Deandre Pettus Charged with 2024 Homicide of 5-Year Old Son
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
The Metropolitan Police Department is providing an update on the investigation into the death of a 5-year-old child that occurred in October 2024.
On Sunday, October 6, 2024, at approximately 9:44 a.m., Second District officers responded to the 4500 block of Connecticut Avenue, Northwest, for the report of an unconscious child inside of an apartment. United States Secret Service officers were the first units to arrive on the scene and started CPR on the child. DC Fire and EMS responded to the scene and took over CPR. After all lifesaving efforts failed the child was pronounced dead.
The decedent has been identified as 5-year-old Deandre Pettus, of Northwest, DC.
At the scene, the child’s father, 33-year-old Deandre Pettus of Northwest, D.C. was arrested and charged with First Degree Cruelty to Children.
The child was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. On Monday, October 7, 2024, the child’s death was ruled undetermined.
Detectives from MPD’s Homicide branch worked collaboratively with the United States Attorney’s Office during Grand Jury proceedings. The Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Pettus with First Degree Murder-Felony Murder. On Friday, July 11, 2025, Pettus was arraigned in DC Superior Court on charges of First Degree-Felony Murder.
CCN: 24154852
Father Charged with First-Degree Murder In the Alleged Drowning of His 5-Year-Old Son
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
WASHINGTON – Deandre Pettus, 34, of the District of Columbia, has been charged with first-degree murder in the alleged drowning of his son, Deandre Pettus, Jr., announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.
According to court documents, on October 6, 2024, at 9:44 a.m., MPD officers responded to the 4500 block of Connecticut Avenue, NW, for a report of an unconscious child inside an apartment.
U.S. Secret Service officers had been the first to arrive on the scene and started CPR on the 5-year-old boy. DC Fire and EMS arrived soon after and took over CPR. After all lifesaving efforts failed the child was pronounced dead.
Officers at the scene arrested Pettus, who was charged with first degree cruelty to children. The boy was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner where the death was ruled undetermined.
On July 11, 2025, Pettus was arraigned in DC Superior Court on charges of First Degree-Felony Murder and cruelty to children before Judge Todd Edelman. A jury trial is scheduled for March 1, 2027.
This case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emma McArthur.
2024 CF1 010074