Police Call Fatal Attack 'Retaliation From One Neighborhood on Another'

The July 19 attacks occurred at three locations in Trinidad starting shortly after 2:30 a.m.

In the first incident, the five men, in a gold-colored Dodge Intrepid, stopped in the 1400 block of Staples Street, police said. They said two of the men, each with a semiautomatic handgun, got out and assaulted three people, robbing and shooting one of them. The victim "survived his injuries but is still critically wounded and requires extensive medical treatment," the affidavit says. Police said they found five spent 9mm shell casings at the scene.

"CW-1 stated that the five men then drove around in the area for a few minutes and decided to continue their shooting spree," the affidavit says. A group of people, including Alonzo, his mother and the uncle, were standing in the 1500 block of Holbrook Street when the Dodge pulled up, police said. "CW-1 and Antonio McAllister then started shooting into the group standing on the street on the driver's side" of the of the car, according to the affidavit.

Police said they found 12 spent 9mm shell casings at that scene.

The third shooting occurred moments later, a few blocks away on Holbrook. "CW-1 stated they saw another victim . . . who was walking near the street," the affidavit says. "As the suspects drove past . . . CW-1 recalls Christian Benton firing out of the window." That victim suffered a leg wound, according to investigators.

McAllister made his initial appearance in D.C. Superior Court yesterday and was ordered jailed pending a preliminary hearing. Joshua Benton's initial Superior Court appearance is set for today.

Staff writer Keith L. Alexander contributed to this report.