The victim in a shooting recounted the harrowing night he was shot before DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman on Sept. 30.
Nigel Pulliam, 29, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his involvement in a shooting that occurred on Aug. 29, 2022 on the 2000 block of Benning Road, NE.
Trial resumed later than scheduled due to new security concerns, as the victim was reported to have been threatened prior to his testimony. In response, the judge approved additional court security and ordered that all cell phones be removed from the courtroom. The defense objected, arguing the restriction was unfair, but the judge prioritized safety.
The victim explained the events of the night he was shot. He claimed that in the lead-up to the incident, he had been threatened by Pulliam over the phone, as Pulliam believed that the victim was pursuing his girlfriend. Police were called to the scene after Pulliam allegedly banged and kicked on the door. While police were on the scene, Pulliam allegedly called the victim and the two exchanged threats.
The following day, the victim testified, he agreed to a meeting set up by a mutual friend to discuss the issue. He testified that after waiting for Pulliam to arrive for several hours, the defendant had become angered as he looked through text messages between the victim and the girlfriend. Then the defendant and an unidentified man, who had been wearing a mask, pulled guns on him and escorted him out of the apartment.
In the hallway, the victim testified, the masked man ordered him to empty his pockets, then hit him on the head with a gun when he did not comply fast enough. The victim ran back to his car with a friend and made it onto the highway, at which point two cars pulled up and someone inside shot at his car before quickly driving away. The victim had been hit in the forearm and went to the hospital to receive treatment. Even so, the bullet was not removed until a month-and-a-half later.
One witness, an elderly woman currently living in a rehabilitation facility, testified about her close relationship with the defendant and the victim. She described the incident as a heated argument in her apartment over text messages between the victim and Pulliam’s girlfriend. Pulliam allegedly pulled a gun and escorted the victim out. She later heard gunshots but did not witness the shooting.
The defense challenged her credibility, focusing on her past drug use, mental health issues, and memory gaps. Despite repeated objections and a combative tone from the defense attorney, the witness remained emotional but firm in her factual account. After her testimony, a dispute arose between parties about an undisclosed 911 call and police report, which the judge ordered to be located for review.
The court also addressed several evidentiary issues. Jail phone calls involving drug references and threats were ruled admissible, as were the drugs found in a vehicle tied to the incident, and testimony from an officer who recovered the firearm.
Parties are slated to reconvene Oct. 1.
