Danzell Hall, 26, was found unconscious and unresponsive on the sidewalk in the 1500 block of Benning Road in Northeast Washington, D.C., just before 3 a.m. on July 12, 2024. He had apparent gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy determined he died of a gunshot wound to the back and the death was ruled a homicide.

Detectives reviewed nearby CCTV footage and used it to identify a suspect. On August 20, 2024, members of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force arrested 41-year-old Michael Grayton and charged him with First Degree Murder while Armed. Grayton later pleaded guilty on November 1, 2024, to second-degree murder while armed under a plea agreement that sets a sentencing range of 14 to 26 years and scheduled sentencing for April 25, 2025. Hall is survived by an eight-year-old son who addressed the court about the desired sentence.

If anyone saw activity in the 1500 block of Benning Road in the early morning hours of July 12, 2024, or has information about this case, please come forward.