Two suspects are in custody in the death of a cab driver in northwest D.C. News4’s Pat Collins talked with neighbors who were terrified during the police chase and shootout that followed.
Police identified the cab driver gunned down in Adams Morgan Tuesday morning and charged his assailants.
Just before 3 a.m., officers working an undercover tactical robbery unit and parked in the 2300 block of Ontario Road heard a gunshot and the roar of an engine, according to court documents. As a taxi passed them, they heard another gunshot. The taxi crashed into a parked car and parking meter.
The officers saw 24-year-old Joshua King standing next to 57-year-old Solomon James Okoroh's cab, and two pursued him on foot, but King soon surrendered, according to the complaint.
The third officer observed 32-year-old Ercell Overton point his gun at him as he ran past, the complaint said. He ran into some bushes and then alongside a picket fence.
The officer took cover behind a parked vehicle on the other side of the fence, and moments shots were fired at police, another officer took position behind another parked vehicle, according to court documents.
Both officers returned fire.
D.C. Councilman Jim Graham said, "It was this wild chase, with many shots being exchanged between the police and the shooters. I'm told as many as 20 shots were fired."
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Overton broke in to an occupied basement apartment, from which the resident fled through another door, the complaint said.
Just after 4 a.m., members of the K-9 team entered the apartment and apprehended Overton by means of dog bite.
"Kicked in the door, entered a home that was occupied," D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier said. "Police officers pursued him into the home and made apprehension."
Police also recovered a semi-automatic pistol.
"I can't even say how much [gunfire I heard]," the man whose English basement was broken into told News4's Pat Collins. "I was too scared. It was [enough] to know I had to get out of my house."
No officers were injured.
Overton, of D.C., has been charged with murder, felony assault on a police officer and burglary one. King, of Maryland, is facing an unrelated probation violation. More charges could be brought against King.
Okoroh, of Lanham, Md., suffered a gunshot wound to each shoulder and died at Howard Univerisity Hospital before 5 a.m.
He drove for D.C.'s Classic Cab Company for 15 years.
Coworkers said he was hard-working and would pick any customer up, no matter how dangerous the situation.
"Even if his gut said trouble, he would still pick up," a co-worker told News4. "He is a good man and that cost him his life."
Okoroh was the father of five children, including Prince Okoroh, a star basketball player for Howard University.
D.C. police recently launched "Operation Adams Morgan," a summer initiative to help cut down on late-night crime and disturbances in the Northwest neighborhood, which has become a popular hangout due to a preponderance of bars and nightclubs.
"We are currently finalizing all the particulars and have reunited with a few old partners to be able to bring Adams Morgan once again, one of the most efficient enforcement efforts in the region," read a statement from D.C. police released last week.
Operation Adams Morgan will remain in effect until Sept. 1.
A hearing on taxicab safety was held Wednesday.
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