Fifteen Year Sentence for Maryland Man for 2019 Shooting in Northeast DC

            WASHINGTON – Mercedes Edmonds, aka Marcedes Edmunds, 38, of Baltimore, Maryland, was sentenced today after being found guilty by a jury of aggravated assault while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and additional firearms charges arising from a 2019 shooting in the 4000 block of Hayes Street NE, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

            On May 14, 2024, Edmonds was also found guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm, carrying a shotgun, and related firearms offenses. Today, Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld sentenced Edmonds to 15 years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. 

            According to the government’s trial evidence, on May 1, 2019, Edmonds was standing with a group in the 4000 block of Hayes Street NE, and the victim was dropping items off at a nearby apartment. Apparently perceiving disrespect by the victim toward a member of the group, Edmonds retrieved a shotgun from his car and ordered the victim to leave the area. As he tried to leave, the defendant shot the victim twice, striking him in the leg.  The victim suffered substantial blood loss and had to undergo emergency surgery to save his leg.

            In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of the officers of the Metropolitan Police Department who investigated this case. Invaluable assistance was also provided by the United States Marshals Service. They also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Paralegal Specialist Antoinette Sakamsa; Information Technology Specialist Charlie Bruce; and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nomnso Kalu, Randle Wilson, and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Raspa, who investigated the case.

            Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathryn Bartz and Lauren Winer, who investigated prosecuted the case.