The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 24-year-old Antwon Lake, of Fort Washington, MD, in connection with a shooting incident in Northwest. On Aug. 2, officers responded to gunshots on the unit block of Florida Ave, NW, where a victim was shot at but not injured. Lake is alleged to have been involved and is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and destruction of property.
DC Superior Court Judge Dayna Dayson heard closing arguments on Sept. 24 in a jury trial involving a bus stop mass shooting that injured five victims, including a five-year-old girl.
Ronell Offutt, 36, is charged with five counts of assault with intent to kill while armed and five counts of possession of a firearm during crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting on the 2300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, on Feb 4, 2019.
One of the assault with intent to kill counts includes an enhancement for injuring a minor.
The prosecution used video evidence from various surveillance cameras, photos from key witnesses, and cell tower data to outline their theory of what occurred the day of the incident.
“He [Offutt] turned that street corner into a blood bath,” the prosecution said. “And for what, for what? He wanted revenge.”
The prosecution argued that Offutt decided to take matters into his own hands after he was physically assaulted with a bat by multiple suspects an hour before the shooting. His fiance and daughter were in the car and witnessed the attack.
The prosecution claimed that surveillance footage from a car wash, photos taken by a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) commander, and a piece of hair confirmed to be Offutt’s proves he was present during the initial altercation. During an interview with police, Offutt allegedly confirmed he was the one in the photos taken by the MPD commander.
“Think about how violent the altercation was for him to lose his hair,” said the prosecution. “Something awful happened to Mr. Offutt but that doesn’t justify a shooting.”
The prosecution claimed that, during the hour before the shooting, Offutt went home to retrieve a firearm and came back to the area where he was assaulted, proving that the shooting was premeditated. They used his fiancé’s cell phone data to track his movements.
The prosecution used video clips from local businesses of a man walking with a multicolored hat and white shoes to claim that Offutt parked two blocks away from the bus stop, walked past the bus stop, turned around, and opened fire at the pedestrians.
They claim he fired eight shots, with a brief pause after the initial three shots, arguing that he stopped to aim and reflect on the shooting.
According to the prosecution, there were five victims: one who was shot twice, one who was shot in the chest, a victim who was five years old, and two others shot once. The victim shot in the chest was allegedly wearing similar clothing to one of Offutt’s assailants who they allege was Offutt’s intended target.
The prosecution also claimed that surveillance footage and photos from a witness captured Offutt running from the scene of the crime with a firearm. The man in the footage wears what appears to be the same hat and shoes from Offutt’s initial assault.
The prosecution argued that a firearm recovered in a Maryland traffic stop was used in the shooting based on the eight shell casings and two projectiles examined by an expert. The DNA collected on the firearm was a likely match for Offutt.
The prosecution also argued that the projectiles retrieved from a car in the direct line of the shooting path demonstrate that the shooter aimed at human height.
To prove that Offutt had intent to kill, the prosecution must convince the jury that Offutt’s return to the scene of the assault and fire directly at people.
“This is a crowded bus stop, you don’t open fire at a crowded bus stop unless you intend to kill,” the prosecution said. “He didn’t walk around and trip on his gun, he walked around the block and shot at people.”
Donna Beasley, Offut’s defense attorney, argued that the surveillance footageis unreliable because the timestamps do not match the timeline outlined by the prosecution. She claimed that some of the footage is from before and after the shooting happened.
“The prosecution does not explain this in any shape, form, or fashion,” Beasley said.
In rebuttal, the prosecution argued that the time stamp variance should not play a role in the jury’s decision making because the sequence of events captured in the footage does correlate.
“There is timestamp variance,” the prosecution said. “But the video content matches up.”
Beasley took issue with the prosecution’s failure to maintain the metadata from the photos taken by the witness. Without the metadata, there is no way to confirm the date, time, or that the photos were not fabricated. When instructing the jury, Judge Dayson explained that they should consider this a prosecutorial failing.
Beasley doubted the credibility of the witness who took the photos. She argued that the photos demonstrate that the witness could not see the bus stop from his location. She also argued that he falsely identified the victims in his photos.
The prosecution argued on rebuttal that the metadata is not important when the witness can clarify any questions about the photos.
“[He] has no motive to lie, to fabricate,” the prosecution said. “You know who else can tell you that, the person who testified under oath. He had first hand knowledge of the contents.”
