A jury in DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan’s courtroom acquitted a suspect on the most serious charge in a shooting case but found him guilty of a lesser infraction on July 8.
Vann Allen, 36, was 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 Avenue, NE on Nov. 11, 2023.
Following a day of deliberations, the jury returned a guilty verdict for unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction, and a not guilty verdict for all other charges.
Throughout the trial, Sellano Simmons and Michelle Lockard, Allen’s attorneys, argued Allen did in fact shoot the victim, but he did so in self-defense. The arguments were corroborated by the victim, who testified he was the first aggressor.
Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 12.
