DC Superior Court Judge Heide Herrmann found probable cause on July 15 in a shooting case where a defendant allegedly fled the scene with a stolen vehicle.
Davion Brown, 24, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction of more than one year, for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on the 3800 block of Commodore Joshua Barney Drive, NE on June 15.
At the hearing, a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective testified that surveillance footage showed three individuals firing shots at two people before fleeing in a stolen vehicle. There was also a fourth suspect involved, who was allegedly Brown, inside the vehicle when the shooting occurred.
The detective said that US Park Police trailed the four suspects as they fled the scene before crashing the stolen vehicle. The detective said Brown was reportedly apprehended at the crash scene and no other suspects were identified.
Both parties questioned the detective on the physical descriptions of the three shooters, supplemented by CCTV footage from the crime scene. This included clothing, shoes, and “bluish-purple” gloves worn by one of the suspects.
Brown’s attorney, Charlotte Gilliland, argued that prosecutors claim Brown was the fourth occupant of the car, and that no evidence could link him to the firearm charges against him. Gilliland cited Brown’s forehead injury consistent with damage to the passenger seat of the vehicle. No one was seen exiting the passenger seat in the surveillance footage, she argued, which meant he must have been seated there.
Prosecutors argued Brown should remain detained, emphasizing the severity of offense he is accused of. They noted that 66 shell casings were recovered from a residential neighborhood, with multiple bullets striking parked vehicles and causing extensive property damage.
Judge Hermann found probable cause on all charges, citing the severity of the offense. The judge described the incident as “extremely violent,” and found sufficient evidence to link Brown to the charges against him.
In addition, the judge denied Brown’s release, finding that “no conditions could reasonably ensure the safety of the community.”
Parties are scheduled to reconvene on Aug. 18.
