Shooting Suspect Rejects Plea Offer, Gets Modified Release

A non-fatal shooting suspect rejected a prosecution plea offer, but in the same hearing on May 14 was granted modified release terms.

Vann Allen, 25, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, and five counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence,for his alleged involvement in a shooting incident on the 1400 block of Okie Street, NE, on Nov. 11, 2023. One individual sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

During the brief proceeding before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan, the prosecutor explained its offer that would require Allen to plead guilty to aggravated assault knowingly while armed to resolve the other outstanding charges.

Represented by his attorney, Michelle Lockard, Allen stated, “I reject the plea.”

Judge Raffinan set a trial date for Allen’s case of June 30, 2025. A hearing to review defendant access to DNA evidence in the case is scheduled for June 5.

Meanwhile, Allen was released to home confinement with a GPS monitoring device on April 10.

Lockard requested a modification to Allen’s release conditions that would enable him to attend job interviews in person.

Judge Raffinan granted the request, saying it would hopefully help Allen find employment.

Murder Defendant Waives Right to Test Some Items for DNA Evidence

Prosecutors told DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo, in a May 14 hearing, they have already tested key pieces of evidence in a fatal stabbing, including three knives allegedly used in the attack.

Warren Tyson, 54, is charged with second-degree murder while armed, carrying a dangerous weapon and enticing a child in connection to the fatal stabbing of Michael Johnson, 21, on Oct. 22, 2021, on the 4900 block of East Capitol Street, SE. Tyson is alleged to have sent inappropriate material to a minor and that led to an altercation with Johnson.

In addition to genetic material on the knives, prosecutors have collected DNA from reddish brown stains, a blue and white face mask and a sleeveless shirt. Prosecutors also collected DNA from the vehicle in which Tyson was arrested as well as two cell phones.

Under the Innocence Protection Act (IPA) defendants have the right to test biological material independent of the prosecution to establish their innocence.

Tyson’s defense acknowledged that his team had performed its own tests on the knives but not everything the prosecution has tested. While Tyson said he had just gotten the report detailing the prosecution’s results, he waived the right to analyze other evidence for DNA, which all but precludes him from doing so in the future.

Judge Demeo set a trial date for Nov. 14. In the interim, she scheduled a motions hearing for July 26 to discuss a defense request to sever the charges against Tyson into separate trials.

In an outstanding motion filed July 7, 2023, Tyson’s attorney, Julie Swaney argued, “A joint trial on these counts would substantially and unfairly prejudice Mr. Tyson…Furthermore, the nature of the enticement charge is extremely prejudicial and will inflame the jury to such a degree that an impartial verdict regarding the murder will not be able to be rendered.”

The prosecutor called the motion “highly dispositive.” Judge Demeo said the issue was “ripe for a ruling.”

Earlier in the hearing, Tyson rejected a prosecution offer to plead guilty to aggravated assault while armed in return for dismissing the other charges against him.

‘I Saw Him Cock the Shotgun Again, and I Knew, Okay, This Dude’s About to Kill Me,’ Victim Testifies

The victim of a shooting testified before a jury in DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld’s courtroom on May 13.

Marcedes Edmunds, 38, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict, carrying a shotgun or rifle outside a home or business, destruction of property worth $1,000 or more, possession of an unregistered firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition, for his alleged involvement in a shooting incident on the 4000 block of Haynes Street, NE, on May 1, 2019. One individual sustained gunshot wounds during the incident.

According to court documents, Edmunds and the victim got into a verbal altercation over a woman, causing Edmunds to retrieve a firearm from his car, allegedly telling the victim “I’ll give you five seconds to get off my block,” before shooting.

Prosecutors called the victim to testify, who was escorted into the courtroom by US Marshals in a wheelchair due to paralysis from unrelated injuries.

According to the victim, Edmunds became verbally aggressive during their interaction, telling the victim “you’re a b***h a** [n-word].”

The victim testified that he saw Edmunds leave the scene, and return with a shotgun.

“I’m frustrated now, cause I realize he had a weapon,” the victim said, adding he walked towards his car to avoid the situation. According to the victim, he was not in possession of a weapon at the time of the incident.

“As I’m getting in, I hear a boom. I didn’t feel anything. I saw him cock the shotgun again, and I knew, okay, this dude’s boutta kill me this time.”

According to the victim, Edmunds continued to shoot at his vehicle as he drove away, damaging his door and striking his leg a second time.

