WASHINGTON — A D.C. man pleaded guilty to shooting a complete stranger and punching two others in downtown D.C. last month.
Around 3:15 a.m. on Sept. 10, 28-year-old D.C. resident Ryan Matthews approached a stranger in the 1300 block of Connecticut Avenue NW and punched him in the stomach, according to evidence gathered by the U.S. Attorney Office. Two of victim’s nearby friends confronted Matthews and asked why he had punched their friend. Matthews then punched one of the men in the neck.
When another man engaged with the Matthews, the 28-year-old said “I guess you want to fight, too.” Matthews pulled out a semi-automatic pistol and shot the other man once at close range in the right side of the chest.
Matthews then fled the scene as other people in the area pursued him. Witnesses were able to flag down police officers, who tracked down Matthews and arrested him.
Matthews tried to ditch the gun and threw it into a dumpster in an alley off 18th Street NW.
Emergency crews transported the shooting victim to an area hospital, and is continuing to recover from his injuries, said the U.S. Attorney Office.
On Monday in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, Matthews pleaded guilty 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 assault.
Matthew’s sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 16, 2016.
Below is a map with the location of the incident:
