Suspect Charged with Shooting Mother Cradling Baby Considers Plea Deal

By D.C. Witness Staff - August 30, 2023
Daily Stories | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

An Aug. 30 preliminary hearing before DC Magistrate Superior Court Judge Sherry Trafford was continued because the defendant in a non-fatal shooting is considering a plea deal. 

Darrious Johnson, 22, is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon in connection with an incident that took place on May 5 on the 4500 block of Dix Street, NE.  

According to a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) report, Johnson got into an argument over money with a number of people at the residence, some of whom were related.  As the altercation progressed, Johnson went upstairs, then came downstairs and opened fire.

In the melee, Johnson allegedly shot a woman in her left arm while she was cradling her baby.  The infant was uninjured. 

All in all, according to one witness, 13 shots were fired.  

When police arrived, they arrested Johnson but he managed to slip away momentarily. Later while police were interviewing Johnson, he was punched in the face by an individual identified as his cousin who has since been charged with simple assault for domestic violence. 

During the hearing Johnson told Judge Raymond that he wanted a new attorney to handle his case. As a result Claudine Harrison withdrew as counsel and was replaced by Lisbeth Sapirstein.

Sapirstein said that a plea deal was under consideration and Johnson needed additional time to review the details so she could get a “fresh start” with her new client.  

Judge Trafford set a new date for the preliminary hearing of September 27.