Judge Herbert Dixon ruled Monday that probable cause in the cases against Kwan Kearney and Jeremy Risper exists and that the two men will stand trial for a shooting that left 19-year-old Jamal Wilson dead. Dixon declined to release either Kearney or Risper from jail before their next court date in March, saying each of their criminal histories indicate a threat to the community.
Wilson was shot through the chest after being pursued by two men in the Truxton Circle neighborhood, said Metro PD Homicide Detective Hosam Nasr, who testified in court Monday. While on the witness stand, Nasr described nearby surveillance video of Kearney and Risper recorded around the time of the shooting. According to Nasr, the video showed Kearney carrying a “dark object” that was being carried in a way that was “consistent” with how a gun would be held. Witness statements indicate Kearney and Risper were looking for Wilson at that time, Nasr said.
Nasr told the court that police believe Wilson was shot on a playground in the unit block of P Street where bullet casings were found. Emergency responders found Wilson further down the block. Wilson fell on the playground after being shot, got up, ran from the scene, fell again, stood up with assistance from a friend, and ran again before collapsing, Nasr said.
According to Nasr, a .45 caliber handgun used to shoot Wilson that was recovered from the scene, along with two other firearms. The .45 caliber gun, Nasr said, is also evidence in the murder of Joseph Alonzo Sharps, Jr, who was shot to death in D.C.’s Trinidad neighborhood just six days before Wilson was killed. Nasr said ballistics tests indicate that the same gun was used in both homicides. Kearney is charged in both cases.
Kearney and Risper are next due in court March 4 for felony status conferences.
Wilson’s obituary is online and a street shrine has been built near the crime scene.
Kearney and Wilson were both wards of DYRS at the time of the shooting, according to a Washington Times investigation.
