WASHINGTON — Police have been searching for a suspect in an alleged attempted carjacking that left a 13-year-old dead on Saturday. Days later, officers announced the arrest of the 12-year-old accomplice.
On Oct. 28, 13-year-old Vernard Toney, Jr., of Southeast, D.C. was shot and killed while allegedly attempting to carjack an off-duty federal security officer in the 600 block of D Street in Northwest D.C.
Investigators claim the man who shot the teen was sitting in his car when two kids approached him and demanded he get out of the car. One of the two juveniles was allegedly holding his hand in his front pocket as if he had a gun, but it is unclear which teen was doing this.
The second suspect ran away after Vernard was shot. Police later released surveillance photos of the second suspect in hopes of finding him.
On Halloween, MPD said that officers had identified the second suspect as a 12-year-old who is now being charged with armed carjacking.
The man who shot and killed Vernard was an off-duty federal security officer who was waiting in his vehicle for his shift to begin. He had a legally owned firearm and police say he is cooperating with the investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to contact detectives at (202) 727-9099 or text the department's tip line at 50411.