WASHINGTON — A grand jury indictment filed Thursday brings new charges against a man accused of fatally shooting a visiting teacher near Catholic University last year.
Jaime Macedo, 22, was arrested last July on a charge of first degree murder while armed in connection with the death of Maxwell Emerson. Emerson, 25, was a social studies teacher and assistant wrestling coach for Oldham County School in Kentucky who was in D.C. for a teacher development program.
On Thursday, federal prosecutors filed a new grand jury indictment charging Macedo with five counts: felony murder while armed, robbery while armed, unlawful possession of a firearm and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. Macedo was arrested on multiple firearm-related counts in September 2019 for carrying pistol without a license and pleaded guilty to one count later that year. He was given one year in prison, all suspended, and 15 months of probation.
While on probation, Macedo was arrested again in July 2020 for allegedly tampering with his GPS monitoring device. A judge revoked part of his suspended sentence and ordered him to serve six months behind bars. According to an affidavit filed in 2023 in connection with Emerson’s murder, police serving a search warranted on his apartment after his arrest discovered a tampered GPS ankle monitor that had been cut up. Last August, Macedo was ordered to serve the entirety of his previous 12-month sentence.
According to court documents, surveillance photos show Macedo approaching Emerson at the Catholic University metro stop. Emerson reportedly can be seen giving Macedo money and walking away. A short time later, according to investigators, Macedo can be seen walking behind Emerson with a gun drawn.
Moments later, Emerson sent a frantic message to his twin brother reading, “Help. Bring ribbed. At cub point.”
Police say surveillance video shows Emerson emptying his backpack as Macedo stands over him. They are later seen struggling and falling to the ground. When Emerson attempted to run, Macedo allegedly shot him in the stomach.
Macedo’s attorney has argued the police arrested the wrong man, although police say they discovered his DNA on a black ski mask left at the scene.
Macedo was ordered to appear for arraignment on the new charges on Friday at 10 a.m. in D.C. Superior Court. He has been held without bond since his arrest last July.