Off-Duty Officer Testifies He Responded to Nearby Gunfire

By Bridget Smith [former] - August 2, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

The trial for a shooting seriously wounding two victims began on July 31, with both parties delivering opening statements to a jury before DC Superior Court Judge Rainey Brandt.

Deon Cannon, 29, is charged with conspiracy, two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, five counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unlawful possession of a firearm by a convict, possession of an unregistered firearm, carrying a pistol without a license outside of a home or business, unlawful possession of ammunition and eight counts of destruction of property of less than $1000. 

The charges stem from his alleged involvement in a shooting incident that took place on the 2700 block of Terrace Road, SE on Sept. 5, 2021. Two individuals sustained life-threatening injuries during the incident. 

The prosecution argued that Cannon was responsible for shooting at the victim and his son as they walked on Terrace Road. An off-duty police officer living near the scene heard gunfire and allegedly encountered Cannon, who “blew off” his attempts at asking if he was alright. Other police officers on the scene apprehended Cannon after he tried to flee. 

The prosecution emphasized the severity of the crime, stating that Cannon and a co-conspirator fired over 20 shots at the two victims and followed them down the block after the first shots missed.

“He’s trying to carry out his plan to kill these people,” the prosecutor said. “Those are the stakes,” they added.

However, Jonathan Lanyi, Cannon’s defense attorney, stated that Cannon was not the shooter and only attempted to run away from the scene because he was afraid of being falsely accused. He insisted they arrested the wrong suspect.

Lanyi said there was no one at the scene who could identify Cannon as the shooter, and questioned the prosecution’s and the Metropolitan Police Department’s (MPD) inability to identify and arrest his alleged co-conspirator. 

“Where is the co-conspirator? Who is that person?” he asked.

The prosecution called a retired Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer who was the one living near the crime scene and responded while he was off-duty. 

According to the witness, he heard the gunshots while he was watching television in his living room and saw an individual running down the street.

He testified to calling in police support over his radio, and mentioned he saw someone walk away from the scene looking distressed. 

The witness asked if the individual was alright, and he responded that he had been “shot at” but didn’t want assistance. 

When asked about identifying the shooter, the witness said “I don’t recognize that person as I sit here today.”

During cross-examination the defense asked the witness if the man who didn’t want help was armed. The witness said he has received training to determine if someone is armed, but that it doesn’t always mean there isn’t a concealed weapon. 

He testified that, through his experience as an officer, there have been individuals who decline help from the police. 

Prosecutors also called a resident of Terrace Road who captured the shooting on his security camera. 

According to the witness, he hid on the ground at the sound of gunfire, and later inspected outside and found a number of damaged cars with broken windows and flat tires.

The prosecution played some of the video, which was captured by his home surveillance, and shows a man walking towards the corner of the building before leaving the frame. The witness testified that the individual seen in the footage was not a neighbor and he could not identify them. 

Parties are set to reconvene on Aug. 1.