Judge Detains Shooting Defendant During Presentments

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On Oct. 11, DC Superior Court Judge Eric Glover detained a non-fatal shooting defendant as he awaits further proceedings. 

Nataniel Arce-Washington, 28, is charged with two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on Oct. 9, at the intersection of Queen Street and Montello Avenue, NE. The incident left two individuals suffering from severe gunshot wounds. 

According to court documents, officers responded to the sounds of gunshots where they located the first victim suffering from a gunshot wound in the back of his neck. He was transported to a hospital, where medical staff said he was paralyzed from the neck down from the from the shooting.

The second victim was dropped off from a private car in front of an ambulance at the intersection of Florida Avenue and Eckington Place, NE. He was transported to a hospital for life-threatening injuries, where he received emergency surgery after having lost a large part of his intestines from the injury.

Arce-Washington was apprehended at the scene.

Steven Ogilvie, Arce-Washington’s defense attorney, pleaded his client not guilty to all charges, and requested the court not find probable cause arguing Arce-Washington acted in self-defense. He also requested Arce-Washington be released, stating he has no prior violent history, is employed, college educated, and is the sole care-taker of a child. 

Prosecutors opposed the argument, stating the two victims were fleeing from Arce-Washington as he shot at them ten times, debunking their self-defense argument. They requested he be held, arguing that none of the reasons presented stopped him from shooting at the victims. 

Judge Glover found probable cause that Arce-Washington was the perpetrator in the incident. He also denied the defense’s request for release, stating he remains a danger to the community and there is no proof he was acting in self-defense. 

Arce-Washington is expected to appear in front of DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan on Oct. 19 for a preliminary hearing.