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Cameron Horne
- November 5, 2024
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A jury delivered a not-guilty verdict on all 11 charges in a mass shooting case that resulted in one death and three injuries before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun on Oct. 30.
Juan Peterson, 34, was charged with first-degree murder while armed, three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, two counts of accessory after the fact while armed, and second-degree cruelty to children.
The charges related to Peterson’s alleged involvement in a May 15, 2021 mass shooting, on the 3900 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE, that killed 28-year-old Lester Howard, and injured three other individuals.
Throughout the trial, the prosecution argued that Peterson was driving his car down Minnesota Avenue and stopped short of a red light. The shooter ran up to the passenger side of the vehicle, reached in to grab Peterson’s firearm, and opened fire on the sidewalk, killing Howard and injuring three other victims. The shooter then returned to the car, got in, and Peterson drove away.
According to Peterson, during his testimony, he had no knowledge or intention in the shooting and believed that he was going to make a drug deal with the individual he stopped to meet with. The shooter grabbed Peterson’s gun from the passenger seat allegedly without his permission, and he drove away from the scene under duress, fearful he would be killed by the shooter unless he complied.
The jury acquitted Peterson following a day of deliberations. Judge Okun ordered Peterson be released from DC Jail following the verdict.
There are no further hearings scheduled.