Prosecutors called multiple witnesses who testified about a blood trail at the crime scene during a fatal shooting trial before DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park on April 21.
Ranje Reynolds, 28, is charged with first-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 27-year-old Tarek Boothe on Jan. 31, 2022, on the 3200 block of M Street, NW.
The prosecution called a detective from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Canine Unit who testified that he responded to the scene on the night of the incident. Prosecutors played footage from the detective’s body-worn camera of a police dog tracking the blood spatters, which the detective said went around the block and into a parking garage.
Three forensic scientists from the Department of Forensic Sciences (DFS) also testified that they collected suspected blood samples and took photos of the crime scene on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, 2022.
According to court documents, the blood trail led north on 33rd Street, away from the victim’s body, turned right on N Street, and ended in front of a building on the 3200 block of N Street.
Court documents described an additional blood trail in the courtyard of Eaton Court near a smoke shop, and down a set of stairs that led to the crime scene. A blood trail was also observed in the parking garage on the ground level of the courtyard.
Prosecutors also called an eyewitness, an employee of Good Stuff Eatery on M Street at the time, who testified that she was closing the business’ patio area when she saw Boothe walk by the restaurant and stand on a corner of M Street. She did not know the victim’s name but said she recognized him as a previous customer.
She testified that moments later she heard a gunshot, turned around, witnessed Boothe fall into the street, and a person walking away on 33rd Street. The witness added that she did not see the shooter’s face but that he was a male wearing a black jacket.
“I was in shock,” said the witness.
The prosecution called another witness, a friend of Reynolds and Boothe, who frequently visited the smoke shop where they both worked. The day of the incident, the witness spent time at the shop. “We were just hanging out, it was a normal day,” she said.
According to the witness, a verbal exchange occurred between Reynolds and Boothe inside the shop that escalated into a physical altercation. She explained that she attempted to diffuse the situation before leaving because the fight upset her.
When the witness returned, Reynolds and Boothe were gone, but she noticed small amounts of blood in the doorway and a shattered countertop. The witness said she and the other individuals in the shop collectively cleaned it, left together, and did not hear the shooting.
The trial is scheduled to resume on April 22.