He testified that he drove to a fire station, where he sought medical attention and was transported to the Prince George’s Hospital, where he received further assistance.

Afterward he needed to complete eight months of physical therapy following multiple surgeries to help repair the damage sustained in the shooting.

Although he said he hadn’t consumed any narcotics on the day of the incident, the victim testified to using PCP and marijuana two days earlier.

Edmunds then took the stand.

According to Edmunds, he had arrived at the liquor store two hours prior to the victim arriving, and talked to multiple people in the area.

He testified that, upon arrival, the victim appeared agitated to everyone present. “He was hostile, he was buggin’, he was reaching for something,” he said.

According to the defendant, he didn’t own a car at the time of the shooting, contradicting multiple testimonies that he had retrieved a firearm from his vehicle.

“I never shot anybody in my life, in fact, I’ve been the victim of gun violence,”claimed Edmunds, insisting he didn’t have a firearm on the day of the incident.

During cross examination, prosecutors displayed surveillance footage and asked Edmunds to identify himself. However, he was unable to do so.

“If you tell me that’s me, that’s me, ma’am,” he told the prosecutor.

Edmunds insisted he was never part of the altercation, but rather left with friends when they realized the victim was agitated and causing a scene.

Prior to Edmunds’ testimony, prosecutors called the victim’s girlfriend to testify, though she wasn’t at the scene at the time of the shooting, having left shortly before.

According to the girlfriend, the victim called her and explained that he had just been shot.

Upon returning to the neighborhood, she claimed she found her boyfriend’s vehicle in front of the neighborhood fire station, where he had fled to in order to seek medical treatment.

“There was blood pooled everywhere,” she said, stating she went to the hospital with him and stayed by his side as he was rendered aid.

“He was mad, he was upset, his emotions were all over the place,” she stated.

During cross-examination, she claimed that, despite not being at the scene during the shooting, she was sure her boyfriend was involved in a dispute with the individuals that were present when she was there.

Prosecutors called two detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). One of them testified that the victim had described the shooter as a tall, heavy-set man with facial hair.

The second detective was asked to confirm the victim’s reaction when he was shown still images from a surveillance video taken in a local liquor store.

“When I showed him the photos, he became wide-eyed, and said, ‘Yes, that’s him, that’s the guy who shot me.’” However, he testified he didn’t present a photo array as part of the identification process.

“It’s obvious this is my client,” defense attorney, Mark Rollins, said in spite of how Edmunds testified regarding the images and surveillance footage presented during trial. “We know that’s Edmunds because the victim identified him.”

However, he argued that the jury should consider that the witnesses may have been responsible and Edmunds had simply been a bystander. “I want you to use common sense,” said Rollins.

“The evidence shows without a doubt that on May 1, 2019, Marcedes Edmunds got in an argument with the victim, and for reasons unknown, retrieved a shotgun, and shot him in the leg,” insisted the prosecution.

The jury was sent to deliberate, and parties will reconvene when they reach a verdict.

Judge Won’t Dismiss, ‘As Clear As They Come,’ Conspiracy Charges Against Three Co-Defendants

With the jury absent, defense attorneys argued to dismiss conspiracy charges against their clients, while opposing the prosecution’s request to admit statements that allegedly link three co-defendants to a teen’s homicide and a related shooting spree.

Koran Jackson, 23, Tyiion Kyree Freeman, 24, and Stephen Nelson, 33, are three of five individuals charged with multiple counts of conspiracy, assault with the intent to kill while armed, first-degree murder while armed, carrying a pistol without a license, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence in connection to the fatal shooting of 13-year-old Malachi Lukes on March 1, 2020, on the 600 block of S Street, NW. The shooting also left a second juvenile victim located in the vicinity suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to the right leg.

Throughout the trial, the prosecution has attempted to connect Jackson, Freeman, and Nelson to additional shootings that occurred on Feb. 22, 2020; Feb. 24, 2020 and a second shooting on March 1, 2020. The prosecution alleges a firearm conspiracy among the defendants in which they aimed to obtain and use specific weapons in Lukes’ homicide.

The case also involves alleged co-conspirators Reginald Steele, 24, and Aaron Brown, 27.

On May 13, defense attorneys in the case motioned to dismiss conspiracy charge against the trio detailed in their respective indictments.

