At approximately 11:35 last night, Monday, December 27, 1999, officers from the Sixth District were called to the 300 block of 37th Place, SE for the sound of gunshots. Upon their arrival they discovered the body of 16-year-old Melissa Payne, of the 300 block of 37th Place, SE. She was found on the walkway in front of an apartment building at 336 37th Place, SE suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Upon entering the building they located the body of 17-year-old Natosha Adams also of the 300 block of 37th Place, SE. She was found in the hallway of the apartment building also suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

Ms. Adams was taken to D.C. General Hospital and pronounced dead at 12:32 am. Ms. Payne was also taken to D. C. General Hospital and pronounced dead at 2:12 am.

The case is currently under investigation by members of the Sixth District. Anyone with information about this case is asked to call Sixth District detectives at 202-727-4515 or the department’s CrimeSolvers Unit at 1-800-673-2777.

All calls to CrimeSolvers are confidential. If a caller provides information through Crime Solvers which leads to an arrest and indictment, he/she will be eligible for a reward of up to ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS.

UPDATE: Today (12/28/99), Chief Ramsey announced that a task force has been created to investigate the double homicide. The task force will consist of members from the Sixth District, the department’s Mobile Force and Narcotics and Special Investigations Unit, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Chief Ramsey stated it’s important to send a message that every effort will be made to identify and apprehend anyone who would commit such a violent crime and to safeguard against possible retaliations as a result last nights murders.