Two co-defendants in a shooting case that left a victim in critical condition accepted plea deals before DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park on March 16.
Kenneth Johnson, 32, and Vance McIlwain, 34, were initially charged with conspiracy, assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, possession of an unregistered firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and endangerment with a firearm in a public place. Johnson was also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction greater than a year.
The charges stemmed from their involvement in a shooting on the 700 block of Chesapeake Street, SE, on Nov. 8, 2024.
In court, Johnson and McIlwain accepted plea agreements that require Johnson to plead guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and McIlwain to aggravated assault knowingly while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.
In exchange, the prosecution agreed to dismiss all remaining charges in this case against both defendants and dismiss a pending criminal misdemeanor case against McIlwain.
Parties agreed to six years of imprisonment for Johnson and 10 years for McIlwain. Judge Park will accept or reject the agreement during sentencing, and should he reject them, the defendants may rescind their guilty pleas.
The prosecution stated if the case went to trial, they would have proved beyond a reasonable doubt that on the day of the incident, Johnson provided McIlwain with a firearm. They said McIlwain then fired 15 shots at the victim, hitting them on the right ear, left arm, chest, and twice to the abdomen, causing serious injuries, before Mcllwain returned the firearm to Johnson.
The prosecution said these actions were voluntary and not in self-defense. They said Johnson knowingly conspired with McIlwain.
After finding Johnson and McIlwain understood their rights, Judge Park conditionally accepted their guilty pleas, pending his evaluation of the sentencing agreements.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 15.
