Shooting Defendant Rejects Plea Offer, Asserts Innocence

A shooting defendant rejected the prosecution’s plea offer before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on April 24.

Christopher Wise, 34, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm, carrying a pistol without a license outside home or business, possession of an unregistered firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on June 10, 2024, on the 4100 block of Hayes Street, NE. The incident left one person injured.

Through the offer, Wise would plead guilty to one count of assault with intent to kill and one count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence in exchange for no enhancements on these charges.

Additionally, Wise’s other charges would be dismissed, except for the homicide case he is currently under investigation for.

Wise rejected the plea offer, declaring, “I feel as if only a guilty person would accept a plea.”

After rejecting the plea and setting a trial date, Wise’s attorney, Janai Reed, asked to speak to him privately.

Reed wanted to confirm that Wise is receiving his medication while at the DC Jail, as “he seemed scattered.”

Judge Brandt agreed with Reed’s assessment, stating that he seemed different than the last time she saw him. However, Wise asserted that he was taking his medication.

Reed requested an assessment of her client’s mental state, with Judge Brandt agreeing it was necessary before further proceedings.

Parties are slated to reconvene on April 30.

Shooting Defendant Waives Preliminary Hearing, Hold Will Continue

A shooting defendant waived his right to a preliminary hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Eric Glover on April 23.

Marquise Carter, 28, is charged with aggravated assault knowingly while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on July 25, 2024, on the 1400 block of Park Road, NW that injured two people.

According to court documents, the victims and witnesses were driving when they were shot at by an unknown individual.

During the hearing, Stephen LoGerfo, Carter’s attorney, alerted Judge Glover of his intent to waive his right to a preliminary hearing, and Judge Glover accepted the waiver, finding Carter made the decision knowingly and voluntarily.

LoGerfo requested the court consider Carter’s release, arguing he is the full time caretaker for his six children. The prosecution asked that Carter continue to be held in this case, citing the violent nature of the offense, and that the safety of the community could not be guaranteed if he were to be released.

Judge Glover determined Carter should continue to be held.

Parties are slated to reconvene May 22.

Ex-Girlfriend Testifies About Seeing Homicide Suspect Night of the Shooting

An ex-girlfriend and former coworker testified for the prosecution in a homicide trial in front of D.C. Superior Court Judge Jason Park on April 23.

Ranje Reynolds, 28, is charged with first-degree murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 27-year-old Tarek Boothe on Jan. 31, 2022, on the 3200 block of M Street, NW.

Reynolds’s ex-girlfriend testified he called her the night of the shooting and agreed to pick him up in Georgetown despite heavy traffic and a large police presence.

When Reynolds got in her car, she noticed that his finger appeared to be broken and was bleeding. After he refused to go to the hospital, she took him back to her apartment and tended to his injury. At some point that night she learned Boothe had been killed.

She also testified about a trip she took to Jamaica a few months later where she saw Reynolds. She testified about “wanting clarity from [Reynolds] about what happened to Tarek.” When she asked about Boothe’s death, Reynolds allegedly brushed her off. Eventually she told Reynolds about the ongoing investigation into Boothe’s death which she said apparently surprised him.

One of Reynolds’s former coworker’s, also a close friend, testified about Reynolds’ reaction the night of Boothe’s death.

He called Reynolds on Instagram and initially did not get a response. Shortly after, Reynolds called him back and the witness described hearing sirens in the background of the phone call before it ended quickly.

After that brief conversation, he was not able to get into contact with Reynolds again. He said that it was unusual not to be in communication since he was used to talking to Reynolds on a daily basis.

Additionally, crime analysts testified about evaluating blood evidence recovered at the scene. They could likely exclude Booth’s DNA from the samples but say with “very strong statistical support” that Reynolds was the almost certainly the contributor.

Parties are slated to reconvene on April 24.

Case Acquitted: Prosecution Says Love Triangle Is Behind a Shooting

Editor’s Note: Tyshay Moore was acquitted of all charges by a jury on May 2, 2025.

