Maryland

Man Killed, Carjacked at Northeast DC Gas Station

Curtis Barnum was a partially disabled home improvement contractor known for giving neighbors rides in his white truck whenever they needed them

A man who stopped at a gas station in Northeast D.C. Tuesday night was carjacked and killed, police say.

Curtis Barnum, of Southeast D.C., died after he was stabbed in the 3700 block of Minnesota Avenue NE, blocks east of I-295. He was 53.

Barnum was a partially disabled home improvement contractor who was known for giving neighbors rides in his white truck whenever they needed them, his sister Wendii Burstion said.

"If you needed a ride, he would give it to you. If he had five, he would give you two-fifty. That was Curtis. Whatever else was going on, my brother had a great heart," she said.

D.C. police say they caught Barnum's killer because he returned to the crime scene the following morning.

Antione Little, 42, was arrested Wednesday morning and charged with murder.

Barnum went to the gas station after 10 p.m. and parked near the door, under a large light. He went inside to buy something and then got back into his truck. A man then stabbed him several times and drove off in his truck, leaving him on the pavement. The crime was caught on surveillance cameras.

D.C. officers were flagged down about 10:35 p.m. Barnum was rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

His sister had strong words for the suspected killer.

"That person's going to burn in hell. And hopefully I'll meet him there," she said.

Police had not found Barnum's truck as of Wednesday night. It's a white 2010 Ford F-150 with front-end damage. It was last seen with the Maryland tag 6DA0780.

Anyone with information for police is asked to call 202-727-9099 or text 50411.

Contact Us