Jury Acquits Shooting Suspect on Most Serious Charge

By Mia Febles , Audrey Staudacher - March 16, 2024
Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On March 11, a jury acquitted a shooting suspect on the charge of assault with intent to kill but found him guilty on lesser counts in a case before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan.

Kamara Hoffler, 32, was originally charged with assault with intent to kill, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, and multiple unlawful possession of a firearm charges, for his involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on Sept. 19, 2022, on the 800 block of Barnaby Street, SE. One individual sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the incident. 

Throughout the trial, the prosecution provided the jury with extensive surveillance footage of the shooting to try and prove that Hoffler did not act in self defense. 

The video allegedly showed Hoffler stumbling out of the apartment building, the victim following him into the parking lot, the victim aggressively kicking a piece of trash on the ground, and ultimately, a crossfire between Hoffler and the victim.

In closing statements, Hoffler’s defense attorneys, Jamison Koehler and Karen Minor, argued that the victim “posed a deathly threat,” in pursuing Hoffler into the parking lot, which caused him to act in self defense. 

The prosecution said the victim was acting out of fear for his children’s safety, and Hoffler discharged his firearm first and did so “excessively,” which indicated his intent to kill the victim.

Following two-day deliberations, the jury of 12 found Hoffler guilty of two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction, one count of carrying a pistol without a license, one count of unlawful possession of ammunition, and one count of possession of an unregistered firearm.

Hoffler was also found guilty on lesser-included offenses of assault with a dangerous weapon and aggravated assault while armed.

Sentencing is scheduled for June 14.