FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now) — A DC rapper is facing decades in prison after he allegedly fired three shots at Tysons Corner Center over Father’s Day weekend. Although no one was injured in the shooting, Fairfax County’s top prosecutor believes Noah Settles, also known as No Savage, should be behind bars for a long time.
In an interview with DC News Now, Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney Steve Descano said being a progressive prosecutor doesn’t mean he can’t pursue a case like this. His style of prosecution inspired many to criticize him, including Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares.
“When you fire three bullets into a crowded mall, it’s pure luck that nobody got hit,” Descano said of the June 18 incident.
Police say all three shots were fired by Settles, whom they identify as a member of the district’s 37th Street Crew. Descano said his office will pursue Settles’ case and seek a “sentence that fits the crime” if they win a conviction.
Settles faces a maximum of 43 years on charges of attempted malicious wounding, three counts of maliciously discharging a weapon into an occupied building and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
“You can’t walk into Fairfax County, open a mall, and expect to get away with anything other than a long jail term,” Descano said.
Key video evidence was presented in court on Monday.
Descano said that while no one was hit by the bullets, the actions warrant putting Settles behind bars for years.
“It puts a lot of people at risk and it leaves a scarring effect on our community,” he said. “And I think all of those things put together really call for a severe sentence.”
This proved true a few weeks later when a broken light fixture at Tysons Corner Center caused panic among shoppers.
“I was like, ‘Here we go again, this is the second time this summer,'” client William Lowenstein told DC News Now during the false alarm.
Descano is turning to lawmakers to help fight gun violence, calling for action from Richmond.
“The thing is, we’re working really hard to do it, but we don’t have all the tools we need in the toolbox,” he said.
But Miyares points the finger at Descano, saying “the best way to reduce gun violence is to get repeat violent offenders off our streets.” He claims Fairfax County officers told him they “are reluctant to arrest individuals for unlawful possession of firearms because they don’t believe Steve Descano will prosecute the crime.”
Asked about criticism of his style of pursuit, Descano countered by saying he always pursues business, he just does it “smartly”.