Beasley also argued that the prosecution had no way of proving that one of the victims was Offut’s assailant. Beasley explained that, without that confirmation, any arguments of motive or intent that connect Offutt to the crime are moot.
“The prosecution said [one of Offutt’s alleged attackers] was a target,” Beasley said. “There hasn’t been any investigation into who beat up Mr. Offutt.”
Challenging one of the five charges and its accompanying firearm charge, Beasley explained that the fifth victim may not be a victim of the shooting. She explained that there is limited knowledge of his identity and there is no way to connect the alleged victim to the shooting patient at Howard Hospital.
The prosecution argued that the bus stop footage shows a fifth man injured as he began limping and hopping as a result of a new wound.
Beasley also questioned the DNA evidence. She argued that the prosecution should have considered the DNA of the person in the traffic stop instead of only testing Offutt’s DNA.
“The [prosecution] decided who their suspect was and they were going to make a case for it,” Beasley said.
Beasley also argued that the projectiles were different colors and were most likely from different guns.
The prosecution argued on rebuttal that testing the firearm for another set of DNA doesn’t change the likelihood that Offutt’s DNA is on the firearm.
Lastly, Beasely reminded the court that there was no in court identification of the defendant. None of the witnesses were asked to identify Offutt as the shooter when testifying in court.
Before the jury entered the courtroom, Judge Dayson dismissed two of the original charges against Offut including aggravated assault knowingly while armed and the accompanying firearm charge.
Based on the testimony of one of the victim’s physicians, there was no evidence of “significant bodily injury” to meet the definition of aggravated result.
The jury is deliberating the case.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced a third arrest in connection with a quadruple shooting on July 18, 2024, on the 2200 block of Alabama Avenue, SE, which resulted in the deaths of Lamont Street, 29, and Jermaine Proctor, 50. Two other victims, including one surviving victim, were treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Dionzai Parker, 21, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed. This follows the earlier arrests of Andre Greene, 25, and Jordan McClaine, 17, both charged with the same offense.
The prosecution introduced technical evidence on several fronts in a fatal shooting in front of DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt on Sept. 22.
Reginald Steele, 26, is charged with conspiracy, first-degree murder, 10 counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, 11 counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, four counts of carrying a pistol without a license, five counts of possession of an unregistered firearm, and two counts of tampering with physical evidence.
These charges stem from Steele’s alleged involvement in four separate shootings, including the murder of 13-year-old Malachi Lukes and injury of another juvenile on March 1, 2020, on the 600 block of S Street, NW. Steele’s accused of a separate shooting the same day with no reported injuries on the unit block of Channing Street, NE.
The other incidents Steele is accused of include a non-fatal shooting that injured two individuals on Feb. 22, 2020, on the 700 block of Farragut Street, NW, and a non-fatal shooting that injured three on Feb. 24, 2020, on the 1700 block of 9th Street, NW.
Investigators testified about the execution of a search warrant and the processing of evidence related to the 2020 homicide case. An investigator from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) described assisting in a 6 a. m. search at Steele’s apartment on the 2000 Block of Douglas Street, NE, where officers allegedly recovered firearms, electronics, clothing, multiple phones, and ammunition.
He noted that the purpose of the early search was to maintain the element of surprise. The items were documented but not handled by him directly, and several images of the evidence were shown in court.
A crime scene officer with more than a decade of experience testified, explaining how bullet casings were photographed and numbered to track their original locations. Eight casings were found at the Channing Street scene, and he noted that while he couldn’t recall exactly when he arrived, other officers were already present. He admitted on cross-examination that it was possible the casings could have shifted due to movement at the scene.
Prosecutors also called on a weapons specialist who explained the bullet fragments recovered were too damaged to be definitively matched to a specific weapon but were consistent with the type of firearm believed used in he shootings.
The firearms specialist identified two weapons, a Glock 9mm and .40 caliber semiautomatic pistols, and explained to the jury how he would connect them to a crime. He stated that he typically test fires the weapons and collects the casing to compare it with casings collected at the scene.
The witness testified that the bullet casings recovered at the scene could not have come from the guns presented to the court.
Defense’s cross examination consisted of confirming that the casings recovered at the scene did not come from the firearms presented to the jury and that bullet casings can fly in unpredictable patterns once ejected from the gun.
