In the early morning hours of Saturday, December 7, 2019, a violent encounter inside a residence in the 1700 block of Capitol Avenue, Northeast, Washington D.C., claimed the life of 38-year-old Alayna Dawnielle Howard. The Metropolitan Police Department's Fifth District officers responded to a report of a shooting at approximately 5:14 a.m. and discovered a grim scene.
Upon entering the residence, officers found three victims.
Alayna Dawnielle Howard was discovered with multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene. Her body was later transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. A second adult female was also found inside the residence, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Emergency medical services transported her to a local hospital for treatment.
An adult male, identified as 48-year-old Vaughn Alexander Kosh of Northeast, D.C., was also located at the scene with both gunshot and stab wounds. He was transported to an area hospital for medical attention. Following an investigation by detectives from the Homicide Branch, Kosh was arrested on the same day as the incident. He was subsequently charged with First Degree Murder While Armed and Assault with Intent to Kill in connection with the death of Alayna Dawnielle Howard and the injuries to the other victims.
