Non-fatal Shooting Defendant Claims Education As ‘Turning Point’

In a July 7 hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun granted a continuance for a defendant in a non-fatal shooting case.

Kenneth Gray, 24, faces 12 counts for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on May 27, 2019 at the 1300 block of Brentwood Road, NE.

He is charged with two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, carrying a pistol without a license outside of a home or business, possession of an unregistered firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition.

Gray has also been charged in connection to a stabbing that occurred in DC jail in 2020.

The prosecution asked for the higher end of the sentencing range, eight years, due to the degree of Gray’s alleged violence. “There is no reason to believe Mr. Gray’s conduct is going to change … it is clear from the record that when he is released, he will obtain weapons of any kind,” according to the prosecutor.

The prosecution also argued that eight years is more than fair considering the circumstances of this case.

Michael Madden, Gray’s defense attorney, requested a sentencing delay to January 2024 to allow Gray to finish the Prison Scholars Program, which is licensed through Georgetown University. Madden also asked for Judge Okun to consider a six-year sentence, the lower end of the agreed range.

To highlight his future endeavors and drive to pursue education, Gray addressed the court and said, “Everybody has a certain turning point. This is my turning point.”

Judge Okun granted the continuance and asked for Madden to submit written verification of Gray’s involvement in the program with the court.

Parties are scheduled to return Jan. 19.

Vehicular Homicide Defendant Pleads Not Guilty

In a July 7 hearing the defense argued that a suspect accused of striking and killing a victim with a car was the wrong man.

Duron Hudson, 23, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, unauthorized use of a vehicle, destruction of property over $1000, and first-degree theft, for his alleged involvement in an incident that occurred on the 1200 block of U Street, NW, on November 19, 2019, killing Nahzil Zaid Abdul Rahim.

According to court documents Hudson and the Rahim were arguing when Hudson threw bricks at the victim who was unable to run away before Hudson allegedly ran over him with a car. The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide and the cause “multiple blunt force injuries.”

At the hearing, Hudson pleaded not guilty and demanded a speedy trial. Hudson’s defense attorney, Nathaniel Mensah, said there was poor communication with the prosecution and that he needed to see all the evidence in the case.

Mensah also doubted Hudson’s presence at the scene and claimed investigators from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) misidentified him as a suspect. Mensah noted an apparent discrepancy between a possible suspect in the video footage around the time of the incident, and the defendant.

However, a GPS tracking device showed Hudson was near the scene, according to a police report.
D.C. Superior Court Judge Sean Staples set the next hearing for Aug. 11.

Document: Suspects Sought in a Homicide: 400 Block of 11th Street, Northeast

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating suspects in a homicide that occurred on July 3 on the 400 block of 11th Street, NE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of an unconscious individual and located an adult male shooting victim inside a vehicle. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment, where he succumbed to his injuries.

The victim was identified as 31-year-old Nasrat Ahmad Yar.

Judge Finds Probable Cause Suspect Committed Metro Murder

On July 6, DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein found probable cause that Keith Williams committed murder in a Metro subway shooting case.

Williams, 23, is charged with first-degree murder for his alleged involvement in the death of 17-year-old Brendan Ofori. Ofori was shot and killed in a Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) train car on May 28.

According to court documents, Ofori was traveling on the Green Line between the L’Enfant Plaza stop and the Waterfront stop when he was killed, and his body was recovered at the Navy Yard Metro Station on the 300 block of M Street, SW.

The prosecution called a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective who testified that the defendant was seen on surveillance cameras entering the Metro train where Ofori’s body was found and then fleeing the scene.

The car where the murder occurred, however, did not have cameras.

Defense attorney Anthony Matthews then questioned the detective on what actually happened inside the car. Due to the limited physical evidence, detectives relied primarily on witness testimony.

According to the detective, one eyewitness claimed that Williams shot Ofori before fleeing into another Metro car. Someone resembling Williams can be seen on surveillance footage exiting that Metro car at the Waterfront station.

Matthews argued that there is no evidence that Williams committed the shooting, and that the person seen exiting the Metro car at Waterfront station may not even be Williams. The detective, however, testified that multiple witnesses identified Williams as the man in surveillance photos.

Ultimately, Judge Epstein found probable cause that Williams committed the murder; however, he did not find substantial probability, which prosecutors requested.

A substantial probability finding would mean a reasonable jury would be more likely than not to convict the defendant of the crime.

Judge Epstein also ordered that Williams continue to be held awaiting his trial, over Matthews’ objections, who argued that Williams’ youth and lack of criminal record warrants his release.

Parties are expected to return on September 8.

Judge Changes Release Conditions for Defendants in Shooting Case

On July 6, DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur granted a defense motion to modify the conditions of release for co-defendants in a shooting incident.

