A non-fatal shooting defendant testified that he fired a gun in self-defense before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on March 9.
Derrick Gladden, 55, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction, and unlawful possession of ammunition for his alleged involvement in a shooting on the 2300 block of Marion Barry Avenue, SE on April 15, 2024. The victim was shot once in the shoulder.
Gladden’s attorney, Alvin Thomas, called Gladden to testify.
Gladden told the jury that at the time of the incident, he had known the victim for about 11 years and considered him a friend and neighbor. The day of the incident, Gladden said he was sitting outside his mother’s apartment waiting for a ride to work when he started discussing money the victim owed him from previous transactions.
According to Gladden, the victim repaid the debt gradually over time. Gladden said he agreed to sell the victim the tires and a battery of a car. Gladden said he told the victim he might “charge him double” because he believed the repayment had taken too long.
According to Gladden, the conversation escalated when the victim punched him and then pulled out a knife.
“He came at me with a knife,” Gladden testified.
Gladden said he feared for his life and fired a single shot, which he believed struck the victim near the shoulder.
Gladden also testified that he routinely carries a firearm “because I live in Southeast.” He said the gun was in his waistband during the encounter.
During cross-examination, prosecutors questioned Gladden about leaving the scene without speaking to police. Gladden testified that he left the area and went to work with a friend who had planned to drive him that afternoon.
Prosecutors also showed the jury a still image from body-worn camera footage that appeared to show Gladden walking past a police vehicle shortly after the shooting. Gladden said he did not notice the officer or the police vehicle as he left.
Gladden acknowledged that he never reported the incident to police and did not contact investigators afterward. He testified that he called his wife after the shooting but initially said he did not remember the details of that conversation.
Prosecutors then played part of a recorded phone call to refresh his memory. After hearing the recording, Gladden said he had asked his wife to locate a backpack containing his wallet and identification.
Prosecutors repeatedly asked whether Gladden knew that police were attempting to contact him about the shooting. Gladden said he did not know investigators were looking for him and said he was unaware that his wife was contacted by police.
Gladden also confirmed several prior convictions during questioning about his criminal history, including involuntary manslaughter, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, first-degree aggravated assault, and aggravated sexual battery.
Thomas reaffirmed with Gladden that he fired one shot because he believed his life was in danger. When Thomas asked if he would have waited to be stabbed before firing, Gladden said he would not.
Before Gladden’s testimony, the prosecution called a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer who responded to the scene of the shooting. The officer confirmed that police recovered a shell casing in the grass near the patio where the incident occurred and testified that he did not see a knife recovered from the area.
After the testimony, the parties read several stipulations to the jury—facts both sides agreed were true and did not require further evidence. The stipulations included that Gladden did not have a license to carry a firearm in DC, had no firearm registered to him, and had previously been convicted of a crime. The parties also agreed that the victim later died of cancer.
Both parties rested their cases.
Parties are scheduled to reconvene on March 10.
