Carson Hearing Rescheduled
Preliminary hearing for suspect in IHOP shooting case moved to May
The preliminary hearing for a woman accused of shooting a member of the LGBT community at an IHOP Restaurant in Columbia Heights was continued and rescheduled when she didn’t arrive in time for her 9 a.m. hearing, April 11.
LaShawn Carson, 27, who faces a charge of aggravated assault while armed, was not transported from jail in time for her hearing. Appearing before Judge Diana Harris Epps, Carson’s lawyer, Patrick Christmas, waived her presence at the hearing to move forward with proceedings. Carson, who has been held without bond, had the rest of her preliminary hearing rescheduled for May 3.
Carson was arrested March 26 following an investigation into the March 11 shooting, which occurred at around 6:30 a.m. in the IHOP at the corner of 14th and Irving Streets NW. According to police reports, Carson and two accomplices began verbally harassing the victim and two companions before one of her companions became involved in a physical confrontation with the victim.
According to witnesses, an off-duty police officer managed to separate the two who were fighting when a gunshot was heard and the three suspects fled the scene. The victim, who was shot in the abdomen, was transported to Washington MedStar Hospital, treated for his injuries and later released.
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