Darius Anderson, 23, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced to 32 years in prison for the first-degree murder of 30-year-old Israel Mattocks, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. The sentence was handed down by Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo on January 31, 2025, following Anderson’s conviction by a jury in September 2024.
The fatal incident occurred on June 15, 2022, when Mattocks, a shoe reseller, sought Anderson’s help to purchase shoes from Shoe City at the East River Park Shopping Mall. After Anderson failed to make the purchase, the two had a brief conversation and parted ways, with Mattocks leaving to try to buy the shoes on his own.
However, the situation escalated when they met again at Downtown Locker Room, where they briefly argued. Mattocks then left the store with another individual and returned to Shoe City. In the meantime, Anderson walked home, dropped off a purchase from Downtown Locker Room, and returned to the mall.
As Mattocks and his companion exited the store, Anderson was waiting near the entrance. Without warning, he fired multiple shots, hitting Mattocks at least six times in the arms, chest, and neck. Mattocks was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after the shooting.
The conviction marks a tragic outcome for Mattocks’ family, and Anderson now faces a lengthy sentence as a result of his actions. Anderson was found guilty of first-degree murder, among other charges, following a week-long trial in D.C. Superior Court. The case serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of violence in the community.
Anderson’s 32-year sentence brings some sense of justice to the family of Israel Mattocks, who was taken too soon from his loved ones. Authorities continue to send a strong message about the legal ramifications of violent crime in the District of Columbia.
