Detectives assigned to the Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch are currently investigating a homicide which occurred in the 2700 block of Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, SE.

On Monday, July 20, 2009 at approximately 10:40 pm members of the Seventh District responded to the 2700 block of Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, SE for the report of a robbery. Upon arrival, officers discovered an adult male victim suffering from lacerations to his face and hands. The victim, who was conscious and breathing, was admitted in stable condition at a local hospital.

On Friday, July 24, 2009, the victim was transported to another local hospital and listed in critical condition. On Saturday, July 25, 2009 at 11:49 am, the victim was pronounced dead. The victim has been identified as 76-year-old Clarence Lawrence Dews of the 2900 block of Seventh Street, SE.

An autopsy performed by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner on Tuesday, July 28, 2009, ruled the case a homicide as a result of blunt force trauma.

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 is currently offering a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for any homicide committed in the District of Columbia.

Anonymous information may also be forwarded 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 a caller to Crime Solvers leads to an arrest and indictment, that caller will be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.