Witness Testifies About The Day He Was Shot By Childhood Friend  

By Alesar Harfoush [former] , Christopher Sivak [former] - February 28, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Suspects |

On Feb. 28, both the victim and a friend to both parties said the defendant was acting weird on the day of the shooting.

Fifty-year-old Stefen Farmer is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, possession of an unregistered firearm, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, and four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for allegedly firing three non-fatal shots at a victim. The shooting happened on the 4400 block of Gault Place, NE, on Feb. 25, 2021. 

The victim said he and Farmer were friends their whole lives and that they usually hung out around the same neighborhood where the shooting occurred. 

According to the victim, on the day he was shot, he had gone out to the neighborhood to see some friends. While walking, he said he saw Farmer sitting in his car and proceeded to talk to him.

The victim said something felt off with Farmer, but he was not sure what. He said Farmer asked him for two dollars because the defendant had given the victim’s son $10. The victim told Farmer that he did not have two dollars, and he should not have given his son money.

The victim said that Farmer got mad and reached down and pulled a gun on him. 

Farmer attempted to leave the car when the victim forced the door closed and ran. While running, Farmer fired three shots, one went through the victim’s right thigh,  and another went into his left hand. The third shot missed him due to another witness shoving Farmer.

During cross-examination, defense attorney Nikki Lotez repeatedly asked the victim whether or not he possessed a gun that day. 

Lotez said Farmer shot the victim because the victim allegedly had a gun. This all supposedly occurred because of the argument about money, she said.

Lotez then said the victim ran from the scene and, with the help of a friend, was able to stash his gun before the police arrived. She said that was why the victim did not give the police any information regarding the shooter on the scene. 

Both Farmer and the victim’s friend, who the defense said helped the victim hide the gun, said Farmer didn’t do anything wrong. 

He did not give the defense or the prosecution any additional information. When asked about the specifics of the incident, he said that he does not know or remember what occurred. 

However, another friend of both the victim and Farmer, who also testified, ran towards the neighborhood when he heard the shots and was interviewed by police on the scene. 

The friend also said Farmer had been acting odd. 

The trial is scheduled to continue on March 1.