The jury was dismissed an hour early so counsel could discuss objections the defense had to rap videos and photos of the defendant that were going to be used for identification by a future witness.
The prosecution planned to present a younger picture of Steele to the witness because it would have been closer in time to the shooting. The defense argued this photo was prejudicial to the defendant because it depicted him wearing an ankle monitor and smoking what appeared to be marijuana. Judge Brandt tabled the issue for further consideration.
The next exhibit was a rap video in which a person said to be the defendant can be seen dancing in the foreground. The prosecution stated it was relevant because it took place near the 3500 neighborhood and describes the group’s mourning of Tahlil Byrd, 19, whose murder is alleged to have started the beef that led to the shooting that killed Lukes.
The defense argued that the actions depicted in the video, including drug use and brandishing of firearms, were again prejudicial to Steele since he did not make the video himself.
The court ordered counsels to convene and determine whether the videos should be edited or used at all.
Trial is set to reconvene on Sept. 23.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 39-year-old Solaiman Richardson, alleged suspect in a fatal shooting that occurred on July 18 in Northeast. The victim, identified as 41-year-old Allen Shropshire, was found dead from a gunshot wound in an apartment on Fort Drive. Richardson was apprehended in Baltimore and charged with second-degree murder while armed.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced an update regarding the 2024 homicide on Dunbar Road, SE, with a third arrest made. On Nov. 8, 2024, the remains of 18-year-old Alexander Ariel Pavon-Rios were found, and his death was ruled a homicide due to multiple gunshot wounds. Previously, Miguel Antonio Hernandez-Orantes and Antonio Benahias Morales were arrested and charged with first-degree murder. On Sep. 16, 21-year-old Angel Manfredi Campos-Melendez was also arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of a 16-year-old male suspect in connection with a shooting incident on Aug. 18 on the 2700 block of Martin Luther King Jr Avenue, SE. The juvenile suspect has been charged with assault with a dangerous weapon after a juvenile male victim self-transported to a hospital with gunshot wounds. The investigation is ongoing.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 20-year-old Kamari Childs, of Southwest, DC, in connection with a shooting incident on Sep. 15 in the 200 block of N Street, SW. Childs is alleged to have been involved in the unlawful discharge of a firearm and has been charged with endangerment with a firearm, unlawful discharge of a firearm, and destruction of property. No injuries were reported in the incident.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 38-year-old Edgar Arrington, alleged to be involved in the fatal shooting of 28-year-old Daquane Johnson on July 5 in the 2000 block of Benning Road, NE. Arrington has been charged with first-degree murder while armed.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the arrest of 31-year-old Andre Townsend, alleged to be involved in a fatal shooting on March 18 in SE. The incident occurred on the 3000 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, where 39-year-old Derrick Howard of Baltimore, MD, was found with a life-threatening gunshot wound and later pronounced deceased. Townsend has been charged with second-degree murder while armed.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced an arrest in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred on Aug 13, 2024. The victim, identified as 38-year-old Antowine Baker, was found with gunshot wounds in a park on the 500 block of Division Avenue, NE, and later pronounced dead. On Sep 15, 2025, Christian Ware was arrested and charged with Second Degree Murder While Armed.
Once again, a carjacking defendant refused to show up before the court for a felony status conference scheduled for DC Superior Court Jennier Di Toro on Sept. 18.
Rasheed Jenkins, 26, is charged with 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 alerted Judge Di Toro that Jenkins refused to appear in court for the seventh time since April.
Parties discussed a report from the Department of Behavioral Health (DBH), which requested an extension to continue observing Jenkins for health issues, as he had refused to be evaluated by doctors.
The parties are slated to reconvene on Oct. 31.
A homicide defendant pleaded not guilty and asked the court to modify his release conditions from house arrest to a curfew in a hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson on Sept. 19.
Alfred Paulino-Del Rosario, 22, is charged with conspiracy, first-degree murder while armed, armed carjacking, and two counts of firearm possession during a crime of violence due to his alleged involvement in the fatal shooting of Jhonatan Guzman Hernandez, 21, on the 2400 block of 15th Street, NW, on Dec. 30, 2022.
During his hearing, defense attorney Molly Bunke alerted the court of his intent to plead not guilty to all charges and asserted his constitutional rights, including the right to a speedy trial.