The lawyer for a shooting defendant claimed she could be wrongfully convicted during opening statements on April 23, before DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson.

Tyshay Moore, 28, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, conspiracy, and simple assault for her alleged involvement in a shooting that occurred on May 10, 2023, on the 700 block of 7th Street, NW. One victim suffered gunshot wounds to the face and abdomen.

During openings, the prosecution stated that this was a case about jealousy and relationships. What started as an argument with an ex-partner escalated into a shooting in one of the busiest places in DC.

The prosecution laid out the relationships among the main parties for the jury, referring to them as a “love triangle.” The victim dated and had a child with Javonee Jackson, who was a co-defendant. She accepted a plea deal and was severed from the case. Their relationship ended in 2020. In 2021, the same woman began dating Moore. Their relationship ended in 2023, prior to the incident.

The prosecution claims that on the night of the incident, Jackson went to 7th Street to find the victim and talk to him about their son. They began arguing, escalating the situation, walking out into the street. Moore saw this and decided to “take matters into her own hands.”

According to the prosecution, Moore didn’t like that her ex-partner was still “tied up” with the victim. The prosecution claims Moore punched the victim then took out a gun and shot him in the face and abdomen, leaving him to die.

The prosecution stated that both the victim and Jackson will be testifying in the case.

Varsha Govindaraju, Moore’s attorney, told the jury, “If they actually care about what happened to him [the victim], they would find the person who did this. The person who shot the victim is still out there.”

Govindaraju stated that the prosecution’s case relies heavily on the word of the victim who couldn’t see the shooter. According to Govindaraju, the victim told police he “doesn’t know who shot him.” She also said that the victim has allegedly lied multiple times in criminal cases.

Govindaraju stated that the identification of Moore by the victim’s ex partner is baseless, as she was facing “decades and decades and decades” in prison, so she was pressured into taking a plea deal to avoid jail. Govindaraju told the jury, “the story she will be telling is a story to save herself.”

Govindaraju said there is no DNA, no fingerprints, and no footage from before or after the incident to link Moore to the crime. She ended by stating, “Moore didn’t punch the victim, didn’t shoot the victim, and the [prosecution] didn’t care to find out who did.”

The prosecution called Jackson to testify. She stated she had gone to 7th Street that night because it was her son’s birthday and the victim was “not being a father.” Surveillance footage showed her begin to kick a person identified as the victim before two hooded individuals punched him.

She testified that one of the individuals was a mutual friend of hers and Moore, and the other was Moore herself. She stated she could tell it was Moore even though she was wearing a white mask because she recognized her eyes and voice.

Footage showed the victim running away into the street while Jackson appears to follow, still verbally harassing him, before an individual, later identified as Moore, allegedly took out her gun and shot him.

The witness testified she heard the gunshots and turned around to see the victim on the ground. She told the court, “part of me wanted to stay and part of me wanted to go” but stated, “If I stayed there would be an issue.” The footage showed her fleeing the scene.

The witness stated, “he’s like my best friend,” referring to the victim. She began to cry, stating “we go through a lot but we get through it.”

The witness stated that Moore and the victim had a “hatred relationship.” When Moore and the witness were together, Moore had problems with letting the victim see his son, who was under Jackson’s care.

The witness told the court that on the morning of the incident, she had called Moore to come watch her son because she was going to be taken away by the police after an altercation with her neighbor. According to the witness, when Moore arrived she had a gun.

According to the prosecution, Jackson was arrested on May 11, 2024, but wouldn’t cooperate with the detectives. In court, she stated she “wasn’t really trying to talk” at the time. She said, “situations like this people call it snitching, it’s a safety issue, people die when they snitch.”

Jackson was unable to conclude her testimony, and is scheduled to continue April 24..

The prosecution also called a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer to the stand. The officer testified that she responded to the scene and found someone bleeding from the face, screaming “help me.” Body worn camera footage shows her render aid, holding his face as she requested more medical attention.

