Travis Thomas, 17, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty to charges related to a shooting at an elementary school playground and two armed carjackings. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. Thomas was charged as an adult under Title 16.
Thomas admitted guilt to one count of assault with intent to kill while armed and two counts of armed carjacking. Judge Neal Kravitz of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia has scheduled sentencing for November 14, 2025.
According to evidence presented by the government, on April 20, 2025, Thomas became involved in an online argument with someone he believed belonged to a rival group. He then traveled to the 300 block of 53rd Street SE and fired more than 15 rounds into the playground at C.W. Harris Elementary School. One person was shot in the forehead and required surgery to remove a bullet, suffering a skull fracture as a result.
The investigation also identified Thomas as a suspect in two separate armed carjackings: one on October 30, 2024, in the parking garage of Safeway at 415 14th Street SE, and another on November 17, 2024, in the 1300 block of Massachusetts Avenue SE.
Thomas was arrested on April 25, 2025, and is currently being held in custody.
Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department joined U.S. Attorney Pirro in announcing the plea. Both officials commended investigators from the Metropolitan Police Department for their work on the case and recognized Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob Green for prosecuting it.
“In announcing the plea, U.S. Attorney Pirro and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They also acknowledged the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Jacob Green, who is prosecuting the case.”
