Shooting Suspect Released, Warned Against Guns

DC Superior Court Judge Eric Glover released a defendant in an assault and child endangerment case on Aug. 28.

Jamira Guillory, age 23, was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm during crime of violence or dangerous offense, carrying a pistol without a license outside of a home or place of business, second degree cruelty to children, possession of an unregistered firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition for her alleged involvement in a shooting at 18th Street and Bryant Street, NE on Aug. 24.

On the 24th, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) were dispatched to the scene after receiving a report about a shooting and a possible vehicle accident. Upon arrival, the officers interviewed Guillory who allegedly dropped a cartridge, was subsequently arrested and informed officers of a firearm in her handbag. Police later reportedly confirmed that the firearm was unregistered and that Guillory did not have a license to carry it.

During the preliminary hearing, the defense requested the court release the hold on the defendant, and the court agreed on the condition that the defendant not be in possession of a firearm or ammunition during her release.

The parties are set to reconvene on Oct. 16.

Stabbing Defendant Waives Prelim, Jailed

DC Superior Court Judge Eric Glover denied a stabbing defendant’s request for supervised release on Aug. 27, after he waived his right to a preliminary hearing of the evidence against him.

Dennis Doleman, 49, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in a stabbing that occurred on the 300 block of H Street, NE on Aug. 7.

During the incident, Doleman allegedly stabbed and cut one victim, who was in a wheelchair, in the hands, face, neck, and back multiple times, according to court documents.

During the hearing, Doleman waived his right to a preliminary hearing. His attorney, Todd Baldwin, petitioned for his release from the DC jail, arguing that Doleman does not pose a significant threat to the community because he acted in self-defense.

Baldwin noted that though the victim was in a wheelchair when the stabbing occurred, it would be wrong to assume that Doleman could not have been in jeopardy.

Baldwin claimed the victim was “Just as capable of harming Mr. Doleman as Mr. Doleman is capable of harming him.” Baldwin also noted that though Doleman has a criminal record, his prior convictions date back more than ten years.

Prosecutors objected to Doleman’s release because of his criminal record and the nature of the current case.

“The fact that he used the knife repeatedly is significant,” the prosecutor said.

Judge Glover denied Doleman’s request for release saying that he still posed a significant threat to the community.

There are “No combination of conditions that would keep the community safe,” Glover said.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on Sept. 18.

document: MPD Arrests Suspect in Northeast Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 45-year-old Kevin Stanton, who was charged with Assault with Intent to Kill (Gun) in connection with a shooting that occurred on Nov. 7, 2024, in the unit block of M Street, NE. The incident involved an adult male who was hospitalized with a gunshot wound and an adult female who sustained a graze wound and was treated on the scene.

Document: MPD Arrests Suspect in Stanton Road Homicide

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 24-year-old Jordan Battle, who is alleged to be involved in the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Terrell Oliver on Dec. 18, 2024, in the 2600 block of Stanton Road, SE. Battle was charged with first Degree Murder while Armed following a DC Superior Court Grand Jury Indictment.

Document: MPD Arrests Three Suspects in Northeast Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of three suspects in connection with a shooting incident that occurred on July 29 on the 3700 block of Hayes Street, NE. The incident involved an adult male victim who survived a non-life-threatening gunshot wound after two suspects attempted to rob him. On Aug. 27, a 13-year-old and a 15-year-old from NE and a 14-year-old from Suitland, MD, were arrested and charged with assault with intent to rob while armed.

Document: MPD Arrests Suspect in Washington Place Shooting

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of a 16-year-old juvenile male in connection with a shooting incident that occurred on March 4 on the 2300 block of Washington Place, NE. The victim, an adult male, was found with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds and was treated at a local hospital. The suspect has been charged with Assault with a Dangerous Weapon (Gun).

Shooting Suspect Waives Right to Preliminary Hearing

The defendant in a non-fatal shooting case waived his right to a preliminary hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Eric Glover on Aug. 28.

Robert Toney, 42 years old, was charged with endangerment with a firearm and unlawful possession of a firearm for his alleged involvement in a shooting at 2400 block of Elvans Road, SE on July 20, 2025.

Around 11:00 pm on the incident date, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) responded to gunfire detected by the ShotSpotter audio technology. While on the scene, officers were informed that one of the shooters was still near the scene. Later, MPD received a video of an individual said to be the defendant firing into a widely populated area.

