A brutal and senseless crime has left a community reeling after a Maryland man was indicted for the murder and robbery of a 53-year-old man inside his Washington DC apartment.
Tommy Whack, 35, of Maryland, was indicted last week on robbery and murder charges stemming from the April 1, 2024 slaying of Fasil Teklemariam. The indictment, handed down by a grand jury in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, charges Whack with robbery and first-degree murder while armed – felony murder.
According to the government’s evidence, on the evening of April 1, 2024, Fasil Teklemariam was home in his apartment located at 1360 Peabody Street NW. After Whack gained entry into the building and Mr. Teklemariam’s apartment unit, Whack and a co-conspirator bludgeoned the victim to death, smashing glass bottles on his head and stabbing him in multiple places on his body with a knife.
The sheer brutality of the crime is shocking, with Whack and his co-conspirators showing no regard for human life as they robbed Mr. Teklemariam of his phone, personal papers, and other belongings inside the apartment. The victim’s body was found four days later by the apartment management staff, leaving a family and community to mourn the loss of a loved one.
Whack was arraigned on June 27, 2025 before the Honorable Neal Kravitz, and is being held pending further proceedings. The case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), with Chief Pamela Smith joining the announcement of the indictment.
This case is a stark reminder of the violence and brutality that can occur in our communities, and the importance of holding those responsible accountable for their actions. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia is prosecuting the case, and will work tirelessly to ensure that justice is served for the victim and his family.
The investigation and prosecution of this case demonstrate the commitment of law enforcement and the justice system to keeping our communities safe and bringing those who commit violent crimes to justice. As the case against Tommy Whack moves forward, the community can be assured that everything will be done to ensure that he is held accountable for his alleged role in the murder and robbery of Fasil Teklemariam.
RELATED: MD Man Indicted for Robbery & Murder in DC Apartment Slaying
Related Federal Cases
- Dana Dixon Gets 6 Years for NW D.C. Burglaries · Maryland
- Jamah Harris Gets 10 Years for D.C. Armed Robberies · Maryland
- Maryland Man Pleads Guilty in DC Carjacking With Toddler Inside · Maryland
- David Bright Pleads Guilty in NE D.C. Double Murder · Maryland
- Daniel Skinner Gets 7 Years for 7-Eleven Armed Robbery · Maryland
Key Facts
- State: Washington DC
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Violent CrimeViolent CrimeViolent CrimeViolent Crime