Standoff at NE DC home ends, suspect in custody

Image 1 of 9

A standoff in northeast D.C. that lasted more than a day came to an end Saturday afternoon. Police say the suspect, who is believed to have shot and killed a woman outside the home on Friday, is now in custody.

The deadly shooting happened at around 10:15 a.m. Friday in the 3700 block of 18th Street in the Brookland neighborhood. Police say there was some sort of disturbance between family members and the dispute ended with the shooting. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene. On Saturday, she was identified as 63-year-old Loretta Carswell.

The suspect took refuge inside the home and initially shot at officers when they arrived. Police had been negotiating with the man since then.

Just after 5 p.m. Saturday, D.C. police were able to take the man inside the home into custody. Police identified him as 67-year-old Roosevelt Robinson, and he is charged with second-degree murder while armed.

FOX 5's Sarah Simmons spoke to a friend of the suspected gunman, who told us the family dispute has been going on for quite a while.

"He said that he was going to be evicted from a family member sooner rather than later," said Asia Washington. "He had been living in this house for years and he wasn't trying to leave, and really, he didn't have anywhere to go. He told me that the relative was coming often letting him know he needs to go and he said she was going to be dealt with because she had stolen something like jewelry from him years ago."

She added, "He didn't seem too coherent most of the time that I've known him -- a little like schizophrenic."

Washington told us the suspect is retired from a printing company. He had not been making payments and was supposed to be evicted from the home on September 1.

Many residents in the neighborhood were evacuated from their homes Friday. The scene was still very active on Saturday morning, but FOX 5's Kellee Azar reported some residents were seen moving relatively freely, which is different than what was taking place on Friday when their activities were being limited based on the police activity.