Washington, D.C. is tackling gun violence with renewed vigor, evidenced by the indictment of Dewayne Keith Miles, a 29-year-old resident of the city. As part of the "Make D.C. Safe Again" initiative, spearheaded by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr., the city has been surging resources to quell the violent crime that plagues its streets. The collaborative effort, which involves the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), has yielded a significant case with the recent events involving Miles.
In a statement obtained by the U.S. Attorney's Office, officials detailed the incident that led to Miles' indictment. On March 15, MPD officers, in the midst of investigating a robbery, heard gunfire punctuating the air. They witnessed Miles discharge a weapon skyward outside a residence on Benning Road, SE. The situation escalated as Miles reportedly entered the residence, prompting the police to recover thirteen 9mm cartridge casings and a stolen Smith & Wesson SD9 handgun at the scene.
The chase culminated with Miles' arrest after he exited the building. A search confirmed possession of a live round matching the ammunition scattered on the street. The firearm's origin—a poignant reminder of the gun's violent journey—was traced back to the Richmond City Police Department, from where it had been reported missing.
Consistent with the ammunition recovered, the weapon was deemed functional and illegal based on District regulations. For Miles, the law was clear: his felony record strictly barred him from owning a firearm. The case against him is now under the purview of Assistant U.S. Attorney Shehzad Akhtar and is buttressed by the investigative efforts of both ATF and MPD, which are still probing the incident. The public safety initiative looms large in the backdrop of this case, as authorities strive to dismantle the cycle of violence that grips the capital.
