News Releases

Suspect Arrested in Bethesda Fatal House Fire Investigation

For Immediate Release: Friday, May 25, 2018

Detectives with the Montgomery County Police Department - Major Crimes Division have charged Daniel Lewis Beckwitt, age 27, of the 5200 block of Danbury Road in Bethesda with second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter in the death of Askia Khafra, age 21.

On September 10, 2017, at approximately 4:23 p.m., 2nd District officers along with Fire and Rescue personnel responded to the report of a fire at Beckwitt’s Danbury Road residence.  During the investigation, Khafra was located deceased in the basement of the home.  The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled that the cause of Khafra's death was smoke inhalation and thermal injuries.

Beckwitt was arrested without incident on Friday, May 25, at approximately 6:30 p.m. in the 5900 block of First Landing Way in Burke, Virginia.  Assisting in this arrest were members of the Fairfax County Police Department and the United States Marshals Service, Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force.

Beckwitt remains in the custody of Fairfax County officials awaiting extradition to Montgomery County.

PRS

May 30, 2018 (2:30 pm) UPDATE: Beckwitt has been extradited to Montgomery County and is expected to have a bond review tomorrow in District Court.

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Release ID: 18-215
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: uncategorized