Eyewitnesses Describe Mass Shooting, One Calls It, ‘An Explosion of Gunshots’

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Eyewitnesses confirmed they heard multiple shots fired and saw a black sedan with several suspects driving away from the scene of a murder and mass shooting. The proceeding took place before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on April 22.

William Johnson-Lee, 22, Erwin Dubose, 30, Kamar Queen, 27, and Damonta Thompson, 28, are charged with conspiracy, two counts of premeditated first-degree murder while armed with aggravating circumstances, two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, and three counts of assault with significant bodily injury while armed, for their alleged involvement in the mass shooting that claimed the lives of 31-year-old Donnetta Dyson, 24-year-old Keenan Braxton, and 37-year-old Johnny Joyner.

Dubose, Queen, and Johnson-Lee each have nine additional counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. Queen and Thompson each have one additional count of first-degree murder while armed with aggravating circumstances, and Johnson-Lee has two more counts of the same charge. Dubose, Queen, and Thompson also each have an additional charge of one or more counts of assault with intent to kill while armed.

Dubose and Queen are also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction. Dubose has additional charges of premeditated first-degree murder while armed and tampering with physical evidence. Finally, Queen and Johnson-Lee each have an additional charge of carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business.

The incident occurred on the 600 block of Longfellow Street, NW on Sept. 4, 2021, and left three others suffering from injuries.

Toyia Johnson, 52, and Mussay Rezene, 32, are charged with accessory after the fact while armed and tampering with physical evidence for their alleged involvement in assisting the other defendants in getting rid of the evidence and evading arrest in connection with the case.

Prosecutors called on an eyewitness who resides a block away from the shooting scene, on the 5000 block of 7th Street, NW.

As events transpired, the witness testified, he was eating dinner with his wife before hearing “an explosion of gunshots” and “physically ducking down.”

According to the witness, the gunfire was so close that he “thought it was in the backyard.”

He made his way to the back window, where he saw two men running toward a parked car that “seemed to be waiting.” The car sped off north on 7th Street, the witness stated.

The witness told the jury he “could not tell if they were carrying anything.”

The prosecution also called on witness’ wife who lives in their shared house next to the location of the shooting. She confirmed she heard ten-to-15 shots fired and called 911 immediately after. From her window, she testified, she saw a black sedan drive away. The sedan, she said, had a Virginia license plate, and the driver was wearing a blue surgical mask.

The prosecution called an Information Technology (IT) team lead from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to testify about surveillance footage captured of the shooting.

They played clips from the date and time of the incident capturing a black sedan pulling up to the scene of the shooting. In the video, a group of four men wearing hoods is seen going to a residence and firing multiple rapid shots. The men ran back to the car, before driving away. The witness confirmed the clips accurately reflected the footage she recovered.

Parties are slated to reconvene on April 23.