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By
Amber Fienagha
- February 21, 2025
Court
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Daily Stories
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Non-Fatal Shooting
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Suspects
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A shooting defendant’s attorney requested his release at a hearing on Feb. 18, before DC Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann, after waiving of his right to a preliminary hearing.
Rashard Grant, 35, is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, and unlawful discarding of a firearm or ammunition for his alleged involvement in a shooting that occurred on Jan. 10 on the 2200 block of Savannah Place, SE.
According to court documents, officers heard a gunshot at the scene, and located an individual, identified as Grant, holding another person by the neck while holding a gun in his other hand.
During the hearing, Grant’s defense attorney, Gail Engmann, alerted the court of his intent to waive his right to a preliminary hearing. She requested Grant be released pending further proceedings, arguing that Grant held a clean record for ten years, highlighting his role as a husband and father of four.
“These kids are lost without Mr. Grant, and he’s lost without them. He’s an asset to the community—not a danger to the community,” Engmann said.
Engmann also argued that the prosecution’s evidence is insufficient, stating that officers failed to contact witnesses at the scene.
The prosecution claimed surveillance footage captured Grant’s actions, including his easy access to firearms after learning that, on Jan. 1, officers removed a firearm from the defendant, and another on Jan. 10 when he was allegedly found unconscious in a vehicle owned by his mother.
Prosecutors highlighted the defendant’s prior convictions, involving a 2015 arrest, a 2016 guilty plea for PCP possession, and a probation violation followed by his supervision termination in 2020.
Judge Herrmann stated she is concerned about Grant’s access to firearms and denied his request for release.
Engmann told Judge Herrmann parties continue to be in global plea negotiations.
Parties are slated to reconvene on March 3.