Nine-Year-Old Victim Testifies in Shooting Trial

By Sonia Vazquez [former] - August 6, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Juveniles | Shooting | Suspects |

A nine-year-old victim who is also a witness to a shooting testified in front of DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on Aug. 5. 

Deon Cannon, 29, is charged with two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, five counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, conspiracy, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict, possession of an unregistered firearm, carrying a pistol without a license outside of a home or business, unlawful possession of ammunition and eight counts of destruction of property of less than $1000.

The charges stem from his alleged involvement in an incident on Sept. 5, 2021, on the 2700 block of Terrace Road, SE. There were no reported injuries.

According to court documents, video surveillance footage from the scene shows an individual, later identified as Cannon, shooting multiple times at two victims. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers responded and arrested him.

The prosecution called on the nine-year-old victim who testified primarily by responding with one word answers. The boy recalled walking from the playground to his grandmother’s house when he and his father came under gunfire. Once he had heard the shots, he started running, he testified. He also remembered his father shot back after being shot at and that the shooter had chased them down. 

The nine-year-old also believed that he may have been hit, mentioning a scar on his ankle “that was not there before.” 

The prosecution also questioned a witness who called 911 during the shooting who recalled watching a game when he heard gunshots outside. He then “cautiously went to the window and opened the blinds,” and testified he saw the boy and his father who he said had a limp and was carrying a firearm.  

During cross-examination, the witness stated he didn’t see the father shoot nor anyone chasing them. 

An MPD detective explained going to the scene to take measurements. Due to the surveillance camera’s having a “fisheye lens,” the detective testified it doesn’t depict real life view of the shooting. The distance from the gunman to the victims was around 29 feet, which he argued was in “very close proximity.”

As video evidence was presented, the detective pointed out an another individual identified as a gunman who was also shooting at the two victims. According to the detective, 17 firearm casings were recovered near the area. 

Another MPD officer collected a pistol and a magazine and swabbed the items for DNA evidence but didn’t find any latent fingerprints.

A DNA analyst and two technicians testified that DNA taken from the firearm and magazine were compared to a known sample of individuals and concluded that Cannon’s DNA was the most likely genetic material collected from the gun.

After the prosecution rested, the defense motioned for acquittal. Judge Brandt denied the request on all charges except conspiracy charge, which was dismissed. 

Parties are slated to return on Aug. 6 to continue trial.