Man Held in Revenge Killing, D.C. Police Say

Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D), who announced the arrest at a news conference, said he hopes this will be the last chapter in the case. "Hopefully, this tragic cycle of violence ends today with the arrest of Darius McKeever," he said.

Carpenter was also the main suspect in another homicide that police closed when he was killed. Early Sept. 29, David Best and another man were shot in the 4800 block of Alabama Avenue SE. Best, 34, died; the other man survived.

Carpenter has been convicted in recent years of conspiracy to sell crack cocaine and possession of marijuana. McKeever also has a record, with convictions on drug and weapons charges.

Parks said police have identified 11 retaliatory killings in the city this year. He said this case stood out because a child was involved. Four-year-old Darius had at least one sibling, a 10-year-old boy who is left without a mother and brother -- and with a father who might go to prison, Parks said.

He emphasized that people should not exact street vengeance. "You need to bring the person to justice," Parks said, "but not by retaliating."

Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier said, "Any murder is one too many, but nothing bothers me and police officers in general more than the murder of a child. And the tragedy is compounded in this case as the other children have also lost their mother and now potentially their father as he faces criminal charges."

Staff researcher Meg Smith contributed to this report.