Victim’s Sister Describes Her Injuries in Homicide Case

By Thomas Hinton [former] , Hayden Clark [former] - July 23, 2024
Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A woman whose sister and mother were victims of a double homicide testified about her serious injuries in a trial before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan on July 22.

Keanan Turner, 35, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder while armed with aggravating circumstances, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with intent to kill while armed, second-degree cruelty to children, first-degree attempted murder against a minor, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, destruction of property, carrying a pistol without a license, tampering with physical evidence, and arson. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in the fatal shootings of Wanda Wright, 48, and Ebony Wright, 31, on the 2300 block of Good Hope Court, SE on April 12, 2021. 

According to court documents, Turner is the father of Ebony’s child, who was an infant at the time of the shooting. The child survived the incident, as did Ebony’s sister, who was shot in the face.

On the stand she explained that she, Ebony, and their mother Wanda, arranged a meeting with Turner to see his two-month-old child for the first time. 

According to the prosecutor, Turner urged Ebony to get an abortion when he learned she was pregnant and told her he didn’t want to be involved in the child’s life.

The group met at Ebony’s apartment, conversed, and ate before Ebony’s sister went into another room to find a change of clothes for the baby, when she heard two gunshots ring out.

According to the witness, Turner then entered the room where she looking for clothing and allegedly shot her. The bullet pierced her cheek and exited her throat. She lost three teeth as a result of the wound.

Before leaving the apartment, she noticed a fire had been started on a workbench in the dining room. She then called 911 and was taken to the hospital. 

She also testified that there was no animosity from their family toward Turner because he wasn’t engaged with the child and they believed “support will come from the family whether he’s there or not”. 

K. Lawson Wellington, one of Turner’s defense attorneys, pointed out earlier that no DNA evidence from Turner was discovered at the crime scene, even though the prosecution alleged that Turner spent an hour-and-a half-there. Wellington also noted that witness descriptions of the defendant varied significantly.

Parties are slated to return July 23.