Officer Testifies Victim’s Dying Words Identify Shooter

By Maggie Rhoads [former] , Hayden Clark [former] - July 2, 2024
Court | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A responding officer testified the victim identified his shooter moments before succumbing to his injuries before DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein in a trial on July 2.

Vernon Parrish, 40, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm, and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Ronald Bailey, 52, which occurred on Sept. 26, 2021 on the 5200 block of E Street, SE. 

According to the prosecution, there was another suspect who accompanied Parrish during the incident identified as Adrian Tate who recently died.  

During the hearing, the prosecution brought in a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer, who was one of the first to aid Bailey on scene. 

The prosecution showed the officer’s body-worn camera, in which he and other officers broke through the back door of Bailey’s house and rushed to his upstairs bedroom. 

In the footage, Bailey is heard saying he was shot by Parrish. While waiting for DC Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to arrive, officers questioned Bailey about what had transpired. 

According to Bailey,  Parrish shot him outside of his house, and drove away in a green Lexus as Bailey retreated inside the house. 

In the footage, Bailey said he couldn’t recall Parrish’s exact physical characteristics.

An agent from the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), who specializes on cell site data, testified that Tate and Parrish’s phones were in the general area of the incident at the time of the murder. However, he stated their exact location isn’t known.

Prosecutors also called on Bailey’s neighbor, who stated she watched the incident unfold; she testified she heard multiple gunshots and a car speed away from the scene. 

She recalled that before the shooting, she watched the driver, a man wearing a white shirt, throw a phone into a vehicle before retrieving a firearm. She also recalled a second individual wearing a yellow shirt. 

According to the witness, the individual who had the gun was taller than the passenger. 

Nikki Lotze, Parrish’s defense attorney, argued Tate was taller than Parrish. 

Prosecutors called on another of Bailey’s neighbors, who checked on Bailey after shots were fired. According to the witness, Bailey prompted him to call 911. 

The witness testified that he overheard an argument between the suspect and Bailey, in which they were fighting “over a girl.”

According to the witness, who was previously a fire marshall, shots were fired from the car and the house. 

He characterized the shooting suspect as tall and thin. 

Trial is set to continue on July 3.