A D.C. judge has ordered a 12-year-old boy held without bond after the preteen was charged in an attempted carjacking that went awry when another suspect, 13, was shot dead by the driver.
The judge said the boy will remain behind bars at the juvenile detention facility until at least Monday, when his next court hearing is scheduled.
The judge also found probable cause for carjacking, but said there was no basis for the original armed carjacking charge against the boy because D.C. police have yet to locate a gun involved in the stick-up-gone-wrong.
The hearing revealed that the preteen’s mother turned the boy in to police once she saw his suspect photo being distributed earlier this week.
Prosecutors said the 12-year-old boy, whose name isn’t being shared to protect his identity, and slain teenager Vernard Toney Jr. attempted to carjack a U.S. Marshal at about 10 p.m. Saturday in downtown.
The federal officer was taking a phone call in his car before starting his security shift at the U.S. Attorney’s Office when the two boys ran up to his vehicle during the attempted theft.
Both boys grabbed their waistbands to posture as if they had guns tucked away, according to a detective who testified at the hearing.
Vernard sat in the passenger’s seat while the preteen boy yanked the driver’s door open and said “Get the f—- out, you know what it is,” according to prosecutors.
Prosecutors said the 12-year-old boy noticed the U.S. Marshal’s gun and uniform, and tried to get Vernard to back out of the carjacking. But moments later the officer grabbed his legally registered firearm and shot Vernard in the chest, mortally wounding the teen.
Police said the Marshal is cooperating with the investigation.
The preteen boy’s issues with anger and marijuana use were also covered during the hearing. Police said the boy mentioned knowing where to get a gun during his booking interview.
The boy’s mother said she had recently tried to get him counseling at one point.
• Matt Delaney can be reached at mdelaney@washingtontimes.com.