Defendant Fired Nine Shots at Victim, Who Tried to Run Away
WASHINGTON - Jonathan Blades, 30, of Suitland, Md., was sentenced today to 10 years in prison on charges stemming from a shooting outside a night club in Northwest Washington, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. announced.
Blades was found guilty in January 2015, following a trial in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, of charges of assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault while armed and related firearms offenses. He was sentenced by the Honorable Michael Ryan. Upon completion of his prison term, Blades will be placed on five years of supervised release.
According to the government’s evidence, on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014, at about 3 a.m., Blades and the victim engaged in a physical altercation after leaving a night club at 20th and K Streets NW. After the fight had stopped, Blades went to his car and retrieved a 40-caliber semi-automatic handgun. Then, as the victim ran from Blades, Blades shot nine times. The gunfire hit the victim, sending a bullet through his back and shoulder. The victim fled to a gas station several blocks away, at 22d and M Streets NW, where a citizen offered him first aid. He was hospitalized for his injuries. Blades was arrested on Feb. 5, 2014.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Machen expressed his appreciation to the Metropolitan Police Department, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Prince George’s County, Md. Police Department for their work on the case. He also acknowledged the work of Paralegal Specialist Allison Gregory Daniels, Victim/Witness Advocate Diana Lim, and Litigation Technology Specialist Leif Hickling, all of the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Finally, he commended Assistant U.S. Attorneys Scott Sroka and Christopher Macchiaroli, who tried the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
