WASHINGTON — An 18-year-old has been charged with shooting a young woman to death inside a Friendship Heights hotel. The shooting happened around 1 a.m. on New Year's Day, marking the first homicide of 2024 in the District.
Police were called to the Embassy Suites Hotel on Military Road Northwest for reports of a shooting. Officers say 18-year-old Ashlei Hinds, of Clinton, Maryland, was killed in the shooting.
Pictures of a suspect were released following Hinds's death and on Tuesday police announced the arrest of 18-year-old Jelani Cousin, of Northeast D.C. Investigators have not said if the two knew each other or anything about what may have happened in the moments leading up to the shooting.
Cousin has been charged with second-degree murder while armed.
Anyone with information may contact detectives at (202) 727-9099 or text the department's tip line at 50411.
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