In a tragic turn of events, 32-year-old Koran Brown from Washington, D.C., was sentenced to 21 years behind bars for the horrific murder of Cynthia Barringer. The sentencing was announced today by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr. and Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Chief Pamela Smith.
A Heated Argument Turned Deadly
On a November afternoon in 2024, what started as an argument between Brown and Ms. Barringer escalated into a devastating crime. Around 3:45 p.m., inside Ms. Barringer’s apartment on Green Street, S.E., Brown fatally shot her in the head with a .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol. But the horror didn’t stop there. After the shooting, Brown set a fire in the bedroom and fled the scene.
The Evidence that Told the Story
Brown’s escape didn’t erase the trail of evidence. Surveillance footage captured him leaving the apartment building and later arriving at a relative’s home, where he left a bloody t-shirt and the murder weapon. Investigators recovered the items through a search warrant, and DNA testing confirmed the undeniable link between Brown, the weapon, and the victim.
Behind the Scenes: Justice in Action
This case was solved thanks to the unwavering commitment of the Metropolitan Police Department and the dedicated team from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Special recognition goes to Lead Paralegal Specialist Meridith McGarrity and Victim/Witness Advocate Latrice Washington Williams for their hard work. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dana Joseph and Andrea Antonelli, along with former Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Rickard, worked tirelessly to investigate and prosecute the case, ensuring that justice was served.
