Shooting Defendant Rejects Multi-State Global Plea Offer

By Payton Anderson - April 23, 2024
Daily Stories | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A defendant, alleged to be part of the Jacksonville Jewelers, a criminal gang in Florida, rejected a plea offer that would resolve multi-state charges before DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo.  

Jaylaun Brown, 21, is charged with seven counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, eight counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and aggravated assault knowingly while armed, for his alleged involvement in a mass shooting on Jan. 21, 2023 on the 1400 block of 9th Street, NW. The incident left seven individuals suffering from gunshot injuries. 

According to court documents, Brown allegedly stole a firearm and began shooting upon entering a liquor store. Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) responded to the scene and found one victim suffering from two non-life-threatening gunshot wounds. According to MPD, Brown and the victim had been shooting at one another.  

Brown is also facing unspecified charges in Florida for his alleged involvement in a robbery in August of 2023. 

The plea offer extended to Brown required him to plead guilty to seven counts of assault with intent to kill while armed and aggravated assault, as well as the unspecified charge in Florida, in exchange for a dismissal of all other charges. 

In an April 23 hearing, Brown’s defense attorney, Terrence Austin, said he and Brown had spent enough time considering this offer. 

“I have spoken with him [Brown] on both matters,” Austin said. “And yes, at this time he would like to reject the offer.” 

The defense said Brown does not want to plead guilty to all charges in the DC case and would consider a plea offer if his Florida and DC charges were unwired. 

Parties are slated to return on Aug. 2.