Roger Lee Jones, aged 42, was convicted by a Superior Court jury in Washington, D.C., on April 7, 2025, for assault with intent to kill while armed and several other related charges. U.S. Attorney Edward R. Martin, Jr. and Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) announced the verdict following a trial that lasted two weeks.
Jones was found guilty of additional charges including three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, aggravated assault while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, and carrying a pistol without a license. Other convictions included unauthorized use of a vehicle, simple assault, fleeing from law enforcement, and making threats. Sentencing by Superior Court Judge Danya A. Dayson is set for June 13, 2025.
Evidence during the trial revealed that on January 22, 2022, the incident began at the Kick Axe Throw Social, a venue in Northeast, D.C. Jones, who was there with Victim 2, his ex-girlfriend and mother of his child, got into an argument with her, taking her car keys and leaving the location. Jones later returned, assaulted Victim 2, and threatened the security personnel who intervened. He then fled using Victim 2’s vehicle.
Returning later with an accomplice, Jones shot Victim 1, a security guard and NFL prospect, multiple times. This attack led to Victim 1 suffering immediate paralysis from the waist down. Despite being pursued by the police, Jones evaded capture after this violent episode.
Jones was eventually identified through a combination of surveillance videos, cell phone tracking, vehicle data, and ballistics evidence. This evidence also connected the firearm used in the shooting to a separate incident involving the accomplice in February 2022.
U.S. Attorney Martin and Chief Smith commended the Metropolitan Police Department officers and detectives for their diligent work on this case. Acknowledgments were also extended to Assistant U.S. Attorneys Edward Dunn and Benjamin Helfand for their investigation efforts, and Lauren Miller and Travis Wolf for prosecuting the case.