A dispute over a bathroom escalated into a fatal shooting on the evening of Friday, December 1, 2023, resulting in the death of 23-year-old Brandon Lewis of Southwest, DC. The male victim was inside a building in the 900 block of Rhode Island Avenue, Northeast, when the altercation began. The location was identified as DC Doors, a non-profit organization that helps members of the Latino community secure housing.
The incident started when another man banged on the bathroom door while
22-year-old Clarence McKnight was inside, telling him to hurry up. When McKnight emerged, a confrontation began. McKnight allegedly made threats but was deterred from a physical fight when he saw that the man was accompanied by Brandon Lewis, as he feared being outnumbered. The argument continued outside before all three men went back inside the building.
According to police reports based on surveillance footage, Lewis approached McKnight in the building’s café area and punched him in the head at least twice. McKnight retaliated by grabbing Lewis's clothing, pulling out a gun, and shooting him multiple times. Police were called to the scene at approximately 6:37 p.m. for a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, they found Brandon Lewis suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.
Clarence McKnight, who has no fixed address, was arrested shortly after the incident on the same day. He has been charged with second-degree murder while armed in connection with Brandon Lewis's death.
