Frederick Etheridge, a 16-year-old from Washington, D.C., has been charged as an adult in connection with a series of armed carjackings and robberies. The charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr., and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Court documents reveal that Etheridge is linked to an armed carjacking incident in October 2024 and an armed robbery in January 2025. On October 25, 2024, Etheridge and another suspect approached a victim in a parking lot on Erie Street Southeast. The victim was threatened at gunpoint while sitting inside their vehicle. "Don’t make me kill you," Etheridge reportedly said as he demanded the victim's phone and car keys before fleeing with the vehicle.
In another incident on January 3, 2025, Etheridge and a second suspect attempted to carjack another victim early in the morning. Brandishing a firearm, they took the victim's belongings but were unable to steal the vehicle due to lack of keys.
On February 19, MPD executed a search warrant at Etheridge’s residence where officers observed him discarding a black rifle out of his bedroom window. He was subsequently arrested and charged with multiple offenses.
Etheridge appeared in court today where he was ordered detained pending further proceedings. A preliminary hearing is set for February 27, 2025.
The case is under investigation by the Metropolitan Police Department with Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Goldstein handling prosecution.
Authorities emphasize that these charges are allegations and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.