Damon McQuarters Gets 22 Years for Cold-Blooded DC Gas Station Execution

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A D.C. man will spend the next two decades behind bars for a shockingly callous murder played out in broad daylight. Damon McQuarters, 45, of Washington, D.C., received a 22-year prison sentence on October 24, 2025, for the August 2024 execution of Michael Simpson, right outside a Northeast D.C. gas station. The sentence, handed down by Honorable Danya Dayson, follows McQuarters’ guilty plea to one count of second-degree murder.

The shooting occurred at approximately 5:35 p.m. on August 24, 2024, at the Citgo gas station located at 3820 Minnesota Ave. NE. According to evidence presented by the prosecution, McQuarters casually approached Simpson, who was simply sitting and socializing with friends in a tree box. Without warning, McQuarters pulled a handgun from his shorts, fired a single shot into Simpson’s head, calmly re-holstered the weapon, and walked away. The coldness of the act is chilling.

Simpson was rushed to a local hospital, but the damage was irreversible. He succumbed to his injuries the following day. The brazen nature of the crime – committed in public, with witnesses present – sent ripples of fear through the neighborhood. McQuarters’ plea deal stipulated a sentencing range of 21 to 25 years, and Judge Dayson landed squarely in the middle with the 22-year term. He will also face five years of supervised release upon his eventual release.

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro and Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith jointly announced the sentencing, praising the dedicated work of the investigators and prosecutors. The case was built on solid police work and a meticulous presentation of evidence, ultimately securing a conviction and a substantial prison sentence for McQuarters. “This sentence sends a clear message: violent crime will not be tolerated in the District of Columbia,” stated a source close to the investigation.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office specifically recognized the contributions of Paralegal Specialist Kelly Blakeney and Victim/Witness Advocate Latrice Washington-Williams. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea Coronado was singled out for her diligent investigation and successful prosecution of the case. This wasn’t a complicated investigation; the crime was caught on multiple security cameras. The delay in the release of this information is attributed to the recent government shutdown, which temporarily halted the dissemination of press releases.

While 22 years won’t bring Michael Simpson back, it’s a significant step towards justice for his family and a small measure of relief for a community shaken by this senseless act of violence. The Grimy Times will continue to monitor this case and report on any further developments. The streets of D.C. are a little safer tonight, but the fight against gun violence is far from over.

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