DC Superior Court Judge Renee Raymond released a shooting defendant who said he fired shots to protect his family at a preliminary hearing on April 6.
Shalamar Brown, 31, is charged with endangerment with a firearm for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting at the 4600 block of Hillside Road, SE on Feb. 21.
According to court documents, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers responded after ShotSpotter, a software used to detect and collect sounds of gunshots in the District, alerted MPD of 15 shots fired. CCTV video footage reportedly shows a suspect, alleged to be Brown, outside the incident location, ducking as if he was avoiding gun shots, before retrieving a shotgun and firing approximately four rounds. The suspect can then be seen collecting the spent shell casings.
At the hearing, Brown’s attorney, Sean McCliggott alerted the court that his client intended to waive his preliminary hearing rights.
McCliggott argued for Brown to be released. He stated that Brown’s house was shot at during the incident, and that he was acting in self-defense to protect his family since his wife and five children were in the house.
According to McCliggott, Brown’s home has been burgled several times and he had to relocate to a hotel for the safety of his family.
In addition, McCliggott stated that Brown is employed and is the sole provider for his family.
The prosecution argued that Brown should remain held stating even though Brown has no prior gun offenses, the weight of the evidence in this case is strong based on the arrest warrant.
Judge Raymond found that Brown could be released on personal recognizance without endangering the safety of the community. Brown was released on his promise to appear in court, but is required to contact the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) twice a month.
The parties are scheduled to reconvene on May 11.
