District Mayor Adrian Fenty and police chief Cathy L. Lanier announced an arrest Wednesday in the death of a man leaving a funeral on a busy U Street Northwest block Tuesday.
In a Wednesday morning press conference, they also sought the public’s help in finding a second person fleeing the scene in a 2001 white Buick.
Lanier said police arrested Brandon Miller, 21, of Girard Street NW, at about 9:30 p.m. Tuesday. Miller faces one charge of first degree murder while armed and will probably face arraignment later Wednesday.
Police also sought information about the white Buick seen with D.C. license plates at the scene, saying they were looking for another person leaving with Miller in the vehicle.
“That car was used to leave the scene. We believe the shooter and possibly a second person was in that car,” Lanier said. “Anyone who has seen that car could provide some additional assistance.”
Miller was arrested in connection with the death of Jamal Coates, in his mid-20s, who was found dead in an overturned Dodge Caliber on U Street after being shot at while trying to drive away from Walker Baptist Church.
Lanier said investigators believed the killing stemmed from a gang dispute and was not connected with the case of Ashley McRae, outside whose funeral the shooting occurred.
While Fenty hailed quick police work for the arrest, Lanier thanked community members for aiding the investigation and condemned gang violence as self-defeating.
“We do know gang members were involved. . . . But even with the information we have, there’s no reason to take someone’s life,” Lanier said.
