District Teenager Sentenced to Nearly Seven Years in Prison
For Easter Monday Attack at the National Zoo
- He Stabbed Victim in Two Attacks That Day-

     WASHINGTON - Mshairi Alkebular, 16, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 82 months of incarceration for carrying out a pair of attacks against another teenager on Easter Monday at the National Zoo, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced.

     Alkebular, who was charged as an adult, pled guilty in June 2011 in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to charges of assault with a dangerous weapon and carrying a dangerous weapon. At today’s sentencing, the Honorable Herbert B. Dixon, Jr. said that he will recommend the defendant receive services during his time in prison, including life skills training, psychological treatment, drug treatment, and educational services. Upon completion of the prison term, Alkebular will be placed on three years of supervised release.

     According to the government’s evidence, Alkebular attacked the 14-year-old victim at about 4 p.m. on April 25, 2011, the day after Easter. The violence took place inside and outside the National Zoo, which is located in the 3000 block of Connecticut Avenue NW.

     The victim had arrived at the zoo at about 3:30 p.m. that day, and he saw the defendant, who he knew as “Swipa,” with a group of other young men who he recognized as being from the Barry Farm area of Southeast Washington. The victim attempted to avoid the group.

     However, after throwing a chair at the victim, members of the group, led by Alkebular, surrounded him and struck him several times with closed fists. Alkebular pulled out a silver knife and stabbed the victim twice in the arm. The defendant and his group then ran away.

     A short time later, the victim left the National Zoo alone, exiting through the Connecticut Avenue gate. Upon exiting, he once again saw Alkebular and the rest of his group. He attempted to run away, but the defendant and his group chased him. Once again, members of the group surrounded the victim and punched and kicked him. The victim fell to the ground and the assault continued. Alkebular again pulled out his knife and stabbed the victim four times in the torso. The defendant and his group then ran toward the nearby Metro station at Woodley Park.

     The victim was transported to a hospital and treated for multiple stab wounds and a fractured jaw. He immediately was able to identify his assailant and described the knife and clothing that Alkebular was wearing at the time. MPD officers subsequently went to the area of 7th and F Streets NW, where they encountered the defendant, wearing the clothing described by the victim and carrying the knife that matched the description provided by the victim.

     In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Machen praised the work of those who investigated the case for the MPD. He cited the efforts of MPD Detective Kimberley Metivier, the lead detective, and Detective Neil Jones, who provided assistance. U.S. Attorney Machen also recognized the assistance provided by Chief Beverly Medlock and Captain Vantresse McMillan of the National Zoological Park Police. He praised the investigative assistance provided by U.S. Attorney Investigators Melissa C. Matthews and Mark H. Crawford. Finally, Mr. Machen commended Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scharn Robinson and Jamila Hodge, who investigated and prosecuted the case.

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