During a lead detective’s testimony Sept. 22, he demonstrated the defendant’s position during a shooting that left a 23-year-old dead.
Kareem Thomas, 37, is charged with second-degree murder for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 23-year-old Jakele Allen that occurred on Oct. 21, 2024, at the intersection of 16th Street and Kentucky Avenue, SE.
The lead detective on the case, working in the Homicide Branch of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), said the victim died from a gunshot to the chest.
The detective testified to the conversations he and a coworker had with two witnesses while investigating the shooting. His coworker had interviewed the witnesses on the day of the incident while he spoke with them in mid-November.
One of the witnesses discussed in court had seen the shooting from their porch. The witness told the detective that they heard shouting and saw a person in a red jacket in the doorway of a vehicle. The person allegedly used the roof of the car as a shooting platform for what the witness described to be a very large handgun.
The detective said that the witness had demonstrated the position the shooter had taken, with his arms, head, and shoulders above the car. He mimicked the description to show the court as well.
The witness saw the vehicle drive away immediately after the shooting, which was corroborated by video footage showing the vehicle fleeing quickly on 16th Street, SE.
The detective said the witness did not have any other description of the suspect except for the red jacket.
Due to time constraints, the detective’s testimony was not concluded.
DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park ordered the parties to reconvene on Sept. 30 to continue the preliminary hearing.
