A defendant pleaded guilty for shooting a 15-year-old before DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman on Oct. 17.
Christ Tchakounte, 20, was originally charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business. The charges stem from his involvement in a non-fatal shooting on Jan. 19, 2024 at the intersection of 16th and A Streets, SE. A 15-year-old boy sustained three gunshot wounds on his left side to his head, shoulder, and armpit.
Rachel Cicurel, Tchakounte’s attorney, informed Judge Edelman that he accepted a plea deal from the prosecution that required him to plead guilty to aggravated assault knowingly while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. The prosecution, in exchange, agreed to dismiss the remaining charges.
As part of the plea agreement, the prosecutor agreed to request a maximum sentence of seven years of imprisonment for each charge and to not oppose concurrent sentences. The agreed-upon sentence is contingent upon Judge Edelman’s approval at sentencing.
Absent the plea agreement, Tchakounte could have faced a maximum of 45 years of imprisonment for the two charges.
If the case had proceeded to trial, the prosecutor said he would have proven beyond a reasonable doubt that on the day of the incident, Tchakounte exited a vehicle at the incident address and shot the victim. Tchakounte’s actions caused serious bodily injury to the victim, were voluntary and on purpose, and had no legal justification.
Tchakounte’s sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 19.
