Defendant Shot by Police Awaits Trial

By Alesar Harfoush [former] - April 13, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Suspects |

On April 10, the defense rejected the prosecution’s final plea offer and asked for the defendant to be released to home confinement. 

Rahman Mills,30, is charged with kidnapping while armed, two charges of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with a dangerous weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm, possession of a prohibited weapon, simple assault, threat to kidnap or injure a person and destruction of property less than $1,000 all while on probation regarding an incident that happened on Aug. 12, 2022, on 1900 block of Savannah Street, SE. 

Defense attorney Prescott Loveland on behalf of Mills requested that Mills be released on home confinement while awaiting trial. 

However, the prosecution opposed, saying Mills imposes danger to the community. 

DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur agreed with the prosecution and denied the oral request for release. He asked for it in writing. 

According to court documents, Mills became verbally aggressive with the victim after he banged on their apartment door to be let in. The victim then locked her son in a back bedroom and herself in a hallway bathroom in fear for her life. Mills then allegedly destroyed the bathroom door, grabbed the victim, started to choke her, forcing both the victim and her son onto a couch.

While on the couch Mills pulled a gun and said “I’m going to kill your stupid ass!”

Eventually, the victim was able to break free and that is when Mills allegedly ran out of the apartment with the victim’s apartment and car keys, court documents stated. 

While MPD officers were searching for him, Mills was observed by an officer. When the officer exited his car Mills abandoned his bike and fled on foot. The officer chased him and gave him ten verbal commands to drop the gun, Mills did not comply, so the officer fired his gun striking Mills in the back.

Then, the officer continued to command Mills to drop his gun, he responded by saying no, he then raised his right arm with what the officer believed to be a gun. The officer fired another time striking Mills in his right shoulder, documents state.

Mills continued to resist.

Loveland stated that the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) was not able to justify the officer’s first shot and that the officer is being charged regarding this case. 

Due to the unjustified use of force, Mills charges regarding an assault on a police officer and one count of possession of a firearm were dropped in 2022. 

A trial readiness hearing is scheduled for June 2.