On a Wednesday afternoon, the first of October in 2014, the life of 18-year-old Johnie Lee Resper was cut short on a street in Northeast Washington, D.C. A Black male, Resper was found suffering from gunshot wounds at approximately 3:04 p.m. in the 200 block of Adams Street. Emergency responders arrived at the scene, near the intersection of 3rd and Adams Streets NE, to find Resper, a resident of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, grievously wounded.
The investigation into the shooting led
detectives to a teenage suspect. In November 2014, police arrested 17-year-old Ahmal McGainey in connection with Resper's death. McGainey was subsequently charged as an adult with second-degree murder while armed. Authorities alleged that the shooting was an act of retaliation. According to court documents, McGainey's friend had been stabbed and assaulted by Resper and two other individuals just moments before the fatal shooting.
Following his arrest, McGainey reportedly told police that he 'did what he had to do.' Investigators were able to connect McGainey to the crime through a Colt. 38-special revolver that was recovered 17 days after the shooting, following a hit and run incident involving McGainey and his brother. Forensic analysis confirmed that this was the same weapon used to kill Johnie Lee Resper. The case against Ahmal McGainey then proceeded through the court system.
