The lead detective and the victim testify in a shooting and robbery trial

Written by Nick Palotto
– November 2, 2023
Daily stories | Archery | Suspects |

On November 1, jurors heard from the lead investigator and the victim in connection with the April 2020 shooting and robbery.

Anthony Owens and George Belk, both 44, are charged with assault with intent to commit robbery while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for their alleged involvement in a shooting and robbery that occurred on April 15, 2020, on the 1300 block of Good Hope Road, SE. The accident left Owens and Belk with minor injuries.

The prosecution called a Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detective to testify.

According to the investigator, there is an MPD surveillance camera at the intersection of 14th Street and T Street, SE, which faces the crime scene.

Prosecutors showed video footage from the camera that they say shows a blue car on the left side of the screen parked on 14th Street, opposite Owen’s black truck parked on the other side of the street.

The footage shows the robbery victim getting out of his car and walking across the street toward a restaurant on Good Hope Road as Owen’s truck pulls away toward T Street.

According to court documents, Owen and Belk allegedly returned toward the restaurant while the victim was still inside. When the victim returned to his car, Owen and Belk approached him on the sidewalk.

The detective identified Owens and Belk running after the victim as he opened his car door and trying to rob him. According to the investigator, they did not find a weapon on the victim.

During the struggle, the car door opens and Owens and Belk appear to try to push the victim into his car.

Later, a person named “Mr. B” as he fled the scene into an alley.

According to court documents, “Mr. B” and the victim knew each other.

The video shows Owens and Belk lying on the back left side of the victim’s vehicle. The victim appears to grab a firearm from the front of his car and shoot Owens and Belk, with the investigator describing seeing “muzzle flashes.”

The investigator indicated to the jury that the victim could be seen fleeing into the same alley where “Mr. B” was located. According to Detective “Mr. B” he was never located.

The investigator also stated that during the victim’s interviews, he rarely discussed “Mr. B,” and the GPD was unable to bring him in for questioning, even though they wanted to.

Everald Thompson, Owen’s defense attorney, asked the detective if he had made any kind of deal with the victim to try to bring in “Mr.” B.”

The investigator said he did not have that authority.

After the investigator’s testimony, the prosecution summoned the victim to testify.

On the morning of April 15, 2020, he went to have breakfast. He told the court that when he got out of his car and headed to the restaurant, he had to walk back because he forgot his money.

According to the victim, when he reached the door of his car, a man approached him from behind and asked him to “give it up” while another person placed a firearm on his stomach, while another person appeared behind the victim at the same time.

The victim claimed that he heard gunshots when he opened his car door.

Following the shooting, the victim grabbed a gun from inside his car and fired in the previous direction of the robbers.

The victim stated that the person who intervened to help him and shot the accused was his “guardian angel.”

The trial is scheduled to resume on November 2.

Notifications are not yet available for this specific case. Please check back later for updates. Thank you.