Randolph Scott Harris Jr. | Homicide Watch DC

Charges Dropped in Case Against Jermaine Brown

Kristian Hernandez — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 08:33:17 -0400

Jermaine Brown, 34, was released from jail Wednesday after Judge Ronna Beck granted the prosecution's request to dismiss the case without prejudice.

"The government dismissed the case but will continue to investigate," explained spokesperson William Miller via email on behalf of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

On July 26, 2013, police found 31-year-old Randolph Scott Harris Jr at an apartment in the 1000 Block of Euclid Street Northwest, burned and suffering from three gun shot wounds: one to his right arm, one to his right hand, and one to the head, according to charging documents.

Brown was arrested six days later on suspicion of first-degree murder while armed in connection with Scott's death.

According to charging documents, Brown told police during an interview that he stole Harris' Mercedes which was parked in front of the building on the morning of the murder. Police found the car a week later after it had been set on fire.

Judge: Substantial Probability Jermaine Brown Killed Randolph Scott Harris Jr.

Penny Ray — Thu, 22 Aug 2013 14:43:18 -0400

Judge Robert Morin found substantial probability Thursday that Jermaine Brown is responsible for the death of 31-year-old Randolph Scott Harris Jr. Brown, 34, remains held while a grand jury investigates the case.

Personnel from the D.C. Fire Department found Harris inside his apartment around 6:20 a.m. July 26, suffering from severe burns and multiple gunshot wounds; there were no signs of forced entry. Harris was later pronounced dead at MedStar Washington Hospital Center.

Metropolitan Police Detective Gus Giannakoulias testified at a preliminary hearing Thursday that when the firefighters arrived on scene they found Harris sitting in a wicker chair. Underneath the chair were clothes, blankets and pillows, which had been set on fire. And Harris had suffered three gunshot wounds: one to his right arm, one to his right hand, and one to the head. Police also found lighters in the apartment, Giannakoulias said, but there was no direct evidence as to how the fire was started.

Charging documents in the case say police recovered several empty iPhone and iPad boxes from Harris’ bedroom. The boxes were marked with serial numbers of the items that should have been inside.

Giannakoulias said Thursday that while police were investigating the apartment, a man approached and handed them a black plastic bag containing an iPad, two iPhones and an iPod Touch. Police determined that the serial numbers of one of the phones and the iPad matched the serial numbers on the empty boxes in Harris’ apartment.

The man told police he obtained the bag from people who lived in an apartment in the 400 block of Evarts Street Northeast.

When police interviewed residents of the apartment on Evarts Street, one woman told them that Brown gave her the bag to hold a little after 8:00 a.m. July 26, Giannakoulias said.

When Brown was later questioned by police, he said he found the bag of electronics in the hallway of a building in the 1000 block of Euclid Street. He said he dropped the bag off at the witness’s house so they could sell the items and split the money.

Charging documents in the case also include several different accounts from Brown as to how he obtained that bag. But Brown has always maintained that he was never inside Harris' apartment on the morning of the murder, and police have found no forensic evidence linking Brown to the apartment, Giannakoulias said Thursday.

Brown also told police that he stole Harris' silver Mercedes Benz, but that he had parked it along Kendall Street Northeast. Giannakoulias said Thursday that the vehicle was found on 22nd Street NE about a week after the murder; it had been set on fire and the license plates were lying on the ground next to the car.

The case is schedule for a felony status conference January 10, 2014.

Jermaine Brown Held in Connection with Randolph Harris Jr. Death

Penny Ray — Fri, 02 Aug 2013 17:09:22 -0400

Jermaine Brown appeared in D.C. Superior Court Friday where Judge Karen Howze found probable cause that he killed 31-year-old Randolph Scott Harris Jr.

Charging documents say a bag of iPhones and other gadgets tie Brown to Harris' death.

Harris was found burned and shot around 6:00 a.m. July 26 inside his apartment in the 1000 block of Euclid Street Northwest. An initial report from MPD said that Harris' silver Mercedes was missing.

According to charging documents, police recovered several empty iPhone and iPad boxes from Harris' bedroom. The boxes were marked with serial numbers of the items that should have been inside.

A man approached police at the apartment and handed over a black plastic bag containing an iPad, two iPhones and an iPod Touch. Police determined that the serial numbers of one of the phones and the iPad matched the serial numbers on the empty boxes in Harris' apartment.

The man told police he obtained the bag from people who lived in an apartment in the 400 block of Evarts Street Northeast.

When police interviewed residents of the apartment on Evarts Street, one man told police that Brown gave him the bag to hold a little after 8:00 a.m. July 26.

