Case Acquitted: More Testimony in Shooting and Stabbing Trial

By Nick Pallotto [former] - December 1, 2023
Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | stabbing | Suspects |

This case was acquitted on Dec. 1, 2023.

On Nov. 30, parties gave closing arguments in the shooting and stabbing case of Randy Deleon before DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan. 

Deleon, 46, is charged with three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and one count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a shooting and stabbing incident, which occurred at a family-owned restaurant, at the intersection of Lamont and 17th Street, NW, on Aug. 27. The victims were a father and son, one suffering from a stab wound during an altercation. No injuries were reported from the shooting.

Prior to the parties’ closing arguments, the prosecution called two witnesses to testify, a Metropolitan Police Officer (MPD) who arrested Deleon two days after the incident occurred and an individual who lives close to the family-owned restaurant. 

Prosecutors showed the body cam footage of the officer who arrested Deleon at his shoe store, two days after the shooting and stabbing incident. 

According to the officer, Deleon was searched at the time but no weapons were recovered. However, they did observe a large wound on his stomach. 

Defense Attorney Peter Odom questioned if the officer shared the information about the wound with other officers.

According to the officer, when they arrived at Deleon’s business, they asked Deleon if he needed to go to the hospital he refused but asked the officers if he could go to the hospital after he was arrested. 

Then prosecutors called a witness who lives on Lamont Street who said he was asleep in his apartment when he was awakened by a single gunshot. He stated he was unclear about where the shooting occurred, but knew it was “close enough.”

Odom, in his cross-examination, asked the witness about a statement that he had made to MPD contrary to what he told prosecutors about seeing nothing outside his window. 

According to Odom, the witness allegedly told MPD a few days after the incident that he saw an individual in a red shirt running down 17th Street and crouching between cars.

He told Odom that he meant to tell police that he “thought he saw” someone in a red shirt running down that street but it could’ve been something else. 

After the testimony, Odom moved to dismiss the case, arguing there was insufficient evidence to prove Deleon’s guilt. Additionally, Odom told Judge Ryan that no evidence shows Deleon in possession of a gun. 

Judge Ryan said that the previous testimony from the father and his son is enough to support the assault with a dangerous weapon charges, stating the father specifically testified Deleon told him he was going to get a gun during their altercation

Judge Ryan also cited the testimony where the father told police that Deleon had stabbed him. Based on the testimony, Judge Ryan denied the defense motion for acquittal and dismissal.

Odom then called Deleon’s wife to testify. 

She remembers seeing Deleon’s stomach wound and taking an image of the injury. She also stated she didn’t know of any guns in their home, Deleon’s vehicle, or the shoe store. 

Then Odom called the lead detective regarding his interactions with the son and father.  

According to the officer, he questioned the father and son about whether they were armed during the incident, to which they both replied they were not. 

When asked if the other officers told him that the father was armed with a machete during the incident, the officer said he couldn’t recall.

Odom informed the officer that during his grand jury testimony, he said the father was armed with a machete during the incident. However, the officer said he couldn’t recall.

Additionally, the officer told Odom that no photos of Deleon were ever shared with him or the other officers following his arrest.

Jury deliberations are expected the week of Dec.4.