Police attempt to establish timeline
Washington police spent much of Thursday trying to determine where the 24-year-old Washington man shot and killed early Wednesday in a city alley was in the hours before his death and where was going.
The body of Marius Chatman was found lying next to the 7th Ward playground with multiple gunshot wounds at School Avenue between the 400 block of Shirls and Donnan avenues after residents in the area heard gunfire about 4 a.m.
“We are trying to piece together a timeline,” said city police Lt. Dan Stanek. “We are trying to figure out where he had been and where he was going.
“We are out there pounding the pavement. We are talking with his friends trying to fill in the gaps. But it is going to take some time.”
Stanek said most of the residents in the area were sleeping and awakened by the gunshots. He said officers talked with several people living near the playground and plan to talk with them again.
“They heard the shots and looked out the window,” he said. “But they don’t know what was going on before that.”
One resident who asked not to be identified said his son heard about eight shots being fired and then saw what appeared to be two people running away.
Stanek said police are still seeking the public’s help. Anyone with information on the shooting or who might have information on Chatman’s whereabouts in the hours leading up to the shooting is asked to call city police during regular business hours at 724-223-4226 or 911 if the office is closed.