Lead Detective Testifies in 2020 Non-Fatal Shooting Case

By Nick Pallotto [former] , Jai Bajaj [former] - October 20, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On Oct 19, prosecutors called the lead detective to testify in a 2020 non-fatal shooting trial in front of DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe.

Vincent James, 39, is charged with aggravated assault knowingly while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a prior convict, for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that took place at a liquor store on the 3900 block of South Capitol Street, SE, on July 30, 2020. One individual sustained non-life-threatening injuries. 

The prosecution called a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective to testify.

The detective was the lead investigator and gathered security camera footage from the AutoZone and adjacent liquor store, where the incident took place. The footage portrays what occurred leading up to the shooting. 

Prosecutors showed surveillance footage, who the detective identified as James, purchasing items at the Autozone hours before the shooting. 

In the footage from the liquor store, a shirtless man is seen pacing around moments before the shooting. The detective identified the man as the victim. 

Prosecutors also showed footage from another angle that shows the victim interacting with two men in the parking lot of the liquor store. A car pulls up and two other men approach the men interacting with the victim. 

The prosecution highlighted the video segment where one of the men, who was originally talking to the group, pulled out a gun and started firing at the victim. The group then disperses and the victim runs down the street.

The detective said that he identified James as the suspect by inquiring about a transaction at the AutoZone.  According to the detective, James’ reward number was linked to a purchase at the AutoZone at the same time as the suspect was seen in the video. 

The detective used the videos to identify similar features between individuals portrayed in the footage, specifically, the fact that the clothing the individual wore in the AutoZone was the same clothing the gunman wore during the shooting.

According to the detective, he interviewed James voluntarily before any arrest was made. Around a month later, James denied being the man in the video. The detective also identified a tattoo on James’ right forearm that can be seen in the video at the AutoZone and noticed it during the interview.

When asked by the prosecution, the detective noted that the gunman fired with his left hand. He also mentioned that James used his left hand when filling out paperwork at the police station.

The detective’s testimony supports the prosecutors’ argument that James is the individual portrayed in both videos and responsible for the shooting.

Then prosecutors called a doctor who treated the victim at MedStar Washington Hospital Trauma Center following the shooting. 

According to the doctor, the victim was treated for gunshot wounds in the front and back of his left shoulder, and stated that x-rays showed signs of a collapsed lung, which if left untreated could’ve caused the victim’s death. 

Trial is expected to continue Oct 23.