Probable Cause Ruling Continued in Juvenile Homicide Case

By Sadie Herman [former] - January 3, 2024
Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On Jan. 2, DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo has yet to rule there’s probable cause in a homicide case to go to trial.

Lorinzo Thompson, 17, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of a 14-year old Niko Estep on the 2600 block of 14th Street NW, on Nov. 3. Thompson is being charged as an adult under the so-called Title 16 rule.

According to court documents, Estep sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the torso. An additional juvenile victim had three gunshot wounds, but survived. 

During the cross-examination of the lead detective, Thompson’s defense attorney, Joseph Yarbough, asked about the interview with the second victim in this case, who had been severely injured and was hospitalized.

Yarbough pointed out the victim was under the influence of a high dose of fentanyl, and kept “nodding off” while being interviewed. Further, the victim was never able to provide a description of the shooter, nor identify a suspect.

According to Yarbough, several items of the victim’s clothing were found near the scene, and all of them were covered in blood. In addition, a discarded firearm magazine was found near the scene as well, after being discarded by the victim.

Yarbough said when Estep collapsed after being injured, there were three women that came to help him and flag down officers for assistance.

However, there was also an unknown individual standing near Estep. As shown in the surveillance footage, before the police arrived, Estep is seen handing an unidentified object to the unknown individual, and then the individual proceeds to walk away with a suspicious demeanor. The detective stated that the unidentified object was a firearm.

The detective further stated that although the women were present at the time of this suspicious encounter, none of them have been identified or interviewed in this case. 

According to Yarbough, Estep had been previously arrested, and was involved in a pending case regarding carrying a pistol without a license at the time of the shooting. 

The detective said Estep had been affiliated with a crew or gang, but was unsure about the other victim. 

During redirect, the prosecution questioned the detective about Thompson’s affiliation with a crew. The detective explained he was informed that Thomspon was affiliated with a crew, and one that was allegedly in conflict with Estep’s.

The prosecution also explained that there was a video on social media that depicts Thompson bragging about the crime along with other surveillance footage.

Yarbough explained that in the footage, the suspect is wearing a black ski mask where only the eyes can be seen, making an identification impossible.

Further, Yarbough explained that Thompson should not have been identified as the suspect on the basis the officers were aware the woman the suspect was with at the time was Thompson’s mother.

Due to scheduling conflicts, Judge Demeo continued her ruling.

Parties are expected to reconvene on Jan. 5.