A homicide victim’s mother testified before a jury in DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt’s courtroom on Jan. 16 about the deteriorating relationship between her daughter and the man suspected of her murder.

Idrissa Fall, 37, is charged with first-degree murder premeditated while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a prior convict for his alleged involvement in the shooting of 29-year-old Dara Northern. The incident occurred on the 6100 block of 4th Street, NW, on July 18, 2021. 

Northern was located inside her best friend’s vehicle on the 6800 block of 5th Street, NW. 

During the hearing, prosecutors called on Northern’s mother, who testified Northern and Fall lived with her at her home in Northwest DC. She stated she and Fall had a “caring and sensitive relationship,” leading up to her daughter’s death. 

“I was supportive when I could be,” Northern’s mom testified, adding she would be straight forward with Fall, even if it was not always something he wanted to hear. 

Northern’s mother told the jury that Fall and Northern’s relationship had its ups and downs, stating she observed their arguments and knew of their issues from conversations with her daughter. 

“There were times his negative sentiment was conveyed,” the mom testified regarding Fall’s thoughts on Northern’s friends that belonged to the LGBTQ+ community. Northern’s mom added she heard him use “derogatory” terms about Northern’s friends. 

“Things were becoming different between them,” she stated, referring to the months leading up to her daughter’s death. She testified Fall would often miss important days, including birthdays and holidays. “It spoke volumes,” she said. 

According to Northern’s mom, in the days leading up to her death, Dara was “quiet, she was in this very fixed position of being done,” with her and Fall’s relationship. The mom told the jury she had a conversation with Fall, alerting him he had to move out of their home by July 19, 2021. However, she said, there was a lack of remorse on his part. 

Dara’s mother also testified that, on the night of the incident, she had gone up to her bedroom, but got out of bed after hearing a sound. “I heard a single sound that was a pop,” she recalled and checked to see what was going on. 

She testified she looked out of her window and saw Fall running away, wearing a white top and black shorts. 

“I was in shock – I was terrified something had happened to Dara,” she cried, stating she told police she may have seen Fall running away but it was only a possibility because, “I tried to be accurate and correct – I didn’t want to make incorrect accusations… but I saw him, you know, I saw him.” 

“I remember being fearful, I thought… he’s a Black male, I didn’t want to cause trouble,” Northern’s mother said, adding “there’s a part of me that wished I hadn’t seen what I saw.” 

She stated she knew something was wrong when she attempted to call Fall and Northern and neither picked up. “My heart sank,” she cried, “My hope was that she and [Northern’s best friend] had gone.” 

“When I couldn’t reach them – that was atypical,” Northern’s mom said, stating “I was very worried, I knew that the conflict had grown.” 

She testified her fear came true when officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) went to her house to see if things were ok. They took her to the hospital to see Dara, but she stated she was unresponsive. 

Northern’s mom testified Fall was not at the hospital, but called her several times in the days following the homicide stating he was going to turn himself into the police. 

Prosecutors also called two longtime close friends of Northern to testify about their friendship with Northern but less so with Fall. 

One of them testified that she and Northern had been friends since they were three years old, stating their families spent the holidays together growing up. 

The other testified that she met Northern through her girlfriend, and had gotten to spend time with her often in group settings. 

Both women stated they never felt friendship toward Fall, with one of them saying he would make them uncomfortable when he was in the room because he was “always very standoffish, but was always watching us.” 

They heard him make derogatory comments about their group of friends, most of whom were part of the LGBTQ+ community. One of them said they heard him tell Northern to stop hanging out with the “dykes.” 

Parties are slated to reconvene Jan. 16.