A 29-year-old Maryland man who was arrested this week on suspicion of fatally shooting Jhonte Coleman during a large fight in Dupont Circle told police that he became involved in the melee when he saw his friends being jumped.
Brandon Terry is suspected of second-degree murder while armed in the case; a preliminary hearing is scheduled for the end of the month.
According to charging documents, the night’s problems began with two fights near a photo booth at a Heritage India party. Security escorted the people involved in those fights outside, but after the second incident, Heritage India decided to close the even early. According to the charging documents, the move “sent the patrons spilling onto the streets.”
More fighting broke out, which led to a brawl, the charging documents say. Terry told police that when he saw his friends “being jumped,” he came to their aid but was hurt himself in the fight.
Eight people were eventually injured, including Coleman. Terry was injured, too. When he sought medical treatment to stitch up his cut hand, he told doctors that he had “stabbed three people and shot somebody.”
Read the charging documents below.
