The lead detective in a fatal shooting case testified about surveillance footage of a defendant allegedly following the victim at the crime scene during a trial on Aug. 11 before DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan.
Jajuan Gripper, 22, is charged with conspiracy, first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, for his alleged involvement in the death of 34-year-old Rynell Bradford. The incident occurred on the 1500 block of Anacostia Avenue, NE on Dec. 20, 2022.
During the trial, the prosecution called the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) lead detective on the case and showed surveillance video the detective collected during his investigation. The footage showed an individual police claim is Gripper following Bradford toward the alley where the murder occurred. However, the prosecution stated that the alley itself had no cameras. Due to time constraints the detective will resume his testimony another day.
The prosecution also continued questioning an FBI special agent who analyzed Gripper’s cell site data. The agent testified on the day of the murder Gripper’s phone was in the vicinity of Bradford’s apartment, where the incident occurred, around the time of the murder.
Another prosecution witness who was in the same neighborhood when the shooting occurred said that he did not hear the gunshots due to his loud music but went outside after the shooting and someone handed him a gun as depicted on video.
During cross-examination by Gripper’s attorney, Wole Faludun, the witness testified that he did not know who handed him the gun.
The prosecution also a specialist who identified Gripper’s fingerprint as a likely match to fingerprints on the evidence. The witness did not specify where the fingerprints were from, but prosecutors argued in opening statements that Gripper’s fingerprints were found on a Sprite can and cartridge casings from the crime scene.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Aug. 12 to continue the trial.
