Shooting Defendant Accepts Plea Offer

By Phillip Lopez - January 31, 2024
Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting |

On Jan. 31, a shooting defendant accepted a plea deal extended by prosecutors in DC Superior Court Judge Lynn Leibovitz’s courtroom.  

Zaria Williams, 22, was originally charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a large capacity ammunition feeding device, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for her involvement in a non-fatal shooting. The incident occurred on Sept. 15, 2023, on the 3900 block of Georgia Avenue, NW. No gunshot injuries were reported during the incident.  

During the hearing, Williams’ attorney, Thomas Lester, alerted the court she was accepting a plea offer that required her to plead guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and unlawfully carrying a pistol without a license, in exchange for the prosecution not seeking an indictment.   

The prosecutors stated that, had the case gone to trial, they would have proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Williams was the perpetrator and acted voluntarily. She did not act in self-defense. 

Lester requested Williams be released as she awaits sentencing, arguing she was pregnant at the time of the incident, and stated she should be on probation rather than serve jail time. 

Judge Leibovitz denied the request, due to the nature and circumstances of the offense. 

Williams is scheduled for sentencing on April 5.