Jewish politician from Britain murdered in Washington D.C.

NBC4:

Four people charged in the killing of an aspiring politician from Great Britain in the Georgetown section of the District are expected to be arraigned Monday in D.C. Superior Court.

Police said 27-year-old Alan Senitt, from London, was stabbed to death in the 3100 block of Q Street in Northwest at about 2:15 a.m. Sunday morning. Senitt and a female companion had just returned from a movie and a restaurant and he was retrieving items from the trunk of his companion's car when they were attacked, police said.

"He was stabbed and his throat was slashed," said D.C. police Cmdr. Andy Solberg. "He died at the scene."

Police said his companion's purse was stolen and one of the suspects allegedly tried to sexually assault the woman.

D.C. police spokesman Sgt. Joe Gentile said 25-year-old Christopher Piper and 22-year-old Jeffrey Rice were arrested about 5:30 a.m. and charged with felony murder while armed. Both suspects are from the 2700 block of Robinson Place Southeast.

Piper has also been charged with the attempted sexual assault of Senitt's female companion during the robbery, police said, which took place in the driveway of prominent D.C. developer Herb Miller. D.C. Piper grabbed the woman and began dragging her out of sight down a driveway where he tried to pull off her clothes, police said. Lt. Robert Glover said the attacker made a comment "in reference to his intent to commit a sexual assault."

Gentile said two other people allegedly involved in the incident, 26-year-old Olivia Miles, who police said drove the getaway car, and a 15-year-old boy turned themselves in to police about 1 p.m., authorities said. They have also both been charged with felony murder.

The 15-year-old is expected to appear in court Monday morning. The other three suspects are expected to be arraigned Monday afternoon.

As Rice was being led to a police cruiser he yelled to reporters, "I apologize for what happened. I did not have anything to do with the murder."

Police are investigating whether the suspects have been involved in robberies in other parts of the city as well.

Senitt was serving as an intern with former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner's Political Action Committee. In a statement issued about Senitt's death, Warner said, "Our entire team is shocked and heartbroken. Alan was very excited to be here, and his enthusiasm was impressive. Our prayers are with his family and friends."

Senitt also was a Jewish activist, according to the Associated Press. Senitt was twice elected head of the Union of Jewish Students of the United Kingdom, which represents 5,000 college students. The group has issued a statement saying Senitt's passion for Jewish life and his love of Israel inspired many people.

"The Jewish community as a whole has lost one of its bright young leaders and the wider world has lost a champion of peace and goodwill," Senitt's family said in a statement.

A representative for Warner's political action committee said Senitt came the United States to learn more about political fundraising.

Greville Janner, a member of the British House of Lords, said Senitt worked for him and was an "outstanding young man" who was "reaching his prime." Britain's Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks said Senitt was one of the most impressive people in Britain's Jewish student community in recent years.

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