DC Police Arrest 2 Men In 2 Separate Homicides

WASHINGTON, DC — Homicide detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department arrested two men this week in connection with two separate fatal shootings, one dating back to October 2019, according to a police release.

In the first case, officers from the Seventh District responded around 8:05 a.m., on May 8, to the 4000 block of South Capitol Terrace, S.W., for the report of a shooting. They found a man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. D.C. Fire and EMS transported the victim to a hospital for treatment, but all life-saving efforts failed and he was pronounced dead. Police identified the victim as Eddie Crist, 28, of no fixed address.

Acting on a D.C. Superior Court arrest warrant Monday, MPD arrested Nathaniel Bates, 35, of Southeast, and charged him with first degree murder while armed.

Bates' previous arrest history includes possession of an unregistered firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm, carrying a pistol without a license, possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device, assault on a police officer (aggravated assault), resisting arrest, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, fleeing from a law enforcement officer in a motor vehicle, assault with a dangerous weapon, discharging firearms, and assault with intent to kill.

In the second case, officers from the Seventh District responded around 5:50 p.m., on Oct. 17, 2019, for the report of the sound of gunshots in the 4200 block of 6th St., S.E. They found two men suffering from gunshot wounds. FEMS responded to the scene and determined one of the victims, identified as Deron Leake, 27, of Southeast, was dead. FEMS transported the second victim to an area hospital to be treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Davonte Brothers, 26, of Southeast, was transported Wednesday to MPD's Homicide Branch pursuit to a D.C. Superior Court arrest warrant. Police charged him with first degree murder while armed.

At the time of his arrest, Brothers was being held in the D.C. Jail on a fugitive from justice charge. His prior arrest history that includes assault on a police officer, assault with intent to kill, possession of unregistered ammunition, assault with a dangerous weapon, and possession of a prohibited weapon.