Boy's Alleged Killer Found Dead in Jail

The man accused of killing a 9-year-old boy during a robbery was found dead in his jail cell Wednesday. Sources tell Fox 5 that 25-year-old Josue Pena used a bed sheet to take his life.

An investigation is underway at the jail.

Officials confirm Pena was separated from other inmates. A spokesperson with the jail confirms Pena was in a cell by himself and was being checked by guards every 30 minutes.

Pena was also evaluated by mental health professionals, but officials would not elaborate further.

In the neighborhood where 9-year-old Oscar Fuentes was killed, the news that his alleged killer was found hanged in the D.C. jail was met with mixed reaction.

"They should have watching him. It's a big case. He's a huge suspect. They should have kept any eye on him," said neighbor, Blaine Rumingan.

"With any big case like this somebody, should be watching 24/7-- we don't know how high his risks are in doing whatever. Look what happened today," said neighbor Tuwanda Jackson.

Pena is the suspect accused of killing the fourth grader in his home. D.C. Police say Josue Pena shot thru the door.

According to the jail, on Wednesday Pena committed suicide by hanging himself.

Residents say another death makes no one happy and offers no closure.

"It would have been better to go thru the court system so the family to see some justice the right way," said Rumingan.

"I think it's very devastating to the community. Not only did we lose a child, but we lost a person who was probably a lost soul," said Jackson.
Pena had been in the jail since his arrest on eight days ago. The jail says he was housed in a special management unit-- which requires enhanced security for inmates.

Officials would not confirm the last time anyone checked on him.

Castillo Areniva, his estranged uncle, told Fox 5 that the death of his nephew was sad, but made clear Pena was not close to family members and he had not seen him for a while until the night of the murder. Police found the murder weapon inside the uncle's home on Kenyon Street.

The apparent suicide does not sit well with some members of the community

"He should have just faced what he had to go thru, he should have faced the consequences instead of taking his life away," said neighbor Diana Flores.

Pena was due back in court on December 1.

Prosecutors say Pena admitted he had a gun in his waist, but said it accidently went off as he walked up the stairs in the boy's building.

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Councilmember Jim Graham's Response to Josue Pena's Death:

"It is my sincerest hope that the Metropolitan Police Department and the D.C. Department of Corrections fully investigate the death of Josue Pena.

But his death, though unexpected, means that justice may have been served in the murder of 9-year-old Oscar Fuentes."