Non-Fatal Shooter Accepts Plea Offer, Faces up to 25 Years in Prison

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Charles Brown accepted a plea offer from the prosecution through his defense attorney, Charles Haskell, during a hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno on Jan. 27.

Brown, 65, was originally charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his involvement in a non-fatal shooting on Sept. 7, 2024, on the 2300 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, SE. The defendant and at least one other individual sustained injuries from the incident.

Brown pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction in exchange for the prosecution’s agreeing to dismiss all other charges associated with the case.

Haskell told the court assault with a dangerous weapon carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $25,000. Unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a fine of $37,500, and a mandatory minimum of three years.

According to DC Sentencing Guidelines, the judge has the discretion to decide whether the sentences for these two charges will run consecutively or concurrently. Thus, the maximum prison term for Brown is 25 years.

In describing the incident, the prosecutor said Brown approached a group of people in an alley and fired a handgun at them, striking at least one person. An unknown person shot back at Brown, who was too injured to flee but phoned someone to pick up his gun before police arrived.

The prosecutor said Brown refused to identify himself to police as they took him to the hospital to be treated for his injuries, but fingerprints revealed his identity and a prior felony conviction.

Brown’s sentencing is set for April 15.