In the early hours of a summer morning in Washington, D.C., a violent encounter cut short the life of 20-year-old Derek Price. On July 13, 2014, Price was driving a car with two passengers when they were approached by Jimmie Fleming and a juvenile. Price agreed to give them a ride. Shortly after Fleming and the juvenile entered the vehicle, Fleming brandished a gun and opened fire on the occupants of the car in what was described as an unprovoked attack.
The sudden burst of violence
inside the moving vehicle had devastating consequences. Both Derek Price and another passenger, 21-year-old Donchell Thomas, were fatally shot in the head. A third victim in the car was also shot multiple times but survived the ordeal. The car crashed at the intersection of North Capitol and T Streets Northwest following the shooting. In the immediate aftermath, Jimmie Fleming fled the scene on foot.
The investigation into the double homicide led police to a nearby house where they located and arrested Fleming. A search of the residence uncovered a bag of ammunition in his room. Fleming, who was 36 years old at the time, was subsequently charged in connection with the deaths of Derek Price and Donchell Thomas, as well as the assault of the surviving passenger.
In September 2014, Jimmie Fleming pleaded guilty to two counts of voluntary manslaughter while armed for the deaths of Price and Thomas. He also pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated assault while armed for the shooting of the third victim. His guilty plea was part of an agreement that called for a significant prison sentence for his role in the tragic and senseless act of violence that claimed two young lives.
