DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz denied a teen shooting defendant’s request for release made in an emotional statement on July 8.
Travis Thomas, 17, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and assault with intent to commit any other offense for his alleged involvement in a shooting that took place on the 5400 block of C Street, SE. A 16-year-old sustained a gunshot to the face during the incident.
Thomas is being tried as an adult under Title 16 which gives prosecutors the option for certain serious crimes.
In his letter to Judge Kravitz, read by defense attorney Megan Allburn, Thomas expressed his regret. He stated that he’s learned a lot since being detained and saw rehabilitation as a valuable lesson. “I had to realize enough is enough,” the statement said.
Thomas said that the burden on his family was a lot, adding he desperately wants his mom to see him walk the stage as he intends to graduate high school later this month. According to Thomas, his detention will adversely affect his younger family members.
Thomas wrote he hopes to one day return and start a mentorship program for juveniles, aiming to inspire other young people who may be facing similar challenges.
“I don’t want to be a part of the percentage of Black men locked up, I want to be a part of the percentage that succeeds,” he stated.
Allburn claimed that if released, Thomas would be under supervision of his mother which is a stark contrast to prior to Thomas’s arrest when he was staying with friends.
The prosecution argued to hold Thomas because the accusations are very serious. The main concern was that shooting occurred at an elementary school playground on Easter Sunday and there was no specific target.
The prosecution also stated that they have overwhelming evidence that connects the defendant to the crime. They presented CCTV footage of an individual identified as Thomas firing, Tweets talking about guns, crime and violence, screenshots from a social media argument the day of the crime where Thomas allegedly ended the heated conversation with, “You know what happened, go check on dem boys,” all that along with cellphone locations and evidence of two separate carjackings that occurred at another time.
Judge Kravitz acknowledged, “He’s a kid and I don’t like to see kids in jail,” but ultimately denied the defendant’s release, citing the seriousness of the charges, the prosecution’s evidence, and the defendant’s criminal history.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Aug. 15.
