Police have identified the cab driver gunned down in Adams Morgan Tuesday morning and charged his assailants.
Just before 3 a.m., officers working an undercover tactical robbery unit saw 57-year-old Solomon James Okoroh in distress in the 2400 block of Ontario Road. The officers heard gunshots, saw two men get out of Okoroh's taxi and pursued them.
During the pursuit, one of the suspects exchanged fire with officers. Witnesses reported hearing more than a dozen shots.
D.C. Councilman Jim Graham said, "It was this wild chase, with many shots being exchanged between the police and the shooters. I'm told as many as 20 shots were fired."
Trying to get away, one of the men broke down the door of a basement apartment.
"Kicked in the door, entered a home that was occupied, police officers pursued him into the home and made apprehension," Lanier explained.
"I can't even say how much [gunfire I heard]," the man whose English basement was broken into told News4's Pat Collins. "I was too scared. It was [enough] to know I had to get out of my house."
The second suspect was taken into custody on the street.
Ercell Overton, 32, of D.C., has been charged with murder, felony assault on a police officer and burglary one while Joshua King, 24, of Maryland, is facing an unrelated probation violation. More charges could be brought against King.
Okoroh of Lanham, Md., died at an area hospital, according to Lanier. He drove for D.C.'s Classic Cab Company for 15 years.
No officers were injured.
Okoroh's coworkers said he was hard-working and would pick any customer up, no matter how dangerous the situation.
"Even if his gut said trouble, he would still pick up," a co-worker told News4. "He is a good man and that cost him his life."
Okoroh was the father of five children, including Prince Okoroh, a star basketball player for Howard University.
D.C. police recently launched "Operation Adams Morgan," a summer initiative to help cut down on late-night crime and disturbances in the Northwest neighborhood, which has become a popular hangout due to a preponderance of bars and nightclubs.
"We are currently finalizing all the particulars and have reunited with a few old partners to be able to bring Adams Morgan once again, one of the most efficient enforcement efforts in the region," read a statement from D.C. police released last week.
Operation Adams Morgan will remain in effect until September 1.
A hearing on taxicab safety is being held Wednesday.
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