Idrissa Fall, a 37-year-old resident of the District, was sentenced to 50 years in prison for the 2021 murder of his former girlfriend, Dara Northern, outside her Northwest D.C. home. The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr. and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department.
A Superior Court jury found Fall guilty of several charges including first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm. As part of the sentencing, Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt also ordered Fall to serve five years of supervised release.
Evidence presented showed that on July 18, 2021, shortly before 1:30 a.m., Ms. Northern was shot by Fall as she was getting into her best friend’s car. Fall, who had been kicked out of Ms. Northern's home following their breakup, followed her outside. He shot her in the head as she closed the car door, fleeing the scene afterward. Ms. Northern was declared brain dead on the same day and succumbed to her injuries.
U.S. Attorney Martin and Chief Smith acknowledged the efforts of the Metropolitan Police Department in investigating the case. They also appreciated the support from the U.S. Marshals Service. The U.S. Attorney’s Office team included Investigative Analyst Zachary McMenamin, Victim/Witness Advocates Jennifer Allen and Latrice Washington-Williams, Paralegal Specialists Alyssa Schroeder and Sharon Newman, and Litigation Technology Specialist Sigourney Jackson.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristian L. Hinson and Yasmin Emrani were credited with prosecuting the case.
