DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park denied a mass shooting defendant’s request for release on Aug. 21.
Anthony Del Cid-Morales, 18, faces 69 charges, including assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and misdemeanor sex abuse, for his alleged involvement in a mass shooting that occurred at a bus stop at the intersection of 16th Street and Missouri Avenue, NW on Jan. 22. Five individuals sustained injuries during the incident.
All charges have enhancements for being committed against Metro Transit Administration passengers.
During the hearings on Aug. 20 and 21, parties questioned the lead detective regarding the investigation.
According to the detective, Del Cid-Morales was aboard a metro bus when a group of almost 15 Latino youth boarded. One of the girls in the group sat next to Del Cid-Morales when he allegedly touched her buttocks, which caused a verbal disagreement between Del Cid-Morales and the group.
The detective claimed the group attempted to get off the bus through the back door to avoid growing tension at 16th Street and Missouri Avenue, NW. Meanwhile, the detective claimed, Del Cid-Morales walked to the front of the bus, racked his gun, and jumped off to shoot at the group, also striking bystanders, before fleeing the scene.
O’Sullivan argued Del Cid-Morales acted in self-defense, citing grand jury testimony from one of the victims in the group in claiming the group threatened to beat Del Cid-Morales to death. O’Sullivan further highlighted evidence that officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) recovered a knife, machete, and imitation firearm from nearby yards, which were allegedly allegedly linked to the group.
O’Sullivan suggested the group could’ve been a gang, citing that Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) – a Latino gang –members are known to carry around machetes for protection.
“He [the defendant] had a gun on him, and we’re not trying to say he’s a gang member,” the prosecutor retaliated.
Following the detective’s testimony, O’Sullivan argued Del Cid-Morales was “significantly outnumbered” by the group in the bus. He further argued that Del Cid-Morales feared for his safety, highlighting the presence of the imitation firearm. “Someone who’s seeing the object can perceive it as a real gun,” O’Sullivan insisted.
However, the prosecution disagreed and argued Del Cid-Morales provoked the group by getting off the bus and using deadly force. “There is no reason why he needs to be getting off at that bus stop,” the prosecutor stated.
Judge Park said evidence at this stage in the case doesn’t point in favor of a self-defense argument, stating there is no evidence that the knives and imitation firearm were ever brandished against the defendant before he shot at the group. He further argued the defendant’s decision to get off the bus after the group went against his argument that he feared for his life. “If he was in fear he wouldn’t have left the bus,” said Judge Park.
Judge Park found no combination of release conditions could guarantee the community’s safety, and ordered Del Cid-Morales be held pending further proceedings.
A trial date was scheduled for Jan. 10, 2028.
Parties are slated to reconvene Dec. 17.
