District Man Pleads Guilty to Assault While Armed for Shooting Two Minor Victims in Northwest D.C.

            WASHINGTON – Eric Lemus, 20, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty today to one count of assault with intent to kill while armed and one count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his role in shooting two minor victims on March 22, 2023, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Pamela A. Smith, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            U.S. Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan set a sentencing date of June 7, 2024. Lemus faces a maximum sentence of up to 30 years for assault with intent to kill while armed, and up to 15 years for possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. The prison term will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

            According to the government’s evidence, on March 22, 2023 at approximately 5:00 p.m., Lemus encountered the two minor victims, ages 15 and 17, at Park Road Park in the Columbia Heights neighborhood in Northwest D.C.  Lemus then produced a handgun and opened fire on the two victims, who were both struck and later treated for gunshot wounds. After firing multiple rounds at the two victims until the magazine was empty, Lemus attempted to flee the scene but was immediately apprehended by officers with the Metropolitan Police Department. The handgun that Lemus used to commit the shooting was located inside of his sweatshirt pocket when he was stopped, and the crime was captured on video by a bystander who had witnessed the incident. 

            Lemus has been in custody since March 22, 2023, where he will remain until sentencing.

            This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Caroline Coates Huether and Carlos A. Valdivia.