Solomon James Okoroh | Homicide Watch DC

Ercell Overton Sentenced to 28 Years in Prison for Death of Taxi Driver Solomon Okoroh

Dana Jennings — Fri, 25 Apr 2014 17:29:47 -0400

Judge Russell Canan on Friday sentenced 32-year-old Ercell Overton to 28 years in prison for the shooting death Solomon James Okoroh, 57.

“As I am imposing the maximum sentence of 28 years under this agreement, I do so reluctantly,” said Canan, adding that he believed the crimes were more serious than the sentence implied.

Overton pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in Okoroh's death. He also pleaded guilty to two counts of assaulting police officers in February.

Overton said he can't remember the shooting because he was under the influence of PCP at the time. His plea was an Alford plea, an agreement in which he accepts punishment without asserting guilt.

Overton apologized to Okoroh’s family and asked for forgiveness.

“I didn’t mean to do it," he said.

On June 4, 2013, just before 3:00 a.m., police officers heard gunshots and saw a muzzle flash in a speeding taxicab as it drove by them on Ontario Road Northwest and approached it after it crashed, according to court documents. Okoroh suffered two gunshot wounds in his taxi, one to each shoulder, documents say.

Overton exited the vehicle, pointed a handgun at a police officer, and ran into the bushes of a nearby residence, according to plea documents. He then engaged the police in a shootout, in which he broke into a basement on the 2300 block of Ontario Road Northwest before being arrested, documents say.

Okoroh was transported to Howard University Hospital with two gunshot wounds to his back, where he gave a description that matched Overton, and then later died of his wounds, according to court documents.

Okoroh was remembered in letters to the court by his pastor, Abayomi Ademuwagun, his wife, Patience Okoroh, and four of his five children.

“He was the best friend anyone could want to know,” Patience Okoroh told the court. “I just want him here and I can’t have him here.”

“Where is my daddy?” wrote his youngest child, “Why? Why? Why? I miss my daddy.”

“28 years or a million years, it doesn’t matter,” said Ademuwagun, “No amount of justice can be done. A good man is dead.”

“There are no words for it,” Canan told Okoroh’s family, “But your father’s memory will always be a blessing.”

A press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office is below.

District Man Sentenced to 28 Years in Prison For Murder of Taxi Driver and Assault of Two Police Officers
Defendant Fired at Officers, Forcibly Entered Apartment in Hopes of Evading Capture

WASHINGTON – Ercell D. Overton, 33, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 28 years in prison on charges stemming from the fatal shooting of a taxicab driver and a subsequent shoot-out with police, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced.

Overton pled guilty in February 2014, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to one count of second-degree murder while armed for the slaying of Solomon J. Okoroh and two counts of felony assault on a police officer while armed. The plea agreement was approved by the Honorable Russell F. Canan, who sentenced Overton this morning. Upon completion of his prison term, Overton will be placed on five years of supervised release.

According to the government’s evidence, at approximately 3 a.m. on June 4, 2013, three officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) were in a police vehicle and on patrol in the Adams Morgan area of Northwest Washington when they heard the sound of a single gunshot. Moments later, the officers observed a speeding Ford Explorer, “Classic Cab” taxi pass their location. The taxicab headed south in the 2300 block of Ontario Road NW, where it crashed into a parked car. As the taxicab passed by the police vehicle, officers observed a muzzle flash and heard the sound of a second gunshot from inside the passenger compartment of the taxi.

Upon impact, officers observed an unarmed man flee from the rear passenger side of the taxi. Two of the officers exited the police vehicle and apprehended the fleeing man without incident after a brief pursuit by foot.

Overton, on foot, then appeared behind the police vehicle and pointed a pistol toward the third officer, who was at the driver’s wheel. That officer exited the vehicle and took cover. Overton then ran behind the fence line of a house in the 2300 block of Ontario Road NW and discharged his weapon in the direction of two of the three police officers, who returned fire. Overton then forcibly entered a basement apartment on the block in an attempt to evade capture. MPD officers subsequently gained entry into the apartment and apprehended Overton and recovered a semi-automatic pistol in close proximity to Overton.

The taxi driver was later identified as Mr. Okoroh, 59, of Glenarden, Md. Mr. Okoroh suffered two fatal gunshot wounds to his back. He was taken to a hospital, where he died about two hours after the shooting. Prior to his death, he provided detectives assigned to the case a physical description of his assailant, which matched that of Overton.

In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Machen praised those who investigated the case for the MPD, including members of the Third District and Homicide Branch. He also expressed appreciation for those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Kwasi Fields. Finally, he commended the work of Assistant U.S Attorney George Pace, who prosecuted the matter.

