Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Defendant Stabbed Victim in the Chest, Causing Serious Injury

            WASHINGTON – Willie Byrd, 61, of Washington D.C., has been found guilty of committing a violent assault in February 2023, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela A. Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            The Superior Court jury returned its verdict on November 19, 2024, finding Byrd guilty of one count aggravated assault while armed and one count of carrying a dangerous weapon. The Honorable Michael O’Keefe scheduled sentencing for January 31, 2025. 

            According to the government’s evidence, at approximately 8:30 pm, on February 28, 2023, the defendant stabbed the victim in the chest with a large fixed-blade knife, near the corner of 2nd and D Streets N.W. Before the stabbing occurred, the defendant was trying to take money from the victim while attempting to conduct a drug transaction. The victim suffered life-threatening injuries to multiple organs and required surgery and an extended hospital stay.

            MPD officers and detectives reviewed surveillance video footage of the stabbing from the nearby Federal City Shelter, which led to Byrd’s identification as the assailant. MPD detectives located Byrd inside of the shelter, and he was placed under arrest.

            In announcing the verdict, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. 

            Finally, they commended the work of Assistant United States Attorneys Erica Rudolf and Ella Gladman, who prosecuted the case, and Assistant United States Attorney Gregory Evans, who investigated the case.