Lisbeth Sapirstein, Nelson’s defense attorney, stated that the prosecution has failed to present evidence of an arrangement that the firearms described in coded text threads were used to commit the crimes of murder and conspiracy.

“Boogie,” previously identified as Nelson by witnesses, was allegedly engaged in a series of text messages to sell firearms on Feb. 9, 2020 that have been linked to a series of shootings and a homicide.

After trying to sell an M&P Shield handgun and a Glock 26, the text sender identified as Boogie stated that “ty” had grabbed “the 26.” Freeman has been previously identified as “ty” by witnesses.

DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt denied the defense dismissal motion, stating “the court will not disturb the indictment” because the charges are as “clear as they come.”

Judge Brandt later ruled that Feb. 9, 2020 is the first day Nelson and Freeman were considered part of the conspiracy due to the text messages linking “Boogie” and “ty” to the firearms used in multiple shootings.

Jackson allegedly entered the conspiracy on Feb. 13, 2020 via text messages confirming loyalty to his ‘crew’ or neighborhood gang, after an unrelated shooting left a friend injured on the 1200 block of North Capitol Street, NW.

The prosecution has previously alleged the shooting of the mutual friend as the motive for the defendants’ shooting spree.

Additionally, Judge Brandt granted the prosecution’s motion for the admission of an Instagram exchange between Freeman and an Instagram user allegedly selling a stolen vehicle, on the basis that the exchange was admissible as co-conspirator statements.

According to Freeman’s Instagram direct share, from Feb. 18- to- 21, 2020, he allegedly negotiated the purchase of a stolen vehicle, and on Feb. 21, Freedman agreed to pay $150 for a Mazda truck.

A white Mazda SUV has been introduced as a suspect vehicle for multiple of the shootings alleged in the conspiracy.

The prosecution argued the deal furthered the defendants’ objective in building a conspiracy by purchasing a vehicle that could easily flee the scene of a crime and would be helpful in the carrying, possessing, and transferring firearms.

Judge Brandt allowed all the evidence from the Instagram exchange.

Proceedings will continue on May 14.

Shooting Defendant Waives Preliminary Hearing

Scotland Alston, who is accused of shooting a woman in the chest, legs and buttocks during an argument on a street corner, waived his right to a preliminary hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe on May 13.

Alston, 33, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that took place on Feb. 28 on the 2000 block of Benning Road, NE.

According to court documents, security footage from a nearby business showed the victim approaching her assailant on the street and starting a conversation with him that led to both of them shouting and pushing each other. When the victim followed the assailant as he began to ride away on a bicycle, the assailant dropped the bicycle and walked back toward the victim allegedly to shoot her.

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers reported that they were responding to gunshots detected by ShotSpotter shortly after midnight on the morning of Feb. 28, when they found a woman injured by gunfire. The officers reported that the victim identified her assailant as “Scottie Alston.”

According to the officers, a witness present at the scene testified to observing the argument and the shooting but would not name or describe the shooter. This witness referred the police to another individual who was not present at the shooting but who identified Alston as the assailant based on a still photo from the security footage.

A warrant was issued for Alston’s arrest on March 20. MPD officers apprehended him on April 28.

At the hearing on May 13, Judge O’Keefe denied the request of Alston’s lawyer, Wole Falodun, that Alston be released pending trial.

The next hearing is scheduled for June 10.

Homicide Defendant Files Motion to Dismiss Case

A homicide defendant’s attorney filed a motion to dismiss the case, or reopen the preliminary hearing, based on a witness recanting statements to police, before DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan.

Prashawn Brady, 31, is charged with second-degree murder while armed for her alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of 44-year-old Michael James Quanders Jr. on March 31 on the 1100 block of 2nd Place, SE.

According to documents from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), the incident was domestic in nature, as Quanders and Brady have a child in common.

On May 9, following a probable cause finding by Judge Raffinan during a May 7 hearing, Elizabeth Weller, Brady’s defense attorney, filed a motion to dismiss or reopen the preliminary hearing based on new information.

In the motion, filed by Weller, it states that probable cause was specifically found based on statements made by a witness to police, in which they stated he saw Brady shoot Quanders in the hallway where he was found.

However, according to Weller, the prosecution “has since disclosed to the court that [the witness] has recanted his statement to police and now states he did not see Ms. Brady shoot” Quander.

On May 13, the prosecution requested additional time to respond in writing, noting they were going to object to the motion filed by Weller.

