Death of Paul Aime Danzo

Laura Amico — Fri, 11 Oct 2013 20:11:26 -0400

A 24-year-old Southeast DC man has been arrested in connection with a March shooting outside a DC nightclub that left one man dead.

Erik Postell was arrested Friday on suspicion of first-degree murder while armed in connection with the death of Paul Aime Tanoh Danzo, MPD said Friday evening.

Danzo was found by police on March 21 around 2:50 a.m. seated 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.

Postell is the second person arrested in connection with this case. Michael Smith, 33, was arraigned last month on charges of first-degree murder while armed. The charges were part of a case that initially charged Smith as being an accessory to Danzo’s murder.

Charging documents state that Danzo was killedafter getting into a fight at Balleto Club. Surveillence cameras captured images of two men police believed were connected to the shooting and a black BMW they were driving.

The footage shows two men exit the vehicle, one from the passenger side door wearing a baseball hat with a grey hoodie pulled up over it, and another black male exiting the driver’s side door with shoulder length dreadlocks, and a knit cap on his head, court documents state.

A press release from MPD about the arrest is below.

October 11, 2013

Additional Arrest Made in Homicide: 1000 Block of 17th Street, NW

(Washington, DC)- The Metropolitan Police Department has announced an additional arrest in the homicide which occurred in the 1000 block of 17th Street, NW.

On Thursday, March 21, 2013, at approximately 2:39 am, units from the Second District responded to the 1000 block of 17th Street, NW, for the report of a shooting. Upon their arrival, they located an adult male suffering from multiple gunshot wounds while sitting inside of his vehicle. Personnel from DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services transported the victim to a local hospital where he was admitted in critical condition. The victim later succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

The decedent in this case is identified as 24-year-old Paul Aime Tanoh Danzo of Laurel, Maryland.

On Thursday, September 19, 2013, an adult male was arrested and charged with Murder One, Conspiracy, and additional related charges in connection with the shooting death of Paul Aime Tanoh Danzo.

On Friday, October 11, 2013, members of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force located and arrested 24-year-old Erik Postell of Southeast, Washington, DC, charging him with First Degree Murder while Armed in connection with the shooting death of Paul Aime Tanoh Danzo.

License Plate Design, Gun Among Evidence in Fatal NW DC Nightclub Shooting

Megan Arellano — Wed, 25 Sep 2013 19:00:22 -0400

Judge Frederick Sullivan found that there was substantial evidence Wednesday in the case against 33-year-old Michael A. Smith. Smith is suspected of taking part in a shooting that led to the death of Paul Aime Tanoh Danzo. He is charged with first-degree murder while armed and other related offenses.

Prosecutors allege that Danzo was shot after a fight at a nightclub, and Smith drove the car which allowed Danzo's shooter to escape.

The case against Smith remains unlisted in court records. A spokesman for the US Attorney’s Office declined to comment and suggested questions about the case be directed to the courthouse.

On March 21, police found Danzo in the driver’s seat of a car parked on the 1000 block of 17th Street Northwest. Danzo was suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to the body and head. He was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

Charging documents in the case say that several hours before the murder, surveillance video captured Smith and another man arriving in a black BMW at the Colonial Parking Garage located near the Balleto nightclub.

Video footage shows Danzo and Smith's companion get into a verbal argument in the club around 2:30 a.m. on March 21, according to the documents. Then, the documents state that Danzo punches Smith's companion in the face and leaves the club; Smith and the man he arrived with followed Danzo out of the club.

Charging documents state that 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. An MPD patrol car pursued the fleeing car but lost the vehicle while traveling north down 15th street, documents state.

Metropolitan Police Detective Ray Shields testified Wednesday that the front licence plate design on the black BMW appeared to match the design of Diamond City Auto in Maryland. Shields told prosecutors that his investigation found that Smith is an employee at Diamond City Auto. Police have not located the black BMW, Shields said.

Shields also said that a firearm was recovered on 15th Street NW less than an hour after the chase. He testified that ballistics testing confirms it was the weapon used in Danzo's death. The recovered weapon also has been linked to two unknown DNA samples, Shields said.

Shields told prosecutors that the firearm was recovered in a location "consistent" with the path of the fleeing car.

Douglas J. Wood, Smith’s defense attorney, argued that Smith was not adequately linked to Danzo's shooter.

“No witness told you that Mr. Smith saw this gun prior to the shooting?” Mitchell asked Sheilds.

