Detectives assigned to the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are investigating a homicide which occurred this evening in the vicinity of Georgia Avenue and Gresham Place, NW.

On Wednesday, February 25, 2009, at approximately 6:00 pm, members of the Third District responded to Georgia Avenue and Gresham Place, NW for the report of an assault in progress.  Upon arrival, they discovered that the victim had been transported by private vehicle to Howard University Hospital suffering from stab wounds.  Subsequently, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead.  The victim has been identified as 22-year-old Chiagbanwe Ukaoma of Washington, DC.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the victim and three other people exited a carryout located at the intersection of Georgia Avenue and Gresham Place, at which time they became involved in a physical altercation with another group of about five subjects that had been loitering in front of the carryout.  During this altercation, the motive of which is unclear at this time, the victim sustained multiple stab wounds.   

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call police at (202) 727-9099 or 1(888) 919-CRIM[E] (1-888-919-2746). 

The Metropolitan Police Department currently offers a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone that provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons wanted for any homicide committed in the District of Columbia.

Additionally, anonymous information may be submitted to DC CRIME SOLVERS at 1-866-411-TIPS and to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE by text messaging 50411. If the information provided by the caller to the Crime Solvers Unit leads to an arrest and indictment, that caller will be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.