Judge Finds Probable Cause After Hearing of Gruesome injuries in Assault With Intent to Kill Case 

By Adriana Marroquin - December 13, 2023
Daily Stories | Shooting | Suspects |

On Dec. 12, DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo found probable cause that a defendant was the perpetrator in a non-fatal shooting case. 

Andrew Black, 50, is charged with assault with intent to kill, aggravated assault while armed, and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, for his alleged involvement in a shooting that left an individual suffering from life-threatening injuries on Sept. 9. The incident occurred on the 4600 block of Connecticut Avenue, NW. 

Before the preliminary hearing, prosecutors alerted Judge Demeo that they had a pre-preliminary hearing plea offer for Black, which required he plead guilty to aggravated assault while armed and carrying a pistol without a license. If he accepted, the prosecution would not seek an indictment, and if the victim succumbs to his injuries, they would not upgrade the charges to homicide. 

Black rejected the plea deal and requested to go through with the preliminary hearing. 

Prosecutors called a detective from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to testify. 

According to the detective, there is surveillance footage of the hours leading up to the shooting, the shooting, and when Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and police arrived at the scene. 

Footage shows that in hours leading up to the incident, an individual identified as Black, an unnamed male identified as suspect two, and a woman were moving furniture into Black’s apartment. Black was seen wearing a purple shirt and dark pants. 

Moments later, Black and the unnamed male leave the premises, and return not long afterwards in the same clothing.

A short time later, the victim arrives, gets out of his car, walks towards the entrance, holds the door open for a parcel carrier, and returns to the back side of his vehicle. 

Black and the unnamed male exit the building, walk towards the victim’s vehicle, with a gun visible in Black’s right hand,  and a muzzle flash and smoke are seen coming from Black’s standing location. 

The victim then attempts to run away, and Black and his companion walk the opposite direction.

According to the detective, the victim, who remains in the hospital three months after the incident, sustained at least one gunshot wound to his abdomenal area, and has had extensive surgeries which include a partial removal of vital organs like the spleen and liver. 

The detective also stated the victim’s physicians have claimed his expected life-span is only five years, and it is possible he will never be able to walk or leave the hospital again. 

An image of the victim, taken by the detective in November, was displayed in court. The victim’s abdomen remains open, and he’s attached to machines that assist him to breathe and speak. 

Black’s defense attorney, Quo Mieko Judkins, questioned the detective’s knowledge about an incident between a witness and the victim in the weeks leading up to the shooting. According to the detective, a witness who identified herself as Black’s stepmother told MPD that the victim and Black had never spoken to each other, but she knew Black was upset about the victim allegedly assaulting the witness two weeks before the shooting.

According to the witness, Black, in front of the victim, said, “I have my cousin, we can kill anyone”. The victim heard the statement and did not react. 

Prosecutors argued Black’s statement, the close range shooting, and his animosity towards the victim show the intent to kill him. They requested Judge Demeo find probable cause, and continue to hold Black.

Judkins requested Judge Demeo not find probable cause, and requested Black be released on 24 hour home confinement, arguing he has a strong support system and a job. 

Judge Demeo found probable cause for all charges, and denied the defense’s request for release, citing Black’s “clear record of dangerousness,” due to his lengthy conviction history, which includes multiple gun, malicious wounding, and assault charges. 

Parties are slated to return March 1.