WASHINGTON — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - District of Columbia), published as received.

            WASHINGTON – Vance McIlwain, 34, and Kenneth Johnson, 33, both of Washington, D.C., were sentenced today to ten years and six years in prison, respectively, for charges stemming from a daytime shooting in a residential neighborhood in southeast D.C., announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.

            McIlwain pleaded guilty to aggravated assault while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence on March 16, 2026, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. Today, Judge Jason Park sentenced McIlwain to serve ten years of incarceration, to be followed by five years of supervised release. Co-defendant Johnson also pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and was sentenced to six years of incarceration, to be followed by three years of supervised release. 

            On November 8, 2024, at about 3:50 p.m., McIlwain and Johnson were captured on CCTV conspiring to shoot the victim. Inside of an apartment building hallway, Johnson was captured on video passing a cross-body bag to McIlwain, which contained a gun. They both made their way to the apartment building’s entryway landing. McIlwain stepped out of the building and removed the gun from the bag but then returned to the entryway and handed the gun to Johnson. Johnson re-racked the gun and gave it back to McIlwain. McIlwain walked down the alley, turned the corner, and began firing over 15 rounds of ammunition at the victim, who was sitting on a front porch. McIlwain shot the victim seven times, including in the chest, the lower back, and the knee. He was transported to the hospital, where he underwent multiple surgeries and survived. A stray bullet also went into a neighbor’s house, and another was found on the front porch.

            Following the attack, McIlwain ran back to the apartment building and handed the gun to Johnson. McIlwain then continued to run from the scene. Johnson entered one of the apartment units. Johnson was found inside the apartment unit and was arrested. McIlwain was arrested about an hour and a half later in the area. Both have been in custody since their respective arrests.

            Joining the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department.

            In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Pirro commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department, especially the Seventh District Special Mission Unit. They also thanked the U.S. Marshals Service for their assistance. They acknowledged the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erica Rudolf and Amanda Claire Hoover, who investigated and prosecuted the case.

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