Homicide Victim’s Friend Testifies He Returned Fire Against Alleged Juvenile Killer

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A homicide victim’s “close friend,” told DC Superior Court Judge James Crowell he shot back at his friend’s killer as the suspect fled the scene.

The juvenile, a 16-year-old boy, is charged with first-and-second-degree murder while armed, assault with intent to murder, assault with intent to kill, carrying a pistol without a license, possession of an unregistered firearm, and possession of ammunition, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 27-year-old Jihad Darden. The incident occurred on Dec. 18, 2023, on the 5400 block of Illinois Avenue, NW.

On April 25, the prosecution called Darden’s best friend, who said he knew him “basically my whole life,” and was with him at the time of the murder, to testify regarding his experience.

According to the friend, he and Darden had gone to the Lucky Corner Store on the 5400 block of Georgia Avenue, NW, to “buy some stuff,” before going to get food.

As the two left the store, Darden stopped to speak with multiple people before heading back to their car, which was parked on Illinois Avenue, the witness said.

As they made their way to the car, an individual ran up behind them, shot at Darden multiple times, before running the opposite way on Georgia Avenue. The witness testified that, after Darden was shot, he returned fire at the suspect as he ran away. The witness’ testimony was corroborated by surveillance footage presented by prosecutors.

“He looked at me,” said the witness, stating that Darden was on the ground, but still alive.

When asked how his relationship with Darden was, the witness stated he was a “good friend of mines… he’s like fam.”

According to the witness, people in the area helped him load Darden in his vehicle as officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrived. He testified to seeing “holes in his back,” when they loaded Darden in the vehicle.

He told officers he “had to take him to the hospital quick,” said the witness.

“Everything was blurry to me,” he said, continuously stating he had to act fast.

The first-responding officer from MPD said he was in the area of the incident when he heard gunshots. He and his partner began to canvass the area, before ShotSpotter alerted the shots had been at Kennedy Street and Illinois Avenue, NW.

The officer told Judge Crowell that multiple people led them to the vehicle where Darden was lying in the back seat.

He testified that he let the friend rush him to the hospital and sent out a lookout for the vehicle, which was later found at Howard Hospital.

According to the officer’s body-worn camera, which was displayed to the court, the officer arrived at the scene, approached the vehicle, opened the back door, causing Darden’s legs to fall out of the vehicle, before shutting it and sending the car on its way.

According to the officer, he went to the Lucky Corner Store to request access to their cameras to review what had occurred. The surveillance footage, which has been presented in court multiple times, showed the shooter run up to the victim and his friend, open fire, and run away.

Prosecutors also called an assistant principal from Prince George’s County, MD Public School System, who interacted with the defendant on multiple occasions throughout this school year, including multiple disciplinary issues.

According to the witness, the defendant’s attendance records showed he was absent from Dec. 15 to Dec. 18. As of now, the defendant is no longer enrolled in school.

Surveillance footage from one of the school’s staircases, in the weeks leading up to the murder, showed an individual, who the witness identified as the defendant, walking up and towards a hallway.

According to the witness, officers from MPD met with him at the school and had him identify an individual in two images. He told Judge Crowell the individual in both images was the defendant, and identified him in court.

Parties are slated to return May 6.

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