‘Hitting Someone With a Fist and Hitting Someone With a Gun Are Two Very Different Things,’ Says Judge

By Mia Febles - April 25, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A defendant charged with two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon for allegedly “pistol whipping” two victims was denied release in an April 25 hearing.

Alonte Miller, 21, is accused in a shooting that took place on April 20 on the 3000 block of Stanton Road, SE, injuring two women. One’s face was swollen face and the other suffered from a laceration on her ear from getting “pistol whipped.” According to court documents, Miller allegedly hit the two women with his firearm after they claimed they didn’t want to have sex with him. 

In the proceeding, Miller waived his right to a preliminary hearing and his defense attorney, Stephen Logerfo, requested his release. 

Logerfo argued Miller never shot the gun and only hit the women with it, comparing it to punching someone in the face with a fist. 

The prosecution objected on the basis that Miller was on probation for a conspiracy to carjack charge and is a danger to the community. 

DC Superior Court Magistrate Judge Heide Herrmann claimed this is “a very violent offense” and denied Miller’s release. 

“Hitting someone with a fist and hitting someone with a gun are two very different things,” Judge Herrmann stated. 

Parties are slated to return on May 8 before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno.