U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro announced that six individuals have been found guilty in connection with a triple murder that occurred over Labor Day weekend in 2021. The verdict was delivered by a jury in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, convicting Erwin Dubose, Kamar Queen, Damonta Thompson, William Johnson Lee, and Mussay Rezene from Washington, D.C., along with Toyia Johnson from Rockville, MD.
The incident took place on September 4, 2021, resulting in the deaths of Donetta Dyson, Keenan Braxton, and Johnny Joyner. On July 3, 2025, the jury found Dubose, Queen, Johnson Lee and Thompson guilty of conspiracy to commit a crime of violence and multiple counts of first-degree murder while armed. They were also convicted on charges related to assault with intent to kill while armed. Toyia Johnson was found guilty of tampering with physical evidence and being an accessory after the fact to assault with intent to kill while armed. Mussay Rezene faced similar charges but related to first-degree murder.
"This senseless violence will not be tolerated in this city," stated U.S. Attorney Pirro. "These thugs put innocent bystanders in harm’s way." She emphasized that the verdict supports efforts by her office to combat such crimes.
According to evidence presented during the trial, Thompson drove Dubose, Queen and Johnson Lee to Longfellow Street where they began shooting into a neighborhood gathering before fleeing the scene. The victims were killed during this attack while three others suffered non-lethal injuries.
Toyia Johnson falsely reported their vehicle stolen following the incident as part of an attempt to cover up their actions. Later investigations revealed that Dubose and Rezene set fire to the vehicle used during the crime as part of efforts to destroy evidence.
Chief Pamela Smith from the Metropolitan Police Department joined U.S. Attorney Pirro in commending those involved in investigating and prosecuting this case including Assistant United States Attorneys Colleen Kukowski and Charles R. Jones.
