A Southeast D.C. man was arraigned Friday on a charge of second-degree murder while armed after an elderly bystander was struck and killed by shots fired in an argument near a deli in Northwest, authorities said.
Demarcus Barnett, 20, entered a not-guilty plea and has been held without bond after the court determined there was evidence that he probably caused the death of Lasanta McGill, 62.
On Thursday, Mr. Barnett and two others were involved in a dispute at the Shaw Howard Deli and Market when the quarrel quickly evolved into a shootout that spilled into the street, police said. Mr. McGill, who is not believed to have been involved in the argument, was struck in the crossfire.
The Metropolitan Police Department responded to the scene at around 1:07 p.m. and found Mr. McGill in critical condition. He was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Mr. Barnett is accused of firing the fatal shot. Surveillance footage cited in the affidavit for Mr. Barnett’s arrest showed that the other two men appeared to have opened fire after Mr. Barnett had already done so and after Mr. McGill had been struck and lay on the ground.
A police officer cited in the affidavit attested to have seen the suspect dispose of the .40-caliber Smith & Wesson handgun in nearby bushes.
Mr. Barnett said in an interview with police detectives that he was defending himself from being robbed by the other two individuals, who attempted to snatch his chains and held guns to his head.
He also swore on Allah, according to the affidavit, that he did not know the other two men involved in the dispute.
Mr. Barnett was arrested later on Thursday. He had previously pleaded guilty to carrying a pistol while unlicensed in May, and was due to be sentenced on that charge in July.
“We have way too many people on our streets in the District of Columbia that are carrying illegal firearms that have no business carrying illegal firearms. … Unfortunately, there are too many people carrying firearms, and simple physical and verbal disputes leading to gunfire is unacceptable,” police Cmdr. James Boteler said Thursday at a press conference at the scene.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.