Woodlawn Homicide Suspect Caught After Manhunt Convicted

WOODLAWN, VA — The defendant in an October 2022 killing of a Rockville, Maryland man in Woodlawn was convicted by a Fairfax County jury Monday.

Kyjuan Trott-McLean, 44 of Mount Vernon, was convicted of second-degree murder as well as use of a firearm in commission of a felony. He could face a sentence up to 43 years in prison.

Trott-McLean had been indicted for murder in relation to the October 2022 fatal shooting of Brandon Wims, 31. Wims had been in a vehicle outside the Old Mills Gardens apartment complex in Woodlawn with Trott-McLean's wife, who was an acquaintance of Wims, as well as the wife's friend.

Prosecutors say the shooting was a result of a dispute between Trott-McLean and his wife. As the suspect was arguing with his wife, he displayed a gun and fired it, striking Wims three times and grazing his wife. Gunshots continued as the wife's friend drove away in the car.

The wife's friend took Wims to Inova Mount Vernon Hospital, where he died.

"The extremely random nature of this crime is truly heartbreaking," said Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney Steve Descano in a statement. "While one never fully heals from the loss of a loved one, especially in such an unexpected act of violence, I hope that this conviction can help provide solace to Mr. Wims' family and the rest of out community.

Trott-McLean fled the scene and evaded police for two months. He was caught after an increased reward was offered with help from the Victims' Rights Foundation, which Wims' family runs.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 3.