Ovid Gabriel, a 21-year-old inmate at the D.C. Jail, was indicted this week on multiple charges following an incident in August 2025 where he allegedly stabbed a corrections officer and later threatened another. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
The indictment includes charges of assault with intent to kill while armed, assault on a police officer while armed, unlawful introduction of contraband into a penal institution, aggravated assault while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, and felony threats.
According to information provided by the government, on August 3, 2025, Gabriel was standing in the doorway of his cell during lockdown procedures when he refused orders from an officer to return to his cell. He then attacked the officer using an improvised knife and stabbed him nine times. The injured officer required life-saving surgery and spent about three weeks hospitalized.
A week after the stabbing incident, on August 11, officers found a drawing on a cell wall depicting Gabriel holding a knife over another corrections officer who was identified by name in the drawing. Gabriel reportedly signed the threat and admitted that he created it.
Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department joined in announcing the indictment. The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the case, which is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nickolas Reck.
Authorities remind that an indictment is only an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