Judge Raffinan reminded Brady she is prohibited from harassing, assaulting, threatening, and stalking any witness related to the case.

Parties are slated to return July 11.

Motion to Dismiss Charges Against Lead Defendant in COVID Juries Case Denied

Defense attorneys for Tony McClam,34, were back in court for a May 13 hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe in a complex shooting case based on the constitutional issues of fair jury selection and double-jeopardy.

McClam, originally accused of killing 11-year-old Karon Brown in 2019 on the 2700 block of Naylor Road, SE, was found not guilty of first-degree murder in January of 2022 in a seven-count indictment, but the jury was hung on other six charges including assault with intent to kill and possessing a firearm during a crime of violence. The prosecution intends to retry the case.

In motions filed in 2022, McClam’s attorney, Jason Tulley, argued that McClam, along with dozens of others convicted during COVID, were denied a fair trial, “based on the data analyzed so far, that the… jury selected for this trial [and others] will…violate…the Fifth and Sixth Amendment [guaranteeing the jury fairly represents the community].” The complaint is that there were not enough Black individuals in the jury pool.

That case has yet to be resolved although the DC Office of the Attorney General, which represents the DC Superior Court, denies any bias in jury selection and stands by its selection process.

However, the current proceeding was focused on another defense motion filed last September to dismiss the case against McClam on grounds of a double-jeopardy violation.

“Despite this principle’s role as a hallmark of the American judicial system, the government is putting Mr. McClam in jeopardy a second time for the same alleged offense-all because it could not carry its burden at his first trial,” according to a defense filing last September.

In a May 8 development, the DC Court of Appeals denied that motion, setting the stage for McClam’s new trial pending further appellate action.

Judge O’Keefe noted the trial will be expedited as required. “This is a case of special interest,” he said, setting the next hearing on the matter for Oct. 18.

Prosecution Seeks Timely Deposition for Witness in 1990 Cold Case Murder

A prosecutor in a decades-old murder case urged DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun to approve the deposition of a California witness, “the sooner, the better,” in a May 13 hearing.

Sheila Brown, 66, is charged with second-degree murder and obstruction of justice in the fatal shooting of Noman Rich, 34. The homicide took place on March 28, 1990 on the 500 block of M Street, NE. According to court documents, the killing was domestic in nature.

Brown was taken into custody in Annapolis, MD by local police and the US Marshal’s service, on March 27, just one day short of the thirty-fourth anniversary of Rich’s death.

In a news conference announcing the arrest, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Inspector Kevin Kentish said new tools helped solve an old mystery.

“There were certain things that were present now that were not present in 1990 as far as DNA, witness statements,” said Kentish.

Brown was not present during the proceeding because her attorney, Thomas Healy, said has been in the hospital for about ten days and he expected her discharge by the end of the week. Brown has been on court supervised release since her arrest.

Meanwhile, prosecutors stressed the timeliness of arranging the deposition for the witness in California because she is under the care of a trustee who makes her decisions, and the witness has “good days and bad days.” The available time-frame for the deposition, said the prosecutors, is only a matter of weeks.

Given that the witness is unable to travel, parties discussed whether the court should pay for Brown and Healy to fly to California to participate in the deposition, rather than take part virtually.

“Normally, I don’t get involved,” said Judge Okun in terms of travel logistics, but he took a brief recess to consider the matter. Ultimately, he ruled that under the Criminal Justice Act that provides assistance for indigent clients, the court would bear the burden of travel costs.

A mutually agreed date of June 7 was set for providing the judge with a travel schedule.

The prosecutor also announced that the former leader detective in the case was available to testify and might be able to travel to DC.

The next hearing in the case is set for June 28.

Document: MPD Investigating 16th Street NW Fatal Crash

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a traffic crash that resulted in a fatality on May 11 on the 3300 block of 16th Street, NW.

According to MPD documents, the preliminary investigation determined that a Subaru was traveling northbound at the location at a high rate of speed and attempted to overtake a BMW. The Subaru struck the front of the BMW and lost control, traveling across the southbound lanes and striking a tree.

The passenger in the Subaru suffered severe injuries and died at the scene. The driver was transported to a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. The occupants of the BMW were not injured.

The victim was identified as 24-year-old Jessica Luna Sanchez.

Anyone with information about the incident should call police.

