Prosecutors Link Cell Phone Evidence to a Mass Shooting Defendant

By Joseph Wolf , Cathy Ochoa - October 24, 2024
Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects |

A witness who was able to connect a cell phone to a defendant testified before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun on Oct. 23. 

Juan Peterson, 34, is charged with first-degree murder while armed, three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, two counts of accessory after the fact while armed, and second-degree cruelty to children. 

The charges stem from his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 28-year-old Lester Howard on May 15, 2021, that left three others injured on the 3900 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE.

During the hearing, the prosecution called a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer who was responsible for reviewing the contents of Peterson’s phone. On direct examination, the officer showed texts sent to multiple people from Peterson’s phone, allegedly inquiring about purchasing firearms, fake license plates, and a car.

While Peterson was inquiring about buying a firearm from another individual, the individual allegedly told Peterson that he had a Generation 5 Glock 23, which, according to a firearms and tool mark expert, is the type of gun that was likely used to kill Howard.

According to the officer, Peterson also spoke with another individual about purchasing fake license plate tags, which were on the suspect vehicle at the time of arrest.

The prosecution also called an officer from MPD who was present at the time the suspect vehicle was detained. 

According to the witness, he was two weeks into his training when his mentor saw the suspected vehicle, and after verifying the be on the lookout (BOLO) alert, the two officers stopped the vehicle. 

They identified him as Peterson and observed the Delaware temporary license plate on the trunk of the car.

On cross-examination, Peterson’s defense counsel, Daniel Kolver, noted that, when Peterson was apprehended, there was no gun found either on his person or in the vehicle. He also pointed out that the MPD analyst did not personally go through all 49,353 pages of the phone records.

A doctor from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) testified that she performed Howard’s autopsy, and ruled the cause of death multiple gunshot wounds to the back, and the manner of death a homicide.

A forensic scientist who, at the time, was working for the Department of Forensic Science (DFS) was also called to testify. 

She collected physical and photographic evidence. She noted there were four spent cartridge casings, and one bullet found at the scene, matching a 40-caliber handgun. 

Parties are set to reconvene on Oct. 24.