Arrest Made in Murder of 9 Year Old

D.C. Police made an arrest Tuesday morning in connection with the fatal shooting of a 9 year old inside a Northwest Washington apartment building.

Josue Pena, 26, who has no fixed address, is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the Saturday night shooting and was ordered held without bond as he faced a judge in D.C. Superior Court.

Court sketches show the man dressed in a black jacket and green shirt.

Josue Pena was found in a storage room in Hyattsville. City leaders announced the big catch.

"There is no indication it is gang-related. It's a person who was attempted to rob several people during the night and this robbery taking a shot thru the door," said D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier.

Prosecutors say Pena followed the family of Oscar Fuentes into the dilapidated building and said, "Your money or your life."

Moments later there were gunshots thru the door.

Pena told prosecutors he had a gun in his waist band, but it accidently went off as he walked up the stairs.

"There are few crimes that have ever risen to the level of heinous of a heinous tragedy as much as this one," said Mayor Adrian Fenty.

Court documents indicate police also found the murder weapon, a .22 caliber revolver at his uncle's home on Kenyon Street NW. One tenant at the home with a 2-week-old baby says the suspect was there Saturday an hour after the shooting looking for a place to stay.

"He says he's my uncle and I came to visit him and I want to wait for him. He never come here before. I never saw him before," said
Silvia Iratraetti.

Police found the gun hidden under a mattress. It is a fact that horrifies the new mom.

"For my baby, I was scared. That kind of person-- I saw him. He was a drunk man," said Iratraetti.

In the neighborhood, sadness remains. The arrest brings relief, but the fear remains.

"Probably only a moment of relief. Again there is a lot of activity that goes on. They still need to be watchful," said one resident.

Late Tuesday night, city leaders moved in to repair the door on the dilapidated building where the suspect entered. The District government is paying for the repairs and expects to be repaid.

"The person charged ought not have been in this building. These doors should have been secured. The fact of the matter they were not. We will fix this," said D.C. Council Member Jim Graham.

The family got the early-morning call from police that an arrest was made.

In a statement, they thanked police and said,

"We would like to thank all those who have come out to support our family during this tragic moment. We have received much needed and appreciated support from our family, friends, community and government leaders. We are a close knit family and are facing the biggest challenge of our lives.

We have chosen to mourn the lost of beloved Oscar Fuentes in private and request not to be disturbed. We appreciate the outpouring of support, but during this time, we ask for our wishes to be honored.

We are grieving the loss of our darling son Oscar, who was the light of our lives. We would like for everyone to remember him as the curious, happy and smart boy that he was. He was a great student, amazing son, loyal friend, loved by all who knew him and a delight to his family.

This is the hardest blow a family can receive, but we are a strong family and together we will move forward and transform our suffering into a celebration of Oscars life.

We thank everyone for the support, blessings and prayers."

Fuentes Family
 

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