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By
Elizabeth Bernstein
- November 18, 2024
Daily Stories
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Non-Fatal Shooting
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Suspects
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A defendant pleaded not guilty to assault before DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld during a hearing on Nov. 18 for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting.
Stephan Ombolo, 27, is charged with two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business for his alleged involvement in an incident that took place on March 26 on the 400 Block of Newton Place, NW.
According to court documents, Ombolo’s cousin’s roommate called the police for help when Ombolo’s cousin was having a mental health crisis. The roommate told a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective that Ombolo assaulted him after Ombolo’s cousin was transported to a hospital and the police left.
Court documents state that Ombolo was angry with the roommate for calling the police about his cousin. Ombolo allegedly struck the roommate repeatedly with the butt of a gun and fired one shot towards him without result.
During the hearing, Ombolo was arraigned on the pending charges and his defense attorney, Hannah Akintoye, alerted the court he was entering a plea of not guilty, which Judge Hertzfeld accepted.
Trial was originally set for the following day, Nov. 19, and the prosecution informed the court they were ready to proceed with trial.
Akintoye informed the court she was not ready due to late discovery from the prosecution and requested a continuance of two weeks to go over the evidence with her client.
Judge Hertzfeld granted the defense’s request to delay the trial and set a new trial date.
Trial is now set for Dec. 12.