Insurance Journal | James G. Walker of Washington, D.C. has been found guilty on two counts of second-degree murder, and 27 criminal building code violations, for the deaths of two tenants who were unable to exit when his building erupted in flames.
On the morning of 18 August 2019, a fire in the basement of 708 Kennedy Street killed two tenants, Fitsum Kebede (40) and Yafet Solomen (10), from thermal burns and smoke inhalation. Prosecutors showed Walker knew of fire safety violations and ignored warnings to correct them.
Walker lacked a certificate of occupancy, operated the building as an illegal “rooming house,” failed to install or maintain smoke alarms, and blocked escape routes with double-keyed security gates.
The case was heard in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr. and D.C. Attorney General Brian L. Schwalb.
