Judge Gives Shooter Time to Consider Plea Offer Pending Surveillance Video

By Shea Carlberg - July 1, 2024
Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Suspects |

DC Superior Court Judge Heidi Pasichow granted a defense attorney’s request for his client to have more time to consider a plea offer.

Darius Thomas, 27, is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction greater than one year, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, possession of an unregistered firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition. These charges stem from his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that took place on March 25 on the 3700 block of 10th Street, NW.

At the June 28 hearing, defense attorney John Machado, asked Judge Pasichow to set a deadline for Raymond Elementary School, located on the 900 block of Spring Road, NW, near the shooting, to respond to a subpoena. The school captured the incident on surveillance footage.

The school that has not responded to a subpoena, which Judge Pasichow agreed to address at the next hearing. 

Machado also requested a return date for which the court must take action if the school hasn’t responded to the subpoena.

According to arrest documents, a witness at the scene of the incident informed Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers responding to a report of gunfire that the alleged shooter had entered a white Acura SUV with two unidentified individuals. Police stopped the vehicle and found Thomas carrying a handgun in his jacket pocket.

Court documents state that the scene of the incident was near a recreational facility containing school-age children.

Parties are slated to return on Aug. 2.