Judge Finds Probable Cause Two Brothers Connected to a Fatal Shooting

By Jaclyn Sersland [former] - August 25, 2023
Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On Aug. 24, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun found there was probable cause two brothers were behind a drive-by shooting that left one dead. 

Davon Alston, 19, and Juvan Alston, 21, are charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly killing 17-year-old Dennis Simms on the 800 block of Yuma Street, SE, on July 1, 2022. Simms died from a single gunshot wound to his head.

According to a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) homicide detective, a black Mercedes which was carjacked earlier that morning in Maryland was connected to the shooting. The detective said someone pointing a gun out of the Mercedes’ window was captured on CCTV footage at the crime scene.

The MPD detective said the Mercedes was connected back to the defendants because they allegedly started an “Instagram Live” video shortly after the shooting which showed themselves in the car with weapons and one of them was wearing a “distinct chain” the complaining witness in the Maryland carjacking case said was taken with his car. 

According to the detective, the Mercedes was recovered, but it had intentionally been set on fire. 

The MPD detective also testified about the defendant’s “beef” with someone that allegedly brought the brothers to the neighborhood. He said the person had allegedly robbed Juvan at gunpoint in the back of the car, and this shooting was allegedly in retaliation for that. However, according to court documents, a family member of Simms said he was not the intended target. 

The MPD detective testified about a direct message Davon sent to someone on Instagram about the person who allegedly robbed Juvan. According to the detective, the message said “I’m gonna kill his bitchass and do the time for it, just keep checking the [Insta] gram.” 

Defense attorneys asked the detective about other suspects in the case and why they weren’t investigated further. The detective said one of the suspects had a GPS monitor which was turned off at the time and there was no way to confirm where he was, but multiple people told police officers he and Simms were friends. 

Judge Okun said the evidence pointed heavily to there being probable cause Davon and Juvan caused Simms’ death. 

Defense attorneys asked for Davon and Juvan to be released so they could respond to a carjacking charge pending in Maryland which is connected to this case. Judge Okun denied this request given the fact that the severity of the charge against them in DC was more serious. 

The next hearing is scheduled for Oct. 5.