A non-fatal shooting defendant accepted a plea deal before DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld on March 30.
Bryant Russell, 48, was originally charged with aggravated assault knowingly while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for his involvement in a non-fatal shooting on the 5000 block of Just Street, NE on June 6, 2024. The victim sustained a gunshot wound to his arm.
During the hearing, Russell’s attorney, Daniel Dorsey, accepted a plea deal on his client’s behalf.
The deal required Russell to plead guilty to assault with intent to kill and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction. In exchange, the prosecution agreed to dismiss all remaining charges from the indictment and will recommend that the sentences for each charge run concurrently.
According to the sentencing guidelines, assault with intent to kill carries a potential maximum sentence of 15 years imprisonment. Unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction carries a potential maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment as well as a mandatory minimum of one year incarceration.
Had the case gone to trial, the prosecution said they would have been able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Russell possessed a firearm despite his prior conviction and shot the victim while he was sitting on his porch after being told to leave.
Parties are slated to reconvene on June 3 for sentencing.
