Judge Finds Probable Cause Teen Suspect Committed Murder

By Jeff Levine - January 8, 2024
Daily Stories | Homicides | Juveniles | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

In a second preliminary hearing DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo ruled on Jan. 5 there is enough evidence to bring a teen-age murder suspect to trial. 

Lorinzo Thompson, 18, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of a 14-year old Niko Estep on the 2600 block of 14th Street NW, on Nov. 3. Thompson, who was 17 at the time of the incident, is being tried as an adult under the Title 16 rule giving prosecutors that option.

According to court documents, Estep sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the torso. An additional juvenile victim had three gunshot wounds, but survived. 

Based on her review of the evidence, including photo and surveillance footage showing clothing worn by the suspect is similar to images of Thompson in an Instagram live post, Judge Demeo said, there is “strong identification of the defendant as the shooter.”  

Prosecutors say Thompson refers to the victim in the video.  

Thompson’s attorney Joseph Yarbough said that his client has already received letters of family support.  Further, there’s a video from the family made on Thompson’s behalf, but they are reluctant to show it to anyone besides Judge Demeo for fear of retaliation.  

However, given that it’s evidence, the prosecutor says she needs to see the material which could ultimately be the subject of a protective order.  

Judge Demeo says she will rule on Thompson’s continued detention at a hearing on Jan.12.  Meanwhile, he’s being held in the DC Jail.