Non-Fatal Shooting Trial Continues Into First Day of Witness Testimony

By Bersabel Ephrem [former] - March 2, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A non-fatal shooting trial started with prosecutors calling several witnesses including an owner from a Shell gas station and a Metropolitan Police Department officer.

Travis Littlejohn, 37, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for a non-fatal shooting incident at a Shell Gas station located on the 3800 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE on July 5, 2019. According to court documents, there were four victims who sustained non-life threatening gunshot wounds after a confrontation.

Following the jury selection on Feb. 28, attorneys delivered their opening arguments. A prosecutor said a heated exchange took place, which led to the defendant to allegedly shoot four victims. Despite the fact that none of the victims’ injuries were life-threatening, they could have all easily died, he stressed.

A Shell gas station owner, the first witness to testify, said the gas station was equipped with six cameras that were pointed at Clay Place and Minnesota Avenue, NE.

Footage shown in the courtroom displayed an inaccuracy with the timestamp displayed.

Defense attorney Russell Hairston questioned who was in charge of fixing the cameras when they malfunction and who has the authority to alter the system’s dates.

According to the witness, the only people with access to the camera system are him and the maintenance man.

An MPD patrol officer discussed his body worn camera footage, which was shown in court.

“I been hit man. It didn’t go all the way through, it’s just burning,” the first victim is heard telling officers. The victim was discovered on the scene with a gunshot wound to the neck.

He is frequently overheard telling officers that a woman he considered to be a second mother was shot as well, but she had left the scene.

Dispatch is heard on the body camera footage informing officers that a second victim was discovered nearby, in front of a Chase bank. The victim was shot in the shin and inner ankle.

According to court documents, the third victim was found laying on a sidewalk with a gunshot wound to his right ankle and a fourth victim was located at Prince George’s Hospital with a gunshot wound to the right thigh.

In addition to witness testimony, a juror was dismissed after his electronic bike was stolen outside the courthouse shortly after the lunch break.

The trial is expected to resume on March 2.