The prosecution called an off-duty police officer from Missouri who was in town on a work trip for national police week. The officer testified to seeing multiple individuals having a heated argument in the street. After about ten seconds, he heard five-to-six gunshots and proceeded to dive for cover behind a vehicle.

The officer said that he identified the shooter and started chasing them but lost sight, so he proceeded to render aid to the victim.

The officer testified that he waited on the scene until emergency personnel arrived. He told the officers that arrived that he believed the shooter was a young black man with dreadlocks.

Parties are slated to reconvene 4.24

Restaurant Stabbing Defendant Waives Preliminary Hearing, Detained

A stabbing defendant waived his right to a preliminary hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Eric Glover on April 22.

Ricky Camacho, 45, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a stabbing that occurred in a restaurant on March 31, 2025 on the 1100 block of F Street, NW.

According to court documents, Camacho allegedly entered the establishment and swung a wet floor sign at the victim before exiting. He returned soon after and reportedly stabbed the victim in the hand.

During the hearing, Henry Escoto, Camacho’s attorney, alerted Judge Glover of his intent to waive his right to a preliminary hearing, and Judge Glover agreed, finding Camacho made the decision knowingly and voluntarily.

The prosecution asked that Camacho continue to be held in this case, citing evidence that he allegedly committed the offense while on pre-trial release for another case. Additionally, the prosecution said Camacho has failed to appear in two past cases and has limited ties to the DC area.

Judge Glover determined Camacho should remain held. Parties are slated to reconvene May 16.

Stabbing, Cruelty to Children Defendant Waives Preliminary Hearing

A stabbing defendant waived her right to a preliminary hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman on April 23.

Laverne Wright, 64, is charged with cruelty to children and assault with a dangerous weapon for her alleged involvement in the stabbing of her nine-year-old grandson on April 2 on the 5200 block of Hayes Street, NE.

According to court documents, Wright and her grandson got into an argument that “turned physical.” Wright allegedly pushed her grandson while holding glass in her hands after he threatened her with a hammer.

The victim suffered deep lacerations to his leg and arm, according to court documents.

Wright’s attorney, Adam Harris, alerted Judge Edelman of Wright’s intent to waive her right to a preliminary hearing. Parties are working on negotiating a plea deal, though it is unclear what it could entail.

Parties are slated to reconvene June 2.

Prosecutors Say Witness Lied to Cover Up a Homicide

In spite of defense concerns that her testimony is unreliable, the prosecutor said,“It’s as clear as the elephant in the room” that a woman lied to protect her lover in a homicide case.

The issue was debated before DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan in an April 24 pre-trial hearing for Robert Carpenter, 36. He’s charged with second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior felony conviction within one year.

The counts are in relation to a shooting last May 7 that claimed the life of 42-year-old Tremaine Nicholson in an apartment on the 3400 block of 25th Street, SE.

According to a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) report, the victim died at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds. Initially, a woman at the residence told police she shot the victim during an argument over the whereabouts of their son.

However, she later reversed herself and claimed she lied about the incident in order to cover up for Carpenter, her current lover–and that she coached two witnesses to the shooting to do the same. During the hearing, questions were raised about the woman’s mental competency.

David Knight, Carpenter’s attorney, said the woman’s statements were “hearsay,” because the defense won’t be able to cross-examine the woman in court. She’s been charged with obstruction of justice, according to the prosecutor. However, he said, if she were mentally competent she would have been charged with murder.

Thus, said Knight, the case becomes a “mini-trial” about the woman’s changing narrative.

The prosecutor argued the woman’s statements to police were ultimately valid because they were self-incriminating. “Why the heck would someone admit to killing someone?” he asked. “If we excuse [the woman] we almost take away the very heart of this case.”

Judge Ryan warned the prosecution to “tread lightly” on the woman’s statements made in police custody because they’re “kind of a minefield.” Further, the judge chided the prosecutor for being dismissive of defense arguments.

“To ignore defense concerns is imprudent,” said the judge. The prosecutor apologized and said that was not his intent.

The trial is scheduled to begin on April 28.

