On Wednesday, March 1, 2006, at about 7:15 pm, Metropolitan Police and DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel responded to the 900 block of <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /?>Wahler Place, SE to investigate the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, they located two adult males suffering from gunshot wounds in the rear of 931 Wahler Place, SE. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /?>
The first victim, identified as 18-year-old Michael Branham, of the 4400 block of Eads Street, NE, was transported to the WashingtonHospitalCenter's MedSTAR Unit, where he was pronounced dead at 8:06 pm. The second victim, identified as 21-year-old Michael Berry, of the 1300 block of Potomac Heights in Fort Washington, Maryland, was transported to HowardUniversityHospital, where he was pronounced dead at 8:10 pm.
The case is currently under investigation by detectives assigned to the MPDC's Violent Crimes Branch. Anyone who has information regarding this case is asked to call (202) 727-9099.
The Metropolitan Police Department is currently offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for any homicide committed in the District of Columbia. Because this case involved two victims, the total reward is up to $50,000.