Two co-defendants pleaded guilty for multiple carjacking offenses and a homicide in DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan’s courtroom on July 31.
Christian Ware, 20, Roland Brewer, 21, were initially charged with armed carjacking, two counts of unarmed carjacking, robbery while armed, two counts of robbery, aggravated assault knowingly causing grave risk while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, first-degree burglary while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, unauthorized use of a vehicle, and carrying a pistol without a license outside of home or business.
Ware was additionally charged with possession of an unregistered firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and obstructing justice. Brewer was charged with two additional counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and another count of carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business.
These charges stemmed from their alleged involvement in four incidents that took place over two months in the summer of 2024:
- A shooting on July 21, 2024, on the 500 block of 50th Place, NE. A juvenile victim sustained a gunshot wound to his upper left arm,
- An armed carjacking on June 19, 2024, the 4000 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE,
- An unarmed carjacking on June 21, 2024, on the 4400 block of Benning Road, NE,
- An unarmed carjacking on July 1, 2024, on the 4100 block of Hunt Place, NE.
At the hearing, the co-defendants accepted plea deals from prosecutors for three out of the four aforementioned offenses. The prosecutors said they would have proven Ware and Brewer’s involvement beyond a reasonable doubt in all of the offenses except for the June 21, 2024 carjacking.
The agreement required Ware to plead guilty to carrying a pistol without a license and carjacking. Brewer pleaded guilty to aggravated assault while armed and robbery.
In the deal, Ware also pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in an unrelated case for his involvement in the fatal shooting of 38-year-old Antowine Baker on Aug. 13, 2024 in a park on the 500 block of Division Avenue, NE. Ware was arrested in connection with the murder over a year later.
If the homicide case had proceeded to trial, the prosecution said the evidence would’ve proven Ware’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. They said Ware and three other individuals walked around Marvin Gaye Park, and Ware fired multiple shots, striking Baker in the back. Ware acted in conscious disregard for others’ safety, the prosecution contended, and not in self-defense.
In the homicide case, Ware was initially charged with second-degree murder while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, assault with a dangerous weapon, and carrying a pistol without a license outside of home or business.
As part of the plea agreements, parties agreed to a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for Brewer and 15 years in prison for Ware, subject to Judge Ryan’s approval at sentencing. They will both have to register as gun offenders in DC upon their releases.
For Ware, a third jail-stabbing case was also dropped entirely.
In the jail-stabbing case, Ware was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon for his alleged involvement in an incident on Oct. 21, 2025 at the DC Jail on the 1900 block of D Street, SE.
Judge Ryan confirmed the defendants knew they gave up their rights to a trial and to appeal by pleading guilty, and promised to review the plea agreements before sentencing.
The prosecutor said Baker’s family intends to provide impact statements at the sentencings scheduled for Dec. 11.
