A 16-year-old Washington, D.C. resident, Keyonte Johnson, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder while armed in the shooting death of 20-year-old Roy Bennett, Jr., according to U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro. The incident took place on December 5, 2025, and Johnson, who is being charged as an adult, made his initial court appearance before Superior Court Magistrate Judge Renee Raymond.
During the court proceedings, probable cause was found for Johnson's alleged involvement in the murder, and he was ordered to be held without bond pending trial. Court documents show the shooting occurred in an apartment doubling as a recording studio in Northeast D.C.'s Union Market area, Bennett was shot while standing at the microphone and Johnson reportedly fled after threatening to kill a witness, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
As part of the investigation, a search warrant in Maryland led to the recovery of ammunition, rifle sights, and clothing consistent with what was worn by the suspect during the time of the murder. The case falls under the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Police Department with Assistant United States Attorney Rashmika Nedungadi prosecuting.
Johnson is scheduled to appear next on January 14 before Judge Michael Ryan, for his preliminary hearing in courtroom 203. Despite the severity of the charges, it is emphasized that these allegations are not an indication of guilt and, Johnson will remain innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law, according to the same press release.
