From Chief Lanier:
Following a series of assaults in the Petworth neighborhood in the past 72 hours, we deployed several teams of undercover officers to the area. Last night at approximately 9:00 PM, members assigned to our Narcotics and Special Investigations Division, Strike Force was patrolling in the 800 block of Gallatin Street Northwest when they heard someone yelling for help. They observed a female on the ground suffering obvious injury to the head. As they approached the victim they observe a subject a short distance away in the alley, holding a dark colored bag. As the officers made eye contact with the subject, he began running and was pursued by the officers. During the pursuit, the officers observe the subject discard the backpack. The pursuit continued to the 4800 block of Illinois Avenue where the suspect was apprehended.
A claw hammer, believed at this time to be the weapon used in the assault was recovered from the back pack discarded by the suspect.
The suspect has been identified as 19 year old Michael Davis of the 900 block of Emerson Street, NW. At this time he has been charged with one count of aggravated assault.
The victim in this case, who is not being identified, is a 19 year old female. She has suffered a serious head injury and remains hospitalized.
At this time, we are continuing to investigate and process evidence to determine if this case may be linked to the prior three cases that occurred in the Petworth neighborhood over the past 72 hours.
It goes without saying, we are extremely proud of the officers and detectives involved in this apprehension. They have certainly demonstrated their commitment to the safety of our community and the mission of the Metropolitan Police Department.
Brilliant. Well done by MPD to target the area and nail this kid. Sorry that one more person got attacked. There was no evidence of robbery in the other cases either, was there? Crazy that a 19 year old would be doing this on his own (ie, not a group of kids having "fun") with no attempts at robbery. Sad situation all around, but great work by MPD on this one.
ReplyDeleteThe neighborhood violence in general doesn't spook me that much, since it feels targeted in a way that doesn't usually affect me (I don't buy drugs, run with a crew or stay out after midnight walking GA ave with an ipod in my ears), but the things like this that feel totally random are always troubling. Really relieved they may have found their perp.