Double-Murder Defendant’s Family Members Say They were Threatened

By Jenna Gainsboro [former] - July 17, 2023
Burglary | Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Victims |

On July 17, as witness testimony continued in a 2021 double-homicide trial, the defendant’s family said they have been threatened by family members of the victims.

Jalen Browne, 21, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder while armed, four counts of assault with intent to kill, and six counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a fatal shooting on the 100 block of Q Street, NW, on July 25, 2021. 

Out of the six involved at the scene, three were uninjured. However, Jovan Hill Jr, 22, and Tariq Riley, 19, suffered fatal wounds and later died at MedStar Hospital. A third victim, 22, suffered a gunshot wound to the lower back but survived.

Prosecutors called forth two of Browne’s family members who were present when the shootings took place, and they testified about how they were threatened after the incident. As a consequence, one witness said that’s why he moved out of the District.

“My entire family’s safety was at risk,” said the witness.  

Both witnesses said one family member was accused of orchestrating the murders and that the individual was stalked and harassed by the victims’ families.

“There was a hit out on him and myself and that we needed to go,” said the witness. 

Browne’s family has since filed a police report about these incidents.

The trial before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun is slated to continue on July 18.