Ercell Overton Pleads Guilty to Second-Degree Murder for Solomon James Okoroh Shooting

Kristian Hernandez — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 14:23:50 -0500

Ercell Overton pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder and two counts of assault to a police officer while armed in connection with the shooting death of 57-year-old taxi driver Solomon James Okoroh.

Overton, 32, signed an Alford plea agreement, which means that he accepts punishment without asserting guilt. In entering the plea, Overton said he is unable to remember the shooting because he was under the influence of PCP at the time. As a result, Overton can not admit to criminal acts, but agrees that prosecutor's evidence would be likely prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

In exchange for his plea, prosecutors have agreed to request a sentence of 25 to 28 years in prison.

On June 4, 2013, Okoroh suffered two gunshot wounds in his taxi, one to each shoulder. After being shot he crashed his taxi in the 2300 block of Ontario Road Northwest. Police arrested Overton after he was seen fleeing Okoroh's taxi.

During this morning’s hearing, Judge Canan asked prosecutors to amend the factual proffer of Overton's plea to include information that Okoroh identified his shooter before he died as wearing glasses having long dread locks. Okoroh's description matched Overton at the time of his arrest, according to proffer.

According to charging documents, on the early morning hours of June 3, 2013 Metropolitan Police officers were patrolling the Adams Morgan neighborhood in an unmarked car when they heard a single gunshot.

Seconds later, a Ford Explorer taxicab sped past the officers, at which time they heard another gunshot and saw a flash from inside the vehicle. The taxi, which was headed southbound in the 2300 block of Ontario Road NW, then crashed into another vehicle and a parking meter.

Police officers drove up to the crashed taxi, and saw Overton jump out of the vehicle. Overton pointed a handgun at one of the officers that was still inside the car, and then ran into the bushes of a nearby residence. Moments later, from behind a fence, Overton fired shots at police as they surrounded his location; the officers returned fire. Overton then kicked in the door of a basement apartment where he took refuge until he was apprehended by a K-9 Unit.

Overton is scheduled to be sentenced on April 22 by Judge Russell Canan.

An earlier version of this story misstated that Overton fled from Overton's taxi. Overton was fleeing from Okoroh's taxi.

A press release and plea documents have been added below.

District Man Pleads Guilty to the Murder of a Taxi Driver And Felony Assault of Two Police Officers
Defendant Fired at Officers, Forcibly Entered Apartment in Hopes of Evading Capture

WASHINGTON – Ercell D. Overton, 32, of Washington, D.C., has pled guilty to second-degree murder while armed and other charges in the fatal shooting last June of taxicab driver Solomon J. Okoroh and a subsequent shoot-out with police, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced.

In addition to the murder charge, Overton pled guilty on Feb. 12, 2014 in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to two counts of felony assault on a police officer while armed. The Honorable Russell F. Canan scheduled sentencing for April 25, 2014. The plea agreement, contingent upon the Court’s approval, calls for a prison sentence of 25 years to 28 years.

According to the government’s evidence, at approximately 3 a.m. on June 4, 2013, three officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) were in a police vehicle and on patrol in the Adams Morgan area of Northwest Washington when they heard the sound of a single gunshot. Moments later, the officers observed a speeding Ford Explorer, “Classic Cab” taxi pass their location. The taxicab headed south in the 2300 block of Ontario Road NW, where it crashed into a parked car. As the taxicab passed by the police vehicle, officers observed a muzzle flash and heard the sound of a second gunshot from inside the passenger compartment of the taxi.

Upon impact, officers observed an unarmed man flee from the rear passenger side of the taxi. Two of the officers exited the police vehicle and apprehended the fleeing man without incident after a brief pursuit by foot.

Overton, on foot, then appeared behind the police vehicle and pointed a pistol toward the third officer, who was at the driver’s wheel. That officer exited the vehicle and took cover. Overton then ran behind the fence line of a house in the 2300 block of Ontario Road NW and discharged his weapon in the direction of two of the three police officers, who returned fire. Overton then forcibly entered a basement apartment on the block in an attempt to evade capture. MPD officers subsequently gained entry into the apartment and apprehended Overton and recovered a semi-automatic pistol in close proximity to Overton.

The taxi driver was later identified as Solomon J. Okoroh, 57, of Glenarden, Md. Mr. Okoroh suffered two fatal gunshot wounds to his back. He was taken to a hospital, where he died about two hours after the shooting. Prior to his death, he provided detectives assigned to the case a physical description of his assailant, which matched that of Overton.

In announcing the guilty plea, U.S. Attorney Machen praised those who investigated the case for the MPD, including members of the Third District and Homicide Branch. He also expressed appreciation for those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Kwasi Fields. Finally, he commended the work of Assistant U.S Attorney George Pace, who is prosecuting the matter.

