The slaying of Arlington journalist David Butler, who was attacked on his way home from work and beaten to death just two blocks from his residence, has frustrated police for nearly nine years.

In the early morning hours of July 15, 2000, Butler was walking from the Court House Metro stop toward his apartment in Colonial Village neighborhood. He had just worked the late shift at his job as an editor of the Stars and Stripes newspaper. At some point along his short walk, Butler was accosted by the suspects.