In the early morning hours of Thursday, June 25, 2015, the quiet streets of Southeast Washington, D.C. were broken by an act of violence that claimed the life of Stephon Marquis Perkins, a 21-year-old Black man from Maryland. At approximately 3:44 a.m., officers on patrol discovered Perkins lying in the street near the intersection of 16th and Galen Streets, SE. He was suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. Emergency medical services were dispatched to the scene, and Perkins was transported to a local hospital. Despite the efforts of medical personnel, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.
The Metropolitan Police Department launched a homicide investigation into the death of Perkins. In the immediate aftermath, authorities sought assistance from the public, urging anyone with information to come forward. A reward of up to $25,000 was offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for his death.
Detectives from the Homicide Branch were assigned to the case, working to piece together the events that led to the fatal shooting. The case was noted in public police reports and victim advocacy resources.
Years after the initial investigation began, the death of Stephon Perkins remains an open and unsolved homicide. No arrests have been made in connection with the case, and no suspects have been publicly identified. The circumstances surrounding why Perkins was at that location in the pre-dawn hours and what led to the shooting have not been officially detailed. His case is one of several unsolved killings in the Washington, D.C. area, leaving a lingering sense of unresolved justice for his family and community. The investigation remains in the hands of the Metropolitan Police Department, awaiting any new leads that might shed light on the tragic end to a young life.
