In a rare joint effort, federal and local prosecutors go to trial against a D.C. landlord charged with murder and civil violations in a fatal fire. By Keith L. Alexander
For DC landlords out there, this is a must-read story with countless lessons to learn from. If your rental unit isn’t up to code or registered with the city, you’re playing with fire and opening yourself up to being accused of negligence.
The trial of James Walker, a landlord accused of neglecting critical safety violations that led to a deadly fire in his Northwest Washington rowhouse, has begun in D.C. Superior Court. Prosecutors have charged Walker, 66, with second-degree murder and civil code violations, arguing that he failed to address hazardous conditions despite warnings. The fire, which broke out on August 18, 2019, killed 10-year-old Yafet Solomon and 40-year-old Fitsum Kebede, both of whom were trapped behind security bars in a basement with no clear escape route.
Authorities say a D.C. police officer had flagged numerous safety concerns months before the fire, including a lack of working smoke detectors, obstructed exits, and makeshift locks that made doors difficult to open. Despite this, city inspectors never followed up, leaving tenants in unsafe conditions. Walker’s attorneys argue that the responsibility fell on regulatory agencies to enforce compliance and that their failure, not Walker’s inaction, contributed to the tragedy.
As the trial unfolds, the case highlights broader concerns about housing safety and accountability in the District, particularly for low-income renters living in unpermitted and substandard housing. Prosecutors maintain that had Walker addressed the violations, the victims could have escaped. Meanwhile, the defense claims he is being scapegoated for regulatory failures. With emotional testimony from first responders and grieving family members, the trial is set to determine whether Walker’s negligence rises to the level of criminal responsibility.