Judge Won’t End Home Confinement For Shooting Suspect

By Elizabeth Brady - October 24, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting |

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan rejected a shooting defendant’s request to cancel home confinement on Oct. 23, but modified a release order allowing him to go to work, find alternative housing, and take his children to medical appointments.

Vann Allen, 35, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, and assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on Nov. 11, 2023. 

According to police reports, one victim was wounded on the 1400 block of New York Avenue, NE.

During the hearing, Allen’s attorney, Sellano Simmons, argued Allen’s release conditions should be modified from home confinement to only GPS tracking, as the defendant is not a flight risk. 

According to Simmons, this would allow Allen to be more involved in his children’s lives, get more flexible work hours at his new restaurant management job, and find alternative housing. 

The prosecution argued against modifying Allen’s release conditions, asserting that “the status quo is sufficient” and that the defendant remains a danger to the community. 

A representative from the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) reported to Judge Raffinan that the defendant had been compliant with his six-month home confinement and there have been no issues. 

Judge Raffinan modified the order to account for the defense’s request to allow Allen to work and help with his children, but will remain in home confinement. The judge would like to see Allen’s work become more permanently. If Allen remains compliant, Judge Raffinan said, she will reconsider the confinement order at the next hearing. 

The parties are set to reconvene on Nov. 20.