Mother, 4-year-old son slain
A mother and son were found dead from gunshot wounds Thursday morning on the 3600 block of Ely Place Southeast in D.C. Police said they found Turkessa Branch, 30, and Darias Branch, 4, when they were called to investigate a report of trouble at their second-floor apartment at 9 a.m. There was no sign of forced entry, police said. The female victim was a single mother with five other children, ranging in age from 2 to 11 years. Detectives had no suspects Thursday. – Kashmir Hill
Officer pleads guilty to fraud
A D.C. police officer pleaded guilty Thursday to attempted bank fraud for stealing a resident’s credit card while on duty and then attempting to withdraw cash.
Donnay A. Davis, 25, will likely be sentenced to 10 to 16 months under the federal sentencing guidelines, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.
Davis, a patrol officer, was let into a residence after the home alarm sounded and took a credit card from the table. He activated the card and made three attempts to withdraw more than $1,700 in cash, according to court documents. – Scott McCabe
Public works supervisor admits taking bribes
A D.C. public works supervisor pleaded guilty to taking bribes in exchange for letting people avoid performing community service, according to court documents.
Eric A. Shannon, 41, a sanitation foreman who oversaw first-time offenders assigned to clean the streets, cut grass and remove graffiti each weekend, was accused of taking up to $400 to let the offenders out of work. – Scott McCabe
