By
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON-A teen-ager admitted yesterday firing the shots that wounded seven children outside of the National Zoo on Easter Monday. Antoine B. Jones agreed to accept criminal responsibility under a proposed plea agreement that could send him to prison for 25 years or longer. "You are pleading guilty to seven felonies?" asked District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Noel Anketell Kramer.
"Yes, ma'am," replied Jones, four days after turning 17. Wearing an orange prison jumpsuit, Jones told the judge he intended to harm others when he fired at least four shots into a crowd just outside the main entrance of the National Zoo on April 24.
During the zoo's annual Black Family Celebration "the defendant entered the National Zoo with a loaded nine millimeter pistol in his waistband," said Deputy U.S. Attorney Michael T. Ambrosino.
The event, which dates back to segregation, is a traditional gathering of blacks at the National Zoo on Easter Monday. The shooting occurred as guards herded crowds of visitors toward the exit to diffuse an altercation between rival groups of young people, Ambrosino said.
Although Jones initially faced a 24-count indictment, attorneys worked out a plea bargain enabling him to plead guilty to one charge in connection with each of the seven people wounded. All the victims were between 11 and 16 years old. One charge - assault with intent to commit mayhem - stems from the wounding of Harris Bates, 11, and carries a penalty of 15 years to life. A bullet remains lodged in the frontal lobe of Bates' brain where it has impeded his short term memory.
The same penalties apply to the three assault with intent to murder charges connected to injuries suffered by three other victims. Three assault with a dangerous weapon charges carry penalties of 39 months to ten years in prison.
Attorneys are recommending that Jones serve 25 years in prison and five years probation. The judge has already ordered him to pay $1,400 to the district's crime victims' assistance fund.
Kramer, who has the option of releasing Jones at age 21, ordered completion of a presentencing report and a Youth Act study by Jan. 10, since Jones was16 at the time of the shooting. Sentencing is set for Jan. 26.
