WASHINGTON — A 24-year-old man has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed in connection with the shooting death of a three-year-old girl in Southeast D.C. earlier this month, federal prosecutors announced Monday.
Charles Rucker was taken into custody Saturday and appeared in Superior Court on July 12. Judge Rainey Brandt found probable cause to hold Rucker without bond pending trial.
According to court documents, on July 5, Rucker allegedly fired several rounds at a parked car occupied by multiple individuals, including the victim, identified in court filings as H.C. After the shooting, Rucker is accused of trying to gather and remove evidence from the scene.
The toddler was struck in the head and transported to the hospital, where she died from her injuries on July 7.
The case is being prosecuted under the Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful initiative and is led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emma McArthur. The investigation is being handled by the Homicide Major Case Section of the Metropolitan Police Department.
“Rucker made his initial appearance July 12 before Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt,” according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
