DC Police identify suspect wanted for 3-year-old girl’s death, reward increased to $50k
According to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), 24-year-old Charles Rucker of Southeast, D.C., is wanted for first-degree murder while armed.
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WASHINGTON — Police are searching for a suspect connected to the deadly shooting of a 3-year-old girl over the Fourth of July weekend.
According to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), 24-year-old Charles Rucker of Southeast, D.C., is wanted for first-degree murder while armed.
Detectives say at least one person began shooting in the 1000 block of 14th Street, SE, around 3 a.m. on July 5, hitting the car 3-year-old Honesty Cheadle was sitting with her family. She was taken to an area hospital for help, where she died a few days later.
On Wednesday, police released photos of Rucker, saying he is wanted in connection with the toddler’s death. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at (202) 727-9099 or text the department’s tip line at 50411.
Honesty’s aunt spoke exclusively to WUSA9 about her niece the same day the suspect’s identity was released.
“It’s unbearable. It’s very heartbreaking” Tamika Butler said while holding back tears. “The light is gone. The baby on both sides of our family.”
Butler called Honesty a bright light in her world.
“She was the type of baby that you knew you could love unconditionally,” she said. “She loved swimming. She loved gymnastics.”
Credit: Family
3-year-old Honesty Cheadle
>To support the family, they’ve launched a GoFundMe fundraiser here.
She shared pictures and videos with WUSA9 that showed a happy little girl dancing and eating ice cream, one of her favorite foods.
“She kept me too busy,” Butler said with a smile. “She loved the playground. If you took her to the playground, be prepared to stay there for at least seven hours.”
Butler was emotional while she spoke to us about Honesty, but there was noticeable strength in her voice when she said she had a message for her niece’s killer.
“Please turn yourself in,” she said. “I don’t know, we don’t know. No one knows how you can sleep at night. Her blood is on your hands and your hands alone.”
MPD offers a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of people responsible for a homicide in D.C. An additional $15,000 is being offered by the FBI’s Washington Field Office and $10,000 by the U.S. Marshals Service, bringing the total possible reward amount up to $50,000.
Woman avoids capital murder charge, pleads guilty to killing Dothan man
By Ken Curtis
Published: Mar. 7, 2025 at 7:33 AM GMT+7
DOTHAN, Ala. (WTVY) -A woman charged with Capital Murder in the death of a Dothan teen pleaded guilty to a lesser charge on Thursday and received a 20-year sentence.
Zycheria Russ of Georgia was among three accused in the 2021 shooting of Sincere Tyson, who died at his apartment.
Police say they believe Tyson slept after deciding against a trip to Montgomery, where he attended college because he was tired after attending his niece’s birthday party.
Investigators believe those that killed him did not realize he was home.
For Russ, 23 and who police do not believed to be the trigger person, the deal means avoiding life in prison without the possibility of parole or execution. Instead, she will receive credit for over three years she was jailed for awaiting trial toward her 20-year sentence.
Related: Mom talks about her murdered son and how he helped others
“He was a good boy,” Lerwanna McClinden recalled of her 20-year-old son, an apparent robbery victim. He worked fulltime.
Awaiting trial are Solomon Cooper and Jacoiah Harrell, both indicted for Capital Murder.
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