WASHINGTON — As 2019 comes to a close, we're taking a look back on some of the most significant crime stories that happened in the DMV throughout the year. In the District alone, more than 4,000 violent crimes have been committed. Of the 160 people murdered in D.C. this year, 81 of those cases are still unsolved.
From an explosively popular fast food sandwich leading to a fatal fight, MS-13 gang crimes and an Uber driver killed by his passenger, here are the top read stories on WUSA9.com
The hype over the re-released chicken sandwich led to a stabbing outside of a Popeyes in Oxon Hill, Maryland where Kevin Tyrell Davis, 28, was fatally stabbed.
Ricoh McClain, 30, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, and reckless endangerment.
A violent fight in Southeast D.C. led to the fatal shooting of 11-year-old Karon Brown. Back in July, Brown was involved in a fight with both adults and kids in the 2700 block of Naylor Road, SE.
Sources told WUSA9 that a Good Samaritan picked Brown up off the ground and put him inside a car. Shortly after, police said the suspect, Tony Antoine McClam, 29, who was involved in the fight, ran to the car and opened fire on the vehicle. McClam was charged with Second Degree Murder While Armed.
A little more than two months and three blocks separate the execution-style killings of 27-year-old Ashanti Carmon and 23-year-old Zoe Spears.
Back in June, Prince George's County police responded to the 600 blocks of 59th Ave., in Fairmount Heights to check on the welfare of 23-year-old Zoe Spears. Upon responding, officers found Spears suffering from several gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead on the scene.
Just months prior, 27-year-old Ashanti Carmon, was fatally shot on March 30. Shot multiple times, Carmon died in the middle of the road.
RELATED: Two trans women were killed two months apart. They were friends, but were their murders connected?
Margery Magill, 27, was walking a dog just before 9 p.m. in the 400 blocks of Irving Street in Northwest DC when she was stabbed in the neck. A neighbor, Christopher Chambers, heard Magill cry for help and rushed to her aid. Chambers said she made it across the street, then collapsed.
Police arrested 24-year-old Eliyas Aregahegne later that night, at an apartment building one block away. Police said there was no sexual assault or robbery and there was no evidence the victim and suspect knew each other.
Jason Chicas, 16, was a member of the notorious MS-13 gang. Unfortunately, police found Chicas dead in a remote grassy area of Stafford County after being allegedly killed by members of an MS-13 "clique" that operates in Fairfax.
After an investigation, police have determined that Chicas was killed inside of a home located in the 7000 block of Varnum Street in Landover Hills, Md. in Prince George's County. Police say his remains were then driven to Stafford County.
Five suspects were in custody for his murder: Jose Ordonez-Zometa, 29; Jonathan Castillo-Rivera, 20; Kevin Rodriguez-Flores, 18; Christian Martinez-Ramirez, 16; and Jose Hernandez-Garcia, 25. All have been charged as adults with first-degree murder.
6. The man suspected of murdering his fiancee years ago captured after allegedly killing again in DC
Lamont Stephenson was placed on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted fugitive list after being accused of killing his fiancée and her dog in Newark, New Jersey almost five years ago.
Earlier this year, Stephenson was captured after police also believed he was involved in a homicide in the District that happened in March. Police arrested Stephenson during a routine stop on the morning of Mar. 7, 2019. Three PGPD officers responded to a call of a suspicious person in a rental truck. After running his name, the officers arrested Stephenson on charges of unlawful flight.
Two men were found shot to death in a car on Indian Head Highway late back in August. The shooting happened around 9:45 p.m. on Rt. 210/Indian Head Highway at Bald Eagle Road.
Authorities said the driver, 46-year-old Beaudouin Tchakounte picked up a rider, 32-year-old Casey Xavier Robinson and later picked up the suspect, Aaron Lanier Wilson in an Uber pool -- another ride-share option offered by Uber. Wilson got into the Uber and minutes later shots were fired.
Police found both victims in a stopped vehicle with gunshot wounds to the upper body.
Wilson confessed to being high on PCP, police said. He is now charged with first- and second-degree murder.
A 32-year-old mother, who was a driver in a crash that killed five children, including two of her own, has been indicted in connection with their deaths.
The crash happened on Route 301 at MD 214 and Pointer Ridge Drive around 4:25 a.m. on Feb. 2. Police said the five children were thrown from the car as it hit the trees and spun out into a field.
The children were pronounced dead at the scene. A passenger, 23-year-old Cornell Simon, of Oxon Hill, also was sent to an area hospital but later died from his injuries.
The driver, 32-year-old Dominique Taylor, has been indicted on 12 charges, including six counts of vehicular manslaughter and six counts of vehicular homicide while intoxicated. Taylor faces up to 60 years in prison after the fatal crash.
Police arrested a man suspected of shooting and killing his 18-year-old girlfriend inside a Fort Washington home back in April.
Jamal Speaks, 19, is facing murder charges in the death of Saniyah Floyd, 18, of Capitol Heights.
Last year, Speaks made national headlines - including WUSA9 - when he was denied a chance to play football in front of college recruiters over “lingering residency concerns.” Speaks said he was homeless at the time.
