(Screenshot of surveillance videos)

Wendy Martinez (Courtesy of D.C. Police)

D.C. police have arrested a suspect in the fatal stabbing of 35-year-old Wendy Martinez, who was attacked while running in Logan Circle just before 8 p.m. on Tuesday night. They believe the suspect was a stranger to the victim.

Police Chief Peter Newsham identified the suspect as 23-year-old Anthony Crawford of Northwest at a press conference on Thursday morning. He said a combination of information from Third District patrol officers and tips from the public led them to Crawford.

Crawford was arrested at Girard Street Park on 14th and Girard streets NW on Wednesday night. He was taken in for questioning, where Newsham said officers were able to establish probable cause and arrest him. Crawford has been charged with first degree murder while armed.

Newsham said this appeared to be a random attack, and they do not know of any motive. Police do not think it was a robbery.

Crawford was taken to a hospital for an injury to his hand, Newsham said. He lives in Northwest and has a criminal record, though no previous charges for violence, Newsham said.

Martinez had been running on P Street NW in Logan Circle when she came to an intersection and was attacked. She stumbled into a carryout restaurant behind her, where customers tried to render aid. She died from multiple serious stab wounds.

“Whether it’s Logan Circle or Wellington Park, we want people to feel safe doing normal activities,” Mayor Bowser said at the press conference. “A woman running on our street is a normal activity.”

Martinez was the chief of staff at FiscalNote, a local technology company. She had just gotten engaged about a week ago.

A vigil is planned at Logan Circle tonight to honor her memory.

Her family released a statement Wednesday, reports NBC Washington: “Wendy Karina Martinez was the light of our lives. Not only was she an avid runner, but she was a devout Christian, a wonderful friend, and a driven professional. Everything you hope that a daughter and a friend could be. She was also excited to be planning her upcoming wedding to her fiancé, Daniel Hincapie. They were engaged just last week.”

Previously:
Police Identify Woman Killed In Apparently Random Stabbing While Running In Logan Circle

This story has been updated to more accurately characterize Martinez as a runner rather than a jogger.

Filed Under: dc police, logan circle stabbing, mpd, wendy martinez,