Document: Police Arrest 17 Year Old for Shooting on Call Place

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 17-year-old Travis Thomas, who was charged as an adult with Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Gun) following a shooting incident on April 20 in the 5300 block of Call Place, SE.

The victim, a 16-year-old male, was transported to a local hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Eyewitnesses Describe Mass Shooting, One Calls It, ‘An Explosion of Gunshots’

Eyewitnesses confirmed they heard multiple shots fired and saw a black sedan with several suspects driving away from the scene of a murder and mass shooting. The proceeding took place before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on April 22.

William Johnson-Lee, 22, Erwin Dubose, 30, Kamar Queen, 27, and Damonta Thompson, 28, are charged with conspiracy, two counts of premeditated first-degree murder while armed with aggravating circumstances, two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, and three counts of assault with significant bodily injury while armed, for their alleged involvement in the mass shooting that claimed the lives of 31-year-old Donnetta Dyson, 24-year-old Keenan Braxton, and 37-year-old Johnny Joyner.

Dubose, Queen, and Johnson-Lee each have nine additional counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. Queen and Thompson each have one additional count of first-degree murder while armed with aggravating circumstances, and Johnson-Lee has two more counts of the same charge. Dubose, Queen, and Thompson also each have an additional charge of one or more counts of assault with intent to kill while armed.

Dubose and Queen are also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction. Dubose has additional charges of premeditated first-degree murder while armed and tampering with physical evidence. Finally, Queen and Johnson-Lee each have an additional charge of carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business.

The incident occurred on the 600 block of Longfellow Street, NW on Sept. 4, 2021, and left three others suffering from injuries.

Toyia Johnson, 52, and Mussay Rezene, 32, are charged with accessory after the fact while armed and tampering with physical evidence for their alleged involvement in assisting the other defendants in getting rid of the evidence and evading arrest in connection with the case.

Prosecutors called on an eyewitness who resides a block away from the shooting scene, on the 5000 block of 7th Street, NW.

As events transpired, the witness testified, he was eating dinner with his wife before hearing “an explosion of gunshots” and “physically ducking down.”

According to the witness, the gunfire was so close that he “thought it was in the backyard.”

He made his way to the back window, where he saw two men running toward a parked car that “seemed to be waiting.” The car sped off north on 7th Street, the witness stated.

The witness told the jury he “could not tell if they were carrying anything.”

The prosecution also called on witness’ wife who lives in their shared house next to the location of the shooting. She confirmed she heard ten-to-15 shots fired and called 911 immediately after. From her window, she testified, she saw a black sedan drive away. The sedan, she said, had a Virginia license plate, and the driver was wearing a blue surgical mask.

The prosecution called an Information Technology (IT) team lead from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to testify about surveillance footage captured of the shooting.

They played clips from the date and time of the incident capturing a black sedan pulling up to the scene of the shooting. In the video, a group of four men wearing hoods is seen going to a residence and firing multiple rapid shots. The men ran back to the car, before driving away. The witness confirmed the clips accurately reflected the footage she recovered.

Parties are slated to reconvene on April 23.

Judge Won’t Stop Shooting Witness From Testifying

DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson delayed a jury trial in a shooting to allow time to discuss the prosecution’s motion to suppress testimony from a defense witness on April 21.

Tyshay Moore, 27 and Javonee Jackson, 25, are charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, four counts of possession of a firearm during crime of violence, and simple assault for their alleged involvement in a shooting that injured one individual. The incident occurred on May 10, 2023, on the 700 Block of 7th Street, NW.

Court documents state that the victim was found with multiple gunshot wounds to the face and torso. After the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrived at the scene, one of the witnesses stated that a female fired multiple shots at the victim after a verbal altercation. Multiple other witnesses state they saw a group of individuals in an alley and then moments later, shots were fired.

The prosecution on April 21 requested a delay in the trial in order to determine if one of the defense witnesses, the victim, was properly entered within the 14-day notice period. Additionally, the prosecution asked the Court of Appeals for a “stay” or delay in the case.

