Prosecution Says Drive-By Shooting Defendant, ‘Left a Trail of Evidence’

By Emily Carrillo , John Battistelli - February 6, 2025
Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

Prosecutors say a murder suspect left incriminating evidence behind in opening statements of a murder trial before DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan on Feb. 4.

Terrance Stoney, 31, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Donte Tiller, 43. The shooting occurred at the intersection of Naylor Road and Southern Avenue, SE, on March 17, 2023. 

“The defendant drove away, yes, but he left a trail of evidence connecting it to him,” said prosecutors in their opening statements. According to the prosecution, Stoney was in a silver Infiniti registered to his girlfriend when he allegedly fired 13 shots at Tiller at an intersection, though a motive has not been revealed.

Prosecutors argued that the cell site data indicated that Stoney was near the site of the incident at the time of the shooting, and the fact that the car used by the perpetrator is registered under Stoney’s girlfriend’s name is enough evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Stoney is the shooter. 

Defense attorney Nikki Lotze argued that Stoney was never in the silver Infiniti on the day of the incident and had no motive to kill Tiller. Lotze insisted there is no evidence that Stoney had ever interacted with Tiller, and claimed that he was working during the incident. 

Lotze also pointed out the prosecution’s failure to investigate the witness who talked to a person sitting in the passenger seat in Tiller’s car. According to court documents, a nearby witness parked behind Tiller’s vehicle claims to have seen a passenger leave the vehicle and transfer items from the car to the apartment complex. The witness talked to the passenger, who told the witness to call 911 as the driver, Tiller, was dead.

The defense insisted there is no evidence or witness that can demonstrate Stoney was in the Infiniti the day of the incident. 

Lotze also argued that there is no evidence that he was in possession of a gun or left identifying DNA, or fingerprints, was observed in surveillance footage, or precisely located by GPS at the scene.

Stoney’s girlfriend testified that the reason the car was registered under her name is issues with his license. She claimed that when she first was told about the incident by detectives, she decided to report the car as stolen.

Stoney’s boss, who considers him a friend, testified about the validity of two work receipts. The first receipt was time-stamped for 9:35 a.m. while the second had no time mark, indicating that Stoney had worked in the morning prior to the incident’s taking place at 1:55 p.m.

The victim’s mother described Tiller as a “family man” who often organized gatherings.

Parties are to reconvene on Feb. 5.