A young shooting defendant accepted a plea deal before DC Superior Court Judge Todd Edelman on March 6.
Joshua Anderson, 17, was originally charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with intent to murder while armed, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his involvement in a shooting on Nov. 11, 2025 at Kenilworth Market on the 1600 block of Kenilworth Avenue, NE. The victim sustained four gunshot wounds to his shoulder, armpit, and two to his abdomen.
Anderson is charged under Title 16, which allows juveniles to be tried as adults for certain serious offenses.
Todd Baldwin, Anderson’s attorney, said his client accepted a deal from prosecutors that required him to plead guilty to assault with intent to kill and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. The prosecution agreed not to seek an indictment with additional charges.
The prosecutor said if the case proceeded to trial, they would have proved beyond a reasonable doubt that amid an argument in Kenilworth Market, Anderson pulled out a black handgun with an extended magazine and pointed it at the victim. The victim raised his hands, ran away, and a struggle ensued. Anderson shot the victim four times with the apparent intent to kill him without legal justification.
The assault and possession charges each carry a maximum of 15 years imprisonment. However, prosecutors agreed to request the sentences run concurrently.
Anderson is also eligible for the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA), which allows people under 25 who are convicted of certain crimes to have their convictions sealed or cleared after they successfully complete their sentence and potentially offers sentencing flexibility for the defendant. If granted the YRA, Anderson could receive a sentence below the guidelines.
Judge Edelman found Anderson entered the plea knowingly and voluntarily with a factual basis.
Anderson’s sentencing is scheduled for May 14.
