DC Superior Court Danya Dayson released a shooting suspect under 24-hour home confinement during a hearing on Nov. 6, after the defendant, a Special Police Officer, waived her right to a preliminary hearing.
Samura Brown, 32, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and endangerment with a firearm for her alleged involvement in a shooting involving her ex-husband at the 4600 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SW, on Nov. 3. No injuries were reported.
According to court documents, the incident stemmed from a dispute between the two. The victim reported that Brown allegedly went to retrieve a machete following the argument. After struggling for the machete and taking it from her, he allegedly saw Brown grab a handgun while fleeing from the scene. Soon after, he reportedly heard one round being shot from the apartment.
Brown’s attorney, Claudine Harrison, noted that she intended to waive her right to a preliminary hearing.
Harrison also requested Brown’s release pending future proceedings.
In light of the seriousness of the charges, the prosecutor asked for a continued hold. According to the prosecutor, there was strong evidence against Brown, including a report containing statements of her saying that she shot at the victim.
Harrison argued Brown is a mother of five, one of whom is an eight-month-old child being breast-fed. Furthermore, she was a Special police officer (SPO)and a small business owner for 10 years. According to Harrison, Brown also has family support from her parents, who were present at the hearing, and is “the type of person you can take a chance on.”
Harrison noted that the alleged shooting happened against Brown’s ex-husband, someone Brown had a complicated history with. According to Harrison, mul tiple civil protection orders (CPOs) were filed against each other, with one being filed against Brown’s ex-husband because he strangled one of their children.
Harrison suggeted that, for the sake of the argument, if the alleged charges were to be true, it could be understandable that a person in Brown’s position might feel the need to defend herself and her children against someone like her ex-husband.
Judge Dayson noted that despite Brown’s lack of criminal history and stable employment, the charges at hand were extremely concerning.
To ensure the safety of the victim, Judge Dayson ordered Brown to be held under 24-hour home confinement with electronic monitoring except for verified employment. Furthermore, a condition that Brown could not possess a firearm was imposed, whether that be communal or occupational. This could negatively impact Brown’s employment status, according to Harrison, as the firearm alleged to be used in the shooting was one that was provided to Brown by her job.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Jan. 8.
