DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park ruled there was probable cause in a homicide case on Oct. 24.
Kareem Thomas, 37, is charged with second-degree murder for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 23-year-old Jakele Allen that occurred on Oct. 21, 2024, at the intersection of 16th Street and Kentucky Avenue, SE.
Judge Park ordered Thomas remain detained after ruling that probable cause had been established in a murder case that the defense argued was self-defense. The hearing featured testimony from a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective and focused on conflicting accounts of the shooting.
The detective was called to testify and answered a series of questions from defense attorney Rachel Cicurel about nine witnesses, and their claims. For each witness, Cicurel asked whether they had seen the shooting, heard an argument before or during it, observed anyone else at the scene, or noticed a car nearby. She also asked if any of the witnesses saw Allen mocking the defendant, heard gunfire patterns, or approached Allen after he was shot.
One of the witnesses allegedly told the detective that the suspect fled the scene in a sedan. Two witnesses, according to the detective, also claimed that the shooter wore a red coat, and that there were multiple, spread-out gunshots.
According to the detective, another witness allegedly heard Allen taunt Thomas after repeatedly failing to shoot him, saying “I’m still here”.
The detective stated that other witnesses mentioned it was normal for Allen to carry around a firearm, and that he had allegedly been involved in robberies prior to the incident.
Following the detective’s testimony, the defense argued that the prosecution had not established probable cause, but cited evidence suggesting self-defense. Cicurel asserted that both firearms at the scene belonged to Allen and that shell casings found scattered around the area supported the claim that Thomas fired in self-defense. The defense contended that Allen attempted to shoot Thomas and steal his car, prompting Thomas to take Allen’s weapon and return fire to protect himself.
The prosecution countered that probable cause was clear, noting that Thomas continued shooting even after taking cover behind a car, which they argued exceeded reasonable self-defense. Prosecutors also referenced Thomas’s prior criminal history as evidence of potential risk.
Judge Park ruled that probable cause had been established, stating that while self-defense may be further explored at trial, there was sufficient basis for the charges.
The prosecution requested that Thomas continue in jail, citing his criminal record, prior bench warrants, and out-of-state ties to New York, which they said increased the risk of flight.
Cicurel requested home confinement with GPS monitoring, emphasizing that Thomas has a stable support system in the DC area, works multiple jobs and provides for his family. She described him as a man with strong community ties and argued that the self-defense claim reduced any perceived threat to public safety.
Judge Park ultimately sided with the prosecution, citing the seriousness of the offense and the defendant’s criminal history.
The parties are scheduled to reconvene on Feb. 27.
