In the early morning hours of June 27, 2025, a tragic event unfolded in a Southeast Washington, D.C. apartment building that resulted in the death of 29-year-old Deandre Lewis. A male resident of Northeast, D.C., Lewis was discovered by Metropolitan Police Department officers inside an apartment on the 4200 block of 4th Street, Southeast, suffering from a fatal gunshot wound. The police were initially called to the location at approximately 1:54 a.m. for a reported disturbance.
Despite the immediate response and lifesaving efforts by DC Fire and EMS, Lewis was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation into the homicide led to the arrest of 47-year-old Maurice Gaskins of Arlington, VA, who was charged with Second Degree Murder while Armed. It was revealed that Gaskins was known to Lewis. Court documents indicate the shooting occurred in the hallway of the apartment building where Gaskins formerly resided. At the time of the incident, Lewis was leaving the building with a woman who is the mother of Gaskins' child.
During a preliminary hearing, a judge found probable cause in the case, despite a claim of self-defense made by Gaskins' attorney. The defense argued that Gaskins acted to protect his family, stating that Lewis was reaching for something in his waistband while standing near his son and the child's mother. An eyewitness reported hearing Gaskins say, 'stop reaching,' as he approached Lewis. Surveillance footage captured Gaskins walking towards Lewis and the witness, but the shooting itself was not recorded. A firearm was found near Lewis's body at the scene, though it was unclear if it had been moved. The prosecution argued that there was no evidence of an argument or dispute that would support a claim of self-defense.
