Vance McIlwain Charged in November 2024 Daytime Shooting in Southeast

WASHINGTON – Vance McIlwain, 32, and Kenneth Johnson, 32, both of Washington, D.C., were indicted Wednesday and arraigned today for the November 2024, firing of over 15 rounds of ammunition in a residential neighborhood and shooting of a man in southeast D.C., announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.

            McIlwain and Johnson were indicted on August 13, 2025, by a grand jury in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, on charges of assault with intent to kill while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, aggravated assault while armed, endangerment with a firearm, and conspiracy. Johnson was also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm. 

           Both men were arraigned on today, August 15, 2025, at a hearing before the Honorable Judge Jason Park. They each face a maximum of thirty years in prison if convicted of the charges. 

           According to the government’s evidence, 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 is believed to have contained a firearm. They both made their way to the apartment building’s entryway landing. McIlwain stepped out of the building and removed the firearm from the bag, but then returned to the entryway and handed the gun to Johnson. Johnson re-racked the firearm 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. A stray bullet 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. Investigators recovered 15 spent shell casings from the scene. Both have been in custody since their respective arrests. 

           Joining in the announcement was Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

           This case is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).  It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Erica Rudolf.

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