Federal Prosecutors Decline Charges Against Homeland Security Agents in D.C. Shootings

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Federal prosecutors will not file charges against Homeland Security agents who fired shots into vehicles during two separate incidents in Washington, D.C., last year, citing a lack of injuries and the agents’ claims that they feared for their lives. In both cases, the agents said they believed the drivers were using their vehicles as weapons and opened fire in response. No one was hit by gunfire, a key factor prosecutors used in their decision to decline charges.

The drivers involved, Phillip Brown and Justin Nelson, initially faced charges for attempting to flee law enforcement, but prosecutors later dropped those cases as well. The decision not to charge the agents has drawn criticism from advocates and attorneys, who argue that prosecutors applied a different standard to law enforcement than to civilians.

Brown’s attorney pushed back strongly on the ruling, noting that a bullet narrowly missed his client and struck the collar of his jacket. The attorney described the reasoning behind the decision as “disingenuous” and said the public still lacks a clear explanation for why the agents avoided charges.

Brown said the incident left him with lasting emotional trauma and fear, adding that he now struggles to leave his home. Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police Department has launched an internal investigation after learning that an initial police report failed to mention that agents fired shots at Brown.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office declined to comment further on the decision.