Daniel Cary, 31, of Fort Washington, Maryland, was sentenced to nine years in prison for his involvement in the shooting of his then-girlfriend’s former friend in July 2020. The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
Cary pleaded guilty on November 20, 2025, to charges of aggravated assault while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. Judge Rainey Brandt ordered Cary to serve nine years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Chantel Stewart, 34, who was also involved in the incident as an accessory after the fact, received a one-year suspended sentence.
According to evidence presented by the government, on July 22, 2020, Stewart drove her car alongside the victim’s vehicle near 108 Atlantic Street SE and warned the victim that “he’s about to shoot you.” Cary then pulled a mask over his face, exited Stewart’s car from the passenger seat, and fired five shots at the victim’s vehicle with a semi-automatic weapon. One bullet struck the victim through her car door and hit her in the back. Stewart subsequently drove Cary away from the scene.
Despite her injuries, the victim managed to drive herself to a hospital where she underwent several surgeries and survived.
Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department joined U.S. Attorney Pirro in announcing Cary’s sentence. Both officials commended members of the Metropolitan Police Department for their investigation efforts. They also acknowledged Assistant U.S. Attorneys Miles Janssen (who investigated), former Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nathaniel Brower and Ella Gladman (who prosecuted), and Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Claire Hoover (who handled subsequent proceedings).
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