Devar Battle | Homicide Watch DC

Christopher Fields Held on Weapons Charge, Not Murder

Imari Williams — Fri, 19 Sep 2014 19:24:23 -0400

A judge ordered Christopher Fields held Friday for an unlawful possession of a firearm, but not the second-degree murder charge MPD arrested him for Wednesday.

Devar Battle was found with gunshot wounds on Sept. 28, 2013, in the 3000 block of 30th Street Southeast at around 12:40 a.m. He later died at a local hospital.

According to court documents, MPD suspects Fields in Battle's death. In a police interview, Fields denied both his involvement in the shooting and having a gun that night.

During Fields' presentment, Judge Karen Howze made it clear that Fields has not been charged with murder and told both defense and the government to exclude the events of the murder and focus on a witness' recounting of Fields' possession of a gun, which ultimately led to her decision.

Documents say, a witness told police Fields was "flashing a handgun" in front of people and that Battle had an altercation with Fields before his death.

Referring to charging documents, Judge Howze said, "There are some problems here," before ruling. She added: "This is extremely confusing."

Fields is scheduled for a preliminary hearing September 22 at 9:00 a.m. before Judge Frederick Sullivan.

A copy of charging documents are below:

Christopher Fields Arrested in 2013 Shooting Death of Devar Battle

Megan Arellano — Fri, 19 Sep 2014 08:02:02 -0400

MPD announced Thursday that a 33-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the September 2013 shooting death of Devar Battle.

The man, identified by police as Christopher Fields, is suspected of second-degree murder, police say.

Battle was found with gunshot wounds in the 3000 block of 30th Street Southeast at around 12:40 a.m. on September 28, 2013. He later died at a local hospital.

A press release from MPD is after the jump.

Arrest Made in 2013 Homicide: 3000 Block of 30th Street, Southeast

(Washington, DC)-Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch have announced an arrest has been made in the shooting death of 34-year-old Devar Battle which occurred on Saturday, September 28, 2013 at approximately 12:40 am, in the 3000 block of 30th Street, Southeast.

On Thursday, September 18, 2014, members of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested 33-year-old Christopher Fields of no fixed address, and charged him with Murder Two in the death of Devar Battle.

Comment of the Day: "family is family and he will be missed and loved"

Megan Arellano — Wed, 23 Oct 2013 10:46:36 -0400

This Comment of the Day comes from pooh little, who wrote about the shooting death of Devar Battle.

This was my cousin, my mom use to babysit him and his brother. Even though i have not seen him in years, family is family and he will be missed and loved. RIP a child of God. and many blessings and comfort to his mom and family.

Devar Battle, 34, Killed in SE DC Shooting

Chris Amico — Sat, 28 Sep 2013 17:09:24 -0400

An overnight shooting in the 3000 block of 30th Street Southeast killed 34-year-old Devar Battle, MPD said in a statement.

Battle, a Southeast D.C. resident, was found suffering from gunshot wounds around 12:40 a.m., police said. He died at a local hospital.

MPD's full statement is below:

Homicide: 3000 Block of 30th Street, Southeast

(Washington, DC)-Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a fatal shooting which occurred in the 3000 block of 30th Street, Southeast.

On Saturday, September 28, 2013 at approximately 12:40 am, patrol officers from the Seventh District responded to the 3000 block of 30th Street, Southeast for the report of sounds of gunshots. Upon their arrival, they located an adult male suffering from apparent multiple gunshot wounds. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel responded and transported the victim to a local hospital where he was pronounced.

The decedent is identified as 34 year-old Devar Battle of Southeast, Washington, DC.

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.