Jilted Boyfriend Gets 50 Years for Killing Ex-Girlfriend in 2021

WASHINGTON – Idrissa Fall, 37, of the District, was sentenced today to 50 years in prison for the July 2021 murder of his ex-girlfriend outside of her home in Northwest, D.C., announced U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr. and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). 

On Jan. 22, 2025, a Superior Court jury found Fall guilty of first-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm. In addition to the prison term, Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt ordered Fall to serve five years of supervised release.

According to the government’s evidence, just before 1:30 a.m. on July 18, 2021, the victim, Dara Northern, walked out of her home and headed towards her best friend’s car for a night on the town. When the victim left her home, Fall followed her. Ms. Northern had recently broken up with Fall and kicked him out of her home. As the victim got into the front seat of her friend’s waiting vehicle, Fall started reaching for his waistband. As Ms. Northern closed the door, Fall shot her in the head as she sat next to her best friend and fled the scene. Ms. Northern suffered one gunshot wound to her right eye. She was declared brain dead that same day and died as a result of her injuries.  

In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Martin and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by the U.S. Marshals Service. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including; Investigative Analyst Zachary McMenamin; Victim/Witness Advocate Jennifer Allen and Latrice Washington-Williams; Paralegal Specialists Alyssa Schroeder and Sharon Newman; and Litigation Technology Specialist Sigourney Jackson.

Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristian L. Hinson and Yasmin Emrani, who prosecuted the case.