Previously Convicted Felon Found Guilty of Shooting a Transgender Victim He Accused of Robbery

WASHINGTON - A Superior Court jury, today, found Jerry Tyree, 46, of Washington, D.C., guilty of aggravated assault with intent to kill for shooting the victim on November 29, 2023, in the 5900 block of Foote Street NE, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela A. Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

The jury found Tyree guilty, following a four-week trial, of one count of aggravated assault while armed, one count of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, two counts of felony in possession of a firearm, and one count of attempted possession of liquid PCP. Tyree faces a maximum sentence of 10 to 30 years in prison. The Honorable Judge Errol Arthur scheduled sentencing for December 13, 2024.

According to the government's evidence, the defendant met the victim at the intersection of Eastern Avenue NE and Foote Street NE shortly before 2:00 p.m., on November 29, 2023. After negotiating a price for oral sex, the defendant and the victim walked together into a nearby apartment building, where the victim performed oral sex on the defendant. The defendant then accused the victim of robbing him, and when she denied doing so, the defendant pulled out a small silver handgun and shot the victim directly in the penis before leaving the scene. Police were called by a neighbor and the victim was transported to the hospital, where she underwent multiple surgeries.

A month later, on December 30, 2023, the defendant was arrested in possession of that same small silver handgun less than a mile from the shooting and in possession of several vials, including one that was partially filled with suspected PCP. Tyree was identified as the shooter from November 29, 2023, based on an identification procedure, ballistics evidence, and DNA evidence connecting him to the scene.

The defendant was convicted in 2005 of voluntary manslaughter and use of a firearm during a crime of violence in Maryland, and in 2022 of attempted possession with intent to distribute PCP, in Washington, DC.

This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department. It was prosecuted and tried by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Anthony Cocuzza and Daniel Bromwich.