Judge Finds Probable Cause in Shooting After Officer’s Testimony

By Alex Garcia Pecina - October 18, 2024
Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

DC Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann found probable cause in a shooting case on Oct. 15 after hearing testimony from the officer that detained the suspect.

Dupre Jones, 26, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful discharge of a firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm with prior conviction, and carrying a pistol without a license. The charges stem from his alleged involvement in a shooting on Oct. 11 that occurred on the 4500 block of First Street, SW.

During the hearing, the prosecution called a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer who testified that he was notified of a shooting and dispatched to look for the suspect. While patrolling, he stopped and detained the defendant who matched the description the victim had given officers. While he stopped Jones, the officer allegedly found a firearm on his right ankle. 

According to the officer, the victim told MPD that she and Jones were together and she asked Jones to leave because he was playing music loudly. Jones allegedly began to point the firearm at her before going outside and loitering. The victim went outside and asked him to leave again, but Jones allegedly fired a shot into the sky. A casing was later found at the scene.

During cross examination, Adgie O’Bryant, Jones’ attorney, revealed that there was no direct connection between the casing found on the scene and the firearm found on Jones’ body. The officer testified that the only correlation was the 9mm gun type. The officer also testified the victim did not sustain any injuries. 

O’Bryant argued that the evidence did not meet probable cause for all charges, but more specifically the evidence did not meet the burden for the assault with a dangerous weapon charge. He argued that the officers did not see or hear from the victim that she had any injuries, so there was no assault.

Prosecution rebutted that Jones matched the description that the victim gave the officers. She also affirmed that the casing found on the scene corroborated the connection of firearms, even though the Department of Forensic Sciences (DFS) needed to further process Jones’ gun. 

Additionally, the prosecution alerted the court of previous issues with compliance while on probation for another crime. According to the prosecution, Jones failed to comply with conditions weeks into probation. The prosecutor argued that he could not be released under any conditions to keep the community safe. 

Judge Herrmann ruled that there was probable cause, informing the parties that the defendant pointing and waving his firearm at the victim was assault. 

Judge Herrmann ordered Jones to stay in custody, arguing there are no conditions that can guarantee the community’s safety.

Parties are slated to reconvene Nov. 1.