Preliminary Hearing Brings Evidence of Murder

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On Nov. 16, prosecutors called a witness to testify in a homicide case before DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo.

Lorinzo Thompson, 17, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of a 14-year old Niko Estep on the 2600 block of 14th Street NW, on Nov. 3. Thompson is being charged as an adult under the Title 16 rule.

According to court documents, Estep sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the torso. An additional juvenile victim had three gunshot wounds, but survived.

The prosecution called a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective who was questioned regarding surveillance footage that allegedly captured the defendant at the scene of the crime.

The surveillance footage captured an individual, who was identified as Thompson, on a scooter and two other individuals arriving at the convenience store, which the detective identified as Thompson’s mother, and a male in a black jacket. Thompson is seen walking into the convenience store with the individual with the black jacket, while Thompson’s mother stayed outside. 

Shortly after, the individual identified as Thompson walks out of the convenience store and retrieves a firearm from his waistband and allegedly shoots at three individuals. The individual identified as Thompson then flees the scene and the two others follow toward in same direction.

The prosecutor proceeded to show surveillance footage from the interior camera of the convenience store. It captured Estep and two others entering the parking lot of the convenience store and shows them fleeing once Thompson started shooting.

Upon reviewing the footage, the detective stated that the defendant fired a total of 12 shots. The detective also stated that police conducted a search in Thompson’s house, where they retrieved a magazine with eight rounds of 9mm ammunition from the bedroom believed the defendant’s.

Additionally, they found a scooter that is believed to have been used by Thompson during the incident.

Due to scheduling issues, the court stopped the hearing which will continue on Jan. 2.