Officer Testifies Suspect is Carjacker

By Phoebe McConnell - October 11, 2024
Carjacking | Daily Stories | Suspects |

A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer who observed a carjacking as it was happening identified the defendant as the perpetrator before a jury in DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe’s courtroom on Oct. 9.  

Daquan Jackson, 28, is charged with unarmed carjacking for his alleged involvement in an incident on March 3 on the 1000 block of H Street, NE. 

According to court documents, Jackson and another individual were riding scooters, when Jackson allegedly attempted to remove the victim from the scooter. Officers pulled over the suspect “in an attempt to stop what appeared to be an active carjacking.”

Prosecutors called on the victim, who testified through an interpreter that he was  delivering a DoorDash order on his scooter when he was jumped. He testified he was scared, as he only understood the vulgarities being yelled at him. According to the victim, the carjackers approached him from the right and forced him off the scooter.

Sara Kopecki, Jackson’s attorney, wanted to question the victim about his immigration status, claiming he’s in the United States illegally. However, Judge Pipe denied the request to question him, stating it was biased and irrelevant to the case.  

An officer, who was present at the scene when the incident occurred, testified that two individuals were riding a scooter near him, when one got off and began to carjack the victim. The officer’s body-worn camera footage was shown to the jury, which depicted the officer quickly getting out of the car and running towards what appeared to be Jackson trying to grab onto the scooter.

The officer testified that Jackson was “somewhat” compliant when arrested and that he had claimed “that’s my bike…it was stolen.” The officer supposedly responded by questioning his decision to carjack it back.

The officer stated that the carjacking was identified as a robbery, since Jackson had his hands on the vehicle, in a grip, while it was still on. He argued that since Jackson had possession and control over the vehicle, it was also a carjacking.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene Oct. 10.