Police Charge Man For May’s Targeted Shooting Death Of Southeast Woman

Friday, June 20, 2025, 6:45 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

WASHINGTON, DC.- On Wednesday, following an investigation, a 20-year-old Southeast, D.C., man was taken into custody and jailed after being charged in connection with the targeted shooting death of a 32-year-old woman that occurred late last month in Southeast, D.C.

     According to D.C. Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela A. Smith, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, shortly after 12:30 p.m., members of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department’s Seventh District responded to a 911 Emergency Call reporting a shooting on the 2300 Block of Pitts Place in Southeast, D.C.

     Upon arrival, Police Officers found a woman, later identified as Tequila Parker, 32, of Southeast, D.C., having succumbed to a fatal gunshot wound. Ms. Parker was subsequently pronounced deceased at the scene by DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services.

Detectives Determine Ford Targeted Ms. Parker

     During the ensuing investigation, D.C Metropolitan Police Detectives were able to identify Mercury Ford, III, 20, of Southeast, D.C., as the shooter and further determined that the shooting death of Ms. Parker was a targeted attack, and a warrant was issued for Ford.

     On Wednesday, June 18, 2025, pursuant to a DC Superior Court warrant, Ford was located and taken into custody and formally charged with one count of first-degree Murder While Armed. Ford was processed on the charge and was remanded to the D.C. 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.”