Keyonte Johnson, a 16-year-old from Washington, D.C., has been arrested and charged as an adult with premeditated first-degree murder while armed. The charges stem from the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Roy Bennett, Jr. on December 5, 2025. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro announced the arrest.
Johnson appeared before Superior Court Magistrate Judge Renee Raymond in the District of Columbia, who found probable cause for the charge and ordered Johnson to be held without bond until trial.
“This is yet another example of the out-of-control underage crime plaguing the district,” said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. “President Trump is right – it is time to put an end to this predictable violence and time to lower the age of accountability so that I can start prosecuting these young criminals before they commit murder.”
Court documents indicate that on December 5, Johnson was in an apartment near Union Market in Northeast D.C., which was being used as a recording studio. While Roy Bennett, Jr. stood at a microphone, Johnson allegedly shot him seven times from behind, including two shots to the back of the head and two to the chest. Afterward, Johnson reportedly threatened a potential witness as he fled.
Investigators executed a search warrant in Maryland at the location where Johnson was arrested. They recovered five magazines (one fully loaded), a box of 10mm ammunition, several iron rifle sights, rifle ammunition, an empty red dot sight box, and clothing items believed to match those worn by Johnson during the incident.
The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating this case. Assistant United States Attorney Rashmika Nedungadi is prosecuting.
Johnson’s next court appearance is scheduled for January 14, 2026 at 9:30 a.m., before Judge Michael Ryan for a preliminary hearing.
All charges are allegations; defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.