WASHINGTON - Two people are facing charges in the shooting death of an off-duty Secret Service officer last year, and D.C. police say one of the suspects is the same 17-year-old boy who was also charged in the murder of a 15-year-old boy at the Deanwood Metro station last month.
In a news conference held Wednesday afternoon, D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier said 17-year-old Maurice Bellamy is being charged as an adult in the slaying of 30-year-old Arthur Baldwin, an off-duty Secret Service officer who was shot several times on First Street, SW, on December 15, 2015. Police have also charged 29-year-old Charles Sims in Baldwin's murder. Lanier said the motive appears to be robbery.
According to court documents, Baldwin was sitting in a vehicle waiting for a friend in the middle of the afternoon on First Street when he was ambushed and shot in a robbery in which the victim's wallet and iPad were taken.
Both suspects are charged with first-degree murder while armed. Sims was arrested Monday and made his first court appearance on Tuesday where he was ordered held until a preliminary hearing on May 11. Bellamy is expected to appear in court Thursday morning.
One of Baldwin's sisters told FOX 5 on Wednesday that their family feels some closure knowing there have been arrests made. However, they are heartbroken to learn a teenager was responsible. She said she hopes her brother is remembered for his service to his country after spending eight years with the Secret Service, including time at the White House. Baldwin was also a father to three children.
Bellamy's name, Lanier said, might be familiar to those who have followed the case of 15-year-old Davonte Washington, who was shot and killed inside the Deanwood Metro station on March 26. Bellamy also faces second-degree murder charges in Washington's death.
Washington was with his family on his way to get his hair cut for Easter when he was killed. Police say Bellamy walked onto the platform at the Deanwood Metro station with two of his friends and at some point got the attention of Washington, who was sitting with his family, minding his own business and looking at his phone. Washington looked up and said, "What you talking about cuz?" and just seconds later after both boys said "what's up?" to each other, witnesses say Bellamy pulled out a gun and fired twice, killing Washington.