Spurned romantic advances led to a non-fatal shooting with the defendant receiving a 64-month concurrent sentence before DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld in a hearing on May 13.
Antoine Harmon, 27, was initially charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and carrying a pistol without a license for an October 2 shooting at the intersection of I Street and Half Streets, SE. Responding officers located an apparent victim with a gunshot wound on his left arm.
Considering the circumstances, the judge called the outcome of a March 6 plea agreement a “gift.” Given his record, Harmon could have been sentenced to a maximum of 92 months.
The prosecutor, branding Harmon a potential danger to the community, detailed the events that led up to the violent encounter. Harmon, who was romantically interested in a woman who already had a boyfriend, sent her messages on Instagram that were not reciprocated.
A week before the shooting there was a confrontation between Harmon and the woman’s boyfriend who allegedly pistol-whipped Harmon during the encounter.
Using surveillance video to underscore her point, the prosecutor described Harmon’s actions the day of the crime. Initially, he was seen walking his mother’s dog while the victim’s girlfriend was waiting for her boyfriend to pick her up in a red Mercedes.
As the couple prepared to leave, Harmon dropped the dog leash and charged toward the Mercedes, shooting into the vehicle seven times. In retaliation, the victim used his own gun and shot back at Harmon five times. He is also facing gun charges.
“It appears Mr. Harmon was trying to cause more damage than shooting [the victim] in the arm,” said the prosecutor who deemed the assault “incredibly concerning.” Further, said the prosecutor, Harmon had a previous conviction for a gun crime that was set aside under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA). The measure seals the record of a youthful offender who successfully completes his term and offers judges sentencing flexibility.
While the woman involved in the incident wasn’t officially named as a victim, “She was terrified,” said the prosecutor who asked Judge Hertz to impose a 45-month sentence on the assault with a dangerous weapons charge, and 19 months concurrently for unlawful possession of a gun with a prior conviction of more than one year.
Harmon’s attorney, Nikki Lotze, acknowledged that what Harmon did was wrong. However, he says the victim lied about the shooting, at one point claiming his girlfriend did it. Further, the girlfriend “can’t be trusted,” because she knew all along of Harmon’s intent to shoot the victim.
Lotze said Harmon has worked hard with a psychiatrist to overcome anxiety and “be the best person he can be.” Further he was well on his way to becoming a carpenter. Harmon’s mother and grandmother attended the proceeding in a show of support.
Pleading to the court, Harmon apologized to the victim for his “bad decision.”
“Sadly I felt it necessary to protect myself,” he said, noting that he turned himself into the authorities. “I’m better than my worst mistake,” he continued.
Judge Hertzfeld said what happened to Harmon didn’t justify retaliation. “You had a fresh start,” she said. “‘Here you are buying a gun which you shouldn’t have in the first place.”
“It’s a miracle that person wasn’t killed,” she said.
There are no further hearings scheduled in the case.
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