Lead Detective Testifies in Co-Defendants’ Homicide Hearing

Thank you for reading D.C. Witness. Help us continue our mission into 2024.

On March 6, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun heard testimony and cross-examination of the lead detective in a homicide case.

Jayvon Thomas, 20, and Lavar Hunter, 19, are charged with first-degree murder while armed for their alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 24-year old Anwar Wingate. The incident occurred on Nov. 19, 2023, on the 2100 block of 8th Street, NW.

The prosecutor began by calling the lead Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective to the stand to detail evidence in the case.

Multiple surveillance videos were played, in which the detective allegedly identified Thomas and Hunter based on their appearance.
The first clip shows the initial meeting of two individuals, identified as Thomas and Hunter, interacting with others in the parking garage in the moments leading up to the shooting.

The next three clips showed individuals identified as the defendants taking photos and interacting with Wingate, who was shown flashing what appears to be a firearm in his waistband, and stumbling allegedly from the influence of marijuana and alcohol.

Once again, the detective identified both Thomas and Hunter in the video, noting their clothing and distinctions between the two.

Finally, different video angles show individuals identified as the defendants physically attacking and eventually firing at Wingate, then grabbing his midsection to supposedly steal his firearm, before running off in different directions.

In addition to the video surveillance clips, the prosecutor submitted physical evidence recovered from the crime scene, including shell casings and a cell phone.

During cross-examination, Sylvia Smith, defense counsel for Thomas, walked the lead detective through the events of the shooting, challenging him to confirm that the individuals pictured in the surveillance video were in fact the defendants.

She questioned if the 911 caller who reported the incident was the first person to see the victim. Smith also questioned if Wingate had any “beef” with the defendants or with anyone else outside of the incident that could have contributed to his murder, but the detective did not know.

Smith ended her cross examination by discussing a witness, who may have been Wingate’s girlfriend on a FaceTime call with him moments before the shooting.

The detective stated that he never spoke directly to that witness, but according to other officers, she claimed Wingate called her drunk and that she did not see who shot him, nor did she see either defendant on the FaceTime call.

Parties are set to continue preliminary hearings on April 5.

Follow this case