Suspect Charged With Assault With A Dangerous Weapon After Early-Morning Dispute Escalated Into Gunfire At Neighborhood Gathering

Friday, March 13, 2026, 7:00 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

WASHINGTON, DC.- The Metropolitan Police Department has announced the arrest of a suspect in connection with a shooting that occurred during an early-morning gathering in Southeast Washington late last year, an incident that left one man wounded but alive.

     According to officials, the shooting took place on Sunday, December 21, 2025, at approximately 3:00 a.m., when Sixth District officers responded to reports of gunfire in the 700 block of 51st Street, Southeast, D.C.

     Investigators say the violence stemmed from a verbal dispute between the suspect and an adult male victim during an outdoor social gathering. Authorities report that the disagreement escalated rapidly, culminating in the suspect firing a handgun and striking the victim.

     Despite being wounded, the victim managed to leave the scene in a vehicle and drive himself to a nearby hospital, where he received treatment for injuries that authorities later classified as non-life-threatening.

     The Metropolitan Police Department’s detectives launched an investigation immediately following the incident. Through witness interviews, evidence collection, and follow-up investigative work, detectives were able to develop leads identifying a potential suspect in the shooting.

     After building the case, investigators obtained a D.C. Superior Court arrest warrant.

     On March 10, 2026, members of the Capitol Area Regional Fugitive Task Force located and arrested Dontae Carthens, 26, of Southeast Washington, D.C. Authorities confirmed that Carthens was charged with Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Gun) in connection with the shooting.

     Police have not released additional details regarding the circumstances surrounding the dispute that led to the gunfire, nor have they indicated whether the victim and suspect were previously acquainted.

     The investigation into the incident remains ongoing.

     Anyone with information related to the case is encouraged to contact the Metropolitan Police Department.

Editor’s Note:

This article was written by Art Fletcher, and the details contained in this report are based on official information released by the Metropolitan Police Department regarding the arrest and charges in this case. As with all criminal matters, the charges filed against the suspect are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.