18 Years in Prison for Maryland Man Who Killed 19-Year-Old in D.C.

A 20-year-old man from Maryland has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for second degree murder while armed in a 2023 shooting that left a 19-year-old dead in Washington D.C.

David Botchway, 20, of Gwynn Oak, MD, was sentenced on May 31, 2024, by Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt for the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Andre Baker, of Washington, D.C., announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

According to the government’s evidence, on August 5, 2023, Mr. Baker and two friends were standing near a bus stop in the 1200 block of U Street Northwest, after enjoying a night out in the U Street neighborhood. At around 5:01 a.m., Botchway approached the group and, without warning or any provocation, pointed the gun at Mr. Baker and shot him multiple times in the head and torso. Mr. Baker died a short time later. One of the bullets also grazed one of the victim’s friends.

The defendant was found guilty of second degree murder while armed, and was also ordered to complete five years of supervised release, register as a gun offender, pay a fine to victim’s compensation fund, and receive mental health treatment. The sentence was handed down in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.

U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those investigating the case from the Metropolitan Police Department, as well as the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, including Assistant U.S. Attorney Nebiyu Feleke of the Homicide section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.

The case is a stark reminder of the dangers of gun violence in our city. The victim, Andre Baker, was just 19 years old when his life was senselessly cut short. Our thoughts are with his family and friends as they navigate this difficult time.

Botchway’s sentence is a significant one, and serves as a reminder of the consequences of committing violent crimes in our community. We hope that it brings some measure of closure to the victim’s loved ones.