Tyshay Moore’s attorneys, Varsha Govindaruju and Hannah Claudio, argued they did alert the prosecution that had many opportunities during the lead up to trial to file the motion and chose not to. The defense, also stated delaying this trial even further would be detrimental to Moore, as they have already made travel arrangements for their expert witnesses.

Judge Dayson agreed with the defense and denied the motion to keep the witness off the stand. However, she ordered that the defense not call their witness until after the Court of Appeals reaches a decision.

The parties decided to proceed with jury selection and began scheduling their opening statements.

Parties are set to reconvene on April 22.

Prosecution Says Defendants ‘Hunted, Stalked, and Killed’ Victim in Broad Daylight

Jurors began deliberations after prosecution and defense presented their closing arguments in a four-year-old homicide case before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on April 22 and 23.

Demonte Gibson, 27, and Asani Forte, 27, are charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed, conspiracy, assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and destruction of property for their alleged involvement in the murder of Delonte King, 34, on Nov. 3, 2021, on the 2800 block of 14th Street, NW. Gibson is additionally charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction.

Tre’quan Nelson, 25, was severed as a defendant in this case. However, he was mentioned in evidence presented throughout the trial.

The prosecution described the incident as an “assassination” carried out with a “hailstorm of gunfire” after Gibson and Forte “hunted, stalked, and killed” King in broad daylight.

The prosecution’s repeatedly returned to footage previously shown in court of individuals identified as Gibson, Nelson, and Forte gathering outside an apartment complex, leaving in a hurry, then crossing a busy street where King was later shot. Two bullets ultimately killed King, and the prosecutors claim one hit King’s back, from Gibson’s gun, and one was fired by Nelson, who struck the victim’s head.

“Gibson was the quarterback, Forte the coach, and Nelson the wide receiver,” said prosecutors as they replayed the series of events caught on video surveillance.

The jury was reminded of eyewitness testimony and physical evidence, including Gibson allegedly discarding clothes after the shooting, and Forte allegedly retrieving a jacket referred to in court as the “bouncing red ball,” which prosecutors claim is what pinpoints the group in the surveillance footage.

They also cited Gibson’s conflicting police statements, initially claiming he didn’t know King, only to later admit he knew there was someone with the reputation as a “serial stabber” in his neighborhood.

Gibson’s defense attorney, Kevann Gardner, argued his client acted in self-defense, pointing out King’s alleged history of violence and the use of phencyclidine (PCP), citing four people whom he reportedly stabbed and who testified in court.

“Demonte Gibson had nothing else to do but defend himself and Nelson,” Gibson said. Accusing the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives assigned to this case of having “tunnel vision,” Gardner claimed investigators latched onto Gibson as a suspect early on, ignoring alternative explanations.

Gardner then went over self-defense laws in DC, which don’t require someone to retreat, especially if they’re confronted by someone with a violent reputation. Thus, the prosecution failed to prove that there was no self-defense.

Gardner also attacked the credibility of an eyewitness account and questioned the motives behind calling Gibson’s mother and Forte’s sister to testify.

Forte’s defense attorney, Susan Ellis, told jurors that prosecutors had failed to tie her client to any direct act of violence. Explaining to the jury, Forte didn’t possess or fire a gun, and was being accused of conspiracy simply because he was seen with friends before and after the incident.

“There was no lookout and no plan,” Ellis said, adding, “Because there was no conspiracy.”

She argued that none of the prosecution’s 35 witnesses could place Forte at the scene of the crime or provide physical evidence connecting him to the shooting.

During the prosecution’s rebuttal on April 23, they embraced the “tunnel vision” criticism, saying it was justified by what the surveillance footage revealed.

“When [the lead detective] and his squad saw the footage, it was clear,” the prosecutor said. “They were walking like men with a purpose.”

The prosecutor presented the videos again, showing the moments as Gibson allegedly reached for something in his waistband, and Nelson on the phone, looking over his shoulder.

