Washington – Darrell Hinkle, a 36-year-old Washington, D.C., resident, has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed in the April 2023 shooting that led to the tragic death of Dajuan Blakney at a Southeast apartment complex. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro made the announcement.
Hinkle’s guilty plea, entered on September 4, 2025, and subject to Court approval at sentencing, mandates a prison term ranging from 17 to 21 years followed by supervised release. Superior Court Judge Jason Park has accepted the factual basis for the plea and set January 16, 2026, as the date for sentencing.
The tragic incident unfolded at 12:01 a.m. on April 21, 2023, when Hinkle parked his vehicle outside the apartment complex at 1511 19th Street SE. Approaching Blakney, who was seated on the steps leading to the entrance, Hinkle fired an assault-style rifle, taking the victim’s life before speeding away in his car.
Hinkle was apprehended in October of 2023 and has remained in custody ever since.
Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department joined in the announcement of the plea. The investigation into this case was a collaborative effort by officers, detectives, and other personnel from the Metropolitan Police Department.
The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Carson.
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Key Facts
- State: Washington DC
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Public Corruption|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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