Darrell Hinkle, a 36-year-old resident of Washington, D.C., has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed in connection with the April 2023 shooting death of Dajuan Blakney. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
The plea, entered on September 4, 2025, is subject to court approval and includes an agreement for a sentence ranging from 17 to 21 years in prison followed by supervised release. Superior Court Judge Jason Park accepted the factual basis for the plea and set sentencing for January 16, 2026.
According to information presented at the plea hearing, Hinkle arrived at an apartment complex located at 1511 19th Street SE shortly after midnight on April 21, 2023. He approached Blakney, who was sitting on the steps outside the building. When Hinkle was only a few feet away, he shot Blakney with an assault-style rifle and then left the scene in his vehicle.
Hinkle was taken into custody in October 2023 and has remained detained since his arrest.
Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department joined U.S. Attorney Pirro in announcing the guilty plea. The investigation was conducted by members of the Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Carson is prosecuting the case.
“Darrell Hinkle, 36, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed for the April 2023 shooting of Dajuan Blakney, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.”
