Tyriq Williams, a 31-year-old resident of Washington D.C., has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in connection with the fatal shooting of Terry Clark in 2023. The plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr. and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.
Superior Court Judge Todd E. Edelman acknowledged the factual basis for the plea and set the sentencing for July 19, 2025. The terms of the plea agreement suggest a prison sentence ranging from 14 to 18 years, followed by supervised release, pending court approval at sentencing.
The incident occurred on January 7, 2023, when Williams and his girlfriend encountered Clark on an escalator at the Navy Yard Metro Station. The two men were strangers. After leaving the station, Williams shot Clark once, resulting in his death. Williams then re-entered the station, took a train to Congress Heights Metro Station, and boarded a bus to his workplace. Williams later contacted a friend for a ride and returned to the bus he had previously used.
Although the shooting was not recorded, law enforcement identified Williams through surveillance footage from the Washington Metro Area Transit Authority. The investigation, which led to Williams' arrest on January 20, 2023, recovered distinctive clothing from Williams' home, which he had worn on the night of the incident.
The case is under investigation by the Metropolitan Police Department and Metro Transit Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Molly K. Smith and Jamie Carter are prosecuting, while former Assistant U.S. Attorney John Interrante contributed to the investigative efforts.