Defendant Pleads Guilty to Metro Station Shooting

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A defendant accepted a plea deal in connection to a Metro station shooting before DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld on Aug. 7.

Desean Delaney, 31, was originally charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his involvement in a shooting which occurred on April 8 at the 200 block of Florida Avenue, NE within the NoMa-Gallaudet Metro station.

According to court documents, an individual, later identified as Delaney, got into an altercation with a woman after she didn’t respond to his advances. He allegedly brandished a handgun, before the victim pushed his hand away, which caused the suspect’s gun to fire. No injuries were reported.

At the hearing, Delaney’s attorney, Elliott Queen, alerted the court of his intent to accept a plea deal, which required him to plead guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon in exchange for the prosecution not seeking an indictment.

According to the prosecution, had the case gone to trial, they would have been able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that when Delaney’s advances to the woman were turned down, he brandished a handgun, a struggle ensued and the gun was fired.

“There are no legal justifications for his actions,” the prosecutor said.

Judge Hertzfeld asked Delaney to comply with interviews for the pre-sentence report so she could get a better understanding of his perspective and any additional details of the case.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene Oct. 11.