A 21-year-old Oklahoma woman has been charged with first-degree murder after authorities say she set up a 19-year-old tattoo artist to be robbed and killed inside her apartment last month.
Anisha Danielle Washington was taken into custody in connection with the Jan. 18 fatal shooting of Emmitt Gresham at an apartment complex in the 600 block of North Stonewall Avenue in Oklahoma City. A 17-year-old male was also arrested and charged as an accessory to murder. Because of his age, his name has not been released. Police allege the teen waited outside the complex during the shooting and then drove the suspected gunmen away from the scene.
Alleged Setup and Shooting
According to investigators, Gresham had agreed to give someone a tattoo in exchange for a haircut and was inside Washington’s apartment when the shooting occurred. His mother, Teri Thompson, previously told local media she believed the haircut was a ruse intended to lure her son into a robbery.
Authorities now allege that Washington, who lived in the apartment, coordinated the robbery. A probable cause affidavit reportedly states that shortly before the shooting, Washington sent multiple videos to the 17-year-old suspect showing her holding several of Gresham’s firearms.
Less than 30 minutes after those videos were sent, surveillance footage from the apartment building allegedly captured Washington and two other individuals running out of the building, one of them carrying Gresham’s backpack, and getting into a waiting vehicle.
Police believe two additional individuals were directly involved in the robbery and shooting and remain at large.
Family’s Response
Thompson has publicly said she believes her son was intentionally set up to be robbed, though she questioned whether the violence was meant to escalate to murder. Investigators told her that Gresham’s last words included a plea for officers to call his mother.
A GoFundMe page organized by Thompson describes Gresham as someone who was always smiling and eager to help others, stating that he would have given up anything to avoid violence.
Court Proceedings
Washington is currently being held at the Oklahoma County Detention Center. She appeared before Thomas C. Riesen, who set her bond at $10 million, according to court records. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities search for the remaining suspects.
