Two District Men Indicted by Grand Jury on 21 Charges Stemming From Shooting at Southeast Washington Barber Shop

            WASHINGTON – Terrence Atchison and Barry Bloomfield have been indicted by a grand jury on a total of 21 charges, including assault with intent to kill while armed and assault with intent to kill a minor while armed, stemming from a shooting earlier this year at a barber shop in Southeast Washington, announced Channing D. Phillips, the United States Attorney, and Cathy L. Lanier, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            Atchison, 20, and Bloomfield, 27, both of Washington, D.C., are to be arraigned on the charges on June 23, 2016 at a hearing before the Honorable Zoe Bush in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The indictment, which was returned on June 15, 2016, includes a range of offenses. The lead charge carries a statutory maximum of 30 years in prison.

            The indictment followed an investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Metropolitan Police Department into the shooting, which took place on Friday, Feb. 12, 2016, at approximately 1:40 p.m. at Wrenn’s Barber Shop in the 1000 block of Eighth Street SE. The barber shop is a longstanding family business in the neighborhood. At the time of the shooting, the shop was bustling with customers. The customers included the two victims: an adult, who was shot in the leg and ankle, and his 21-month-old son, who was shot in the leg.

            An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of criminal laws and every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.

            Atchison was arrested on Feb. 17, 2016, and Bloomfield was arrested on Feb. 18, 2016. They have been in custody while awaiting further court proceedings.

            In announcing the indictment, U.S. Attorney Phillips and Chief Lanier commended the work of those who are investigating the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They acknowledged the work of those handling the case at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Allison Daniels and Victim/Witness Advocate James Brennan. Finally, they commended the efforts of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lisa N. Walters and Thomas N. Saunders, who are prosecuting the matter.