FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, July 18, 2022

Killing Took Place in Potomac Gardens Neighborhood

            WASHINGTON –Quincy Garvin, 22, and Saquan Williams, 20, both of Washington, D.C., have been found guilty by a jury of conspiracy, first-degree murder while armed, participation in a criminal street gang, and other charges for a brazen shooting into a courtyard that took place in September 2017 in the Potomac Gardens area of Southeast Washington.

            The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Robert J. Contee III, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            The verdicts were returned today and on July 13, 2022, following a six-week trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The Honorable Robert Okun presided over the trial. At sentencing, both defendants face a maximum sentence of life in prison for the crimes. Judge Okun set a status hearing for Sept. 9, 2022. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

            According to the government’s evidence, between May 2017and October 2017, the defendants and others were members of a criminal street gang operating in the area of Wellington Park, within Washington, D.C.  Garvin, Williams, and others were involved in a number of “beefs” with individuals from other areas of the city. 

            Thus, on Sept. 10, 2017, at approximately 6 p.m., as the victim, Carl Hardy, was standing outside in the Potomac Gardens neighborhood, Williams, Garvin, and two others circled the Potomac Gardens neighborhood three times looking for individuals to target. On the fourth trip around the block, the vehicle stopped, and the driver paused to allow Garvin, Williams, and one other man to exit the vehicle armed with multiple weapons, to include an assault rifle.  Garvin, Williams and the third shooter opened fire on the crowded courtyard, firing over 30 rounds and striking Mr. Hardy.  The group then fled the scene.

            Mr. Hardy, 24, was transported to the hospital where doctors operated multiple times in their efforts to save him.  Ultimately, on Oct. 1, 2017, Mr. Hardy succumbed to his injuries.  Shortly after Mr. Hardy’s death, arrest warrants were obtained for Williams and Garvin charging them with the murder.

            A homeowner who lived across the street from the shooting had a surveillance system with audio and high-definition video that captured the shooters as they ran back to the vehicle immediately after the shooting.  This video was instrumental in investigating and prosecuting the case. This prosecution reflects the value of the District of Columbia’s Private Security Camera Incentive Program, which encourages residents to install security cameras to assist law enforcement. 

            In announcing the verdict, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Contee commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by the U.S. Marshals Service, the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force, and the District of Columbia Department of Forensic Sciences. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Chrisellen Kolb, Chief of the Appellate Division; Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan Sellinger, Daniel Lenerz, and Sharon Donovan; Supervisory Paralegal Specialist Tasha Harris; Lead Paralegal Specialists Sharon Newman and Meridith McGarrity; Paralegal Specialist Stephanie Siegerist; Supervisory Victim/Witness Advocate Jennifer Clark; Witness Security Specialist Ashli Tolbert; Supervisory Litigation Technology Specialist Leif Hickling; Litigation Technology Specialist Claudia Gutierrez; Supervisory Victim/Witness Services Coordinator Katina Adams-Washington; Victim/Witness Services Coordinators LaJune Thames and Maenylie Watson; and Investigative Analyst Zachary McMenamin. 

            Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Jackson and former Assistant U.S. Attorney John Timmer, who investigated and indicted the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laura Bach and Lindsey Merikas who tried the case.