Closing Arguments in Shooting Over Loud Music

By Madelyn Nall - September 25, 2024
Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting |

Parties in a shooting incident delivered closing statements on Sept. 24 before DC Superior Court Judge Erik Christian. 

Calvon Brown, 31, is charged with aggravated assault knowingly while armed, possession of a firearm during crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict, and carrying a pistol without a license. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in a shooting on March 22 on the 2300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. One individual sustained injuries.

During their closing arguments, the prosecution claimed that Brown lured the victim into the alley and shot him because he was playing rap artist Tupac’s music loudly over a speaker. 

The prosecuting attorney emphasized that the victim had been consistent in his identification of Brown as the person who shot him. The prosecution reviewed camera footage of the incident, and stated that Brown “went out of his way to confront [the victim].”

However, defense attorney Tammy Thom claimed that the prosecution has no credible evidence to prove Brown guilty. She argued that the victim has not been properly investigated as the prime suspect of this case, stating he could have shot the gun himself and blamed Brown. 

According to Thom, the victim continued to lie about multiple aspects of the incident, including not being armed. Thom argued that a 911 call placed by an eyewitness—which identified the victim walking away from the alley allegedly with a gun in one hand and a speaker in the other—differed from the victim’s own testimony that he was not armed during the incident. 

“No one saw [Brown] with a gun,” Thom stated, adding that “The only person seen with a gun is [the victim].”

Parties are slated to reconvene when the jury reaches a verdict.