Teenage Defendant Charged With 50 Counts In Mass Shooting

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A teenage defendant was officially charged with 50 counts for alleged aiding and abetting a mass shooting before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun, in a July 26 hearing.

Byron Matthews, 18, was arrested and originally charged with two counts of assault with intent to kill and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for allegedly aiding and abetting a suspect in a mass shooting which occurred on April 21, 2023 on the 500 block of LeBaum Street, SE and 2900 block of 2nd Street, SE. The shooters were in a moving vehicle that was driving from the 500 block of LeBaum street, SE, down the 2900 block of 2nd street, SE, and ultimately ended up on the 1300 block of Congress Street, SE.

According to court documents, at least seven people were wounded in the attack including a little girl tucked up in a ball with someone crying to her, “My baby, my baby, my baby!”

At his felony arraignment Matthews was officially 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.

Matthews pleaded not guilty to all counts and his attorneys, Molly Bunke and Varsha Govindaraju, requested that pre-trial preparation begin.

Meanwhile, offered a plea deal that expires in one week.

If accepted, the offer would require Matthews to plead guilty to assault with significant bodily injury while armed, assault with intent to kill and possession of a firearm. He would be sentenced to 12 years of incarceration.

Parties are to reconvene on Aug. 2.