‘I Went From Pro Athlete to Paraplegic,’ Says Victim

Thank you for reading D.C. Witness.
Consider making a donation to help us continue our mission.

The victim of a non-fatal shooting testified that he anticipated becoming a professional football athlete prior to the incident that left him as a paraplegic during a trial before DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson on March 25.

Roger Jones, 42, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during crime of violence, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, fleeing a law enforcement officer, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, threatening to kidnap or injure a person, unauthorized use of a vehicle, and simple assault for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting and assault that injured two individuals on January 22, 2022, on the 1400 block of Okie Street, NE.

The prosecution called upon the shooting victim, who sustained gunshot wounds to his chest, back, and upper extremities. At the time, the victim worked at Throw Social, a social venue and bar, as a security manager. On the night of the incident, he received a radio call that a couple was being escorted out of the establishment. Through a window, the victim observed what he described as a “very passionate conversation” between the couple outside, followed by a physical altercation in which the man punched the woman and she was unable to fight back.

After his shift, the victim said he walked to his car with two coworkers he intended to drive home. He moved his bag from the backseat to the trunk of his car, closed the trunk, heard gunshots, and felt pressure in his chest.

“I felt like an elephant was stepping on my chest,” the victim recalled. He testified that the shooter was close because he heard footsteps and saw a figure walking away.

Following the incident, the victim was transported to MedStar Washington Hospital, where he stayed for four months, and underwent multiple surgeries, “Which is why I’m in a wheelchair,” he said, “I went from pro athlete to paraplegic.”

Prosecutors also called Jones’ ex-girlfriend and the mother of his child, who testified about the altercation between her and the defendant and him allegedly stealing her car. The victim testified to knowing Jones since 2016, but their relationship ended in 2022.

On the night of the incident, she went to Throw Social with Jones to visit her friend who bartended there. The victim and Jones drank and talked at the bar until she claimed Jones accused her of dancing and trying to show off for other men, she called him jealous, and told him to Uber home. According to the victim, Jones took her car keys, and she called 911 to report her vehicle as stolen.

During her testimony, the victim identified herself and Jones in videos of them at the bar and outside of Throw Social. She testified that Jones returned in her car, exited the car, and hit her. “He put his hand back and he punched me in my face” she said, and recounted that people came to help, Jones re-entered the car, and drove away.

The prosecution played a recording of the 911 phone call that captured the assault victim stating that Jones was driving her car “crazy” as well as the phone dropping after the altercation occurred.

The prosecution also called on the bartender working at Throw Social. This witness also has had a personal relationship with the assault victim, stating that they have been friends for more than 17 years.

The bartender testified that she believed the cause of the argument between Jones and the assault victim was Jones believing that one of the security guards was looking at the woman. The fight escalated into yelling, and the witness asked both to leave the bar or quiet down.

The witness also asserted that the woman originally gave Jones her car keys, telling him to leave because she wanted to stay longer at the bar. However, after Jones left the bar, she changed her mind and decided she wanted her car back.

The trial is scheduled to resume on March 26.