Judge Finds ‘Significant Circumstantial Evidence,’ Holds Homicide Suspect

By Carmen Quinteros [former] , Ashley Drazka [former] - April 15, 2024
Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

Before finding probable cause in a murder case, DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe reviewed surveillance footage, as well as text and phone call logs from the defendant’s cellphone.

Rico Antjuan Parker, 42, is charged with first-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Jabari Malloy, 17, in an alleyway on the 700 block of Lamont Street, NW on Feb. 25, 2024. 

In the footage, displayed in an April 12 hearing, an individual identified as Malloy is allegedly seen giving Parker his phone, moments before the incident occurred. 

According to court documents, officers were dispatched to the location due to a ShotSpotter alert for two gunshots. When they arrived, they found Malloy unconscious at the rear of an alley behind Lamont Street, NW. They began CPR until DC Fire and EMS arrived, and despite all life saving efforts, he succumbed to his injuries. 

Documents state two gunshots were fired at 7:32 p.m. The surveillance footage showed someone, allegedly Parker, leaving the alleyway with Malloy’s phone and fleeing in his car. No other person was seen entering or exiting the alleyway. 

Additionally, Malloy’s cell phone showed a call to Parker’s phone, hours after the murder occurred. 

Parker’s defense attorney, David Akulian, brought to the court’s attention that there could have been a different suspect that entered the alleyway out of the video frame. 

“There is significant circumstantial evidence,” Judge O’keefe said, finding  probable cause to bring Parker to trial. 

After the finding of probable cause, Akulian requested that Parker be released.

Prosecutors argued that Parker was previously found guilty of aggravated assault and therefore he could be a danger to society. 

Akulian argued that Parker had successfully completed his parole for the previous charge, and that the incident had occurred 25 years ago.

Judge O’Keefe noted that while there is no clear motive in this case, there is sufficient evidence to consider Parker a danger to society. 

There is “no condition that could be put in place that could protect the community from that type of behavior,” said Judge O’Keefe as he denied the release request.

Parties are slated to return June 14.