Washington D.C. man convicted of killing daughter’s boyfriend
A Washington, D.C., man has been convicted of murdering his daughter’s boyfriend more than 10 years ago, according to federal prosecutors. He shot the man as he was leaving for work, shortly after police had responded to a report of a family disturbance at the home.
Wilbert Whitaker, 77, was found guilty Wednesday in D.C. Superior Court of second-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia.
Officers responding to a 911 call on April 30, 2016, went to a home at 811 21st Street Northeast, where they learned that Whitaker and Leo Hackett, 30, had argued. Officers saw no injuries and received no reports of an assault, so they left without making an arrest.
A short time later, Whitaker retrieved a .38 Special revolver from his bedroom and loaded it, according to evidence presented at trial. He followed Hackett outside as he was leaving for work and called out to him as he walked away.
When Hackett turned around, Whitaker fired twice, striking him once in the left side of the chest and killing him.
Whitaker was arrested at the scene and released on May 16, 2016, after a preliminary hearing. The murder conviction carries a mandatory minimum of five years in prison.
