Defendants Accused of Daylight Shooting on Busy D.C. Street Corner, Killing and Wounding Innocent Bystanders
WASHINGTON - Robert Moses, 19, and James Mayfield, 18, both of Washington, D.C., were indicted today on murder and other charges stemming from the Aug. 10, 2017, slaying of 17-year-old Jamahri Sydnor, U.S. Attorney Jessie K. Liu and Peter Newsham, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced. Moses and Mayfield also were indicted on charges involving the wounding of three other innocent bystanders.
Moses and Mayfield were indicted by a grand jury in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia on charges of first-degree murder while armed (premeditated), with aggravating circumstances; assault with intent to kill while armed, and aggravated assault while armed. Moses was also charged with obstructing justice and committing offenses while on release in another criminal matter.
Both men are to be arraigned on July 27, 2018, at a hearing before the Honorable Craig Iscoe. They each face a maximum of life in prison if convicted of the charges.
According to the government’s evidence, on Aug. 10, 2017, at about 3:30 p.m., Moses and Mayfield, each armed with firearms, approached on foot the intersection of Montana and Saratoga Avenues NE. Numerous people were outside at the time, in and around the busy neighborhood intersection. Both Moses and Mayfield are accused of opening fire across Montana Avenue towards the people on Saratoga Avenue, collectively firing over ten rounds. As they did, Jamahri Sydnor, 17 years-old, was driving through the intersection of Montana and Saratoga Avenues with a 12 year-old passenger. Ms. Sydnor, who was days away from beginning her college education, was struck in the head by a bullet. Incapacitated, she lost control of the car, and it crashed into another parked car. The 12-year-old, who was in the front passenger seat, was injured by the impact of the collision, as well as the shattering glass when the bullet traveled through the front passenger window before striking Ms. Sydnor. A third victim was shot as he stood on the corner speaking with friends, while yet another innocent bystander shattered his leg attempting to take cover from the hail of gunfire.
Following the attacks, Moses and Mayfield fled the scene. Moses was arrested on Oct. 26, 2017, and Mayfield was arrested on Dec. 27, 2017. Both have been in custody since their respective arrests.
At the time of the alleged offenses, Moses was on release in a pending gun case in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
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.
In announcing the charges, U.S. Attorney Liu and Chief Newsham commended the work of those investigating the case from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). They also expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by the District of Columbia Department of Forensic Sciences. They acknowledged the efforts of those who are working on the case from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, including Investigative Analyst Zachary McMenamin; Victim/Witness Advocate Marcia Rinker; Victim/Witness Security Specialist Wanda M. Queen; Paralegal Specialists Alesha Matthews-Yette, Meridith McGarrity, Stephanie Gilbert, and Lashone Samuels. Finally, they commended the work of former Assistant U.S. Attorneys Deborah Sines and Glenn Kirschner, along with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah Santiago and Kimberley Nielsen, who are investigating and prosecuting the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
