Investigators outline arrests and case timeline in Northeast Washington nightclub shooting that killed Blake Bozeman
Arrests announced nearly 18 months after H Street NE shooting
Police have identified two men charged in connection with a deadly shooting at a Northeast Washington nightclub that left one person dead and three others wounded. The case centers on a late-night incident on September 23, 2023, at an establishment in the 1300 block of H Street NE, a busy corridor of restaurants and nightlife.
Officers responded at about 11:51 p.m. and found four people suffering from gunshot wounds: three men and one woman. Fire and emergency medical crews transported the victims to hospitals. One man, later identified as 31-year-old Blake Bozeman of Southeast Washington, died. The other three victims were treated for injuries described as non-life-threatening.
Who is charged and what the public record shows
On March 21, 2025, police said members of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force located and arrested Cotey Wynn, 44, of Northeast Washington, and Antwan Shelton, 41, of Southeast Washington. Both were charged with first-degree murder while armed under a D.C. Superior Court arrest warrant.
In the initial hours after the 2023 shooting, investigators circulated a suspect description: a Black male, about 5 feet 7 inches tall, wearing a white or cream sweater and a black hat, last seen walking westbound on H Street NE.
- Date and time of shooting: September 23, 2023, about 11:51 p.m.
- Location: 1300 block of H Street NE
- Victims: four shot; one fatality (Blake Bozeman, 31)
- Arrests announced: March 21, 2025
- Charges: first-degree murder while armed (two defendants)
How the investigation is being framed in court
Public court reporting has described prosecutors and judges reviewing surveillance footage and other investigative material as the case moved forward in D.C. Superior Court. In pretrial proceedings, issues discussed have included witness identification and the pace of the investigation.
In major violent-crime cases, charging decisions and detention outcomes can change as prosecutors assess witness reliability, video evidence, and forensic timelines.
What remains unresolved
Authorities have not publicly outlined a motive for the shooting. Police have continued to encourage anyone with information, photos, or video from the incident to contact investigators. As the case proceeds, the central questions for jurors are expected to focus on identification, each defendant’s alleged role, and the evidentiary record supporting the first-degree murder charges.