After the hearing waiver the case will proceed to a felony status conference.

Parties are set to reconvene on Oct. 2.

Teen Accepts Plea For Playground Shooting, Two Carjackings

A teenager accepted a plea deal extended by prosecutors before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on Aug. 29.

Travis Thomas, 17, was originally charged with assault with intent to commit another offense, assault with intent to kill while armed, and two counts of possession of a firearm for his involvement in a shooting that occurred on April 20 at a playground on the 5400 block of C Street, SE. An individual sustained injuries to the head during the incident.

Thomas is charged under Title 16, which gives prosecutors the option of trying juveniles as adults for certain serious crimes.

During the hearing, Megan Allburn, Thomas’ attorney, alerted Judge Kravitz of Thomas’ intent to accept a plea deal. It required Thomas to plead guilty to assault with intent to kill while armed in exchange for a dismissal of all other charges and the prosecution not seeking an indictment.

Thomas was also required to plead guilty to two counts of carjacking for his involvement in two previously uncharged incidents, which occurred on Oct. 30, 2024 at the 400 block of 14th Street, SE and on Nov. 17, 2024 at the 1300 block of Massachusetts Avenue, SE.

According to the prosecution, had the cases gone to trial, they could have proved beyond a reasonable doubt that on the days of the carjackings, Thomas and an associate stole the two victims’ vehicles threatening them with a gun.

The prosecution also argued that the evidence would prove that Thomas shot an individual on the forehead at an elementary school playground on April 20, and Thomas had the “apparent ability to injure” the individual, and intended to kill them.

“What was in your mind at the time you fired?” Judge Kravitz asked Thomas, who responded “to kill.” However, Allburn and Thomas explained Thomas’ intent was not to kill the individual that was shot, but rather another individual at the playground.

Thomas, who previously told Judge Kravitz “I don’t want to be a part of the percentage of Black men locked up, I want to be a part of the percentage that succeeds,” highlighted he recently received a high school diploma from the Maya Angelou program at the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS).

Parties are slated to reconvene Nov. 14.

Judge Orders Homicide Suspect Back to DC From Maryland

DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park issued an order on Aug. 26 to ensure that Alonzo Brown, 28, appears for a DC homicide hearing following his transfer to Maryland earlier this summer for a pending case.

Brown is charged with conspiracy, first-degree murder while armed, four counts of assault with intent to kill while armed and five counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, for his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Michael Taylor, 21, on Jan. 19, 2019 on the 1700 block of Benning Road, NE.

However, in order to provide Brown’s attorney, Steven Kiersh, adequate time to prepare Judge Park is coordinating with Maryland authorities to make the transfer in a timely fashion.

In issuing a writ for Brown’s detainer and then a warrant Judge Park wants to respect the legal processes in both the Maryland and DC courts.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on Sept. 11.

Homicide Victim’s Mother Condemns Potential Stabbing Sentence as ‘Unfathomable’

A homicide defendant accepted a plea deal extended by prosecutors before DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman on Aug. 28, despite the unhappiness of the victim’s family.

Shaneka Jackson, 41, was originally charged with second-degree murder while armed for her involvement in the fatal stabbing of 23-year-old Gray Hall on Sept. 1, 2024, on the 900 block of Division Avenue, NE.

During the hearing, Joseph Yarbough, Jackson’s attorney, alerted Judge Edelman of her intent to accept a deal, which required her to plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter and a misdemeanor count of possession of a prohibited weapon.

In exchange, prosecutors agreed to dismiss the murder charge and not seek an indictment. Through the deal, parties agreed to a sentencing range of four-to-10 years of imprisonment for the manslaughter charge, and up to a year for the possession charge. Each party is able to argue for or against consecutive sentences at the sentencing hearing.

According to the prosecution, had the case gone to trial, they would have proven beyond a reasonable doubt that on the day of the incident, Jackson became involved in a physical altercation with Hall’s girlfriend inside an apartment building, which Hall attempted to quell. While Hall attempted to stop the fight, another man interfered and fought Hall – with the men ending up outside of the building.

