In the early moments of a Tuesday in December, the lives of two brothers from Honduras were tragically cut short on a street in Northeast Washington, D.C. Osmine Quintano, a 35-year-old man, and his younger brother, 28-year-old Octavio Quintano, were fatally shot just after midnight on December 12, 2023. The incident unfolded in the 2300 block of 4th Street NE, near The Pollo Company restaurant where they both worked.
When police responded to reports of a shooting, they discovered both men in the roadway with gunshot wounds; they were pronounced dead at the scene.
The events leading to the shooting reportedly began with a verbal altercation. Surveillance footage from the area captured the dispute that preceded the fatal encounter. Following the initial confrontation, the assailant shot both brothers. No weapons were found on or near the victims. The loss was deeply felt by their family, who described Osmine as a great son, brother, and a kind person who treated others with respect. Family members initiated a GoFundMe campaign to cover funeral expenses and to transport their bodies back to their native Honduras.
A suspect, 24-year-old Ronzoni Allen Jackson Jr. of Washington, D.C., was arrested on December 17, 2023. In a surprising turn, Jackson himself had contacted 911 the day before his arrest, stating that he was 'wanted for murder' and had shot someone. He reportedly told the dispatcher that he was intoxicated at the time of the incident, had mental health issues, and could not recall why he had fired his weapon. After being taken for a psychiatric evaluation, he was charged with two counts of first-degree murder while armed.
During legal proceedings, a judge found probable cause to hold Jackson without bond. He pleaded not guilty to the charges. Surveillance video and Jackson's distinctive appearance, including a neck tattoo, were key pieces of evidence presented by the prosecution. His defense attorney has indicated an intention to pursue an insanity defense, and court proceedings are ongoing.