The prosecutor said conspiracy doesn’t require a written agreement or even explicit communication, only some version of a shared plan, which she argued is demonstrated through their “concert of actions,” from meetups before and after the shooting.

No further dates were set for the matter as the jury continues deliberations.

Defense Argues Homicide Defendant’s Arrest Was Unconstitutional

DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman heard arguments on a motion about a defendant’s Fourth Amendment rights against illegal seizure during a hearing for a fatal shooting case on April 22.

Anthony Green, 39, is charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 24-year-old Terence Akindo on the 2300 block of 13th Place, NE, on July 30, 2023. Akindo died from gunshot wounds to his head and chest.

At the hearing, Judge Edelman informed parties that Green refused to be searched at the courthouse and was consequently sent back to the jail.

Green’s defense attorney, Sylvia Smith, informed the court that she spoke to Green the previous day and was surprised he was not present. The defense requested Green’s presence be waived for the hearing.

The prosecution objected due to the substantive nature of the hearing and expressed concerns about creating a potential appeal issue.

Judge Edelman expressed frustration that parties were in a “place where nothing is moving forward” because Green also refused to get off the bus from the jail at the last hearing on April 18. The judge explained that he would feel more comfortable proceeding without the defendant if he received something in writing waiving his presence.

After US Marshals returned Green to the courthouse, Judge Edelman heard arguments regarding the defense motion to suppress evidence obtained as a result of an alleged illegal arrest or seizure of Green.

Green’s other defense attorney, Jessica Willis, argued that the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) acted “reckless, hasty, and fast and loose with the facts” when they entered Green’s home on July 31, 2023 and unlawfully seized him. Willis alleged that MPD used the pretext of a welfare check to further their homicide investigation and take a photo of Green they needed for an identification at the police station, leading to his arrest.

Willis further argued that MPD entered unlawfully without a warrant and therefore everything that occurred after the illegal entry and seizure should be inadmissible at trial.

The prosecution called a detective from the MPD homicide unit who said he received an email the day after the incident with a written summary of an anonymous tip received by the MPD Command Information Center (CIC).

The email said that the caller was scared of the man who committed the shooting and alleged that he lived illegally on the 1300 block of Adams Street, NE with a pregnant woman. The caller said he also lived there.

The tipster refused to give her name but agreed to speak with a detective and left a callback number. The detective said he interviewed the source on July 31.

Prosecutors played clips from the detective’s interviews at the police department with the CIC caller and another individual she was in a romantic relationship with, who also alleged that he witnessed the shooting.

The detective said that while he conducted the interviews, other MPD detectives went to the address the caller provided. In the interview room, the detective said he received photos of Green and the pregnant female from the other detectives which he showed to the CIC tipster and she subsequently identified them both.

In her interview with the detective, the tipster also admitted that she did not see Akindo get shot but allegedly knew Green was the shooter because she had seen him with a gun before.

The man, who the detective subsequently interviewed, alleged that he saw Green put a black ski mask on and witnessed the shooting himself. He also identified a person said to be Green in a photo the detective showed him.

Time constraints prohibited the detective from finishing his testimony and the judge from ruling on the motion.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on April 28.

Loud Music Beef Turns Into a Shooting

A shooting defendant claimed he was acting in self-defense during opening statements on April 22, before DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe.

Donnell Wells, 36, is charged with two counts of aggravated assault knowingly while armed, three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, five counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and two counts of unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for his alleged involvement in a shooting on the 500 block of Newcomb Street, SE. The incident occurred on Aug. 1, 2024 and two individuals suffered from gunshot wounds.

The prosecution claimed that Wells was hanging out with a friend on a shared balcony when one of the neighbors asked them to turn down their music.

According to the prosecution, Wells started yelling at the neighbor, threatening her. The neighbor’s son came outside to defend his mother. That’s when Wells pulled out a gun and pointed it at them, claimed the prosecutor. The neighbor lunged at Wells, attempting to wrestle the gun away.

The prosecution says that’s when Wells fired six shots, two of which allegedly hit the neighbor’s son in the abdomen and one that struck the neighbor’s brother in the neck. The neighbor called 911 as Wells is said to have escaped through a vertical crawlspace, smashing a window into the apartment below.

