Judge Hears Testimony About Random Shooting That Injured Girl at Dunbar High School

By Adrianna Bhan [former] , Thomas Hinton [former], Carmen Quinteros [former] - May 30, 2024
Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting |

A lead detective’s testimony continued on May 29 before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan about a stray bullet fired at Dunbar High School that seriously injured a girl inside the building.

Saki Frost, 17, is charged with two counts of assault with intent to commit any other crime while armed, two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and six counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.

Azhari Graves, 18, is facing eight charges including two counts of assault to kill while armed, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and four counts of passion of a firearm during a crime of violence for their alleged involvement in a shooting at the school on the 1200 block of Kirby Street, NW, on May 4.

Frost is charged as an adult under Title 16 giving prosecutors latitude in how they try minors accused of serious crimes.

According to court documents, a juvenile girl survived a grazing head wound when a bullet pierced a classroom window. A witness said blood was pouring from the victim’s head and the injury that was deep enough to see her skull. The incident drew a massive response of emergency personnel and Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers to the scene.

Hannah Claudio, Grave’s defense attorney cross examined the lead detective on the case, asking about other shooting victims who were in a nearby Chevy Cruze which was also the object of gunfire.

Claudio noted the vehicle was reported stolen and that two of the five individuals in the car, who are listed as victims in this case, are also suspects in a carjacking.

The defense argued since the Chevy Cruze was being driven erratically those inside the vehicle may have had ulterior motives for being in the area and that Graves and Frost may have been acting in self-defense against a perceived threat.

Claudio questioned the victims’ credibility pointing out multiple inconsistencies in their interviews.

According to one victim’s statement, there were two males and two females in the Chevy Cruze. However, surveillance footage revealed that five individuals fled the scene.  

A preliminary hearing in the case is schedule for June 20.