In the spring of 2025, a dispute between two former friends in Washington, D.C. culminated in a fatal shooting that claimed the life of 16-year-old Dominique Dingle. A male, Dingle was shot and killed on the evening of Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in the 1000 block of 3rd Place, Southeast. When officers from the Metropolitan Police Department arrived at the scene around 9:41 p.m., they found Dingle unconscious, not breathing, and suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.
Emergency medical services pronounced him dead at the scene.
The investigation into Dingle’s death led to the arrest of 17-year-old Leroy Dixon of Southeast, D.C., on Monday, August 11, 2025. Dixon was charged as an adult with second-degree murder while armed. Court proceedings revealed a troubled history between the two teenagers, who had once been close friends. According to testimony from Dingle’s mother and a close friend, the friendship had soured, leading to a physical altercation where Dingle had reportedly beaten Dixon. There were also allegations that Dixon had pointed a gun at Dingle on a previous occasion during a heated argument.
On the night of the shooting, another argument erupted between the two. Witnesses stated that Dingle got off his scooter and aggressively approached Dixon. Dingle's mother, who was present, attempted to hold her son back. It was then that Dixon allegedly said, “Don’t make me do this in front of your mother.” When Dingle broke free, Dixon is accused of shooting him in the chest.
During a preliminary hearing, Dixon's defense attorney argued that his client acted in self-defense, claiming Dingle was the aggressor. The prosecution, however, contended that the shooting was an act of retaliation for the previous fight. A judge ultimately found probable cause to proceed with the case against Dixon. In a later development, in November 2025, a judge released Dixon to home confinement pending further legal proceedings.
