UPDATE Homicide - News Release

NEWS RELEASE

City of Takoma Park Police Department

● 7500 Maple Avenue ● Takoma Park, Md 20912

For more information contact:

Public Information Officer (PIO)

Catherine Plevy, 301/891.7142 or 240/338.2901

February 25, 2013 (3:46 p.m.)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

At approximately 1:42 a.m., on Sunday, February 24, 2013, Takoma Park Police received a call for shots fired in the area of Flower Avenue. Shortly after, they received another call for the report of two white males lying in a driveway in the 7300 block of Flower Avenue. Officers responded out and confirmed both males deceased suffering from gunshot wounds. They were located in one of the deceased person's driveway located in the 7300 block of Flower Avenue, Takoma Park, Maryland. The individuals were identified as David Draa, 30, of Takoma Park, Maryland; and Steven "Kyle" Hickman, 30, of Washington, DC.

Chief Alan Goldberg of the Takoma Park Police Department announces that, at this time, the autopsies have been completed on both Steven "Kyle" Hickman and David Draa. The findings of the Medical Examiner are consistent with the detectives’ assessment of the events that occurred early Sunday morning. What we do know is that Kyle Hickman and David Draa worked together previously and had become friends. Kyle often was a sounding board for David during their friendship and from family members’ accounts was trying to help David through personal issues.

On Saturday, David's fiancée was out of town and David and Kyle decided to spend the day biking. During the day, Kyle had a flat tire on the ride back from Wheaton and texted his wife that evening that he would fix the tire on Sunday morning and would be staying the night at David’s apartment. David’s neighbors had met Kyle during the day and there was no indication of any issues between the two men.

We do believe that alcohol was consumed by one or both men; however, the toxicology reports will not be available for several weeks. For unknown reasons, around 1:40 a.m., Kyle appeared to have changed his mind regarding fixing the bike tire and possibly planned on riding his bike home. At this point, the motive is unclear and we can only speculate to the causation of that which led to the shooting. There was no obvious argument or physical confrontation. From the forensic evidence and physical condition at the scene, it appears David shot Kyle from behind as Kyle was kneeling down working on his bike. We believe that Kyle never knew what happened. Shortly thereafter, David knelt over his friend’s body and took his own life.

We can only speculate as to why this occurred. We believe that David had experienced severe trauma during his tour of duty while serving in the Marine Corps, as well as some difficulties in his personal life. We also believe that he did not share these issues with many people and that no one anticipated that he would take another life. It can only be speculated that possibly with the combination of alcohol and perhaps undiagnosed issues, he took his friend’s life.

This is a very tragic situation. Kyle Hickman was a good friend and through no fault of his own, a victim in this incident. David Draa, up until that morning, had been a respected and well liked teacher.

Once again, we would ask that respect and privacy be given to the families of both men.