Man Slain in Adams Morgan; Police Look Into Rap Contest

She said a fight began and her son broke it off to go to his car when an assailant, who had driven away, returned, and he was stabbed nine times.

"My son's not here," she said. "I have to talk to a tombstone."

In commenting on yesterday's homicide, Ramsey expressed frustration over the seeming inconsequentiality of disputes that have led to many killings.

"It's just another example of people killing one another over trivial things," he said.

D.C. Council member Jim Graham (D-Ward 1) said that if a woman had stabbed the victim it would represent "a new crescendo of violence."

"I was told that the girl who was arrested took offense at the way some of the people in one group were singing," Graham said.

Staff writer Clarence Williams contributed to this report.