On the evening of March 14, 2019, 25-year-old Dawud Amed Debruhhl was with friends in a courtyard on the 1300 block of Columbia Road NW in Columbia Heights when a man approached from behind and fired a single fatal shot at about 6:20 p.m. Emergency responders transported Debruhhl to a local hospital, where he later died of his wounds. Surveillance footage recovered from the area reportedly shows a hooded figure walking up to Debruhhl, firing, and fleeing the scene; the shooting occurred near a playground.

Two weeks later, on March 28, 2019, police arrested 25-year-old Deontay Britton of Northwest D.C. He was charged with first-degree murder while armed and reportedly confessed, saying the shooting was self-defense and related to an ongoing dispute between groups from Columbia Heights and another neighborhood. Prosecutors presented evidence that characterized the attack as premeditated and unprovoked. Deontae Britton pleaded guilty to one count of murder and was sentenced to 22 years in prison on September 13, 2019.

If anyone knew Dawud, his movements that evening, or has information about the shooting, please come forward.