Prosecutors Say Homicide Victim ‘Never Saw it Coming’ at Trial

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Parties delivered opening statements, and multiple law enforcement witnesses testified, before a jury in DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt’s courtroom on Jan. 14.

Idrissa Fall, 37, is charged with first-degree murder premeditated while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a prior convict for his alleged involvement in the shooting of 29-year-old Dara Northern. The incident occurred on the 6100 block of 4th Street, NW, in the early hours of July 18, 2021.

Northern was located inside her best friend’s vehicle on the 6800 block of 5th Street, NW.

“She never saw it coming,” the prosecutor told the jury during their opening statements about the shooting, stating in the days leading up to the incident, Northern had broken up with Fall, and her mother had requested he move out of their shared home by July 19.

However, prosecutors stated, on July 17, Northern, also known as Cookie and Joan, planned a “perfect day” with her best friend, to enjoy Northern’s “light and happy” self following the breakup.

According to the prosecution, things turned sour when Northern began to get ready to go out to a reggae club with her best friend late on July 17.

The prosecution told the jury Northern’s best friend will testify that, on the night of the incident, as she picked Northern up to go to the club, Fall, who was identified as Idy, was “hot on her heels,” as she left her home.

According to the prosecution, as Northern attempted to get into the car, Fall chased her while verbally attacking her. The prosecutor said Northern’s best friend knew “something didn’t feel right.”

The prosecutor indicated that Northern sustained a gunshot wound to her right eye, and her best friend drove away from the scene fearing for her life. They also asserted that Northern’s mother had surveillance cameras at her home, but they had not caught the incident as they had been disconnected from her internet router.

According to the prosecution, the shooting stemmed from Fall’s allegations that Northern may have been part of the LGBTQ+ community, which included a lot of her friends. Before he allegedly shot her, Northern’s best friend told police Fall said “something about gay s***,” – something they claimed Fall and Northern argued about frequently.

“There were signs, but she did not see it coming,” the prosecution concluded.

Wole Falodun, Fall’s attorney, implored the jury to “keep an open mind” during the trial, stating that they should presume Fall innocent until all the evidence is admitted, and they can make a decision.

Following opening statements, the prosecution called on multiple law enforcement witnesses, who responded to the scene of the crime.

One of the officers testified she was the primary officer on the scene, and was approached by Northern’s best friend, who she described as “in duress, disheveled and upset.”

In body-worn camera footage provided to the jury, Northern’s best friend is seen frantically approaching the officer while stating “He shot her, he shot her, I can’t breathe – he shot her in front of me,” as she begged with the officer to send the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to Northern’s home, where her mother was.

“Please, someone go check on her mom,” Northern’s best friend could be heard crying, adding “He said something about gay s***, and shot her.”

According to the officer, Northern’s best friend was “trying to get her friend help,” and was able to provide a description and identification of the suspect. As per the officer, Northern’s best friend identified the suspect as a “dark-skinned man, wearing a white or gray tank top and shorts,” and was able to state his name was “Idy.”

“He shot her in front of her house – she’s been letting him live there,” Northern’s friend told the officer.

Another officer testified he responded to the 6800 block of 5th Street, NW, for the report of a shooting. According to the officer, when he arrived at the scene, he assisted the DC Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel to break open the driver side window in the vehicle in order to help Northern, who was later transferred to a hospital via ambulance.

When asked why he didn’t break the passenger side window, the officer testified the window had a bullet hole they wanted to preserve for evidence, and wanted to prevent more harm to the victim.

Prosecutors also called on an individual who lived in the area of the scene, who provided surveillance footage to MPD, in which Northern’s best friend can be seen running up to the witness’ porch begging for help.

In the surveillance footage, Northern’s friend is on the phone with 911, stating “Oh my God, someone help me, please, please, someone help me. I don’t know where I am.”

“She appeared to be in duress,” the witness said about Northern’s friend, adding that she was acting erratic and was visibly afraid.

The witness testified that when MPD responded to the scene, the flashing lights enhanced his view of the vehicle, and he noticed “visible damage” to the passenger’s side window.

Prosecutors also called on a neighbor, who lived on the 300 block of Quakenbos Street, NW, located around the corner from the shooting incident.

The neighbor testified that she was awakened by the sound of the gunshot on the night of the incident, and her home security system recorded an individual crossing the street from the 6100 block of 4th Street, NW, towards her home.

The video, shown to the jury in court, depicted an individual in a white shirt and black shorts walking through the neighborhood minutes after the shot rang out.

Parties are slated to reconvene Jan. 15.