In the early morning hours of October 1, 2023, 52-year-old Patricia Johnson was fatally shot inside her home in the 4000 block of 13th Street, Southeast, Washington, D.C. The female victim's death was the culmination of a domestic dispute.
Metropolitan Police Department officers responded to a report of a shooting at Johnson's residence at approximately 3:49 a.m. Upon arrival, they discovered Johnson suffering from gunshot wounds. She succumbed to her injuries at the scene.
An investigation by homicide detectives determined the shooting was domestic in nature.
The suspect in the shooting was identified as 46-year-old Desmond Thurston of Southeast, D.C., who was reportedly Johnson's boyfriend. Hours before the fatal shooting, Thurston had been served with a temporary protective order that barred him from being near Johnson or her property. Johnson had sought the court order, alleging that Thurston had threatened to shoot her in the face. On the day of the incident, a young family member of Johnson's called 911, telling the dispatcher that her ex-boyfriend had broken into the house and shot her. The child stated that the ex-boyfriend, alleged to be Thurston, broke through a chain on the front door.
Following the shooting, Thurston turned himself in to the police while they were still processing the crime scene. He waived his Miranda Rights and confessed to shooting Johnson. Thurston was arrested and has been charged with first-degree murder while armed. In a subsequent court appearance, a judge found probable cause that Thurston was the perpetrator. Prosecutors later offered Thurston a plea deal, which he rejected. The case is expected to proceed to trial.
