DC police chief on arrest of last fugitive wanted in Makiyah Wilson’s killing

A man suspected in a D.C. shooting that killed 10-year-old Makiyah Wilson and continued to evade law enforcement for more than a year has been arrested.

The U.S. Marshals confirmed they arrested Isaiah Murchison on Thursday night, at a house in the 1700 block of Lafayette Boulevard in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

D.C. police Chief Peter Newsham applauded U.S. Marshals for tracking Murchison down; they believe he was part of a gang in Fredericksburg.

Speaking exclusively to WTOP after Murchison’s arrest, Newsham spoke to closing the case with the final suspect in custody.

“It feels good, of course, to find the person that’s ultimately responsible for that. On the same token, you always reflect back on the sadness of having to lose a 10-year-old to gun violence in our city,” he said.

Murchison is accused of being one of the four people caught on video jumping out of a car in the Northeast D.C. neighborhood of Clay Terrace in July 2018 and opening fire indiscriminately. Makiyah Wilson was walking from an ice cream truck when she was shot through the chest.

The shooting lasted less than 10 seconds, and investigators found 76 shell casings in the neighborhood from at least four different firearms. Four other people were hurt.

Eleven people have been charged in connection with the shooting.

The U.S. Marshals Service has been looking for Murchison since May 2019, when he was identified as a suspect and a bench warrant was issued for his arrest. A $20,000 reward for information that led to Murchison’s successful prosecution was issued last September.

Murchison was indicted last year on a charge of first-degree murder and also faces 21 other related charges.

WTOP’s Acacia James contributed to this report.

Megan Cloherty

WTOP Investigative Reporter Megan Cloherty primarily covers breaking news, crime and courts.

Abigail Constantino

Abigail Constantino started her journalism career writing for a local newspaper in Fairfax County, Virginia. She is a graduate of American University and The George Washington University.

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