Judge Orders Full Mental Competency Exam for Shooting Defendant

By Mia Kimm - March 8, 2024
Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On March 8, DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan ordered a full mental competency examination for a non-fatal shooting defendant to see if can work with his lawyer and understand the charges against him.

Stephen Rattigan, 48, also known as James Julius, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, cruelty to animals, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and two counts of assault on a police officer while armed for his alleged involvement in the shooting of three Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers on Feb. 14 on the 5000 block of Hanna Place, SE. A fourth officer received injuries unrelated to gunshots. 

According to MPD documents, officers went to the location to locate Rattigan due to an arrest warrant for animal cruelty. When the officers were outside, Rattigan allegedly fired multiple gunshots through the doorway hitting three officers. Then, Rattigan barricaded himself inside his residence and continued to shoot. Eventually, he surrendered and was taken into custody. 

On Feb. 29, the court ordered Rattigan undergo a preliminary mental competency exam through the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH). 

On March 8, the court reviewed the report which was inconclusive as the doctor was unable to form an opinion. 

The doctor recommended a full competency exam to determine if Rattigan was mental competent. The prosecution and defense counsel agreed, and Judge Raffinan said the exam should be completed by the next hearing.

Parties are expected to return to court on April 11 for a mental observation hearing.