A man accused of being involved in the murder of an 11-year-old boy during a July 4 shooting in Washington, D.C., was released due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The case adds to a growing concern among law enforcement that coronavirus policies have caused the recent uptick in crime in many major U.S. cities.
Davon McNeal, 11, had attended a “peace cookout” in Southeast D.C. when five men entered the area and some of them began shooting, killing McNeal. Two of the suspects have been arrested, and three are still at large. Authorities believe the suspects were involved in a firefight against a rival gang, and McNeal was caught in the crossfire.
One of the arrested suspects, Christian Wingfield, was released from jail on May 22 after a May 14 emergency motion for his release was filed because of the coronavirus pandemic, local media reports. His request for release was initially denied, but it was eventually granted due to a minimal criminal history, familial ties to the District, and a low risk to the community.
He was being held for Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Possession of a Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Device.
Police say he was under pre-trial high-intensity supervision with a curfew and GPS monitoring, but his monitor was later found with the strap removed and discarded.
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The incident is among a growing list of cases involving re-offending criminals who had been released to protect jail populations from the COVID-19 virus.
In April, a man with an extensive, violent criminal history was released from prison due to COVID-19 and then arrested one day later in connection to a murder.
Earlier this year in New York, inmates who were released from Rikers Island started committing crimes shortly after their release.
“I think it’s unconscionable just on a human level that folks were shown mercy and this is what some of them have done,” New York Mayor Bill De Blasio said at the time.
Since then, crime rates have spiked in many major American cities, and police groups are voicing concerns that coronavirus policies are partially to blame.
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The Police Executive Research Forum found that crime rates in Indianapolis, Milwaukee, New York and Las Vegas have spiked since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and the reopening of the country.
“Jurisdictions released many offenders in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in jails. And courts in many places have been closed. That has led to a feeling among offenders that they can commit crimes with impunity. In addition, police in some cities are less proactive in their enforcement, in order to avoid interactions with the public that could spread the virus,” the report said.
Along with Christian Wingfield, police arrested Daryle Bond on Thursday. Two more named suspects, Marcel Gordon and Carlo General, are still at large. Police say a fifth suspect was involved, but that person has not been named.
Three typos in this story:
#1
One typo in this sentence found in the 10th paragraph: “Since then, crime rates have spiked in many major American citizen…”
Should read: American CITIES….
#2
Two typos found in the 1st paragraph: “A man accused of being involved in the murder an 11-year-old boy…”
Should read: A THUG accused of being involved in the murder OF an 11-year-old boy…”
In Chicago, police and other first responders wait outside neighborhoods embroiled in gun violence until the shooting stops—often until day break. Crime scenes and local areas surrounding them are so chaotic that shots come from literally every direction and, aside from rival gang members, the cops are the second most important targets. Meanwhile, Mayor Lightfoot is escorted to her personal apartment by the best security, the room is cleared and the building sealed off –everyday at taxpayers’ expense. For Democrats, like her, it is a win-win—the violence gives them justification for gun confiscation while the malcontents in what could be their constituency base who cannot be trusted to peacefully support anything are systematically (if not methodically) eliminating themselves. Two problems solved with each bullet. The same is true of de Blaise-Blaise, et al.
Now is people we’re legally able to carry or conceal carry in Washington, D.C. I bet those idiots wouldn’t have had the guts to pull that stunt. In fear of getting shot and killed before having the opportunity to flea.
The second amendment is your carry permit !
A “permit” to exercise out rights under the 2nd and 14th amendments is no more palatable than a “free speech permit” or a “freedom of religion permit.” Get rid of them. Our firearm permits were written in blood, more than 200 years ago.
~ (“As Judge Legg correctly ruled, the burden should be on the government to prove that an American is unfit to exercise this Constitutional right.”)
I see a massive law suit in the works against whoever filed the May 14 emergency motion for his release because of the coronavirus pandemic,, the judge that approved it, sue their damn socks off…
In the lawless west a hundred years ago Vigilante justice was the way communities swept the vermin away
America has returned to a lawless land with criminal vermin predators free among us. Perhaps Vigilance justice will rise once again.
Turn ’em loose and they engage in more criminal activity…
Surprise, surprise.
And Rger Stone’s (Obama judge refused to grant Stone’s request for home confinement (because Stone committed such the violent crime of being caught in the web of the 1 of the dirtiest prosecutors ever). And they will lie all day long that it was not political! It is good that Trump commuted Stone’s sentence
The case Comey and the former top banana fabricated against Flynn is also most shameful. Manafort is probably beyond receiving any leniency.
Why aren’t those in charge of releasing criminals charged as criminals. We need to push for laws that hold those people liable for the same crimes as those whom they released to the public. “Exposure to Covid19” is a very sad excuse for letting criminals, who have committed murder, go free.
Presently, when two or more armed robbers commut their crime, and one dies in the action, the survivor is often judged with his crime partner’s death.
The one in charge of cutting guilty people free…. isn’t this an act of treason? Hasn’t he befriended the criminal? Why are these people being overlooked?