Sheilds answered, "No."

Woods further argued that the shooter was not reliably identified, pointing out inconsistencies between eyewitness accounts.

The case is scheduled for a felony status conference on October 1.

Michael Smith Indicted in Murder of Paul Danzo

Ivan Natividad — Tue, 24 Sep 2013 17:23:45 -0400

Michael Smith, 33, was arraigned last Friday on charges of first-degree murder while armed, and other related offenses in connection with the shooting death of 24-year-old Paul Aime Tanoh Danzo. The charges were part of a case that initially charged Smith as being an accessory to Danzo's murder.

The case against Smith is not listed in court records, however, a spokesman for the US Attorney's office said Smith pleaded innocent and would next appear in court Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. in front of Judge Lynn Leibovitz.

Smith's attorney, Douglas J. Wood, did not respond to a request for comment about the case status.

Police found Danzo on March 21 around 2:50 a.m. seated 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.

One month later Smith was arrested and charged with accessory after the fact with intent to kill while armed in Danzo's death. But on September 20, Smith's original charge was dismissed, and he was indicted on counts of first degree murder while armed, conspiracy, possession of a firearm, fleeing law enforcement, and assault with intent to kill while armed in connection with Danzo's murder.

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 a black BMW arrive at the Colonial Parking Garage located near the Balleto Club.

The footage shows two men exit the vehicle, one from the passenger side door wearing a baseball hat with a grey hoodie pulled up over it, and another black male exiting the driver's side door with shoulder length dreadlocks, and a knit cap on his head, documents state.

Video footage shows the two men enter the Balleto Club with two additional males at 11:45 p.m. Nearly three hours later video footage captures Danzo and the man who exited the passenger side of the BMW, getting into a verbal argument in the club. Danzo turns to walk away, but the man pushes the back of Danzo's hand. Danzo then turns and punches the man in the face and leaves the club; the man followed, documents state.

Documents state, that both men who arrived in the black BMW headed back to the parking garage to retrieve something from the vehicle. Video footage then shows the two men walk toward the direction where Danzo was, though, they don't find him. The two men then go back to the parking garage to retrieve the black BMW from valet. At 2:43 a.m. they begin to drive toward the area where Danzo had parked his car, on 17th Street and L Street, charging documents state.

Court documents state that 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. An MPD officer who heard the gunshots pursued the fleeing car but lost sight of the vehicle while traveling north down 15th street, documents state.

According to police, an anonymous tip was received claiming that the driver of the BMW seen at the crime scene, was Michael Smith.

Arrest Made in NW DC Nightclub Shooting

Laura Amico — Fri, 20 Sep 2013 19:00:12 -0400

MPD said Friday afternoon that one person has been arrested in connection with the shooting death of Paul Aime Tanoh Danzo outside the Balletto nightclub in Northwest DC.

A camera captured video of the two men showing their identification cards as they enter what looks to be a nightclub.

On Friday afternoon police said one of the men in that video, identified by MPD as 33-year-old Michael A. Smith of Suitland, Md., has been arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder, conspiracy and other charges. Smith was arrested Thursday, MPD said.

Court records do not indicate that Smith has been presented with any of the charges, a process that must happen within 48 hours of an arrest, but typically happens within the next business day.

~~The US Attorney's Office did not have an immediate answer on whether-- or when-- Smith would be presented with the charges.~~

The US Attorney's Office said Saturday that Smith was arraigned Friday. The charges were part of a case that initially charged him as being an accessory after the fact.

The other person pictured in the footage is still being sought, MPD said.

September 20, 2013

Arrest/One Person of Interest Still Sought in Homicide:
1000 Block of 17th Street, NW

(Washington, DC)- The Metropolitan Police Department has announced an arrest in the homicide which occurred in the 1000 block of 17th Street, NW, but is still seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating the second person of interest in connection with this homicide.

The decedent in this case is identified as 24-year-old Paul Aime Tanoh Danzo of Laurel, MD.

On Thursday, September 19, 2013, members of the Capitol Area Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested 33 year-old Michael A. Smith of Suitland, Maryland, charging him with Murder One, Conspiracy, and additional related charges in connection with the shooting death of Paul Aime Tanoh Danzo.

The Metropolitan Police Department currently offers a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone that provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons wanted for any homicide committed in the District of Columbia. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the police at (202) 727-9099. Additionally, anonymous information may be submitted to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411.

This story has been updated with new information from the US Attorney's Office.