Christopher Forbes, a 30-year-old resident of Suitland, Maryland, faces federal firearms charges linked to a broader initiative to curb violent crime in the District of Columbia. The charges stem from the "Make D.C. Safe Again" initiative, as announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin Jr., alongside representatives from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
The initiative, led by U.S. Attorney Martin, focuses on combating gun violence in Washington, D.C., through prioritizing federal firearms violations, imposing stricter penalties, and seeking detention for offenders.
Forbes' indictment includes counts of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition as a felon, possession after a misdemeanor domestic violence conviction, and unlawful discharge of a firearm. The charges relate to an incident on April 5, 2025, where MPD officers responded to reports of gunfire in the 1800 block of A Street SE. Forbes was located on Independence Avenue SE, carrying a loaded .40 caliber handgun matching shell casings found at the scene.
Law enforcement records show Forbes has a 2024 felony robbery conviction in Prince George’s County, Maryland, and an active extraditable warrant linked to that case. Additionally, he had a non-extraditable warrant from Florida for discharging a firearm in public.
The investigation is handled by the ATF Washington Field Office and the Metropolitan Police Department. Authorities remind the public that an indictment is an allegation and that defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
