DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson found probable cause that a defendant was the perpetrator in a shooting incident during a hearing on Jan. 23, and denied his request for release.
Matthew Murphy, 61, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, for his alleged involvement in a shooting that injured a child on Oct. 27, 2025 on the 4900 block of Ayers Place, SE.
According to court documents, officers located the victim a block away from the incident at a church on the 4900 block of East Capitol Street, SE.
During the hearing, prosecutors called on a responding officer from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), who recalled receiving simultaneous calls for the sounds of gunshots, and for assistance needed for a male gunshot victim. She rendered aid to the victim when she arrived on the scene, stating there was a trail of blood between the incident location and the church steps where the victim was found.
According to the officer, the victim told police that “[Murphy] had been harassing his family on multiple occasions” and that the “he lives in their apartment building near the laundry room.”
The officer stated the victim identified the shooter as “a Black male, approximately six feet in height.”
The officer testified that about three hours later, Murphy called 911 to identify himself as the shooter.
“My mind was so messed up I tried to kill them this morning, my gun, I tried to shoot them, but the gun jammed by the grace and mercy of Allah didn’t let the bullets go,” Murphy told police during an interview, according to the officer.
During her testimony, the officer told the parties that Murphy told police that he shot because the victim and another individual, who Murphy claimed are homosexuals, were looking into his window on the first floor of the building.
Prosecution requested Judge Dayson find probable cause for assault with intent to kill and aggravated assault, arguing that Murphy followed the victim and his companion out of the building and shot at them.
Murphy’s attorney Molly Bunke argued against probable cause, claiming that the officer did not seem credible, stating that she was unaware and did not remember a lot about the investigation. Bunke further argued Murphy suffers from mental health issues, and there was no photo identification done in order to identify Murphy as the perpetrator.
Judge Dayson sided with the prosecution and found probable cause, arguing Murphy knew what he was doing even though he claimed his “gun jammed by the grace of Allah.”
Bunke requested the release of Murphy, citing his old criminal history that consists of misdemeanors dating back to almost twenty years ago, arguing he needs mental health treatment through a community, and claiming he is not a threat to the community.
The prosecutor refuted this, highlighting the nature of his offenses, his mental health concerns, and his criminal history, which included assaultive behavior. They further argued that being at the jail provides a structure for him that he cannot achieve anywhere else, and that he is deemed as a threat to the general public.
Judge Dayson granted the prosecution’s request to continue holding Murphy.
Parties are set to meet on April 3.
