WASHINGTON — Police have charged a Southeast D.C. man in a fatal shooting in District Heights on Saturday.
Diartianan Rivers, 27, of the 1400 block of Savannah Street in Southeast D.C. is charged with first- and second-degree murder and related charges, according to a news release from the Prince George’s County Police Department.
Police say Rivers has admitted his involvement in the fatal shooting of Thomas Barnes, 52, of Rochell Avenue in District Heights. Also, he admitted to his involvement in stealing an SUV belonging to Barnes.
On May 21 around 4:30 a.m., police were called to the 1900 block of Rochell Avenue for the report of a shooting. When police arrived, Barnes was found outside in a parking lot suffering from a gunshot wound. He died at an area hospital a short time later.
Investigators said they believed that Barnes ran outside of his home after hearing the sound of his SUV being started in the parking lot and confronted Rivers who was trying to steal his vehicle.
Police say during the confrontation Barnes was shot. Rivers then left in the SUV and was spotted around 5:40 p.m. on Saturday in Southeast D.C. where police arrested him after he crashed the vehicle on Oxon Run Drive.
Rivers is currently in the custody of the Department of Corrections on a no-bond status.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Homicide Unit at 301-772-4925. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477), text “PGPD plus your message” to CRIMES (274637) on your cell phone or submit a tip online.
