Daniel Cary, 31, from Fort Washington, Maryland, was sentenced to nine years in prison for his involvement in the July 2020 shooting of his then-girlfriend’s former friend. The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
Cary pleaded guilty to aggravated assault while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence on November 20, 2025, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Judge Rainey Brandt ordered Cary to serve nine years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Chantel Stewart, 34, who was also involved in the incident and identified as Cary’s girlfriend at the time, pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact and received a one-year suspended sentence.
The government’s evidence stated that on July 22, 2020, near 108 Atlantic Street SE, Stewart drove up next to the victim’s car and warned her by saying “he’s about to shoot you.” Cary then put on a mask, exited Stewart’s car from the passenger side, and fired five shots with a semi-automatic weapon at the victim’s vehicle. One bullet struck the victim through her car door and hit her in the back. Afterward, Stewart drove Cary away from the scene.
Despite being wounded, the victim managed to drive herself to a hospital where she underwent multiple surgeries and survived.
Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department joined U.S. Attorney Pirro in announcing Cary's sentence. Both officials commended investigators from the Metropolitan Police Department for their work on this case. They also recognized Assistant U.S. Attorneys Miles Janssen for investigating; Nathaniel Brower and Ella Gladman for prosecuting; and Amanda Claire Hoover for handling legal matters related to this case.