When Brown was later questioned by police, he said he found the bag of “gadgets” in the hallway of a building in the 1000 block of Euclid Street. He said he dropped the bag off at the witness's house so they could sell the items and split the money.

Charging documents include several different accounts from Brown; he also said he stole Harris' silver Mercedes Benz “'cause I had the extra key."

Brown told detectives he tried to take the vehicle to a chop shop "but no one was tying to take the mother f—.” Brown said he then parked the car along Kendall Street NE. Police have not yet recovered Harris' vehicle.

Brown was ordered held Friday pending a preliminary hearing. That hearing is scheduled for August 22.

Charging documents have been added to this post.

Jermaine Brown Charging Documents (PDF)Jermaine Brown Charging Documents (Text)

Jermaine Brown Arrested in Connection with Randolph Harris Jr. Death

Penny Ray — Thu, 01 Aug 2013 20:07:37 -0400

A Northwest D.C. man has been arrested in connection with the death of 31-year-old Randolph Scott Harris Jr.

Harris was found last week inside an apartment in the 1000 block of Euclid Street Northwest suffering from burns and gunshot wounds.

Jermaine Brown, 34, was arrested Thursday on a charge of first-degree murder in connection with Harris' death by members of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force.

A press release from MPD is after the jump.

Arrest Made in Homicide: 1000 Block of Euclid Street, NW

(Washington, DC) – Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch have announced that an arrest has been made in the homicide which occurred in the 1000 block of Euclid Street, NW.

On Friday, July 26, 2013 at approximately 6:18 am, personnel from the DC Fire & Emergency Medical Services received a call for smoke in an apartment building in the 1000 block of Euclid Street, NW. Upon arrival, they forced entry into an apartment and pulled the decedent from within. The decedent was suffering from burns and apparent gunshot wounds. The decedent was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. The decedent’s body was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner pending a ruling on the cause and manner of death.

The decedent is identified as 31 year-old Randolph Scott Harris, Jr. of Northwest, DC.

On Thursday, August 1, 2013, at approximately 4:00 pm, members of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested 34-year-old Jermaine Brown of Northwest, DC, pursuant to a District of Columbia Superior Court arrest warrant and charged him with First Degree Murder while Armed in connection to the death of Randolph Scott Harris, Jr.

NW DC Fire, Shooting Victim Identified as Randolph Scott Harris, Jr.; Police Search for Harris' Car

Laura Amico — Fri, 26 Jul 2013 16:52:37 -0400

A man found dead in a burning apartment in Northwest DC early Friday has been identified by police as 31-year-old Randolph Scott Harris, Jr.

Police say he was the victim of a homicide.

Harris was found inside an apartment in the 1000 block of Euclid Street Northwest suffering from burns and gunshot wounds at about 6:18 a.m. He was taken to a local hospital where he was declared dead.

Police say that Harris' car was not at the apartment when Harris was found and asked people in the area to call police if they see it. The car is described as a 2006 silver 4-door Mercedes SUV-style vehicle with a Maryland license plate of 7AL7802.

Photos of the vehicle are included in the press release from police, below.

July 26, 2013

Homicide: 1000 Block of Euclid Street, Northwest

(Washington, DC)-Detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide that occurred in the 1000 block of Euclid Street, NW.
On Friday, July 26, 2013 at approximately 6:18 am, personnel from the DC Fire & Emergency Medical Services received a call for smoke in an apartment building in the 1000 block of Euclid Street, NW. Upon arrival, they forced entry into an apartment and pulled the decedent from within. The decedent was suffering from burns and apparent gunshot wounds. The decedent was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. The decedent’s body has been transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner pending a ruling on the cause and manner of death.

The decedent is identified as 31 year-old Randolph Scott Harris, Jr. of Northwest, DC.

The decedent is said to have operated a 2006 Silver Four-door Mercedes SUV-style vehicle bearing Maryland Tags 7AL7802 similar to the pictures shown below. This vehicle was not on the scene at the time of the decedent’s discovery. Anyone who has knowledge of this vehicle, or sees the vehicle should take no action, but should immediately call the police.

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.

Man Found Dead with Gunshot Wounds After Friday Apartment Fire

Penny Ray — Fri, 26 Jul 2013 13:47:48 -0400

A man found inside a burning apartment in Northwest DC had been shot, WJLA and NBC Washington report.

According to reports, firefighters responded to a blaze in an apartment in the 1000 block of Euclid Street Northwest around 6:00 a.m. Friday. They found the man's body inside the apartment. It was later determined that he had been shot.

Reports NBC Washington:

Police say there were bullet wounds in the body, and believe the fire was started in an attempt to hide the body.

Two dogs were rescued from the apartment.

The victim's name has not been released. A neighbor told News4's Pat Collins the victim was 30.