A suspect has been named in the fatal shooting of a recent American University graduate Saturday afternoon near a busy D.C. Metro station -- and he told News4 he's innocent.
Marcus King, 19, of Northwest D.C., is wanted in the death on Saturday of Matthew Shlonsky, 23. A man who identified himself as King told News4's Mark Segraves by phone Thursday that he will report to police but is 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 will turn himself in.
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 said he was nearby when Shlonsky was caught in crossfire about 4:45 p.m. Saturday on the 1800 block of 7th Street NW, near the Shaw-Howard University Metro station, but that he was not involved.
"I was right there in the area," he said. "I was right there by the barbershop, chillin.'"
King, who is wanted for second-degree murder while armed, said he had been shot three days before the murder. Police previously said they believe the shooting Saturday was an act of retaliation for an earlier shooting.
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Police have said Shlonsky -- who graduated from American University last year -- was an unintended target in the shooting.
The shooting may have stemmed from an illegal craps game, Chief Cathy Lanier said. She asked anyone who sees a craps game to call police and report it.
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 is 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 on a Metro train July 4. Sutherland graduated from American in 2013.
Police are asking anyone who sees King to call 911.
Anyone with information is asked to call police at 202-727-9099, or text an anonymous tip to police by texting 50411. Police offer a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone who provides information leading to the arrest and conviction of homicide suspects in D.C.
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.
