WASHINGTON — Police have arrested a 23-year-old man in the fatal stabbing of a recently engaged 35-year-old woman who was jogging near her home Tuesday evening in the Logan Circle neighborhood of D.C.
During a Thursday morning press conference police identified the suspect as Anthony Crawford of Northwest D.C.
Crawford was found by police at 14th and Girard at a park and brought in for questioning late Wednesday night, a day after 35-year-old Wendy Karina Martinez was fatally stabbed while jogging only blocks away from her home in the Logan Circle area approaching the corner of P Street and 11th Street in Northwest D.C.
It was a picture-perfect night to be outdoors, with temperatures in the 70s and clear skies. As Martinez approached the intersection, people across the street were outside on a restaurant patio, enjoying dinner.
It was then that Martinez was stabbed in what police believe was “more than likely” a random attack. It was an “unprovoked attack” and there is no information to suggest that it was a robbery.
Martinez’s stab wounds were very serious, and she made her way into a nearby Chinese restaurant after the attack.
Surveillance video from the restaurant, which we are not showing due to its graphic nature, shows the woman coming inside the restaurant covered in blood. She appears to be talking to the customers inside before she collapses.
DC Police Chief Peter Newsham said a nurse in close proximity attempted life-saving efforts before emergency crews arrived.
Martinez was transported to the hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Crawford was arrested Wednesday night and charged with first degree murder while armed in connection with the stabbing. Police said he did not cooperate with investigators, however they are confident they have the right person.
The suspect does have a criminal background, however there is no indication of any violence in his criminal past. Police will continue to comb through his background.
Both DC Police Chief Newsham and Mayor Bowser said they were able to make an arrest so quickly thanks to the efforts made by the community and authorities.
RELATED: Avid runner fatally stabbed while jogging near her home in Logan Circle
Martinez’s family released the following statement Wednesday night, however did not speak during a press conference on Thursday.
“We are deeply saddened by this senseless tragedy. Wendy Karina Martinez was the light of our lives. Not only was she an avid runner, but she was a devout Christian, a wonderful friend, and a driven professional. Everything you hope that a daughter and a friend could be. She was also excited to be planning her upcoming wedding to her fiancé, Daniel Hincapie. They were engaged just last week.”
Chief Newsham said it appears this was an isolated attack in an otherwise safe area.
RELATED: ‘ Unsettling’ fatal stabbing a rarity in Logan CIrcle, crime stats show
“This is a very isolated incident, you don’t see crimes like this very often. It’s very unlikely that this occurred here at the intersection,” Chief Newsham said.
Martinez’s family and friends are holding a vigil for her at 7 p.m. Thursday at Logan Circle.
© 2018 WUSA
from Viral News Now https://ift.tt/2xqbHaX
via IFTTT
0 Comments