A jury trial continued before DC Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson on Sept. 18, where several witnesses were called to testify about the impact of a mass shooting in 2019.
Ronell Offutt, 36, is charged with five counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, six charges of possession of a firearm, and aggravated assault while armed during a crime of violence for his alleged role in a mass shooting at a bus stop on the 2300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE on Feb. 4, 2019. The incident left five people injured, including a five-year-old minor.
The prosecution began its case by questioning the minor victim, who was shot in the right arm while waiting at a bus stop with her grandmother. She described undergoing surgery for her injuries and showed the jury the scars from the shooting.
Offutt’s defense attorney, Donna Beasley, asked the victim if she saw the shooter, but the victim said she did not.
An eyewitness whose office overlooked the scene testified he heard and saw shots being fired. He took photographs of the scene, that include the suspect running away, from his office and shared them with police.
Two additional gunshot victims recounted their injuries. One was struck in his right thigh and the other was struck in his mid-back, with the bullet exiting through his upper chest. During Beasley’s questioning, none of the victims recalled the identity of the shooter at the scene.
The prosecution also called a former DC forensic science investigator who described recovering and capturing eight cartridge casings, clothing, hair, keys, and glasses at the scene after the incident. Both the prosecution and the defense acknowledged the validity of the evidence shared with the jury.
A Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officer at the time, assigned to the Mobile Crime Unit, was called to testify. This witness had responded to George Washington Hospital to take photographs of the child and his wounds, which included injuries to his shoulder and abdomen, and collect physical evidence including clothing.
Parties are slated to reconvene on Sept. 18.
