Maryland Man Who Accidentally Shot Friend Given Suspended Sentence

Local news reports

Ryan Joshua Washington, 22 of Upper Marlboro, was facing a nightmare in Charles County Circuit Court Wednesday, March 4 before Judge James H. West.

Washington was facing a charge of reckless endangerment stemming from an accidental shooting July 31, 2013.

The victim told West that the shooting was a “total accident,” saying Washington was his best friend and they were conducting training exercises, clearing a building, when the defendant’s shotgun discharged.

The blast ricocheted off a ceiling fan and sprayed him with buckshot.

“It was an accident,” he explained to the court. “He and his mother have been helping me with my hospital bill. Honestly, I don’t think putting him in jail would really serve any purpose. He’s a good kid. I’m asking the court to please have mercy.”

West handed down a three-year sentence.

“I’m going to suspend that and give you two years of unsupervised probation,” the judge said.
The court also required Washington perform 40 hours of community service.