Eyewitnesses Testify Regarding Shooting Incident

By Adriana Marroquin - January 8, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Shooting | Suspects |

On Jan. 5, two eyewitnesses testified regarding their experience observing a non-fatal shooting incident in DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt’s courtroom. 

Kenneth Davis, 45, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, unlawful possession of a firearm by a prior convict, two counts of assault with intent to kill against a minor while armed,  assault with a dangerous weapon, and six counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that injured one individual on May 19, 2021, on the 1600 block of Eastern Avenue, NE. 

An eyewitness who began her testimony on Jan. 4 returned to be cross-examined by Davis’ defense attorney, Marnitta King. 

During cross-examination, King questioned her about her previous testimony in the grand jury, where she discussed the shooter’s position from her vehicle and how long he remained outside his. “I can’t tell you what I remembered in the grand jury… I’m trying to forget the whole situation,” said the witness, who had previously stated the situation gives her severe anxiety. 

“I did not want to come here today,” the witness added, stating that the only reason she did is because prosecutors told her the court could send a warrant out for her arrest to come testify. 

Following the witness’ testimony, prosecutors called on another eyewitness to testify. According to the eyewitness, he has prior military experience serving in the Army in Afghanistan. He told the court he was on his way home from work when the incident ensued in May 2021. 

According to the witness, he heard about seven to nine shots being fired, but did not actually see the shooter until later on, when he researched the incident online and found surveillance footage of the shooting. 

During his testimony, the witness explained that, following the shooting, he got out of his vehicle to attend to those in a Lexus who had been involved in the shooting incident. In the vehicle, he testified, was an agitated mother and her son and daughter. According to the witness, the boy was scared and trembling, and suffered an injury to his right hand. The mother, he said, sustained an injury to her left arm. 

Prosecutors displayed images of the victims at the crime scene, which the witness identified as the people he helped that day. 

During cross examination, King questioned the witness about what he specifically saw. The witness explained he didn’t specifically see the shooting occur, but did see the shooter facing in his direction, get back in his car and flee the scene. 

When asked why he researched the incident days later, the witness stated he wanted to know what happened and “I just wanted the full picture”.

Parties are slated to return Jan. 8 for further testimony.