In the early morning hours of October 24, 2019, a tragic encounter unfolded inside a Northeast Washington, D.C. apartment that would claim the life of 32-year-old Alie Labay. At approximately 5:12 a.m., officers from the Fifth District of the Metropolitan Police Department responded to a report of a shooting in the 900 block of 21st Street, Northeast. Upon their arrival, they discovered Labay inside a residence, unconscious and suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
Despite the immediate response of D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services and their life-saving efforts, Labay was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
The investigation into the fatal shooting quickly identified a suspect: 30-year-old Gregory Antwan Washington. It was determined that the apartment where the shooting occurred belonged to Washington's ex-wife. Washington had gone to the residence that morning and found Labay with her. An altercation ensued between the two men, which tragically escalated to Washington shooting Labay. Following the shooting, Washington fled the scene.
A warrant was issued for Washington's arrest, and a search for him was initiated. On November 26, 2019, members of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force apprehended Washington and transported him to the Homicide Branch of the Metropolitan Police Department. He was subsequently charged with first-degree murder while armed.
In the ensuing legal proceedings, Gregory Washington ultimately pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter while armed. In July 2022, a D.C. Superior Court judge sentenced him to 14 years in prison for the killing of Alie Labay. He will also be required to serve five years of supervised release following the completion of his prison term.
