Police Charge Man In Wednesday Afternoon Southeast Fatal Shooting

Friday, April 11, 2025, 12:30 P.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Jennifer Hodges: Englebrook Independent News,

WASHINGTON, DC.- A Wednesday afternoon domestic dispute tragically turned deadly, resulting in a 25-year-old Southeast, D.C., woman dead and a 25-year-old Southeast, D.C. man charged with her murder.

     According to D.C. Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela A. Smith, on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, just before 2:30 p.m., members of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department’s Seventh District responded to a 911 Emergency Call reporting a shooting on the 3500 Block of 6th Street in Southeast, D.C.

     Upon arrival, Police Officers found a woman, later identified as Taeje Butler, 25, of Southeast, D.C., unresponsive from having sustained multiple gunshot wounds. D.C. Fire and Emergency Services responded to the scene, and after life-saving efforts failed, Ms. Butler was sadly pronounced deceased at the scene.

Detectives Determine That Garrison Fatally Shot Ms. Butler

     During the initial investigation, responding Police Officers detained the suspect, identified as Josiah Garrison, 25, of Southeast, D.C., at the scene. During the ensuing investigation, Detectives of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch, following interviewing and witness statements, Detectives determined that Garrison fatally shot Ms. Butler during a domestic dispute. Police did not release the details of the relationship between Ms. Butler and Garrison. 

      As a result of the investigation, Homicide Branch Detectives formally charged Garrison with one count of second-degree Murder While Armed. Garrison was processed on the charge and was transported to the DC Central Detention Facility, pending future court proceedings in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.

The rules of the court require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”