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By
Keirah Chen
- April 4, 2025
Daily Stories
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Non-Fatal Shooting
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A detective from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) told a jury in DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson’s courtroom that a defendant was deemed an immediate suspect after a shooting during a hearing on April 1.
Roger Jones, 42, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, simple assault, assault with a dangerous weapon, threat to kidnap or injure a person, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a pistol without a license, unauthorized use of a vehicle, assault, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction, and fleeing from law enforcement. This is for his alleged involvement in a shooting and an assault that left two victims injured on the 1400 block of Okie Street, NE, on Jan. 22, 2022.
At the hearing, the MPD detective, who responded to the shooting, testified that Jones was identified as an “immediate” suspect due to his reported involvement in a violent altercation earlier that night at the Throw Social DC bar–the same location as the shooting. The altercation between Jones and his ex-girlfriend was described as physical and verbal that required the intervention of bar security personnel.
Another MPD officer responded to a 911 call made by the assault victim, Jones’ ex-girlfriend, regarding the argument. He interviewed her and waited with her until the locks at her house were changed, as she was afraid Jones would come to her home.
Riley Benjamin, 32, Jones’s co-defendant, took a global plea offer, pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter while armed and assault with intent for his involvement in another shooting that occurred on Feb. 19, 2022, at a senior citizen’s home on the 3000 block of Bladensburg Road, NE.
The lead detective investigating the second shooting confirmed he never suspected Jones of that incident since he had no ties to the facility.
Parties are slated to reconvene on April 2.