Self defense case

Danville Commonwealth's Attorney Michael Newman goes over the April 16 shooting that resulted in no indictment by a grand jury.

A Danville man will not face any criminal charges in connection with a shooting that ended in the death of another man at the Cardinal Village Apartments on April 16. 

Danville Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael Newman held a press conference this afternoon to discuss the case and the decision by a grand jury.

The Danville police had responded to a call at 1:23 p.m. on April 16 concerning a shooting in the 600 block of Edmonds Street. 

Once they arrived, police found Shafi Yassin Rasheed, 20, of Danville suffering from gunshot wounds. Rasheed was later pronounced dead at SOVAH Danville hospital.

Twelve minutes after the first call came in for the shooting, the police received another call from a man who said he was involved in the incident and had shot someone, said Newman.

The man is Assante McCain, 21, also of Danville.

Officers went to McCain’s location and he told them what had happened, said Newman.

A third person, Lachele Wilson, 19, also of Danville, also provided information to the police, said Newman. 

Wilson had a child with Rasheed, but they had ended the relationship, said Newman. 

Prior to the shooting, Rasheed had sent Wilson multiple text messages asking where she was and if she was with a man, said Newman.

Wilson and McCain had gone to get some food and returned to Wilson’s residence. Wilson was a passenger in McCain’s car. When they arrived at her residence, Rasheed was there. 

Rasheed got out of his vehicle and approaches McCain’s car, said Newman, adding that McCain told Wilson he did not want to deal with the father of her child and didn’t want the drama.

Rasheed approached McCain’s vehicle with a gun, said Newman.

He goes to the driver’s side and asks about McCain. Words are exchanged and Rasheed punches into McCain’s vehicle with his gun. Rasheed then loses his grip on his 22 revolver and it falls into McCain’s vehicle on the passenger side, said Newman. 

Rasheed then walks around the back of the vehicle toward the passenger side.

At this point, McCain did not know if Rasheed had his gun and that’s when he shoots Rasheed. 

Wilson leaves the vehicle with Rasheed’s gun and McCain leaves the scene. When the police arrive, Wilson gives Rasheed’s gun to the police, said Newman.

McCain’s clip held 10 bullets and seven remained, he said. Police found two casings and Rasheed had suffered three gunshot wounds, said Newman.

Newman said there was a video of the incident. 

When it came time to go before the grand jury, Newman said he presented a case for manslaughter, the lowest level homicide charge. 

Newman said there was no evidence of pre-meditation, as needed for first degree murder, nor was there malice, as it was Rasheed “who instigated things,” said Newman. 

The only charge presented was manslaughter and the grand jury did not indict McCain on that count, said Newman.

“Mr. McCain will not be facing any criminal charges,” he said, adding that the grand jury considered if it was reasonable for McCain to be fearful for his life, and if so, then deadly force can be used.

Newman said he spoke with Rasheed’s family, explained the process and showed them the video. 

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