A teenage shooting defendant who injured two victims accepted a plea deal before DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park during a hearing on March 26.
London Wells, 18, was originally charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and assault with intent to murder while armed for his involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on the 600 block of Mellon Street, SE on Aug. 18, 2025. One victim sustained multiple shots to his buttocks and right calf causing internal damage to his bladder, hip and chest cavity. A second victim suffered a shot to his right calf.
Wells was charged under Title 16, which allows prosecutors to try juveniles as adults for certain serious offenses.
Had the case gone to trial, the prosecution said they would have proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Wells got into a verbal dispute about his aunt. Wells then pushed one of the victims and fired five shots, injuring both.
During the hearing, the prosecution extended an offer to Wells that required him to plead guilty to assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business. In exchange, the prosecution agreed to drop all other charges and limit their sentence request to the bottom third of the applicable sentencing guidelines.
According to the sentencing guidelines, assault with intent to kill has a maximum term of 15 years. Assault with a dangerous weapon carries a maximum sentence of 10 years. Carrying a pistol without a license outside of a home or business imposes a maximum of five years of imprisonment.
Wells’ attorney, David Akulian, accepted the plea on his client’s behalf. Akulian explained to Judge Park that he plans to argue in support of a sentence in the bottom third of the guidelines.
Judge Park clarified he is not bound by the plea offer and could have the sentences run consecutively.
US Marshals escorted Wells out of the courtroom as his family said goodbye.
Parties are scheduled to reconvene on April 5.
