Defendant in EV Charger Shooting Waives Preliminary Hearing, Denied Release

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A shooting defendant waived his right to a preliminary hearing in front of DC Superior Court Magistrate Judge Heidi Herrmann on June 30 and was ordered detained.

Ato Ocran, 46, is charged with aggravated assault knowingly while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a shooting that occurred in the 2200 block of 13th Street, NE on June 3.

One individual was harmed during the incident.

According to court documents, Ocran allegedly got into a verbal argument with the victim over an electric vehicle charger. When Ocran left the parking lot, the victim allegedly followed him down Franklin Street, NE when Ocran allegedly made a u-turn, and fired at the victim through the driver’s side window of his vehicle, shooting him once in the arm and striking the vehicle several times.

According to an interview conducted by Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers at the hospital, the victim advised officers that the suspect was a Black male driving a blue Tesla. From camera footage near the EV charger, MPD officers were able to find the license plate number of the blue Tesla and identify the owner as Ocran.

After waiving his right to a preliminary hearing, Ocran’s defense attorney, K. Lawson Wellington, argued for his release until the next hearing.

Wellington said that the police report was misleading as to how the incident actually occurred with Ocran acting in self-defense and that it was wrong to find him a threat to the community. He noted that Ocran is employed, a veteran, father, and has no criminal history.

The prosecuting attorney referred back to the police report arguing that Ocran escalated the situation through “unacceptably violent behavior,” by consciously making the choice to make a u-turn and fire several rounds at the victim’s car.

Prosecution also referred to a dangerous amount of unregistered firearms and ammunition found at the defendant’s residence.

Judge Herrmann agreed that the severity of the crime warranted Ocran remain held with no bond.

Parties are slated to reconvene on July 15 in front of DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld.