The defendant in a non-fatal shooting case took the stand before DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan on July 3.
Vann Allen, 36, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, aggravated assault while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction of less than one year for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on 1400 block of New York Ave NE on Nov. 11, 2023.
Michelle Lockard, one of Allen’s defense attorneys, questioned him about the night of incident and events leading up to the shooting.
Allen testified that he was at Throw Social club the evening of Nov. 11, 2023 to celebrate a friend’s birthday, but did not stay long. He stated that he arrived so late that he never met up with his intended group. Instead, he left with an old friend of his that he recognized.
While waiting outside for an Uber, he noticed an altercation between a woman he knew from childhood and a group he did not recognize. Allen approached the group once he saw a fight break out between a woman and man.
Although Allen said he only stood near the brawl, the man involved in the altercation charged at Allen, stating, “You know what I got on me” indicating to Allen that he had a weapon on him. The defendant stated that he felt threatened but, “In my mind I’m not doing anything to get attacked.”
It was at this point that he pulled out his gun and shot the man in his abdomen.
Allen stated that he had never shot anyone before, and was scared that someone in the victim’s group would retaliate against him. “I didn’t wanna be a victim,” he testified. According to Allen, as the group charged at him, all he thought was, “I got kids at home” and “I didn’t wanna get hurt.”
Allen testified to walking away from the scene and calling his mother. He said that he was scared and didn’t know what to do. Shortly after, he was arrested in an apartment complex parking garage near the scene of the shooting.
During the cross examination, the prosecution questioned Allen about his prior charges, including a second-degree assault charge in Maryland in 2013.
They also asked Allen about his relationships with others around him the night of the incident. He didn’t clarify his relationship with one of the women in the group who he said punched the victim.
A friend of Allen’s also testified for the defense. She told the court that she was with Allen at Throw Social near the end of the night, giving him a hug when she saw him. She also said that Allen stood with her on the street corner while she waited for her Uber.
According to her testimony, that was when the commotion started. She went home before the shooting and did not know what happened after leaving.
Parties are set to reconvene on July 7.
