A Baltimore City jury heard testimony June 10 in the trial of 34-year-old Dionte Joseph White, who is charged in an April 25, 2025 non-fatal shooting on the 1400 block of S. Hanover Street.
White is charged with attempted first-degree murder, first-degree assault, firearm use in a felony violent crime and related offenses in connection to the shooting.
Body-worn camera footage from a Baltimore Police officer who responded to the incident showed a blood trail and spent shell casings. The officer testified that the footage accurately depicted the events of that night and that the investigation concluded around 2:50 a.m.
During cross-examination, defense attorney Jason Ott questioned the officer about her testimony that she saw two individuals enter a minivan near the scene. Ott noted that while the minivan was visible in the body-worn camera footage, the individuals were not. He also asked why she did not broadcast the information over police radio. The officer testified that she did not believe it was necessary.
Jurors also heard testimony regarding the body-worn camera footage. While no gunshots were audible during the first minute of the recording, the officer testified that she heard gunfire before the footage began. She explained that body-worn cameras take a short period of time to activate and begin recording after being turned on.
A Southern District detective added that investigators recovered both rifle and pistol shell casings from the scene. Jurors were also shown his body-worn camera footage, which captured gunshots in the distance.
He testified that investigators used license plate reader technology to locate a gold Honda Odyssey minivan with visible damage, including a window covered by what appeared to be a garbage bag. Crime lab technicians later searched the vehicle and discovered registration paperwork bearing White’s name, as well as mail addressed to the defendant.
Surveillance footage from a nearby Crown gas station showed a black Acura RDX and an individual carrying a large duffel bag across his chest. In another clip, flashes of light were visible that were consistent with muzzle flashes from a firearm being discharged.
The jury was next shown video from White’s police interview. During questioning, White stated that he was the sole driver of the minivan, although he occasionally allowed friends or the mother of his child to use it. He said he had been working as a DJ until approximately 5 a.m. that day, and had left the vehicle parked on the street.
Investigators questioned White about the vehicle’s appearance on surveillance footage. White responded that he routinely left a spare set of keys inside the minivan and suggested someone else could have accessed it.
White also stated that he had been drinking earlier that night at Noble’s Bar. He described a brief altercation with another individual and said he later heard gunshots but claimed they were not near him.
At another point in the interview, investigators questioned White about who had been in the passenger seat of the minivan. Investigators told White they wanted to know who else may have been involved and did not want him taking responsibility for a crime he did not commit. When pressed further, White requested an attorney, ending the interview.
No gunshot residue was recovered from the vehicle, the detective told the court. Investigators recovered DJ equipment, but did not verify White’s employment at the venue where he claimed to have been working that night. The search warrant for the vehicle was issued in July, several months after the April shooting.
On redirect examination, prosecutors asked why gunshot residue testing was not conducted. The detective testified that investigators no longer routinely rely on such testing because it is considered unreliable.
Court adjourned for the day. Testimony is scheduled to continue June 12.