Bunke motioned for the court to release Rosario with a curfew instead of home confinement, arguing that Rosario had followed his release conditions perfectly for nine months and was always early to his court hearings, making a curfew “certainly appropriate.”
The prosecution responded to the motion by highlighting to the court that Rosario was indicted on serious charges and that the court had a duty to ensure community safety.
Judge Dayson agreed with the prosecution and denied the defense’s motion, stating that Rosario’s compliance with his release conditions did not mean that those conditions should be changed.
Parties are slated to reconvene Oct. 31.
A young carjacking defendant rejected a plea offer before DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz on Sept. 19 in a case that could send all the young suspects to jail for decades.
Byron Gillum, Jaelen Jordan, Isaiah Flowers, Jahkai Goff, Warren Montgomery, Taj Giles and Irshaad Ellis-Bey, all 20 years old, are charged with conspiracy, trafficking stolen property, two counts of armed carjacking, two counts of unauthorized use of a vehicle, four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and two counts of robbery while armed. Charges stem from their alleged involvement in a carjacking that occurred at the intersection of K Street and 8th Street, NE, on April 27, 2023.
Additionally, Jordan, Goff, Gillum, Ellis-Bey, Giles, and Flowers are charged with two additional counts of unauthorized use of a vehicle, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, armed carjacking of a senior citizen, receiving stolen property of $1,000 or more, and robbery of a senior citizen while armed. Charges stem from their alleged involvement in a carjacking that occurred on the 600 block of Butternut Street, NE, on May 16, 2023.
The prosecution offered a plea deal to Flowers where if he pleaded guilty to armed carjacking for the May 16 incident, armed robbery for the April 27 incident and trafficking stolen property, they would dismiss all other charges. Additionally, they would reserve the enhancement for a senior citizen but not seek any others. Parties would have agreed to a sentencing range of 20-and-a-half-to-25-and-a-half years.
Flowers would not have to testify during trial, but would have to give statements to assist the prosecution.
Flowers rejected the offer.
The case is set to go to trial on Oct. 20 and will likely go through the end of the year, according to the prosecutor.
The prosecution explained that the harshest sentence the defendants could receive if convicted is 73-and-a-half years.
Judge Kravitz urged the defendants to discuss with their lawyers about whether they want to go to trial given the stiffs sentences they face. He emphasized that was not offering an opinion.
“This is your decision to make,” Judge Kravitz said.
Parties also discussed several outstanding motions, including Goff’s to preclude a DNA expert witness and footage from a music video. The other defendants’ attorneys said they did not receive these requests, despite a rule that requires co-defendants to send motions to all involved parties unless they are labeled differently.
Goff’s attorney, Janai Reed, said that another judge told her that she would not necessarily have to send the motions to the other defense attorneys. Judge Kravitz disagreed.
“This is not a closed question,” he said.
The prosecution also said their case involves around 100 witnesses if the defendants do not stipulate the facts from fingerprint and DNA witnesses. The prosecution said they want to reduce the number of witnesses through stipulations so the trial does not extend into the New Year.
The defense attorneys asked for a draft of the stipulations so they can discuss them with their clients. All defendants have to agree to the stipulations.
The stipulations and outstanding motions will be discussed in a hearing before the trial begins.
Parties are set to reconvene on Sept. 26.
DC Superior Court Judge Carmen McLean sentenced a non-fatal shooting defendant to three years of imprisonment after passionate statements from both sides on Sept. 19.
A jury convicted Ni’Jhae Curry, 26, on March 19 of assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, endangerment with a firearm, two counts of carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, and possession of a prohibited weapon. The charges stem from her involvement in a non-fatal shooting on Oct. 17, 2023 on the 900 block of Sycamore Drive, SE.
According to court documents, Curry and the victim physically fought inside the building where they both lived. Curry then retrieved her gun, followed the victim outside, and fired one shot. The victim suffered from small lacerations to her face but no gunshot injuries.
At sentencing, the prosecution requested Curry serve five years each for the assault and possession of a firearm charges in addition to one year each for endangerment with a firearm, both counts of carrying a pistol, and possession of a prohibited weapon. The prosecutor requested all sentences run concurrently with three years of supervised release and one year of probation to allow Curry to receive mental health services.
“Home is where we go for rest, for comfort, it’s a place where we are supposed to have a sense of security. [Curry] ripped away that sense of safety and security from the victim,” said the prosecution. The prosecutor also noted Curry fired in “broad daylight, in a residential neighborhood.”
