DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz sentenced two co-defendants on March 13 for their involvement in the death of a bystander during a revenge shooting in a park.
Andrew Ellis, 23, and Marques Johnson, 43, pleaded guilty on Dec. 17, 2025 to second-degree murder while armed for the fatal shooting of 56-year-old Leo Colter on Oct. 1, 2023 around 9:57 p. m. in McPherson Square Park on the 900 block of 15th Street, NW. Colter sustained a gunshot wound to his upper back.
As part of the plea deal, parties agreed to a sentence range of 15-to-18 years in prison for each defendant, accepted by Judge Kravitz at sentencing.
The prosecutor read a letter from Colter’s sister who said “[Colter] was kind and helpful to everyone he met.” According to his sister, Colter struggled with addition his entire life but worked hard to better himself. “Even though my brother was on the streets, he had a family who loved him, and we know he loved us,” she wrote.
“I want these men to be held accountable for what their actions have done to my family,” concluded Colter’s sister.
“This is literally the worst kind of homicide, a planned out homicide,” asserted the prosecutor and asked for both defendants to receive 18 years in prison for their “extremely reckless” behavior.
The prosecutor said Ellis and Johnson shot Colter as retaliation for the shooting of their friend the day before. According to court records, a friend or associate of the defendants was shot at the WaWa on the unit block of Thomas Circle, NW shortly before midnight on Sept. 30, 2023. The prosecutor claimed Ellis then retaliated with shots in front of the Shake Shack on the 1400 block of 14th Street, NW around 1:18 a. m.
The prosecutor played body-worn camera from responding officers to the 14th Street shooting and emphasized the crowded nature of the area and how “absolutely reckless this behavior was.”
According to the prosecutor, the same individual Ellis reportedly shot at on 14th Street was the intended target of the shooting in the park but “Colter just happened to be the one that was hit.” The intended victim told the prosecutor he felt horrible knowing Colter died when he was the target.
“The deliberate nature of this is pretty apparent,” concluded the prosecutor. She said Ellis and Johnson received an extreme benefit through the plea deal.
Ellis’ attorney, Carrie Weletz, said her client is an “eloquent, educated individual” who has the potential to accomplish great things when he applies himself. While incarcerated, Ellis earned his high school diploma and continued to take programs and obtain certificates at the DC Jail.
Weletz said the incident involved two rival groups and described Colter caught in the cross-fire as a “sad reality.” She maintained that Ellis did not plead guilty to the shooting on 14th Street.
Ellis said “sorry to the family for the victim who was hurt, I don’t believe he should have lost his life.”
Johnson’s attorney, Kevin Robertson, said his client knows it’s not right that Colter died. After becoming acquainted with Johnson, Robertson said he was shocked his client faced such serious charges.
Johnson apologized to Colter’s family and his own family for his “reckless actions.”
“I should’ve thought better,” said Johnson.
Weletz said the intended victim told prosecutors he wanted to recant his entire testimony from the grand jury and admitted to perjuring himself. Robertson also noted the retraction from prosecutors’ key witness in the case. Ellis and Johnson maintained their acceptances of responsibility despite a meaningful opportunity to withdraw their pleas, emphasized Weletz and Robertson.
Weletz and Robertson both requested 15 years of imprisonment for their clients.
Judge Kravitz agreed with the prosecutor that the evidence suggested premeditated murder although it appeared Colter was not the intended victim.
The “street justice” from Ellis and Johnson “can not be condoned or accepted in a city we like to think is a civilized place that values life and the ability to move around the city without being hit by stray bullets,” said Judge Kravitz.
Ellis’ minimal criminal record and positive work at the DC Jail was “encouraging,” said the judge.
Judge Kravitz described Johnson’s criminal history as significant and troubling, including convictions for armed robbery and assault with a dangerous weapon. As a result, Johnson merited a longer sentence than Ellis, said the judge.
Judge Kravitz sentenced Ellis to 15 years and Johnson to 16 years of imprisonment, both followed by five years of supervised release. Both will be required to register as a gun offender in DC upon their release.
No further dates were set.
