Judge Denies Motion for New Trial in Non-Fatal Shooting

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On Oct. 6, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan denied a motion for a new trial in a 2019 shooting case because of credibility issues with two witnesses.

Travis Littlejohn, 38, was found guilty on four charges of assault with intent to kill while armed, one count of aggravated assault while armed, and multiple counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his involvement in a mass shooting that occurred on the 3800 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE, on July 5, 2019.

According to court documents, four victims sustained non-life threatening wounds as a result of an altercation at a Shell gas station.

According to Littlejohn’s defense attorney, Lee Smith, his trial counsel failed to call two witnesses who allegedly saw the shooter and claimed it was not Littlejohn. Smith argued the testimony of these witnesses could affect the jury’s ruling.

In addition, he said the surveillance footage of someone getting out of a car and extending a hand may not have been the shooter, who could have been out of view.

In response, the prosecution argued the witnesses were biased given their relationship with Littlejohn, thus their testimony was not reliable.

Judge Raffinan denied the motion for a new trial, citing the inconsistent statements the witnesses had provided compared to video footage of the incident.

Parties are expected to reconvene for Littlejohn’s sentencing on Nov. 16.