Witness cites social media video in connection with 2017 homicide

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A law enforcement detective was called to the stand Jan. 26, during a preliminary hearing, to share information about his work in a 2017 homicide case. He revealed that a witness told him the suspects bragged about allegedly killing a 16-year-old juvenile male on social media.

Kevin Sorto, 20, and Victor Hernandez, 17, were charged with first-degree murder while armed of the shooting death of Yoselis Regino Barrios.

Marvin Washington, the case’s lead detective, said witness 1, who was interviewed by law enforcement, said they found out about the shooting from an “Instagram live” video. In the video, Sorto was seen inside of a moving vehicle and said they had “scored.” The witness also said they had seen Sorto holding guns on Instagram live many times before.

In addition, video taken from surveillance footage from the 1300 block of Fort Stevens Drive, NW showed a red four-door vehicle and a silver four-door vehicle driving near the scene of the crime. The witness said the two vehicles shown in the video are driving away from the crime scene located on the 1300 block of Rittenhouse St., NW immediately after the shooting.

Washington said he believes the vehicle in the video matches the car associated with Kevin Sorto.

The defense counsel requested a copy of the video from the government in order to identify whether or not the vehicles matched. However, the government said they would only give screenshots of the red vehicle in order to protect the identities of other bystanders.

Sorto and Hernandez are being held without bond.