District Man Indicted on Assault with Intent to Kill While Armed Arising from the August 31, 2022 Shooting of a Juvenile

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, June 15, 2023

Defendant Accused of Shooting one 17-Year-Old and Pointing Gun at Another

            WASHINGTON – Delmar Whitley, also known as Damar Whitley, 46, of Washington, D.C., is charged by indictment, filed today, with assault with intent to kill while armed and other charges stemming from the Aug. 31, 2022, shooting of one 17-year old, and the threat to shoot another 17-year old. The indictment was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves and Interim Chief Ashan M. Benedict, of the Metropolitan Police Department.

            Whitley was indicted by a Superior Court grand jury and charged with assault with intent to kill while armed with a firearm committed against a minor; aggravated assault while armed with a firearm committed against a minor; and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon committed against a minor. Whitley also was indicted on charges of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence or dangerous offense, unlawful possession of a firearm, carrying a pistol without a license, possession of an unregistered firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition.

            Whitley is to be arraigned on June 23, 2023, at a hearing before the Honorable Marisa Demeo.  He faces a maximum of 45 years in prison if convicted of the lead charge, and an additional 15 years if convicted of the assault on the second teenager.

            According to the government’s evidence, on Aug. 31, 2022, at about 9:27 a.m., Whitley returned home to the apartment building where he resided in the 4700 block of Alabama Avenue SE.  As he passed through the common area of the building, Whitley exchanged words with the first victim, a 17-year-old who was visiting the building before he and his classmates were to go to school.  According to the evidence, after that exchange, Whitley briefly went inside his apartment before coming back with a firearm and shooting the teenager in the face, and then chasing him outside and shooting him again in the back. Whitley is also accused of pointing the firearm at another teen who was also trying to get away.

            Following the assaults, Whitley fled the scene. Whitley was arrested on Sept. 22, 2022, and has remained in custody since his arrest.

            In announcing the charges, U.S. Attorney Graves and Interim Chief Benedict commended the work of those investigating the case from the Metropolitan Police Department.  They acknowledged the efforts of those who are working on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Victim/Witness Advocate Christina Bloodworth and Paralegal Specialist Antoinette Sakamsa.  Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah Prins and Michael Roberts, who are investigating and prosecuting the case.

            An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of criminal laws and every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.