Shatia Penn, 24, and Desmond Barr, 21, have each been charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for allegedly firing at a vehicle following a physical dispute that occurred on Feb. 6, 2023, around the 100 block of M Street NE.

Defense attorneys started the proceeding by complaining that prosecutors failed to share evidence in the case.

“We have received absolutely nothing,” Barr’s attorney, Lola Ziadie, said, frustrated about the lack of communication from the original prosecuting attorney, who was not present in court.

Subsequently, the defense brought forward a previous motion to change the conditions of each defendant’s release.

Judge Arthur ended Penn’s original requirement to wear a GPS monitoring device since she has been receiving medical care following a car accident involving Barr. However, she must remain in contact with the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA).

Barr is in a wheelchair from injuries sustained in the accident with Penn. Judge Arthur took Barr off curfew but said he must comply with his GPS monitoring.

Parties are set to be heard again in front of Judge Arthur on Sep. 8.

Document: Homicide: 1200 Block of Valley Avenue, Southeast

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch is investigating a homicide that occurred on July 5 on the 1200 block of Valley Avenue, SE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report for sounds of gunshots and located an adult female shooting victim with no signs consistent with life.

The victim was identified as 21-year-old Alison Cienfuegos-Vasquez.

Document: Updated with Photos Suspect Sought in Armed Carjacking (Gun) and Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Gun) Offenses: 2500 Block of Sherman Avenue, Northwest

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a suspect connected to an armed carjacking (gun) and non-fatal shooting that occurred on June 18 on the 2500 block of Sherman Avenue, NW.

According to MPD documents, the suspects attempted to carjack the victim at the location. Gunfire was exchanged between the victim and at least one of the suspects. The suspect and the victim sought treatment at local hospitals.

On June 18, a 20-year-old male was arrested and charged with armed carjacking (gun) and assault with a dangerous weapon (gun).

Document: Vehicle Sought in an Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Gun) Offense: 4700 block of Meade Street, Northeast

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a vehicle connected to a non-fatal shooting that occurred on July 5 on the 4700 block of Meade Street, NE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting and located nine shooting victims, including two juvenile victims. All victims had non-life-threatening wounds.

The suspect vehicle is possibly a blue Hyundai Tucson last seen displaying DC tags GC5338.

Document: Arrest Made in a Homicide: Naylor Road and Southern Avenue, Southeast

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch arrested and charged 30-year-old Terrance Stoney with second-degree murder while armed for his alleged involvement in a homicide that occurred on March 17 at the intersection of Naylor Road and Southern Avenue, SE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting and located an adult male suffering from gunshot wounds inside a vehicle. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment, where he succumbed to his injuries.

The victim was identified as 43-year-old Donte Tiller.

Document: Suspect and Vehicle Sought in an Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Gun) Offense: 4600 block of South Capitol Street, Southwest

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a suspect and a vehicle connected to a non-fatal shooting that occurred on July 4 on the 4600 block of South Capitol Street, SW.

According to MPD documents, the suspect and the victim were involved in a traffic accident, and got into a verbal altercation. The suspect brandished a gun and fired at the victim, striking the victim’s vehicle. No injuries were reported.

The suspect and vehicle were captured in surveillance footage.

Document: Homicide: 600 Block of Eastern Avenue, Northeast

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch is investigating a homicide that occurred on July 4 on the 600 block of Eastern Avenue, NE, at the PG County and DC border line.

According to MPD documents, officers from MPD and Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD) responded to the location for the report of a shooting, and located an adult male shooting victim in the driver’s seat of a vehicle. He was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

The victim was identified as 54-year-old Keith Bradley.

Document: Homicide: 600 Block of Alumni Lane, Northeast

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch is seeking the public’s assistance in the investigation of a homicide that occurred on July 5 on the 600 block of Alumni Lane, NE by the Catholic University of America.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, and located an adult male shooting victim. He was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

The victim was identified as 25-year-old Maxwell Emerson.

Document: Homicide: Unit Block of Patterson Street, Northeast

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch is seeking the public’s assistance in the investigation of a homicide that occurred on July 4 on the unit block of Patterson Street, NE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting, and located an adult male shooting victim with no signs consistent with life.

The victim was identified as 44-year-old Charles Antonio Stanton.

Document: Homicide: 4000 Block of Livingston Road, Southeast

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch is seeking the public’s assistance in the investigation of a homicide that occurred on July 4 on the 4000 block of Livingston Road, SE.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location for the report of a shooting and located an adult male shooting victim. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment, where he succumbed to his injuries.

The victim has been identified as 28-year-old Nathaniel Holmes.

Document: Homicide: 3500 Block of 13th Street, Northwest

The Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) Homicide Branch is seeking the public’s assistance in the investigation of a homicide that occurred on July 4 on the 3500 block of 13th Street, NW.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the scene for the report of a shooting, where they located an adult male victim. He was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

The victim was identified as 22-year-old Jesse Benitez.

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