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Press Release

D.C. Man Sentenced to 26 Years in Prison for Killing One and Seriously Injuring Another

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Columbia
Defendant Fired Over 25 Rounds into a Vehicle

            WASHINGTON – Walter Jenkins, 37, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced in connection with the shooting homicide of David Williams that also injured Melvin Favors on November 14, 2021, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.

            On August 21, 2025, Jenkins pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree murder while armed and one count of assault with a dangerous weapon. At the January 29, 2026 sentencing, the Honorable Rainey Brandt ordered him to serve the prison term of 26 years and five years of supervised release.

            According to the government’s evidence, at approximately 4:45 p.m., on November 14, 2021, defendant Jenkins drove to the area where David Williams was known to sit in his parked vehicle, in front of the Frederick Douglass Community Center, at the intersection of Alabama Ave SE and Bruce Pl SE. Williams was in a relationship with Jenkins’ sister and there were reports of violence by Williams against members of Jenkins’ family, as well as reports of threats to Williams by Jenkins’ sister. After parking, Jenkins, wearing a mask and with a gun concealed in his backpack, confirmed Williams’ location and approached Williams’ vehicle. Captured on surveillance video, Jenkins briefly leaned down to the window of the car, which contained Williams, Favors, and a third individual who was uninjured, then quickly stood back up and began firing on the vehicle as he slowly walked around it. 

            Jenkins fired through the backpack so that it captured the cartridge casings fired from the weapon. Jenkins then fled the scene. David Williams was pronounced deceased at 6:16pm. Melvin Favors suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his legs and a broken femur, as well as a wound to his hand.

            Law enforcement arrested Jenkins in February of 2022 and he has remained in custody since.

            Joining in the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department.

            The Metropolitan Police Department’s Homicide Branch investigated the case.

            Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zach Horton and Miles Janssen prosecuted the case.

2022CF1000672

Updated February 6, 2026

Topic
Violent Crime