An Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer and forensic scientist testified about a homicide crime scene during a trial before DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan on Aug. 6.
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.
Prosecutors called an MPD officer to testify who responded to the scene to “secure the crime scene” and “canvas for shell casings” in the grass area across the street from the apartment complex where the shooting occurred.
Prosecutors showed the officer’s body-worn camera footage to the jury illustrated the officer’s search for shell casings. In the footage, the officer is audibly surprised by the substantial amount of shell casings she found on the ground.
After the footage, the officer pointed to the area on a map to explain to the jury where she found the shell casings. Prosecutors noted that the area is right across the street from the incident address where Bradford’s body was found.
A forensic scientist from the Department of Forensic Sciences (DFS) also testified and explained his findings from the crime scene, which included a bullet from inside the seat of a vehicle and a cartridge casing on the grass near the car. The forensic scientist said the cartridge casing he found in the car was from a “Federal 45 auto” gun, which matches the shell casings found on the ground at the scene.
The prosecution showed the jury photographs taken by the forensic scientist, including a silver Toyota car that had bullet holes.
The witness explained that the bullet was then removed and processed accordingly after they finished canvassing the scene.
Trial is set to resume Aug. 7.
