Shooting Defendant Absent for Court Hearing

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A shooting defendant failed to appear in court on June 24 for a hearing in front of DC Superior Court Judge Heidi Pasichow.

Roscoe Atchinson, 32, is charged with assault with intent to commit robbery while armed and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction greater than one year. The offense occurred on April 15, 2020, at 4000 block of Livingston Road, SE.

According to court documents, Atchinson and another man allegedly ambushed the victim while he was conducting foot patrol around the Friendship Court Apartments complex. Atchinson is accused of pointing a gun at the victim’s head. The victim, unharmed, grabbed the handgun and shot the defendant, who suffered gunshot wounds to his right thigh and right lower back.

Atchinson now uses a wheelchair because the incident left him paraplegic.

Atchinson’s defense attorney Raymond Jones, who was present via Webex, stated that he tried to reach Atchinson regarding the court hearing. Jones said he believed that Atchinson’s absence could be due to a mix-up in scheduling.

Due to Atchinson’s consistency in complying with pretrial release conditions, Judge Pasichow chose not to issue a bench warrant.

Parties are slated to return on Aug. 14.