Mass Shooter Charged With 50 Counts Takes a Plea for Three

By Namita Nair [former] - August 5, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A teenage defendant accepted a plea deal on Aug. 2 that reduced a 50 count indictment to three charges for his involvement in a mass shooting. The case was argued before DC Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein. 

Byron Matthews, 19, was charged with eight counts of assault with significant bodily injury while armed, eight counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, nine counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and 20 counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his involvement in a mass shooting  that resulted in gunshot wounds on eight people, which occurred on April 21, 2023 on the 500 block of LeBaum Street, SE and the 2900 block of 2nd Street, SE. 

Facing 50 counts for his alleged involvement in the mass shooting, Matthews accepted the plea deal which was offered by prosecutors. 

The deal required him to plead guilty to assault with significant bodily injury while armed for the shooting that occurred on 2nd Street, SE, and assault with intent to kill and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for the shooting that occurred on Lebaum Street, SE.  In exchange, the prosecution agreed to dismiss all other charges in the matter, and another case in which he’s accused of carrying a pistol without a license and assault on a police officer.

Through the deal, parties agreed that the required sentence would be a fully executed 12 years of incarceration, with five years of supervised release.

Judge Epstein stated he won’t accept the plea offer until a pre-sentence report is made. 

Molly Bunke, Matthews’ attorney, told the court she plans to conduct a Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA) study prior to final sentencing. Defendants sentenced under the YRA effectively have their cases sealed if they successful complete the terms of sentence.

Parties are set to reconvene on Nov. 22.