A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective testified about evidence of a homicide involving two former friends. DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan found probable cause in the case on Sept. 18.
Leroy Dixon, 17, is charged as an adult under Title 16, with second-degree murder while armed from his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Dominique Dingle, 16, that occurred on May. 20, on the 1000 block of Third Place, SE.
At the preliminary hearing, the detective testified that he spoke to Dingle’s close friend and his mother who were present when the shooting occurred. Both witnesses confirmed that an argument between Dingle and Dixon is what led to the shooting. According to the close friend, Dingle exited his scooter and aggressively approached Dixon.
Dingle’s mother allegedly attempted to restrain Dingle. According to the detective, his mother recalled hearing Dixon say “Don’t make me do this in front of your mother.” Once Dingle managed to break free, Dixon allegedly shot him in the chest.
Additionally, Dingle’s mother provided more details to MPD about Dingle and Dixon’s past, explaining that they were close friends until tension arose. Dingle’s mother recalled two separate occasions where Dixon was armed with a firearm, one occasion where he allegedly pointed a gun at Dingle in a heated argument. A physical altercation also occurred between Dingle and Dixon, in which Dingle “beat up” Dixon, according to the friend.
Defense attorney Terrence Austin argued that Dingle was the aggressor in the situation which caused Dixon to act in self-defense. However, the prosecution argued that there is evidence of probable cause, specifically that the shooting was in retaliation for the previous fight between them.
Additionally, the two prior incidents in which Dixon was armed with a firearm around Dingle led the Judge to conclude that Dixon probably caused the homicide.
The hearing took an another turn when the prosecution revealed a rap music video on YouTube, which showed a person appearing to be Dixon reaching for his waist where there was a firearm. Another music video, the prosecution says, shows the defendant rapping the lyrics “Catch a body, go on the run.”
Judge Ryan ruled that Dixon be detained as he posed a potential threat to community safety.
A status hearing is scheduled for Oct. 24.
