Darnell Gibson

An argument over a knocked-over barbecue grill escalated into a fatal shooting on the evening of August 1, 2023, ending the life of Darnell Gibson, a 26-year-old Black man from Washington, D.C. The incident began inside an apartment building on the unit block of Forrester Street, Southwest, where Gibson lived.

The conflict started when a man, later identified as Irv Duff, got into an argument with his girlfriend in the building’s stairwell. During their dispute, Duff kicked or threw a grill that was in the hallway, which belonged to Gibson. Hearing the commotion from his apartment, Gibson came out with his girlfriend to investigate and began arguing with Duff about his damaged property. The verbal altercation continued as both men moved outside, with Duff challenging Gibson to a fight.

Once outside, Duff went to his parked vehicle and called his girlfriend, warning her that there was “about to be a shootout.” Gibson then walked out of the building, followed closely by his girlfriend, who stood near the entrance. From a distance of at least 60 feet, Duff pulled out a pistol and fired more than 20 rounds in three rapid bursts toward Gibson and his girlfriend. Gibson’s girlfriend dropped to the ground and was not hit. As Gibson tried to run away, he was struck three times in the upper torso from behind. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Metropolitan Police Department’s investigation led them to identify 35-year-old Irv Duff as the suspect. He was arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, and several firearm offenses. Duff fled in his vehicle after the shooting and called his girlfriend again, urging her not to speak with police.

In June 2026, Irv Duff went to trial in D.C. Superior Court. His defense attorney argued he acted in self-defense, claiming Gibson had threatened to “smoke” him and then rushed toward him with a gun. Prosecutors presented evidence that included Duff’s phone call warning of a shootout, testimony from Gibson’s girlfriend that he was unarmed, and audio evidence that documented only one weapon being fired. On June 23, 2026, a jury found Duff guilty of second-degree murder while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, and multiple firearms offenses, including unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.