The suspect named in the fatal shooting of a recent American University graduate turned himself in to police early Friday morning, News4's Mark Segraves reports.
Marcus King, 19, of Northwest D.C., was wanted on a second-degree murder charge in the death of Matthew Shlonsky, 23, who was shot Saturday as he walked with friends near the busy Shaw-Howard University Metro station.
A Secret Service informant tipped police to King, who admitted firing a .40-caliber gun several times in self-defense during the shooting and threw the gun in a trash can as he left the area, according to court documents.
As many as four people fired guns, and at least 18 shots were fired. The defense argued police do not know who fired the fatal shot.
King was held without bond during a court appearance Friday, with the judge agreeing with prosecutors that everyone who fired a shot is responsible. He's due in court again September 23.
A day before King surrendered, a man who identified himself as King told Segraves by phone that he was innocent and afraid to report to police.
Police raided King's home Wednesday night, just blocks from the site of the shooting, but he was not home. His family contacted News4 after the raid.
King told Segraves on Thursday that he was nearby when Shlonsky was caught in crossfire about 4:45 p.m. Saturday in the 1800 block of 7th Street NW, but that he was not involved.
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"I was right there in the area," he said. "I was right there by the barbershop, chillin.'"
He said on Thursday that he would report to police but was afraid.
"I'm too scared because I, I, I want to, but I don't know what's going on," King said when asked if he would turn himself in.
Police Chief Cathy Lanier has said the shooting may have stemmed from an illegal craps game. But sources tell News4 the shooting may have been an act of retaliation.
King was shot in the neck about a week earlier at 8th and R streets in Northwest, according to court documents.
Police have said Shlonsky -- who graduated from American University last year -- was an unintended target in the shooting.
Shots were fired from the southeast and southwest corners of 7th and S streets, police said. A burgundy Chrysler 300 with Maryland tags was seen leaving the area, but it was unclear if shots were fired from it, police said. However, at 6th and S streets, the driver of the Chrysler exchanged words with another driver and showed a handgun, and at another location, the driver of the Chrysler shot at someone, police said.
Shlonsky was the second recent American graduate to be killed this summer. Kevin Joseph Sutherland was fatally stabbed aboard a Metro train July 4. Sutherland graduated from American in 2013.
Editor's note: News4 informed the Metropolitan Police Department about the interview with King before it aired. At no time did News4 know King's location.
