Jury Returns Guilty Verdict Against District Man on First-Degree Murder While Armed for 2020 Shooting

Press Release

Defendant Shot Victim in the Head & Fled to Maryland, Hid Evidence

WASHINGTON - A jury sitting in Superior Court today found Dennis Chase, 32, of Washington, D.C., guilty of first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm in the December 2020 shooting death of Anthony Orr. The verdict was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela A. Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Sentencing is scheduled for January 10, 2024.

According to the government's evidence, the defendant drove around the Washington Highlands neighborhood with the victim, Anthony Orr, sitting in the passenger seat. As the defendant slowly drove down Xenia St SE, he raised a gun to Mr. Orr's head and fired one lethal shot. The defendant pushed Mr. Orr out of the car and sped off. The defendant drove 30 miles North of the District to the woods of Severn, Maryland, where he doused the car in diesel exhaust fluid and attempted to light it on fire. The defendant then hiked through the woods until he found a random home, where he stripped down and hid his clothes and other evidence in the back shed, knocked on the back door, and asked for help. The homeowner called 911, and Anne Arundel County Police arrested the defendant on an unrelated warrant. MPD Homicide Detectives later charged defendant for the murder of Mr. Orr. The defendant claimed he acted in self-defense.

This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and Assistant United States Attorney Peter Roman. It was prosecuted and tried by Assistant United States Attorneys Wes Faulkner and Andrea Antonelli.

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Updated October 10, 2024