Trial underway in the deadly shooting of DuVal High School student

UPPER MARLBORO, Md. — A murder trial is underway for the alleged shooter accused of killing DuVal High School student Jayda Medrano-Moore as she was walking home from school. 

Abdurahman Diaby, 18, is facing multiple charges including murder after prosecutors say he pistol-whipped and shot the 16-year-old high school student on Sept. 11, 2023. His identity had previously been undisclosed because he was arrested and charged when he was 17.

Nearly a year after her death, the jury heard details about what transpired on the 9800 block of Palamar Drive in Lanham.

Officials say Diaby and a group of masked teenagers began confronting students as they were walking home from school. During the confrontation, a fight broke out and according to prosecutors, Medrano-Moore stepped in to protect her brother.

On Tuesday, the responding Prince George's County Police corporal who first arrived on scene, testified that Medrano-Moore had been shot in the back of the head. 

Prosecutors argue that the location of the injury and the prior blunt force to the victim's face leads them to believe that this was not accidental shooting.

The jury was presented with a graphic video of the officer's body-warn camera that shows the teen girl being pulled being out of a car after being shot. The officer says her brother was asking him to help her. 

Medrano-Moore's brother and mother took the stand, in part to provide the jury with details about Medrano-Moore, an aspiring basketball star, and also insight into the deadly shooting. 

Diaby's defense attorney, Gabriel Christian, says this was an accident during a "scuffle." He told WUSA9 that the shooting happened during a struggle over a gun. He also reiterated his condolences to the victim's family. 

Both Medrano-Moore and Diaby's families were in the courtroom it what was an emotional second day of the trial. At one point, judge Judy Woodall called a recess due to disturbances outside the courtroom. 

The lead investigator in the case is expected to take the stand on Wednesday as prosecutors are set to end with their witnesses. 

The defense says they are prepared to start with their witnesses Wednesday with Diaby also expected to take the stand in his defense. 

Prince George's County officials have charged three additional teens in this case including Ramon Richardson of Lanham, Cameron Anderson of Landover, and another teen from Lanham who was charged as an adult, but whose name has not been released because he was 17 at the time of his arrest.