Derek Turrentine, 43, of Washington, D.C., has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed in connection with the fatal shooting of James Thomas Price in September 2024. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
The plea agreement, which requires court approval at sentencing, includes a proposed sentence of 17 years in prison followed by supervised release. Superior Court Judge Todd E. Edelman accepted the factual basis for the plea and set sentencing for October 17, 2025.
According to facts presented at the plea hearing, on September 15, 2024, Turrentine followed Price into an alley behind 400 50th Street NE. Price turned to face Turrentine, who then drew a firearm and approached him. A physical altercation ensued before Turrentine fired multiple shots at Price, resulting in his death.
Turrentine was arrested in March 2025 and has remained in custody since that time.
Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department joined U.S. Attorney Pirro in announcing the plea. The case was investigated by members of the Metropolitan Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Bromwich.
