In the summer of 2020, a dispute over money tragically ended the life of 26-year-old Michael Brittingham in Washington, D.C. On the evening of August 6th, officers responded to the sound of gunshots in the 600 block of 46th Place, Southeast. Upon arrival, they found Michael Brittingham suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Despite the efforts of emergency services, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Two other individuals, an adult male and a juvenile male, also sustained gunshot wounds in the incident but their injuries were not life-threatening.
The investigation into Brittingham's death led authorities to identify a suspect, Dreaun Young. At the time of the incident, Young was a juvenile, but he was charged as an adult with Second Degree Murder while Armed. Witnesses reported that Brittingham and Young, who were acquainted from the neighborhood, were arguing over money. The confrontation, which took place near an ice cream truck, escalated, leading to Brittingham being shot nine times at close range.
Following the shooting, Dreaun Young fled the area, managing to evade capture for two years. In August 2022, he was located and arrested in Hollywood, California, by a fugitive task force. He was subsequently extradited back to Washington, D.C. to face the charges against him. In January 2024, Young, then 19, accepted a plea deal and pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed. He was sentenced to 11 years in prison for his role in the death of Michael Brittingham.