Overton, Ercell Plea Docs (PDF)Overton, Ercell Plea Docs (Text)

Ercell Overton Held in Connection with Solomon James Okoroh Murder

Megan Arellano — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 19:08:49 -0400

Judge Karen Howze ordered Ercell Overton held Wednesday pending a preliminary hearing in connection with the shooting death of 57-year-old taxi driver Solomon James Okoroh.

Tuesday morning, Okoroh suffered two gunshot wounds, one to each shoulder, and later died at Howard University Hospital.

Overton, 32, was arrested shortly after following a shootout with police.

According to charging documents in the case, Metropolitan Police officers were patrolling the Adams Morgan neighborhood early Tuesday morning as part of Operation Summer Ice, MPD's summer crime initiative, when they heard a single gunshot. Seconds later, a Ford Explorer taxicab sped past the officers, at which time they heard another gunshot and saw a flash from inside the vehicle. The taxi, which was headed southbound in the 2300 block of Ontario Road NW, then crashed into another vehicle and a parking meter.

Documents say that as the police officers approached the crashed taxi, Overton jumped out of the vehicle, pointed a handgun at one of the officers, and then ran into the bushes of a nearby residence. Moments later, from behind a fence, Overton fired shots at police as they surrounded his location; the officers returned fire. Overton then kicked in a residential basement door and the officers surrounded the perimeter and called the K-9 Unit.

Arrest documents say Overton was apprehended "by means of a K-9 bite."

Police recovered a .380 caliber handgun from inside the basement where they apprehended Overton; they also recovered one .380 shell casing from inside the taxicab and seven .380 casings from the vicinity of the home where the shootout occurred.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 21.

Arrest documents are below.

Ercell Overton Charging Documents (PDF)Ercell Overton Charging Documents (Text)

Solomon James Okoroh, Ercell Overton Identified as Victim, Suspect in Tuesday Morning Shooting

Penny Ray — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 14:42:49 -0400

A taxi driver who was shot and killed in Adams Morgan Tuesday morning has been identified as 57-year-old Solomon James Okoroh of Lanham, Md.

The driver's name was released Tuesday afternoon by Metropolitan police, who also released the name of the man charged in connection with the shooting.

That man, 32-year-old Ercell Overton of Northwest DC, has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with Okoroh's death.

According to a statement from police, around 3 a.m. Tuesday, police officers were patrolling the 2400 block of Ontario Road Northwest when they saw a taxi drive by and heard a gunshot. The car crashed and two male suspects jumped out and fled on foot.

The officers chased the two men and one of the suspects pulled a handgun and fired shots at them. The men were eventually arrested and no officers were injured in the shootout.

Okoroh died at the hospital.

The second suspect was arrested on an unrelated charge.

A press release from MPD is below.

Police Involved Shooting: Suspects Arrested in the 2400 Block of Ontario Road, NW

(Washington, DC)-The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a police involved shooting which occurred in the 2400 block of Ontario Road, NW.

Preliminary investigation reveals that on Tuesday, June 4, 2013, at approximately 3:15 am, police officers in the Third District’s Robbery Tactical Unit, were patrolling in the 2400 block of Ontario Road, NW, when they observed a taxicab drive by and heard a gunshot. The taxicab crashed and two suspects jumped out of the taxicab and fled on foot. The police officers pursued the suspects and one of the suspects pulled out a handgun and fired at the officers who returned fire. The suspect then forced his way into a home where he was apprehended. The second suspect was apprehended nearby without further incident. A weapon was recovered. DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel transported the taxicab driver, the victim of the shooting, to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.

The decedent is identified as 57-year-old Solomon James Okoroh of Lanham, Maryland.

The first suspect has been identified as 32 year-old Ercell Overton of Northwest, Washington DC. He has been charged with Murder I, Felony Assault on a Police Officer, Burglary One.

The second subject has been identified as 24 year-old Joshua King of Hyattsville, Maryland. He has been charged with an unrelated Probation Violation Warrant.

No police officers were injured in this incident. The Metropolitan Police Department’s Internal Affairs Division and Homicide Unit are conducting the investigation.

Taxi Driver Fatally Shot Tuesday Morning in Adams Morgan

Penny Ray — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 09:59:15 -0400

Several media outlets report a fatal shooting occurred early Tuesday morning in the 2400 block of Ontario Place Northwest.

According to NBC Washington, a taxicab driver was shot and killed around 3 a.m. Tuesday morning in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of Northwest D.C. Police officers working in the area saw two men exit the taxi and then exchanged gunfire with the suspects as the two men tried to flee.

Those men have been arrested, according to reports. The taxi driver died at the hospital; his name has not yet been released to the public.