Judge Finds Probable Cause And Holds Shooting Defendant

By Mia Kimm - April 11, 2025
Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Suspects |

DC Superior Court Judge Eric Glover denied a defendant’s request for release after finding probable cause in a non-fatal shooting case on April 8.

Christopher Forbes, 30, is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, and endangerment with a firearm in a public place for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on the 1800 block of A Street SE on April 5. No injuries were reported.

An officer from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) testified that he responded to the incident after receiving a call about sounds of gunshots. He said he witnessed an individual in a “light-colored hoodie or jacket, gray pants, and white shoes” yelling into a cellphone. The officer further testified that a witness said they heard gunshots and after looking through a window, they saw a Black man in a light-colored hoodie or jacket, gray pants, and white shoes.

While canvassing the area, the police stopped an individual who matched the description provided by the witness. The individual, later identified as Forbes, allegedly said, “I have a dog on me” in reference to a firearm that was recovered by the police. According to the officer, shell casings were also recovered from the scene.

The officer also affirmed that Forbes allegedly admitted to having a firearm while engaging in a debrief with the police.

The prosecution argued that there is probable cause for the offenses charged as Forbes admitted to possessing a firearm, shell casings were found in the street, and the witness identified him as the individual she saw in the block seconds after the shooting.

Forbes’ defense attorney, Michelle Stevens, asked Judge Glover to deny probable cause. She said that, while Forbes was candid about many elements of the case, he denied firing the gunshots in public. Stevens also argued that he was on his phone when the police arrived and that “there’s a whole world of possibilities to exist” before the officers arrived. 

Judge Glover said there is probable cause that Forbes fired the shots. He reasoned that the witness looked out the window and saw an individual on the phone shortly after the shooting. Additionally, MPD officers found Forbes and he matched the description given by the witness. Furthermore, there were shell casings found where Forbes was which matched the firearm recovered.

Stevens asked Judge Glover to grant release with conditions. She argued that this case originally involved a possession offense and Forbes was compliant with MPD. She further stated that Forbes was employed, has family in the community, and has a verifiable address in Maryland.

The prosecution dissented and said that no conditions would ensure the safety of the community. They argued that Forbes is charged with firing a firearm while on supervision for a robbery case and an improper display of a firearm case. Furthermore, he had already been found non-compliant with release conditions for one of those cases. The prosecution added that the defendant also has an additional prior conviction for simple assault and second-degree cruelty to children.

Judge Glover said that the charges in this case are more serious than a possession offense. He said that, while there is no eyewitness testimony, he determined there is probable cause Forbes committed the crime. When considering Forbes’ previous convictions, Judge Glover said that Forbes knew he was not allowed to possess a firearm and still allegedly had one. As a result, he decided to detain Forbes.

Parties are expected to reconvene on April 18.