The prosecution told the jury that during the trial, they will hear testimony from the victims as well as from the downstairs neighbors, whose apartment was breached during Wells’ escape. They also said the jury would hear a recording of Wells saying saying he “boasts that he got them.”

Brandon Burrell, Wells’ attorney, told the jury, “Wells was fighting for his life.” He stated that the neighbors misidentified Wells and were under the impression that he was someone with whom they had an existing issue. Burrell said, “they were looking for trouble and they found it.”

According to Burrell, the neighbor and her son approached Wells armed and pinned him down. The neighbor directed her son to shoot Wells, according to Burrell, which prompted Wells to grab the gun from the neighbor.

“Every person has the right to defend themselves,” said Burrell, as he told the jury that Wells only shot in self-defense. Burrell ended his statements stating, “it will be illuminated what happened in that room.”

The prosecution called a forensic DNA analyst who tested two firearms and six cartridge casings linked to this case.

According to the witness, both of the firearms very likely had traces of Wells’ DNA on them, but one had a significantly stronger result than the other. The neighbor and her son’s DNA were not present in the samples.

The witness stated that there was insufficient DNA evidence found on all six cartridge casings, so no conclusion could be drawn from the remnants.

The prosecution also called a patrol officer who explained he responded to the scene after a neighbor alerted him of the shooting in the street.

The officer’s body-worn camera footage showed him entering the apartment and finding one victim on the ground, holding his abdomen, complaining he was shot.

The officer spoke to the victim’s mother, who directed him to the adjoining apartment, saying that someone was fleeing the scene. The officer stated he entered the apartment and found it in disarray.

Parties are slated to reconvene April 23.

document: MPD Arrests Man for Three Separate Stabbings

April 9, 2025

(Washington, DC) – The Metropolitan Police Department announces the arrest of a man who was wanted in three separate stabbings in the Sixth District.

On Friday, February 21, 2025, at approximately 3:59 am, the victim was waiting at the bus stop at the corner of 18th Street and Minnesota Avenue, SE. The suspect swung a machete at the victim, cutting them. The suspect fled the scene. DC Fire and EMS responded to the scene and transported the victim to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening wound.

On Sunday, March 23, 2025, at approximately 8:12 am, the suspect approached the victim at the corner of 19th Street and Minnesota Avenue, SE. The suspect produced a knife and stabbed the victim multiple times. The suspect fled the scene. DC Fire and EMS responded to the scene and transported the victim to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening wounds.

On Saturday, March 26, 2025, at approximately 7:17 pm, the suspect and the victim were involved in an argument in the 2200 block of Minnesota Avenue, SE. The argument escalated when the suspect produced a knife and stabbed the victim. The suspect fled the scene. DC Fire and EMS responded to the scene and transported the victim to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening wound.

The detectives’ investigation determined that 36-year-old James Gregory of no fixed address was the suspect in all three stabbings. A D.C. Superior Court arrest warrant was obtained for his arrest. He was located in the custody of Prince George’s County. Gregory was extradited on April 9, 2025, to Washington, DC, where he was charged with three counts of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Knife).

Document: MPD Investigating Southeast Homicide

April 10, 2025

(Washington, DC) – The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating a fatal shooting in Southeast.

On Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at approximately 11:20 p.m., Seventh District officers responded to the 3500 block of 22nd Street, SE, for the report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located an adult male, unconscious and not breathing, suffering gunshot wounds. DC Fire and EMS responded to the scene, and after all lifesaving measures failed, the victim was pronounced dead.

The decedent has been identified as 29-year-old Jamal Kingsberry of Temple Hills, MD.

Anyone who has knowledge of this incident should take no action but call police at (202) 727-9099 or text your tip to the Department’s TEXT TIP LINE at 50411. The Metropolitan Police Department currently offers a reward of up to $25,000 to anyone who provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for each homicide committed in the District of Columbia.

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