Raymond Carter III, a 25-year-old Black man from Southeast Washington, D.C., was a beloved son, brother, father, cousin, and uncle. Known affectionately to some as "7 trey," he was the father of two children, JaCari and another child. His sudden and violent death left his family heartbroken and grappling with a future they never anticipated. His life was taken on a Wednesday night in the spring of 2023, leaving a void in the lives of all who knew and loved him.
The evening of April 19, 2023, turned tragic in the final hour before midnight. At approximately 11:04 p.m., officers from the Metropolitan Police Department were dispatched to the 800 block of Rhode Island Avenue, Northwest, after reports of a shooting. The area, located in the city's Shaw neighborhood, is a busy thoroughfare, but at that late hour, the street would have been quieter. Upon arrival, police found Raymond Carter III suffering from at least one gunshot wound.
Emergency medical personnel responded to the scene, but his injuries were too severe. Raymond was pronounced dead where he was found.
The Metropolitan Police Department's Homicide Branch immediately took charge of the investigation. Detectives began the painstaking work of processing the crime scene, searching for ballistic evidence, and canvassing the neighborhood for potential witnesses or surveillance cameras that might have captured the moments leading up to the shooting or the escape of the person or persons responsible. The circumstances surrounding the shooting and a possible motive have not been released to the public. In the days and months that followed, authorities did not publicly identify any suspects or persons of interest in connection with Raymond's murder.
In the wake of their devastating loss, Raymond's family was faced with the overwhelming task of arranging his funeral. His sister, Luwan Carter, created a GoFundMe page to ask for community support, sharing the family's profound grief. "Hello, everyone, this is heavy on my heart to have to bring this tragic news," she wrote. "Raymond Carter III was only 25 years old... This news is devastating and during this time we are humble and grateful for all your support. Unfortunately, our family was unprepared for the high cost of the funeral." The fundraiser was a plea for help to give everyone who loved Raymond the chance to honor his memory and say a proper goodbye.
The investigation into the homicide of Raymond Carter III remains open and active. Detectives continue to seek information from the public that could help them piece together the events of that night and bring a measure of justice to his grieving family. The case is a stark reminder of the gun violence that continues to affect communities in the nation's capital.
The Metropolitan Police Department is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the individual or individuals responsible for Raymond Carter III's death. Authorities urge anyone who may have seen something or has any knowledge about this case, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to come forward. Anyone with information is asked to call the police at 202-727-9099. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to the department’s TEXT TIP LINE by sending a text message to 50411.
