On a Monday morning, October 6, 2015, in the 600 block of 42nd Street, NE, the life of 20-year-old Muhammad Washington, known to some as “Mo,” was tragically cut short. At approximately 11:19 a.m., he was shot and killed in an act of violence that stemmed from a personal dispute. The events leading up to his death began with a man, later identified as Dion X. Martin, walking through the neighborhood loudly asking for “Mo.”
Witnesses heard Martin declare his intention to shoot Washington, angered that Washington had allegedly told people where his mother lived.
An argument erupted when Washington, an acquaintance of Martin, approached him at a corner. The heated exchange seemed to end as Martin walked away, but the conflict was far from over. He returned moments later, his hand concealed in his pocket. As Martin approached, Washington reached for him, and a brief struggle ensued. In that moment, Martin pulled out a gun and fired a single shot into Washington's chest.
As Martin fled the scene, Washington ran around a corner before succumbing to his injuries. The Metropolitan Police Department swiftly began an investigation, gathering information from eyewitnesses who saw the events unfold. Their search for the suspect was aided by another crucial witness to whom Martin later confessed to the crime. Through this combination of direct and indirect testimony, authorities identified Dion X. Martin as the man responsible for Muhammad Washington's death.
On December 11, 2015, Dion X. Martin was arrested. In June 2016, he pleaded guilty to a charge of second-degree murder while armed. Subsequently, Martin, who was 24 years old at the time of sentencing, was sentenced to 16 years in prison for the murder of Muhammad Washington. Following his prison term, he is to be placed on five years of supervised release.
