A defendant accepted a plea deal for two drive-by shootings that occurred minutes apart, killing one person, before DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan on Jan. 8.
Jose Hernandez, 19, was originally charged with first-degree premeditated murder while armed in connection with two drive-by shootings in the Petworth neighborhood on April 29, 2025. Zephaniah Wright, 19, was fatally shot and a second victim injured outside the Georgia Avenue-Petworth Metro Station on the 3700 block of Georgia Avenue, NW. Less than five minutes earlier, another individual was shot in front of the Petworth Recreation Center on the 800 block of Taylor Street, NW.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested Hernandez on June 19, 2025. Court records indicate his case did not have a preliminary hearing due to scheduling conflicts and plea negotiations.
Jayden Wells, 18, is also charged with first-degree premeditated murder for his alleged involvement in the shootings. Judge Ryan is expected to rule on whether probable cause exists in Wells’ case on Jan. 12.
Arrest warrants for Hernandez and Wells allege the shootings were linked to an ongoing feud between the Columbia Heights Village (CHV) and Kennedy Street (KDY) crews. The defendants are reportedly associated with CHV, while Wright and a surviving victim are linked to KDY.
At the hearing, Madalyn Harvey, Hernandez’s attorney, told Judge Ryan that her client accepted a plea deal from prosecutors. As part of the agreement, Hernandez pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed, aggravated assault while armed, and aggravated assault.
In exchange, prosecutors will dismiss the first-degree murder charge and not pursue additional charges against Hernandez. The parties also agreed to a sentence range of 20-to-25 years of imprisonment, subject to Judge Ryan’s approval at sentencing.
The prosecutor said that, if the case had gone to trial, they would have proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Hernandez was in the vehicle when one of the two other suspects shot at the recreation center, injuring a victim. The vehicle then drove to the Metro station, where Hernandez fatally shot Wright and wounded another victim. Hernandez did not act in self-defense or with any other legal justification.
After a portion of the factual basis for the plea was placed under seal, Judge Ryan determined Hernandez entered into the agreement knowingly and voluntarily.
Sentencing is scheduled for March 27.
