‘His Jaw Was Just Hanging,’ Officer Describes Shooting Victim During Homicide Trial

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A jury in DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun’s courtroom heard July 9 testimony from an officer who described the injuries of another victim regarding a 2018 mass shooting that claimed the life of a 10-year-old girl.

Mark Price, 29, and Antonio Murchison, 31, are charged with first-degree murder while armed, five counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, seven counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, conspiracy, and seven counts of criminal gang affiliation. The charges stem from their alleged involvement in the shooting on July 16, 2018, on the 5300 block of 53rd Street, NE in the Clay Terrace neighborhood. The incident left 10-year-old Makiyah Wilson dead and four other individuals with gunshot wounds.

During the hearing, the prosecution called an officer from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), who said he escorted a surviving victim to the hospital.

According to the officer, the victim was shot in the mouth, resulting in his inability to cooperate with MPD.

“His jaw was just hanging,” recalled the MPD officer of the victim’s injury.

Through body-worn camera footage, which was shown in court, the officer can be seen collecting a bullet fragment, which was recovered by surgeons from the victim’s face.

The prosecution then called on a resident from Clay Terrace who was present the night Makiyah was killed.

According to the witness, she had arrived home moments before the incident occurred. As she was closing her front door, a bullet hit the glass of her storm door, causing it to shatter. She testified she allowed people to take shelter in her home from the gunfire.

“All I heard was screaming,” said the resident.

The neighbor could not recall much else from the night and was not able to testify to anything else.

Trial is slated to resume July 10.