WASHINGTON - Keyonte Johnson, 16, of Washington, D.C., was arrested and charged as an adult with the first-degree murder while armed for shooting and killing 20-year-old D.C. resident Roy Bennett, Jr. on the evening of December 5, 2025, in Northeast D.C., announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.

On February 27, 2026, Judge Michael Ryan found probable cause for the charge of first-degree murder while armed and ordered Johnson held pending trial.

Johnson will next appear before Judge Ryan for a status hearing on March 26, 2026.

According to court documents, Johnson, the victim, and several other people were present in an apartment located in The Gantry - a luxury apartment building - near Union Market that was being used as a recording studio. As the victim was recording a song, Johnson, who was seated behind him on a sofa, began shooting. Johnson shot the victim seven times, including twice in the back of the head and twice in the chest. Johnson left the scene in a rideshare.

This case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rashmika Nedungadi.

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

These charges are merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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