A D.C. Superior Court judge has found probable cause to charge Niwatilagu Anthony Long, 45, with second-degree murder in the shooting death of 44-year-old D. C. resident Melvin Saunders. This decision was announced by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. Long was arrested following a preliminary hearing in a separate case involving assault with a deadly weapon. The affidavit supporting Long's arrest alleges that Long claimed to be a member of the "Crips" and accused Saunders of being a member the "Bloods". A status hearing is scheduled for October 9, 2026.