Jerrell Lamont Jackson, 41, has been charged in federal court after a shootout in south-east Washington DC left a Georgia National Guardsman wounded and the alleged gunman injured.
The incident happened shortly after 11pm on Sunday October 18 in the 400 block of 8th Street SE, in the Barracks Row area, when National Guard members intervened in a fight outside Café 8.
Police identified the injured guardsman as Karon Jones, from Lawrenceville, Georgia. He was shot in the leg and later released from hospital after treatment for injuries described as non-life-threatening.
National Guard member shot during DC street fight
According to the federal complaint, guardsmen were in a vehicle near 424 8th Street SE when they saw a physical altercation on the pavement. As they got out to intervene, Jackson allegedly produced a pistol and began firing.
The complaint states that the guardsmen ordered him to drop the weapon, but that he ran towards an alley while continuing to fire in their direction. Three National Guard members returned fire, striking Jackson in the abdomen.
He was detained after the exchange and taken to hospital by DC Fire and EMS, along with the wounded guardsman. Both were treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Court documents say a ShotSpotter system detected approximately nine gunshots in the vicinity shortly after 11.10pm. Surveillance footage released by the US Attorney’s Office appears to show people running for cover, while a nearby smoke shop’s front door was damaged by gunfire.
Investigators recovered a Taurus G2C 9mm pistol from underneath a parked Subaru, where Jackson allegedly took cover. At least 14 spent shell casings were also found at the scene.
Jackson faces federal charges of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon, assault with a dangerous weapon, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence or dangerous offence.
He had already been charged by the Metropolitan Police Department with assault with a dangerous weapon, assault on a police officer and emergency personnel, carrying a pistol without a licence, and possession of a firearm by a felon.
The federal case was opened by criminal complaint and an arrest warrant was issued. The allegations have not been tested in court, and Jackson is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
The Metropolitan Police Department’s Internal Affairs Bureau and its Force Investigations Team are examining the shooting because National Guard members discharged their weapons. The First District Detective Unit is also involved in the wider investigation.
According to a US Marshals Service report cited in the case, Jackson has previous convictions including assaulting a police officer, illegally carrying a pistol and multiple parole violations.
Jackson remains in custody while the federal proceedings continue.
