Baltimore Man Indicted on Federal Gun Charge Following Foot Chase in Southeast

            WASHINGTON – Dion Zellars, 35, of Baltimore, Maryland, has been indicted on a federal firearms charge as part of the "Make D.C. Safe Again" initiative. The indictment was announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr., Special Agent in Charge Anthony Spotswood of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            Make D.C. Safe Again is a public safety initiative led by U.S. Attorney Martin that is surging resources to reduce violent crime in the District of Columbia. This initiative was created to address gun violence in the District, prioritize federal firearms violations, pursue tougher penalties for offenders, and seek detention for federal firearms violators.

            Zellars is charged with one count of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon.

            According to court documents, on March 20, 2025, MPD officers assigned to the Metropolitan Police Department’s Crime Suppression Team recovered a firearm following a foot pursuit of a suspect in Southeast Washington.

            At approximately 4:25 p.m., officers patrolling in the 4200 block of Southern Avenue, Southeast observed a group of individuals. One individual, later identified as the defendant, separated himself from the group upon seeing the marked MPD patrol cruiser. Officers noted that the defendant appeared evasive and attempted to conceal himself behind a parked SUV.

            As officers approached to investigate, they observed the defendant looking back at them and pretending to speak on a phone. Officers then saw the defendant clutch an item in his waistband before suddenly fleeing on foot. Officers gave chase and during the pursuit, observed the defendant discard a black firearm into a backyard.

            The defendant was apprehended shortly thereafter in another backyard. The firearm was recovered and determined to be a Glock.

            The defendant is prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition due to prior felony convictions.

            This case is being investigated by the ATF Washington Field Office and the Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Lawrence Barclay is prosecuting this case.

            An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.