WASHINTON DC – A father and son were left with life-altering injuries after being shot by a group of men who mistakenly believed they were the perpetrators of a previous crime.
On December 28, 2018, the victims were waiting in their SUV for a friend to arrive in the Clay Terrace neighborhood of Northeast Washington, D.C. The father and son were intending to head to a WWE wrestling event.
However, Jamal Matthews, who had been a victim of a shooting three days prior, saw the SUV and believed it was the same vehicle involved in the earlier attack. Without hesitation, Matthews contacted another individual who in turn called Stefon Freshley. Freshley and Darnell Savoy then picked up Matthews, and the three of them drove towards the victims’ vehicle.
As they approached the SUV, Matthews fired approximately 30 shots at the vehicle, leaving the minor victim with nine gunshot wounds, including in the head, abdomen, chest, and back. The adult victim sustained gunshot wounds to his leg and hand.
The Metropolitan Police Department, FBI, and the United States Attorney’s Office investigated the case, which was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Kimberley Nielsen and Sharon Donovan.
On June 23, 2024, the Honorable Michael O’Keefe will preside over the sentencing hearing for the three defendants. Matthews, Savoy, and Freshley all pleaded guilty to their roles in the shooting.
The case serves as a grim reminder of the devastating consequences of mistaken identity and the importance of de-escalation techniques in high-stress situations.
Defendant Information:
Defendant: Jamal Matthews, Darnell Savoy, Stefon Freshley
Criminal Charges: Shooting
City and State: Washington DC
Date: December 28, 2018
Sentence or Outcome: Sentencing set for June 23, 2024
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Key Facts
- State: Washington DC
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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