With Killings Down Recently, Police Report Spate of Arrests

D.C. police, who have confronted an increased number of homicides this year, have reported two signs of progress: a sudden decline in the rate of killings and a sharp spike in the number of homicide arrests.

In the 37 days since Nov. 17, nine homicides have been reported in the District. That is about half the rate at which homicides have been reported over the entire year.

Meanwhile, since Tuesday, police have arrested suspects in seven of this year's 178 homicides. "The homicide detectives have been working round-the-clock. They've been working hard all year, but it really came together this week," Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier said.

The seven arrests include one Thursday in a Nov. 17 killing that police said was revenge for the Oct. 25 fatal shootings of the suspect's 4-year-old son and the boy's mother.

The other arrests were in the slayings of Decendre McClease, 51, in the 1800 block of Irving Street NE on Tuesday; Phillip Marshall on O Street NW on Oct. 25; Darrell Sheppard in the 1500 block of First Street SW on Nov. 30; Jerome M. Heath on Mount Olivet Road on Sept. 8; Ladonna Carter on Bangor Street SE on Aug. 16; and Delonte Marshall in the 1300 block of Saratoga Avenue NE on April 23.