Victim’s Identification Questioned in Non-Fatal Shooting Case

By Mia Febles - February 15, 2024
Daily Stories | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On Feb 15, the validity of allegations made by a victim in a non-fatal shooting were questioned before DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe.

Jamal Coleman, 31, is charged with assault with intent to kill while armed and aggravated assault knowingly while armed, for his alleged involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on May 4, 2023, on the 4600 block of Polk Street, NE. No injuries were reported. 

According to Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) documents, Coleman drove a black Chevy sedan westbound on the 4600 block of Polk Street to the intersection of Polk and Olive Street, NE.

Surveillance footage shows the vehicle making a U-turn, slowing down as it approaches the victim, and opening the front passenger window. The victim is seen ducking down, and running away when shots were fired from the car. 

The prosecution referred to the victim’s grand jury testimony, where he claimed that he saw Coleman with weapons before the incident.

Coleman’s defense attorneys, Elizabeth Weller and Carrie Weletz, argued that there is no proof that he had any weapons before the incident. 

Weletz claimed that the grand jury transcript was confusing and not a good depiction of what actually happened the day of the incident.

The prosecution stated that the victim saw Coleman on the driver’s side of the black Chevy with an unidentified individual in the passenger side. The passenger is alleged to be the shooter, yet the victim can’t exactly describe the passenger. 

The prosecution claimed that Coleman had intentions of committing the drive-by shooting, and knew that the passenger was going to fire.

Weletz stated that there is no proof that Coleman had any intentions of committing the shooting and had no idea that the passenger was going to shoot.

The defense asked Judge O’Keefe if Coleman can be put on home confinement, explaining that he has a very limited criminal history. 

The prosecution objected to Coleman’s release to home confinement due to the fact that he is being charged with very serious allegations. 

The judge will make a ruling from his chambers, and no future dates were set.