DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman imposed a partially suspended sentence for a shooting defendant on May 6.
On Oct. 17, 2025, Christ Tchakounte, 21, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault knowingly while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on Jan. 19, 2024, at the intersection of 16th and A Streets, SE. A juvenile sustained injuries, including to his head.
Through the deal, parties agreed to a sentencing of up to 84 months of imprisonment.
Prosecutors presented an Instagram direct message sent by Tchakounte’s account two days before the shooting, in which he stated “just bagged a [n-word] for his moose with no stick.” According to the prosecutor, stick is slang for gun, and a Moose jacket that retails for more than 1,000 dollars.
According to the prosecution, the victim had been walking home after shoveling snow with his friends when Tchakounte approached him, became violent and shot him multiple times. An eyewitness allegedly told officers that the gunman, who was wearing a Moose jacket, had also pointed the gun at the victim as he emptied out the victim’s pockets.
The prosecution requested Tchakounte be sentenced to 84 months for each charge, and did not oppose the sentences to run concurrently. However, they did oppose a sentence under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA), which would allow the defendant’s sentence to be sealed if he successfully completes all sentencing requirements.
“There’s no legal justification for his actions,” the prosecutor insisted, adding, “The victim is lucky to be alive.”
Rachel Cicurel, Tchakounte’s attorney, stated this was his first time in the system, and has taken every chance he can to participate in programs at the DC Jail in the last 28 months.
Cicurel argued Tchakounte wanted to take responsibility from the very beginning, but the prosecutor who first took on the case provided a plea deal that would have been unconstitutional and would put her at risk of being disbarred had she advised him to accept it.
“He wasn’t trying to shoot or hurt a person,” Cicurel argued, stating “This wasn’t a roll up and shoot someone… He’s not someone who just had a firearm.”
She highlighted Tchakounte’s remorse, stating he told a pre-sentence report writer “I was an idiot.”
“He consistently prays for the victim because he felt deeply horrible,” Cicurel stated.
According to Cicurel, Tchakounte wanted two things, “Take responsibility and apologize.”
She requested Judge Edelman sentence him to 60 months, all suspended, under the YRA, arguing it was created for people “we shouldn’t give up on yet… people like Christ.”
“If Christ isn’t the poster child for the Youth Act, I don’t know who is,” Cicurel insisted. “He has the capacity for rehabilitation.”
Tchakounte apologized to the victim and his own family in court, stating he takes full responsibility for his actions. He added he can’t repay the harm he caused, but requested a second chance.
“This was a serious act of violence that punishment is needed for,” Judge Edelman stated. However, he highlighted Tchakounte’s ample certificates of completion from programs at the jail, for which multiple mentors stated he had been a dedicated kid.
Judge Edelman imposed an 84 month sentence for both charges, with 48 months suspended, under the YRA, with credit for time served. He must also serve two years of probation.
Tchakounte was ordered to participate in 90 hours of community service, vocational training, and have no contact with the victim. He must also pay $200 to the Victims of Violent Crimes Fund (VVCF).
Judge Edelman also agreed to recommend he be placed in the Bureau of Prisons (BoP) block at the Correctional Treatment Facility (CTF) at the DC Jail for the remainder of his incarceration.
Parties are slated to reconvene when Tchakounte is released for probation later this year.
