A man in Washington, D.C., will serve 50 years in federal prison for fatally killing his ex-girlfriend, as she sat beside her best friend, just moments before a night out to celebrate the end of their relationship.
Idrissa Fall, 37, was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt for the 2021 murder of 33-year-old Dara Northern. A jury had previously convicted him of first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm. Fall will also serve five years of supervised release following his prison term. Federal inmates are not eligible for parole.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the shooting happened in the early hours of Sunday, July 18, 2021, outside Northern’s home on the 6100 block of 4th Street NW.
Northern’s best friend arrived around 1:30 a.m. to pick her up for a night out. Unbeknownst to Northern, Fall—whom she had recently kicked out after ending their relationship—was waiting outside. As she walked to her friend’s car, Fall tried to stop her, but she kept moving.
“As Northern got into the front seat of her friend’s waiting vehicle, the defendant started reaching for his waistband,” the press release said. “As Northern closed the door, the defendant shot her in the head as she sat next to her best friend and fled the scene. Northern suffered one gunshot wound to her right eye.”
She was rushed to the hospital and later declared brain-dead, succumbing to her injury that same day.
Prosecutors told jurors that Northern had planned a “perfect day” to celebrate her newfound freedom and was described as “light and happy” after the breakup.
“She never saw it coming,” the prosecution stated in opening arguments.
Northern’s best friend told investigators that Fall muttered “something about gay s—” before pulling the trigger—suggesting he may have targeted her over a belief she was part of the LGBTQ+ community, as were many of her friends.
Authorities revealed that Fall had tampered with Northern’s home security system before the attack but was caught on neighboring cameras fleeing the scene. He was arrested two weeks later and remained in custody through the trial.
Fall faced the possibility of life imprisonment.
