Defendant’s ‘Paranoid Reaction’ Caused Teen’s Death, Prosecution Says

By D.C. Witness Staff - February 6, 2019
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

During closing arguments in a murder trial, the prosecution said a defendant’s “paranoid reaction” caused the death a 16-year-old girl in 2016. 

Saeve Evans is charged with second-degree murder while armed and two gun related offenses for his alleged role in the death of 16-year-old Breyona McMillian on the 1200 block of I Street, SE. Evans, 32, is also charged with obstruction of justice.

The prosecution told the jury Feb. 6 that Evans fired his weapon sixteen times at a black car in the area and ended up shooting McMillian.

“He was shooting at ghosts,” the prosecution said.

The defense said Evans was firing at a man named Sean Shuler, also known as ‘Black Sean,’ who had been in altercations with Evans in the past. The defense said Shuler, 26, was the one who shot McMillian. They told the jury Evans fired in self-defense after seeing movement in the vehicle. Shuler, who was scheduled to testify, was killed on Jan. 26, the weekend before he could give his testimony. 

However, the prosecution says this is not a self-defense case.

“The defendant shot at that black car with premeditation, deliberation and without justification,” the prosecution said. “The only thing on his mind was his reputation, his ego, and ‘Black Sean’ Shuler.”

D.C. Witness previously reported that an eyewitness said she asked Evans if he shot McMillian. Evans said “they” did it, referring to the people in the vehicle.

The prosecution said there was no “they.”

The defense is scheduled to continue their closing arguments on Feb. 7.