The prosecution claimed that, while outside, Jackson stabbed Hall once in the back, which punctured his lung. The prosecution insisted Jackson did not act in self-defense, and that her claim that she acted in the defense of others was not reasonable.

Hall’s mother told Judge Edelman she and her husband oppose the plea agreement, stating it is “unfathomable that she could possibly get four years” for killing Hall.

She deemed Hall a “bright, energetic, excessively curious boy,” who was trying to diffuse a situation.

“My son was murdered by another mother,” she stated, adding that each time she attempts to sleep she envisions Hall’s suffering as he fought for his life.

“As a mother, I couldn’t imagine taking someone’s child from them,” Hall’s mom stated.

Parties are slated to reconvene Oct. 31.

Document: MPD Investigating Fatal I-695 Pedestrian Crash

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced they are investigating a fatal pedestrian crash that occurred on I-695 on Aug 25. The victim, identified as 43-year-old Efrain Chavez-Navarrate of Northwest, DC, was struck by a Toyota Rav4 traveling westbound. The driver remained at the scene, and the investigation is being conducted by MPD’s Major Crash Investigations Unit.

Document: MPD Arrests 21st Street Homicide Suspect

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 62-year-old Phillip Palmer, who is alleged to be involved in the fatal shooting of 61-year-old Steven Stewart on May 2 in the 600 block of 21st Street, Northeast. Palmer was charged with First Degree Murder While Armed following a D.C. Superior Court Grand Jury indictment.

Carjacking Defendant Pleads Not Guilty at Arraignment

A carjacking defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges before DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld on Aug. 25.

Marcus Tucker, 30, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, armed carjacking, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and robbery while armed for his alleged involvement in a carjacking that occurred at the intersection of Hartford and 30th Street, NE on April 17.

According to court documents, an individual identified as Tucker and another suspect allegedly used a handgun to steal a victim’s car.

During the hearing, Carrie Weletz, Tucker’s attorney, alerted Judge Hertzfeld of Tucker’s intent to plead not guilty to all charges, and asserted his constitutional rights.

Parties are scheduled to reconvene on Sept. 2.

Carjacking Defendant Refuses to Appear in Court for the Fifth Time

A carjacking defendant failed to appear before the court for a felony arraignment with DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro which was scheduled for Aug. 26.

Rasheed Jenkins, 26, is charged with armed carjacking and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in an incident that took place on the 5700 block of Eads Street, NE on Jan. 31, 2022.

A US Marshal stated that Jenkins refused transport from the jail, once again citing medical reasons. According to court documents, he has already been absent for medical reasons three times, and was sent back to the DC Jail once for non-compliance.

Parties are slated to reconvene Aug. 29.

Defendant Plans to Withdraw Plea in Gang-Related Homicide Case

A homicide defendant in a gangland case alerted DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan of his intent to withdraw a guilty plea on Aug. 27 and requested a new attorney due to undisclosed conflicts.

On May 30, Ronald Henderson, 20, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and conspiracy for his involvement in two separate shootings – one of which resulted in the death of 16-year-old Justin Johnson and the injury of two additional individuals on May 26, 2022. The other was a non-fatal shooting that injured two individuals on Jan. 2, 2023. Both shootings occurred on the 2200 block of Savannah Terrace, SE.

As part of his plea agreement, all remaining charges against Henderson were dropped, and the two parties agreed on a sentencing range of 18-to-23 years, followed by five years of supervised release.

While no official motion to withdraw has been submitted, Judge Ryan clarified that, if approved, the withdrawal would be a violation of the original plea agreement. Additionally, Henderson’s withdrawal would result in further charges being brought against him.

If Henderson were to cancel his plea, co-defendants in his case might face issues relating to their own plea agreements. Derricko Johnson, 21, Daveon Robinson, 19, and Demarco Robinson, 21, all accepted a similar plea agreement relating to incidents that occurred between April 2022 and July 2023. These incidents stem from their involvement in the “Get Back Gang” (GBG), which prosecutors claim carried out assaults and murders of gang rivals.

According to the co-defendants’ plea agreement, “If any of these со-defendants fail to enter a guilty plea or successfully withdraws his plea before your client is sentenced, this agreement and any proceedings pursuant to this agreement may be withdrawn or voided at the sole discretion of the [prosecution].”

Parties are slated to reconvene Sept. 5.

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