Defendant’s Ex-Girlfriend Testifies About Rocky Relationship with the Suspect

By Sofia Feigelson , Ben Dickson , Jacob Quill - May 29, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects |

A shooting defendant’s ex-girlfriend, who is alleged to have been with him during the incident, told a jury in DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo’s courtroom that she had never seen her ex-boyfriend with a gun but that he could be a “monster.”

Tyrone Astorias Johnson, 43, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, and assault with significant bodily injury while armed for allegedly firing multiple shots at an individual. The shooting occurred on Aug. 30, 2022 at a park on the 1500 block of Maryland Avenue, NE.

According to court documents, the victim told a detective that Johnson asked him for a cigarette, but the victim responded he did not have one. Johnson then reportedly removed a firearm from his waistband area and began firing at the victim.

At a previous hearing, surveillance footage showed individuals resembling Johnson and his girlfriend at the time near the scene and entering the park. 

On May 29, trial resumed with the testimony of Johnson’s former girlfriend, who was jailed to assure her appearance in court. 

She previously testified to hearing at least two shots fired at the park, but claimed to not see the shooter as she was heading in the opposite direction. She also testified that her immediate reaction was to run.

The ex-girlfriend was shown multiple surveillance footage videos by the prosecution, in which she identified herself and Johnson walking into a fenced courtyard area of the Pentacle Apartments, an apartment complex near the scene.

In the footage, the two individuals enter an apartment building together and go separate ways. The defendant’s grandfather is believed to have an apartment in the building, according to the ex-girlfriend.

According to the ex-girlfriend, she never entered an apartment and has no knowledge of whether Johnson entered one or what he would have done inside one.

Shortly after leaving the building, someone resembling the ex-girlfriend is seen walking alone on video surveillance in the direction of her apartment building. The ex-girlfriend then confirmed that Johnson later arrived at her apartment.

When questioned by the prosecution about what she did when she went home, when Johnson arrived at the apartment, and what they talked about, the witness stated she could not remember.

The prosecution presented a jail call between the ex-girlfriend and Johnson where they were having an argument on Sept. 23, 2022. 

In the call, the ex-girlfriend shouts at Johnson, “You don’t give a f*ck [about me].” The ex-girlfriend testified that it was possible the argument was about the victim of the park shooting.

The prosecution then brought up an incident that occurred a week before the park shooting on Aug. 23, 2022, during which the ex-girlfriend called 911 because she got into an argument with an individual believed to be Johnson over not receiving her apartment keys who ended up firing shots. 

Despite being shown part of the 911 call and video surveillance where Johnson’s voice is identified and shots are heard, she testified “I don’t remember physically seeing him shooting.”

“I was distraught, is all I remember,” stated the ex-girlfriend. She quietly muttered “that man is a monster,” in reference to Johnson.

Throughout her testimony, the ex-girlfriend was shown transcripts of her grand jury testimonies from Oct. 24, 2022 and Nov. 2, 2022 by the prosecution to refresh her memory. At times, the ex-girlfriend was uncooperative looking in the opposite direction or not reading along.

“I don’t need you to show me anything. You can read it,” she said to the prosecutor, as he attempted to refresh her recollection.

While being questioned by Joseph Fay, Johnson’s defense attorney, the ex-girlfriend broke down in tears, asserting “It’s been so traumatic with losing my apartment and [the rights to] my son.” In her earlier testimony on May 23, she stated she lost her special needs son and apartment because of the August 30 incident, mentioning how she is now homeless.

She mentioned that she takes medication for medical conditions which interfere with her memory, leading Fay to ask if her grand jury testimonies were more accurate, to which the witness agreed.

Fay also alluded to the ex-girlfriend that she and Johnson entered the Pentacles building after the park shooting because it was a sturdy brick building, ideal for safety.

Additionally, the ex-girlfriend admitted that there “could have been more than two people in the park,” although she previously testified that she only saw two males.

Once the ex-girlfriend’s testimony finished, she was very emotional leaving the courtroom, wiping tears from her eyes. “I get to go home,” she exclaimed, after being detained for multiple days due to her previous refusal to appear as a witness.

Following the ex-girlfriend’s testimony, the prosecution called on a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective who was involved in the photo array identification process of the suspect.

According to the detective, he presented the victim with a photo array which included nine images of men with similar features. One of the images, he testified, was of Johnson.

Furthermore, the detective mentioned that on the day of the incident, a search warrant was performed in the ex-girlfriend’s apartment, which is where Johnson resided and was arrested prior to the search. A Nike shirt and blue Jordan brand shoes were displayed as evidence in the courtroom, which the defendant was reported to be wearing at the time of the incident. 

Trial is slated to resume May 30.