Judge Denies Motion to Suppress Evidence in Shooting Case

By Carolyn Flammini , Mia Febles - April 23, 2024
Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan denied a shooting defendant’s motion to suppress statements made to law enforcement at the time of his arrest. 

Ronnel Offutt, 35, is charged with four counts of assault with intention to kill while armed, six counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with intent to kill while armed against a minor, and aggravated assault knowingly while armed for his alleged involvement in a mass shooting that injured multiple people at a bus stop on the 2300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, on Feb. 4, 2019. Five individuals, including a 5-year-old girl, were injured.

Offutt’s defense attorney, Janai Reed, argued a lack of probable cause at the time of Offutt’s arrest in that officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) showed up at his home at 3 am not providing sufficient reason for his arrest. 

They also raised concerns about Offutt’s taking pain medication for a previous injury at the hospital, before an interview with the police.

Reed further argued detectives coerced Offutt during questioning. She claimed they misled him by suggesting he needed to sign paperwork before receiving information and failed to inform him of his right to refuse a buccal swab to connect his DNA to other evidence recovered at the scene. 

According to court documents when one of the detectives asked Offutt if he was informed of his rights he stated “No, oh wait yeah yeah”.

The defense illustrated Offutt’s confusion when he said, “I need to talk to somebody, I need to figure out what’s going on.” 

On April 23, Judge Raffinan denied the defense’s motion to suppress Offutt’s statements during his interview and information from his buccal swab, declaring that there was probable cause to arrest Offutt. 

Additionally, Judge Raffinan indicated that she did not find that police coerced Offutt and all statements made during his arrest and interview were voluntary.  

According to court documents, Offutt is “no novice to the criminal system” and Judge Raffinan noted his extensive criminal history.

Parties are slated to return on July 27 and trial is set for Sept. 8.