On a Tuesday afternoon in Washington, D.C., Rudolph Garris, a 25-year-old man from Suitland, Maryland, was fatally shot. The incident occurred around 3 p.m. on March 1, 2016, in the 4200 block of 6th Street SE. The location of the shooting was distressingly close to an elementary school, where children were playing outside. The sound of gunfire prompted the school to be placed on lockdown as children were quickly brought inside to safety.
Garris was discovered with gunshot wounds and was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation into the death of Rudolph Garris soon focused on a suspect. The Metropolitan Police Department identified 23-year-old Tavon Stewart, also known as 'Juice,' as the individual wanted in connection with the fatal shooting. A warrant was issued for his arrest on a charge of second-degree murder while armed. Authorities described Stewart as a Black male with a medium complexion, standing five feet, nine inches tall, and weighing 150 pounds. The police sought the public's assistance in locating him.
Ultimately, Tavon Stewart was apprehended and brought to justice for his role in Rudolph Garris's death. In a resolution to the case, Stewart entered into a plea agreement and pleaded guilty to the charge of voluntary manslaughter. He was subsequently sentenced to seven years in prison. During the sentencing, the court acknowledged the profound and lasting impact of the crime, not only on the community but specifically on Garris's young son. In addition to his prison term, Stewart was ordered to serve five years of supervised release upon the completion of his sentence.
