Three decades later, police still search for NW man’s killer

Shipp and his girlfriend were parked in front of his home on the 3300 block of 19th Street NW around 11 p.m. when a man exited a 1969 Chevy Chevelle, walked across the street toward the couple, and started shooting at them.

The man fired five shots at the pair, killing Shipp and wounding his girlfriend. More than 30 years later, authorities still do not know the shooter’s identity.

Police canvassed the neighborhood looking for witnesses after the attack, but found none.

“It’s hard to believe people didn’t see more because it’s a residential neighborhood,” said Capt. Michael Farrish of the D.C. police.

With few leads, police went searching for the vehicle, eventually finding and impounding it. They discovered that the car belonged to a man who went by “Chico” and was a member of a gang called the Young-uns. He refused to talk to police and was later arrested on other charges.

Shipp had gotten into an altercation with another man known as “June Bug” the day before he was killed. During the confrontation, Shipp allegedly pulled a pellet gun to scare him off. After Shipp was killed, police interviewed June Bug but couldn’t get enough information to link him to the crime.

The incident involving June Bug occurred near the corner of 14th and S streets, which, was a big heroin market in the late 1970s. Police believed Shipp was involved in the drug trade and that his death was drug related.

Both June Bug and Chico were placed before Shipp’s surviving girlfriend in a police lineup. She was unable to identify her boyfriend’s killer.

“Sometimes you wonder whether it’s if they can’t or won’t [identify the person],” Farrish said.

He said he remains hopeful that Shipp’s killer will be brought to justice.

“Fear could have been the issue back then, but we’re talking 30 years ago, and people’s lives change a lot in 30 years.”

Anyone with information regarding Shipp’s death is asked to call investigators at 202-727-9099.