Two shooting codefendants were arraigned on a 20 count indictment before DC Superior Court Judge Carmen McLean on Feb. 19.
Roland Brewer, 20, and Christian Ware, 19, are both charged with aggravated assault with grave risk while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, armed carjacking, two counts of unarmed carjacking, armed robbery, two counts of unarmed robbery, three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, first-degree burglary while armed, and unauthorized use of a vehicle.
Brewer is charged with two additional counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and an additional count of carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business.
Ware is also charged with possession of an unregistered firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, and obstructing justice.
The charges stem from their alleged involvement in the following incidents spanning over two months:
- A shooting on the 500 block of 50th Place, NE on July 21, 2024 in which a juvenile victim sustained a gunshot wound to his upper left arm,
- An armed carjacking on the 4000 block of Minnesota Avenue, NE on June 19, 2024,
- An unarmed carjacking on the 4400 block of Benning Road, NE on June 21, 2024,
- An unarmed carjacking on the 4100 block of Hunt Place, NE on July 1, 2024.
Ware, who was 17 when the incident occurred, is charged under Title 16, which allows juveniles to be charged as adults for certain serious offenses.
At the hearing, Varsha Govindaraju, Ware’s attorney, and Bryan Bookhard, Brewer’s stand-in attorney, both entered a plea of not guilty to all charges on behalf of their clients. Govindaraju and Bookhard also exercised their clients’ legal rights to a speedy trial and evidence related to the case.
Parties are slated to reconvene on March 30.
