Elderly Man Sentenced After Self-Inflicted Gunshot wound

By Carolyn Flammini - March 26, 2024
Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On March 26, DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld sentenced an 80-year-old non-fatal shooting defendant to 18 months in prison with 3 years supervised release. 

Leroy B. Headspeth, 80, has been charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a prior convict, among other charges, for his involvement in a shooting that occurred on Oct. 3, 2019, on the 700 block of H Street, NE. Headspeth injured himself during the incident. 

Headspeth accepted an offer extended by the prosecution pleading guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by a prior convict in exchange for a dismissal of all other felony charges.

Prosecutors also agreed to dismiss a misdemeanor case against Headspeth. 

According to court documents, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD)  found Headspeth injured in an alley with a bullet in his upper left leg with a revolver next to him. He later claimed he bought the gun from a third party he met prior to his injury.

Surveillance footage depicts Headspeth discharging a weapon near a park bench after an altercation with the person who allegedly sold him the revolver. Headspeth shot himself in the leg, not injuring any others. 

During his sentencing Headspeth walked into the court slowly and tediously with a walker. The prosecution asked for the maximum sentence of 18 months in prison with 3 years supervised release, claiming that he must take responsibility for his actions. 

Theodore Shaw, Headspeth’s defense attorney, pleaded with the court, emphasizing his client’s age and his ongoing battle with cancer. Shaw stated that his client has been in and out of Howard Hospital receiving cancer treatment and asked the court to either keep him locally in DC Jail or grant probation so he can easily receive medical treatments.

Shaw also noted Headspeth’s limited contact with the criminal justice system before this offense. 

Headspeth thanked the judge for her time and that he was ready to receive his sentence. 

In the end, Judge Hertzfeld felt that the agreed plea sentence of 18 months in prison with 3 years supervised release was appropriate. She will recommend that he stay in the DC jail.

Additionally, Judge Hertzfeld required Headspeth to register as a gun offender and pay $100 to the Victim Crimes Fund. 

No further dates were set.