The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has successfully apprehended all suspects involved in a recent altercation with officers in Southeast D.C. The incident, which saw several individuals assault members of the MPD, occurred on March 11, and the final suspect has now turned himself in.
On the afternoon of the disturbance, police engaged a man who was openly consuming marijuana on the 2600 block of Birney Place. As the situation escalated, officers were assaulted by multiple suspects. The unfolding event was captured on video and quickly made its rounds on social media, igniting conversations about police-civilian interactions. Accompanying the video, images of the fifth suspect were disseminated by the MPD in an effort to facilitate his capture.
According to a statement from the MPD, 44-year-old Ronald James Butler of Southeast, D.C., the final suspect, surrendered himself at an MPD station on March 17. He now faces charges of Felony Assault on a Police Officer as outlined by a DC Superior Court arrest warrant.
The MPD had previously arrested four other individuals in connection to the incident. Chief Pamela A. Smith expressed her satisfaction with the expedient arrests, stating, "I’m pleased with the quick apprehension, and I want thank our detectives for their work in identifying all the individuals involved in this attack of our police officers, ensuring they’ll face accountability for their actions." The initial suspects included 21-year-old Jermaine Irving and 21-year-old Donte Butler Jr, alongside 39-year-old Frederick Simms and 47-year-old Donte Butler Sr—all charged with assault-related offenses.
These arrests have sparked a broader dialogue regarding policing measures in public spaces and the enforcement of marijuana consumption laws. With all suspects now in custody, the MPD keenly moves forward with legal proceedings. This case continues to unfold, keeping community engagement and legal accountability at its core as the narrative progresses.
