Judge Denies Release of Suspect Accused of Shooting at Uncle

By Vivien Williams [former] , Sofia Feigelson [former] - June 10, 2024
Non-Fatal Shooting |

DC Superior Court Judge Renee Raymond denied the release of a defendant allegedly involved in a non-fatal shooting with a family member after he waived a preliminary hearing on June 7.

Jaylon Deangelo Whack, 29, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm for allegedly firing a single shot at his uncle following a verbal dispute in his relative’s home on May 29 on the 3700 block of Horner Place, SE. No injuries were reported.

According to court documents, the defendant and his uncle had been arguing on the first-floor about various issues in the home. Whack allegedly went upstairs and came back with a firearm, pointing it directly at his uncle and shooting his gun, missing him.

At the hearing, after waiving the preliminary hearing, defense attorney Matthew Hertz recognized the seriousness of his client’s charges, but argued for Whack’s release on GPS monitoring. 

Hertz emphasized Whack’s lack of criminal history, adding that his client would have a place to stay in the area and is involved with Project Empowerment, a job readiness training program in DC. 

The prosecution objected and restated the alleged facts of the case, noting that Whack’s 81-year-old grandmother was at the scene when he fired his gun. 

“It is lucky that no one was hit,” said the prosecution. 

Despite the defense’s argument, Judge Raymond sided with the prosecution and denied Whack’s release acknowledging there is “significantly more than probable cause.”

Judge Raymond also imposed a stay away order from Whack’s uncle and the location of the incident.

The parties are slated to reconvene on July 11.