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By
Anthoine Godin [former]
, Phillip Lopez [former] - January 22, 2024
Daily Stories
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Non-Fatal Shooting
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Shooting
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Suspects
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Victims
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On Jan. 22, in what was supposed to be a sentencing, DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld issued a bench warrant in a longstanding shooting case, due to the defendant’s failure to appear.
Leroy B. Headspeth, 80, has been charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a prior convict, among other charges, for his involvement in a shooting that occurred on Oct. 3, 2019, on the 700 block of H Street, NE. Headspeth injured himself during the incident.
On Sept. 22, 2023, Headspeth accepted a deal extended by prosecutors to plead guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by a prior convict in exchange for a dismissal of all other felony charges. Prosecutors also agreed to dismiss a misdemeanor case against Headspeth.
According to court documents, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) found Headspeth injured in an alley with a bullet in his upper left leg with a revolver next to him. He later claimed he bought the gun from a third party he met prior to his injury. Surveillance footage depicts Headspeth discharging a weapon near a park bench after an altercation with the person who allegedly sold him the revolver.
Headspeth was released to the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) with limitations on Oct. 7, 2019. After failing to appear at sentencing, Judge Hertzfeld issued a bench warrant for his arrest.
A new sentencing date will be scheduled once the US Marshals detain Headspeth.