Judge Issues Bench Warrant for Defendant in Non-Fatal Shooting Case

By Rohan Naval - February 25, 2024
Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On Feb. 23, D.C Superior Court Judge Robert Okun issued a bench warrant for a defendant after successive failures to appear.

Tejan Bah, 33, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with significant bodily injury, and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, among other charges, for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on Nov. 27, 2021 on the 2200 block of 25th Place, NE. The incident left an individual suffering from a gunshot wound to his chest and a stab wound to his shoulder.

Bah failed to appear in court today, after being released from D.C Jail on Aug. 24.

The judge opened by noting the defendant’s failure to appear at a previous hearing on Jan.19. He reserved the right to issue a bench warrant at the time, stating that he would do so if Bah failed to appear.

The prosecution referenced a Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) report that stated that Bah was last in contact with them on Feb. 6, stating that he failed to appear on Feb. 12 and in two other required appearances.

Gemma Stevens, Bah’s defense attorney, stated that there is “no indication he is doing anything violent or dangerous”, pointing out that he has had no arrests or “incidents with law enforcement.”

The judge stated that his failure to appear represented a problem for the case, and issued a bench warrant. The matter was continued. 

Parties are set to reconvene on March 11.