MPD arrests suspect in arson and murder of homeless man

Photo of MPD cruiser

Photo courtesy of Andre Gustavo Stumpf

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D.C. police have arrested a suspect they believe is guilty for killing Darryl Finney, a 62-year old homeless man, by setting him on fire. 

MPD arrested D’Aundrey Scott, 25, on May 19, according to a press release from the department. He has been charged with first-degree murder, assault with intent to kill, arson, and property destruction for the May 13 attack. 

Finney was found in the early morning of May 13 on the 900 block of H Street NE with severe injuries to his lower extremities and his belongings burned, reported NBC Washington. He was taken to a hospital and died two days later from his injuries.

Police say that about a half hour before finding Finney, they were flagged down by another victim near the 1300 block of H Street NE who said Scott had lit a shirt on fire with a flammable liquid and thrown it at them. The victim was able to escape unharmed. 

MPD also believes the crime is related to a car that was set on fire close by and a fire started on the porch of a nearby house that same night. 

“It’s a huge relief to the homeless folks out there,” Chief of Police Peter Newsham told NBC Washington. “I think this makes them feel at ease that we were able to make an arrest in this case.” 

D.C. recorded the deaths of 117 homeless people in 2019, a five-year high. Of those, eight were ruled homicides. The District only recently began breaking down homeless deaths in detail, according to the Washington Post, so those figures are hard to compare against previous years’. 


Street Sense Media aims to publish an obituary for everyone who dies while experiencing homelessness in the District. If you knew Mr. Finney or anyone connected to him that may wish to be interviewed for this purpose, please contact [email protected].


Issues |Death


Region |Northeast

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