Judge Finds Probable Cause in ‘Out of Nowhere, Unprovoked’ Shooting 

By Adriana Marroquin - August 13, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Shooting | Suspects |

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt found probable cause that a defendant was the perpetrator in a shooting that occurred “out of nowhere, unprovoked,” during a hearing on Aug. 13. 

Israel Beairs, 40, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on June 4 on the 1800 block of West Virginia Avenue, NE. An adult female sustained life-threatening injuries during the incident. 

According to court documents, the victim and Beairs were previously in a romantic relationship. 

The prosecution called on the lead detective from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). 

According to the detective, the victim sustained a gunshot wound to the head, and endured surgery to remove a portion of her skull to alleviate the resulting pressure. She also required intubation to assist her feeding and breathing. He testified she is now required to wear a protective helmet. 

Surveillance footage from the incident, which corroborates the detective’s affidavit, shows the victim arrive at the scene in a vehicle, and leave the area for an undisclosed amount of time. Moments later, an individual, identified as Beairs, was seen arriving at the scene in a silver BMW and parking at an angle toward the victim’s vehicle. 

The video depicts the person identified as Beairs conversing with some individuals in the area, before the victim is seen re-entering her car and driving away. As she drove away, the video shows, the suspect fired at her repeatedly, before moving and firing again. 

Following the shooting, the detective testified, the suspect left the scene in his vehicle. 

According to the detective, Bears was on release and on GPS monitoring at the time of the incident, and a record from the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) places his GPS monitor at the scene of the crime. 

The detective also alerted Judge Brandt that, during their prior relationship, the victim had called 911 and reported Beairs had punched her in the face and shot at her with a handgun. 

The prosecution argued that Judge Brandt should find probable cause due to the high-quality video footage of the incident. They claimed it is “difficult to dispute that it’s an intentional repetitive shooting with intent to kill” when the suspect continuously shot at the victim’s vehicle as she drove away. 

Courtney Vaughn, Beairs’ attorney, submitted with the court on the finding of probable cause. 

Judge Brandt argued this incident was “extremely serious,” reiterating the fact that the victim lost part of her skull due to the incident, and continues to have a long road to recovery. 

Judge Brandt deemed the incident “brazen,” adding “she [the victim] didn’t even see this coming.” 

Due to the finding of probable cause, and his detainment in two separate cases, Judge Brandt order Beairs remain detained. 
Parties are scheduled to reconvene Sept. 10 before DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe.