DC Superior Court Judge Renee Raymond found probable cause in a non-fatal shooting case on Oct. 16.
Zion Greely, 19, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on Oct. 14, 2024. The incident occurred at the 700 block of N Street, NW. No one sustained injuries.
During the hearing prosecutors called a detective with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) who told the court that surveillance footage from before the shooting was recovered from an apartment building. The footage is said to show the suspects involved in the shooting.
In a cross examination by Greely’s attorney, Diana Yu, the witness testified that in surveillance footage of the shooting it is hard to see faces clearly. Yu also pointed out that there were no eyewitnesses and the victim is still unknown. She asserted that no one with direct personal knowledge of the shooting identified Greely, the detective agreed.
The detective also testified that he was not able to determine a relationship between the defendant and the vicrim. Yu also noted that the surveillance footage from the apartment building doesn’t have sound so the detective is unable to know the “words or threats” that were spoken.
A witness in the investigation did not see the shooting, but according to Yu and the detective, they saw a suspect, who prosecutors believe to be Greely, and the victim arguing.
According to Yu, the witness claimed not to have seen a firearm or grabbing at waistbands. The detective did not recall the witness, the property manager and their assistant, and the residents being able to identify any suspects.
The detective testified to creating a “Be On the Lookout” (BOLO) for the case which included photos of suspects from surveillance footage. MPD also created a press release including photos to help identify suspects. The detective did not recall anyone coming forward with knowledge of the suspects.
The case was suspended from active investigation in December 2024 until the detective received a lead from the FBI that Greely could be one of the suspects after reviewing photos. The lead was not used as a positive identification, according to the detective.
Yu noted that the detective could not find a connection between Greely and the apartment building itself, there is no information connecting Greely to his co-defendant, Lorenzo Covington, and Greely has not been found to have a firearm or ammunition in his possession. Yu also stated that Greely turned himself in.
The detective testified to sharing the BOLO with another officer who then identified Greely as one of the suspects having had prior interaction with him. He also showed the photos to Greely’s Pre-Trial Services Agency (PSA) case manager who also identified Greely. Yu noted that the MPD officer and the PSA officer did not witness the incident.
The detective also stated that the individuals alleged to be involved in the shooting were tracked from the apartment building to 8th Street. He agreed with Yu that the surveillance was not completely continuous or unbroken.
Yu asserted that there were six people in the group of individuals, but only three individuals appear in surveillance footage from the shooting. She also stated that multiple people in the group were wearing similar clothing and that it is harder to see clothing and facial features in the shooting surveillance.
When asked how he determined that one of the suspects in the apartment building surveillance was the same suspect in shooting surveillance footage, the detective replied that it was based on the clothing and build of the individual.
After the detective was excused, Yu asked the court not to find probable cause. She reasoned that there is nothing corroborating the claim that one of the suspects in the apartment building footage is the same suspect in shooting surveillance footage. She stated that the tracking of the individuals was not unbroken and three people disappeared and multiple people were wearing the same clothing.
Yu also claimed that there is no evidence Greely was involved given that there is no physical evidence and no eyewitness identified Greely. Additionally, she noted that the investigation did not yield ties between Greely and the apartment building. She asserted that Greely was arrested because of an investigative lead by the FBI which is not enough for probable cause.
The court did find probable cause based on testimony and that surveillance footage showed young men walking in the direction of the shooting, according to Judge Raymond.
Following the ruling, Yu motioned for Greely’s release reasserting that there are no eyewitnesses, the victim has not been identified, and there is no physical evidence. She stated that Greely has complied with previous release conditions for another case. She also presented letters of support from Greely’s mother, partner, and an employee at Youth Build where he is doing well, according to Yu.
The prosecution argued that Greely lured the victim into an ambush on video. They also noted that multiple cars were struck with bullets, one bullet going through a bedroom window. Prosecutors also mentioned a theft case which they say is concerning. They argued that Greely should remain held.
The court ruled that Greely will remain held. Judge Raymond stated that there is probable cause to believe that one of the suspects is Greely. She also stated that the period of time between the theft case and this case speaks to Greely’s “dangerousness.”
Judge Raymond stated that the victim seemed to be lured into an ambush and that whatever was said before the incident shouldn’t have led to shooting, noting that “bullets don’t have names on them.”
Judge Raymond asserted that the nature of the offense is “incredibly disturbing.” She also stated that the prosecution’s evidence is “moderately strong.”
Parties are slated to reconvene on Nov. 5.
