Carson Hearing Postponed
Woman charged with shooting a gay man at a Columbia Heights IHOP Restaurant remains on ''home confinement''
A scheduled May 22 status hearing for LaShawn Carson, accused of shooting a gay man at a Columbia Heights IHOP Restaurant, has been postponed. A new hearing has been set for June 5. While the U.S. District Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia confirmed the postponement, no reason was given for the delay.
According to charging documents, Carson and her companions were taunting the gay man, using homophobic slurs, at the IHOP prior to the March 11 shooting, which occurred after a fight broke out between the shooting victim and one of Carson’s companions. Carson was arrested March 26 following an investigation.
Carson, 27, of D.C., was placed on ”home confinement” after being fitted with an electronic monitor May 4. At her May 3 status hearing, Magistrate Judge Frederick J. Sullivan said he was taking into consideration her lack of a criminal record, that she did not know the victim prior to the attack, and the characterization of the shooting as an isolated incident. Sullivan also cited Carson’s status as a mother of two when issuing the terms of her release. She remains under supervision at her mother’s D.C. residence as she awaits trial for one charge of aggravated assault while armed.
The victim, who was shot in the abdomen, was transported to Washington MedStar Hospital, where he was treated and later released.
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