The Metropolitan Police Department has started an investigation into what it now describes as a possible “homicide” that stemmed from a series of fires on May 13 in the 900 block of H Street, Northeast D.C.
The man who was severely burned during one of the four fires that broke out at the address and was subsequently transported to a local hospital has succumbed to his injuries on Friday.
The incident which was investigated as an act of arson by members of the ATF/D.C. Arson and Explosives Task Force, is now also being investigated as a homicide by detectives from the D.C. Police Department’s Homicide Branch.
MPD seeks the public's assistance in identifying a suspect in reference to a Homicide and Arson offenses that occurred on 5/13/20 in the First and Fifth Districts.
Have info? Call (202) 727-9099/text 50411
Release: https://t.co/BQFTABJyvi pic.twitter.com/l1mbgozy1f
— DC Police Department (@DCPoliceDept) May 17, 2020
The victim who died at the hospital after the incident has been identified as 62-year-old Darryl Finney, a person experiencing homelessness. According to the police, the fire that led Finney to be hospitalized was intentionally set.
The department released two photos of the suspect taken from surveillance cameras in the neighborhood, offering a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone who can give information that will help officers capture and arrest the person or persons responsible for the crime.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the police at 202-727-9099. D.C. police also has a text tip line — 50411 — where you can anonymously send information in text.