Prosecutors declined to seek arrest warrant for man later charged in D.C. mass shooting

Prosecutors declined warrant before driveby spree

WASHINGTON — Authorities say prosecutors initially declined to seek an arrest warrant for a man later charged in a driveby shooting that claimed four lives.

Officials say police requested an arrest warrant last week for Orlando Carter in the March 22 shooting death of Jordan Howe. The U.S. Attorney’s office said Friday prosecutors didn’t move forward with the warrant because there wasn’t sufficient probable cause at the time.

Authorities say Carter is now charged with first-degree murder in a driveby shooting Tuesday that killed four people and wounded five in southeast Washington. The victims had just returned from Howe’s funeral. Another man and a juvenile also face charges in Tuesday’s violence.

Carter also has been charged with second-degree murder in Howe’s death.