A Northwest Washington man was sentenced to 38 years for chasing a man who was later fatally struck by a speeding car in Columbia Heights.
Marlon K. Blaize, 30, was accused of firing a gun during an argument with 25-year-old Tarran Miller in the summer of 2006. Miller ran into the street, where he was struck by a car, prosecutors said. Miller died six days later.
The driver of the vehicle failed to stop and remains at large, police said.
In September 2007, Blaize, of the 1300 block of Girard Street NW, was found guilty by a D.C. Superior Court jury of voluntary manslaughter while armed, assault with a deadly weapon, two counts of possession of a firearm during a violent crime and carrying a pistol without a license.
Prosecutors said that around midnight Aug. 12, 2006, Blaize and Miller got into a verbal altercation at 14th and Fairmont streets NW. Witnesses testified that Blaize brandished a large, silver revolver and pointed it at Miller’s head and body. Blaize raised the weapon into the air and fired.
No one was struck by Blaize’s gunfire, but at least one stray bullet penetrated a nearby apartment, prosecutors said.
Miller, of the 1400 block of Fairmont, feared for his life and ran into the street, where he was immediately struck by a hit-and-run vehicle.
Rescue crews transported Miller to Washington Hospital Center, where he eventually died of his injuries.
A medical examiner ruled the manner of death a homicide and determined that the cause of death was blunt impact trauma to the head, torso and extremities.
Police are still looking for the driver of the car that struck Miller and are offering a $25,000 reward to anyone who can provide information that will lead to a conviction. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Thomas Webb at 202-437-9191 or Detective Gus Giannakoulias at 202-359-7773.
