WASHINGTON, D.C. – A night out in downtown Washington turned violent back in September 2016, and today, Ryan Matthews, 28, of Washington, D.C., is paying the price. Matthews was sentenced to eight years in prison for a brazen attack that left one man shot and two others bruised and battered in the 1300 block of Connecticut Avenue NW.
According to court documents, the incident unfolded around 3:15 a.m. on September 10, 2016. Matthews, seemingly unprovoked, cold-cocked a complete stranger, sending the victim tumbling to the ground. When two friends of the initial victim intervened, demanding an explanation, Matthews escalated the situation, challenging them to a fight with a chilling, “Do you want a piece, too?” He then threw a punch, connecting with one man’s neck.
Things went from bad to worse when a third bystander attempted to de-escalate the situation. Matthews, instead of backing down, invited the man closer, then abruptly pulled a semi-automatic pistol and fired a single shot into the man’s chest at close range. The victim, now fighting for his life, was rushed to a local hospital and is reportedly still recovering from the severe injuries.
The aftermath was chaotic. Witnesses pursued Matthews as he fled the scene, discarding his shirt in a desperate attempt to evade capture. He ultimately tossed the weapon into a dumpster off 18th Street NW, but responding officers quickly apprehended him and recovered the firearm. The swift response of both citizens and law enforcement was crucial in bringing Matthews to justice.
Matthews pled guilty in October 2016 to one count of assault with intent to kill, one count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and two counts of simple assault in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The Honorable Michael Ryan handed down the eight-year sentence today, a penalty U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips hopes will serve as a deterrent to others contemplating similar acts of violence.
Phillips commended the Metropolitan Police Department’s Second District for their quick response and thorough investigation. He also specifically recognized the work of Victim/Witness Advocate Diana Lim and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Romano, who successfully prosecuted the case. This case underscores the ongoing struggle to curb gun violence and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions in the nation’s capital.
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Key Facts
- State: Washington DC
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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