Murder in Southwest Washington

WASHINGTON – A senseless act of violence shook the Southwest Washington neighborhood in 2014, leaving one life lost. Dominique Holmes, 25, and Gregory Smithwick, 23, both of Washington, D.C., have pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the murder of Ricky Kelly, 29.

According to the government’s evidence, on Oct. 10, 2014, at approximately 6:30 a.m., Holmes carried out a carjacking in the 2000 block of 37th Street SE. He picked up Smithwick almost immediately after the carjacking, and they fled the scene in the carjacked vehicle.

Approximately 40 minutes after the carjacking, Holmes arrived in the carjacked vehicle in the 100 block of Ivanhoe Street SW. He went up to the apartment unit of the victim, Ricky Kelly. Kelly was alone inside the apartment, about to take his children to school, with their car parked just outside of the apartment building. Holmes shot Kelly nine times with a 9mm handgun inside his apartment. He and Smithwick then fled the scene in the carjacked vehicle.

The armed robbery charge stems from an attack carried out by Holmes early Sept. 27, 2014, in the area of 41st Street and Alabama Avenue SE. The victim was walking toward his parked car when Holmes approached him, demanding that he empty his pockets. The victim turned over his iPhone, some cash, and the keys to the vehicle. Holmes then drove away in the car with the victim’s belongings.

The guilty pleas, which are contingent upon the Court’s approval, call for prison sentences of between 25 and 30 years for Holmes and between five and eight years for Smithwick. The Honorable Lynn Leibovitz scheduled a sentencing hearing for March 18, 2016.

U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips commended the work of the detectives, officers, and others who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. He also expressed appreciation to the District of Columbia Office of the Medical Examiner. Finally, he acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

In a statement, U.S. Attorney Phillips said, ‘The pleas in this case demonstrate a commitment to justice for the victim, Ricky Kelly, and his family. We appreciate the tireless efforts of the investigators and prosecutors who worked on this case.’

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