Judge Denies Request for Release of 21-Year-Old Mass Shooting Defendant

By Sophie Griggs [former] , Sadie Herman [former] - October 16, 2023
Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On Oct 16, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun denied the defense’s request to release a suspect allegedly involved in a murder.

William Johnson-Lee, 21, is one of six defendants charged in relation to a mass shooting on the 600 block of Longfellow Street, NW on Sept. 4, 2021. Johnson-Lee was charged with one count of conspiracy, four counts of first-degree murder while armed premeditated and with aggravating circumstances, nine counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, three counts of assault with significant bodily injury while armed, two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, and one count of carrying a pistol without a license outside of home or business, for his alleged involvement in the murder of 31- year old Donnetta Dyson, 24-year old Keenan Braxton, 37- year old Johnny Joyner, as well as injuring three other individuals.

Co-defendants Erwin DuBose, 28, and Kamar Queen, 25, are charged with 21 counts, which include first-degree murder, assault with intent to kill while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, conspiracy, unlawful possession of a firearm, and assault with significant bodily injury while armed. 

Co-defendant Damonta Thompson, 26, is charged with first-degree murder, assault with intent to kill, conspiracy, and assault with significant bodily injury while armed. 

Toyia Johnson, 50, and Mussye Rezene, 30, are charged for allegedly tampering with physical evidence and for being an accessory while armed after the incident occurred. 

The prosecution said that Johnson-Lee “fired indiscriminately into a busy gathering on Labor Day weekend”. They showed video exhibits from the day of the incident, which show an individual, who was  allegedly identified by a grand jury witness as Johnson-Lee, directly involved in the shooting. However, the video played in court does not clearly show any of the shooters’ faces or identifying features. 

According to prosecutors, the grand jury returning an indictment for Johnson-Lee establishes probable cause for Johnson-Lee to be detained. The prosecution further explained that the “incredibly violent nature” of the crime additionally supports detention. 

Johnson-Lee’s defense attorney, Peter Fayne, argued that Johnson-Lee is not a flight risk and that “he does not pose a danger to the community” and therefore should be released. Fayne further explained that Johnson-Lee does not have any previous criminal convictions, and that all of the information against Johnson-Lee is solely from a grand jury witness. Fayne also said that he believes that the defense “will be victorious” in trial due to a lack of evidence from the prosecution. 

Judge Okun denied the request for release, saying that “this is the most serious offense in the District”. He also stated that “the nature of the offense clearly weighs heavily, heavily in favor of detention.”

Parties are expected to return Nov. 3.