A jury in the Superior Court of Washington D.C. has delivered a guilty verdict against Willie Byrd, 61, for the stabbing of a man last year in Northwest DC, a scene of attempted robbery escalating into violence. As reported on November 20, by the U.S. Department of Justice, Byrd faced charges for aggravated assault while armed and possession of a dangerous weapon. Honorable Judge Michael O'Keefe has set the sentencing for January 31, 2025.
On the evening of February 28, 2023, near 2nd and D Streets N.W., Byrd was involved in what started as a drug deal turned sour, attempting to take money from the victim. According to a report by the U.S. Attorney's Office, it was around 8:30 pm when the defendant armed with a large fixed-blade knife, stabbed the victim, inflicting life-threatening wounds that necessitated surgery and a prolonged hospitalization.
Following the stabbing, officers and detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department conducted a thorough review of surveillance footage sourced from the vicinity of the Federal City Shelter, which contributed to Byrd's apprehension. In possession of the surveillance video, MPD officers managed to locate Byrd hiding within the shelter and promptly arrested him.
U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves along with MPD Chief Pamela A. Smith extended their gratitude to the dedicated MPD staff for their investigative work. They also lauded the prosecutorial efforts of Assistant United States Attorneys Erica Rudolf and Ella Gladman, while acknowledging Assistant United States Attorney Gregory Evans for his role in the investigation.
