In the autumn of 2016, a life was tragically cut short in Washington, D.C. Orlando Donald Silver III, a 37-year-old man, was killed by gun violence on Sunday, November 27, 2016. The incident that led to his death unfolded on the 1300 block of Howard Road, SE.
In the wake of the shooting, two men were arrested and charged in connection with Silver's death.
Marquette Tibbs and Cinquan Cartledge, 25, faced charges including first-degree murder while armed and conspiracy to commit a crime of violence. During his murder trial in January 2020, Tibbs testified about his relationship with Silver, describing them as business associates who had met about four months prior to the shooting.
Tibbs claimed that he and Silver were involved in selling marijuana. He told the court that on the day of the incident, he had arranged to trade a Smith and Wesson handgun with an associate of Silver's for what he believed would be a more valuable Beretta. According to Tibbs, the exchange went awry. He testified that after deciding not to go through with the trade and as he was leaving, a shot was fired. He maintained his innocence, stating, 'I did not touch the gun. I didn't shoot and kill Orlando.' Tibbs alleged that it was Silver's own associate who fired the fatal shot that struck Silver in the back. Fearing the arrival of the police, particularly because he was in possession of an illegal weapon, Tibbs said he fled the scene in a state of confusion.