The prosecutor displayed photos of the two guns recovered from Curry’s car, including an AR-style ghost gun and noted that Curry admitted to Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers that they were her “house guns.” Despite Curry’s lack of criminal history, the prosecutor asserted the guns were evidence of her ongoing criminal conduct at the time of the incident.
The victim’s mother passionately urged Judge McLean to impose the maximum sentence and expressed “I find it impossible to forgive [Curry], I’ll never forgive her, I’ll never forgive her for what she did. She needs to go forever, please keep her until she hits menopause so she can’t bring anymore children into the world that act like her.”
“It’s in your bloodline to be the punk a** b**** that you are,” the victim’s mother addressed Curry in the courtroom and Judge McLean reminded her not to speak directly to the defendant. The mother also asserted that mental health should not be a factor in sentencing and Judge McLean asked her to respect everyone’s lived experiences.
The prosecution noted that “the victim lives with the trauma and still deals with the fact that she was assaulted with a gun in her own home.” They argued that the sentence requested addressed the victim’s pain and trauma in addition to concerns that Curry might commit future offenses.
Curry’s attorney, Kevann Gardner, requested she serve two years of imprisonment, with all time suspended except for time she’s already served, in addition to two years of supervised probation with 90 hours of community service and comprehensive mental health services.
Gardner requested a sentence under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA), which allows people under 25 who are convicted of certain crimes to have their convictions sealed or cleared after they successfully complete their sentence and potentially offers sentencing flexibility for the defendant. Curry was eligible for consideration under the YRA since she was 24 at the time of the offense.
Gardner described Curry as a “prime candidate for the YRA” because she is “a young woman who is dedicated to not let her past trauma derail her from a bright future.” According to Gardner, Curry’s father was violently murdered when she was two and her grandmother died when she was ten.
Additionally, Gardner disputed the prosecution’s characterization of Curry as not remorseful and said Curry looked forward to speaking with the victim. He also asserted that Curry’s possession of firearms does not inherently make her a bad person.
“Your honor, I respectfully ask for your leniency,” Curry’s mother said to Judge McLean.
A licensed clinical social worker asked the judge to consider the profound impact of early exposure to violence and trauma on Curry’s life when deciding her sentence. The social worker said Curry made a “commitment to the betterment of herself” during her incarceration.
“I stand before you now not as a criminal, but as a woman dedicated to growth, service, and purpose. As a first time offender, I ask for your grace,” said Curry to Judge McLean. Curry informed the judge that she earned her esthetician license, founded a business to provide these services, and a non-profit organization to teach other professionals.
During her incarceration, Curry said she focused on her personal development, including enrollment in Georgetown University’s Prisons and Justice Initiative, a program that provides incarcerated individuals with opportunities for their future. The week prior to sentencing, the program asked Curry to describe her story in seven words and she responded “I’m not who I used to be.”
“I treated you how others treated me,” said Curry to the victim, “I truly apologize for transferring that trauma over to you.”
Judge McLean said “The person presented to me today is a completely different person than I saw at trial… I’m trying to discern how much of this person is sincere.”
The judge said during the trial Curry presented “excuses and reasons…it seemed like a completely distorted view of what occurred.”
“I’m glad that you have done all of what you’ve done while you’ve been incarcerated. I really hope it’s sincere, but it doesn’t undo what you did,” said the judge to Curry. Judge McLean noted that Curry attacked another person completely unprovoked, shot a gun in a public place, and had two illegally obtained guns.
“I disagree with counsel that Curry is the perfect case for the youth act,” expressed Judge McLean although she decided to apply the YRA to Curry’s sentence.
Judge McLean sentenced Curry to four years of imprisonment, all but two suspended, for the assault charge and five years, all but three suspended, for the possession of a firearm charge. In addition to one year each for the endangerment charge, both counts of carrying a pistol, and possession of a prohibited weapon, all time suspended.
Curry’s sentences will run concurrently, a total of three years of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, suspended in favor of two years of supervised probation. Upon her release, Curry will be required to register as a gun offender in DC, complete 90 hours of community service and stay-away from the victim and her daughter.
Judge McLean noted the law required a five year mandatory minimum for possession of a firearm but that the application of the YRA allowed her to suspend a portion of the sentence.
No further dates were set.
