Shooting Defendant’s Case Dismissed For Lack of Preliminary Hearing

By Maggie Rhoads [former] - August 9, 2024
Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Suspects |

DC Superior Court Judge Eric Glover dismissed a shooting defendant’s case on Aug. 9 due to the prosecution’s failure to conduct a preliminary hearing. 

Darrian Tabbs, 28, was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and receiving stolen property worth $1000 or more for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting incident on July 30 on the 600 block of Florida Avenue, NW. No one sustained injuries. 

According to court documents, Tabbs allegedly fired a gun into the air before fleeing into an alleyway. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers spoke to witnesses who pointed toward Tabbs. Officers allegedly found a gun on Tabbs and arrested him on scene. 

During the hearing, the prosecution extended a pre-preliminary plea offer to the defense requesting Tabbs waive his preliminary hearing rights. It is unclear what charges Tabbs would be required to plead guilty to through the deal.

Tabbs’ defense attorney, Shawn Sukumar, said his client rejected the plea offer. He also said the prosecution’s tolling time, which grants the prosecution an extension, ends today and requested Tabbs’ case be dismissed because he has the right to a preliminary hearing.

Judge Glover agreed with the defense and dismissed Tabbs’ case. According to court documents, Tabbs is set to be released from the jail. 

No further dates were set.