Substantial Probability Found in Case Against Dominique Holmes

Imari Williams — Mon, 15 Dec 2014 17:49:20 -0500

A judge found substantial probability Monday that Dominique Holmes committed second-degree murder in the shooting death of Ricky Kelly in October.

Holmes' co-defendant, Gregory Smithwick, is charged only with armed car jacking, though both were arrested for Kelly's murder.

On October 10, police found Kelly dead in the 100 block of Ivanhoe Street Southwest shot multiple times.

Court documents say Holmes and Smithwick stole a car and tried to flee, but they crashed near 32nd Place and Alabama Avenue Southeast. Police searched the vehicle and found a nine millimeter Beretta semi-automatic handgun on the floor of the passenger seat, where Holmes was sitting, according to documents.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Kendra Briggs argued that there was enough evidence that supported substantial probability and that Holmes' actions constituted as second-degree murder.

But defense attorney April Downs countered: "A witness has confirmed Holmes' story that there was a full physical confrontation."

"It was a mutual fight," Downs said.

During his arrest, Holmes "spontaneously" told police, "They was trying to kill me on Ivanhoe," charging documents say.

In an interview, Holmes said he went to Kelly’s apartment that morning, and Kelly threatened him with a gun, documents say.

Kelly told police they struggled over the gun and claimed that Kelly shot himself several times during the struggle. Police believe the two men were avenging their friend Kevin Lucas' murder, for which they hold Kelly responsible, documents say.

According to court documents, a witness told police it was on the phone with Kelly when it heard a commotion in the background and Kelly saying, "Gimme the gun, gimme the gun!"

Before ruling, Judge Lynn Leibovitz said, "The defendant came to the area while armed with a motive to harm Mr. Kelly."

Holmes is also charged with assault with intent to kill a shooting the day before Kelly's death.

The victim in that shooting, Frank Rawlings, survived despite being shot nine times. Documents say that Rawlings told police the person who shot him was the same individual who robbed and carjacked him two or three weeks earlier.

Holmes and Smithwick are both scheduled for a felony status conference at 9:30 a.m. before Judge Leibovitz.

Additional reporting by Amelia Rufer.

Man Killed in First of Two Fatal Shootings Overnight

Laura Amico — Fri, 22 Nov 2013 08:50:02 -0500

UPDATE: MPD has identified the man killed shortly after 8 p.m. Thursday night as 28-year-old Kevin Lucas of Southeast DC. A press release from MPD is after the jump.

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In one of two fatal shootings in DC overnight, a man was killed in the 100 block of 34th Street after being shot multiple times, according to Fox5.

Reports WUSA

Police say they were called at 8:11 p.m. for the report of a shooting in the area and arrived to find the man with a gun shot wound who was unresponsive. He suffered serious, life threatening injuries and was taken to a hospital, according to police. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

From MPD:

November 22, 2013

Homicide: 34th and A Streets, Southeast

(Washington, DC)- The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a homicide which occurred at 34th and A Streets, Southeast.

On Thursday, November 21, 2013, at approximately 8:09 pm, police officers from the Sixth Patrol District responded to 34th and A Streets, Southeast for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, they located an adult male suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel transported the victim to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. The remains of the decedent were transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner pending an autopsy and a determination of a cause and manner of death.

The decedent is identified as 28-year-old Kevin Lucas 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.

Kevin Lucas | Homicide Watch DC

Substantial Probability Found in Case Against Dominique Holmes

Man Killed in First of Two Fatal Shootings Overnight