Document: MPD Investigating Hayes Street NE Fatal Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating a fatal shooting that occurred on May 11 on the 3600 block of Hayes Street, NE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting. They located two men suffering from gunshot wounds. One man was located conscious and breathing, and was transported to an area hospital for treatment. The second man, who was also transported to an area hospital succumbed to his injuries despite all life saving efforts.

The victim was identified as 40-year-old Ellal Glover.

MPD offers a reward to anyone that provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for each homicide in the District.

Document: MPD Looking for Driver Involved in Deadly Hit and Run

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is searching for a suspect and their vehicle that was involved in a traffic crash, which resulted in the death of a pedestrian on April 27 on the 3100 block of Georgia Avenue, NW.

According to MPD documents, a man was found lying in between cars in the roadway at the location. He died at the scene.

The preliminary investigation determined a car driving northbound on Georgia Avenue drove over the pedestrian and fled without stopping or identifying themselves.

The suspect vehicle was captured by nearby surveillance cameras.

The victim’s identity is being withheld pending next of kin notification.

Anyone with knowledge of the incident should contact police.

Document: MPD Investigating 2023 Assault as Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are now investigating a shooting incident that occurred on Oct. 12, 2023, on the 1800 block of 4th Street, NE, as a homicide.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of an assault. Upon arrival, officers located three men who had been assaulted by a suspect using a shovel. All three men were transported to an area hospital conscious and breathing.

Responding officers located the suspect, 62-year-old Vincent Hemphill, on the scene, arrested and charged him with assault with intent to kill.

On Jan. 22, 81-year-old Charles Short succumbed to his injuries. The Office of the Medical Chief Examiner (OCME) in Maryland determined his death was from complications from blunt force trauma. The manner of death was ruled a homicide.

MPD is working with the US Attorney’s Office to upgrade Hemphill’s charges.

Document: MPD Searching for Suspect Discharging a Firearm at a Rideshare Vehicle

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a suspect in connection to the discharge of a firearm that occurred on May 6 on the 2000 block of Rhode Island Avenue, NE.

According to MPD documents, the victim, a rideshare driver, dropped off the suspect at the location. As the suspect exited the vehicle, he produced a firearm and shot at the victim. The victim drove away and called the police from a safe location. The driver was not injured, but his vehicle was struck multiple times.

The suspect was captured by surveillance footage.

MPD offers a reward to anyone that provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for each violent crime in the District.

‘We Already Got Enough Violence in These Streets,’ Says Eyewitness in Shooting Trial

A defendant’s friend, who grew up in “a rough neighborhood” with him, testified she told him to turn himself in following a shooting, before DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld on May 8.

According to court documents, Edmunds and an older individual got into a verbal altercation over a woman, causing Edmunds to retrieve a firearm from his car, before allegedly telling the victim “I’ll give you five seconds to get off my block,” before shooting.

Prosecutors called a woman who watched the shooting happen. “We was just chillin’ and vibin’,” she said. “All hell broke loose.” The victim sustained a shotgun wound to the leg and suffered severe bleeding.

She explained during her testimony that she has known Edmunds, who she referred to as “Man-Man,” since they were children.

According to the witness, they both grew up in a rough neighborhood, and her parents tried to take Edmunds and other children to church in an attempt to keep them away from the violence the neighborhood experienced.

She testified they hadn’t seen each other as often in recent years, saying, “He moved differently than he used to.” However, she received a phone call from Edmunds the morning of the shooting after not hearing from him for months.

According to the witness, he asked her to have a drink with him in DC, to which she agreed. “I came 45 minutes to chill, I didn’t think I’d end up here like this,” she said.

The witness said there were multiple empty bottles of liquor lying around when she arrived, and everyone in the group was drunk.

She became agitated with prosecutors, claiming she didn’t remember much, and telling them she didn’t “want to deal with this, I’d rather just get locked up or whatever y’all do.”

However, she did testify to seeing Edmunds with a gun, despite not remembering what it looked like.

“It was real loud, I took off running,” the witness explained when asked how she reacted to the shooting.

“I told him he needed to turn himself in, and man up, instead of bringing everyone else into it,” she said, regarding her conversation with Edmunds following the incident. “We already got enough violence in these streets.”

“I’m terrified of retaliation that would come against me and my family,” she told prosecutors during questioning. .

During cross-examination, Mark Rollins, Edmunds’ defense attorney, questioned her drug use the day of the shooting. According to the witness, she smoked her medical prescription marijuana.

Rollins also questioned her regarding her schizophrenia diagnosis and medication. “If you don’t take Haldol[a prescription], is it fair to say you think you could see things and hear things that aren’t there?” asked Rollins.

“Maybe I’m hallucinating, maybe I have bipolar disorder, but I try to keep myself grounded,” she responded.

When questioned regarding her criminal history, the witness testified she has prior convictions, stating they’re “for narcotics distribution, but that was 15 years ago, and I ain’t done nothing since.”

Following her testimony, prosecutors called a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective who explained that upon arrival to the scene, he and his coworkers canvassed for witnesses and physical evidence.

According to the detective, they recovered a shotgun wadding at the scene, which he testified separates gunpowder from the projectile inside the shell.

“We were like ‘Holy crap, that’s a lot of blood to have lost,’” said the detective regarding the blood stains inside the vehicle at the scene. He added that the vehicle was covered in defects consistent with gunshots.

Throughout the investigation, MPD detectives attempted to recover surveillance footage of the shooting but were unsuccessful.

However, the detective testified that surveillance footage was recovered from a liquor store less than a block from the crime scene. Footage of an individual identified as Edmunds was found, and still-images were used to help witnesses confirm the identity of the shooter.

During cross examination, Rollins claimed the investigation is not complete, stating the detective failed to identify two women who were present at the time of the shooting.

Prosecutors also called a friend of Edmunds, who was seen on surveillance footage in the liquor store and was present at the gathering, but left before the shooting occurred.

According to the friend, he has known Edmunds since 2018 when they were introduced through mutual friends, and explained they would occasionally drink together.

Prosecutors showed the witness video and still-images from the liquor store, and asked him to identify the individuals shown.

He identified himself and Edmunds, and explained that after they left the liquor store they drove in separate directions before meeting up at the house on Haynes Street.

When asked about the victim, he explained that he didn’t “remember exactly what he [the victim] said, but he was having a bad day,” adding, “Everyone made him mad.”

He testified he didn’t see Edmunds in possession of a weapon on the day of the incident.

Parties are set to reconvene on May 13.

Judge Finds Probable Cause for Fatal Stabbing, but Grants Suspect’s Release

DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein agreed there was probable cause that 49-year-old Wali Shabazz was the perpetrator in a fatal stabbing.

Shabazz is charged with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in the fatal stabbing of 41-year-old Martin Gross Jr. outside a stadium on the 100 block of T Street, SW. The incident occurred on April 27.

According to court documents, Gross Jr. was rushed to the Washington Hospital Center where he died, unable to make a useful statement to officers.

At a May 8 hearing, prosecutors called on the lead detective from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) testified about video surveillance, which was shown at the hearing, depicting an individual identified as Shabazz sitting on a sidewalk bench when an individual identified as Gross Jr. approaches him in a confrontational manner. Immediately, a fist fight ensues with Gross Jr. apparently throwing the first few punches.

After trading punches, the individual identified as Shabazz takes a knife out of his pocket and begins stabbing the victim multiple times, causing Gross Jr. to fall to the ground. The suspect then wals away from the victim.

Although the detective never spoke to the defendant, she arrived at the crime scene and later observed him on surveillance video, which was used for identification.

According to the detective, an autopsy ruled that the victim suffered twelve stab wounds, mainly to the torso area. The cause of death was from stab wounds and the manner was deemed a homicide by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME).

The defense asked the detective if there was a toxicology report on Gross Jr., based on evidence suggesting that the victim was intoxicated, but the detective didn’t know.

Defense attorney Gemma Stevens argued that Shabazz’s actions were reasonable as he was acting in self-defense and believed to be in imminent danger of serious bodily injury or death.

According to Stevens, Shabazz feared for his life, noting that a fist fight can be fatal.

However, Judge Epstein argued Shabazz overreacted during the incident, stating he stabbed Gross Jr. multiple times despite the victim being unarmed, before ruling that he found probable cause.

Stevens argued for the release of her client on the basis that Shabazz has no violent criminal history prior to this incident, is an active member of the community, and has strong family and friend support. She pointed out three women at the hearing supporting Shabazz, including his fiancée.

Amidst the finding of probable cause, Judge Epstein granted the defendant release.

Shabazz will be under GPS electronic monitoring and is subject to home confinement, but will be able to leave for employment.

“I am trusting you to do the things Ms. Stevens said you would do,” Judge Epstein told Shabazz regarding his release.

Parties will reconvene Jan. 31.