On Tuesday, federal authorities announced that Steven Metts, 18, Keondre Carroll, 21, and Jovontae Wallace, 19, have been charged in a 16-count indictment following a violent 48-hour crime spree earlier this year.
According to prosecutors, at approximately 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 23, the trio drove into the 3000 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE and fired approximately 29 shots at the E-Z Mart there, striking Ballard, an innocent bystander who was in the area.
Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department found Ballard suffering from multiple injuries on the night of his murder, and he was rushed by DC Fire and EMS personnel to an area hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
The following day, on Jan, 24, the three are accused of driving the same vehicle into the 4600 block of Livingston Road SE, where they attempted to rob someone of a Moose Knuckle jacket, though their victim was able to flee to a Metrobus.
The three followed the bus, boxing it in at a nearby intersection to keep it in place.
Two of the three then got out with a gun, got on the bus, and took the coat. They then got out of the bus, back into the same vehicle and began driving away while shooting at the bus.
All three were charged with first-degree murder while armed, two counts of kidnapping while armed, armed robbery, and four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.
Metts and Carroll are also charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and other related weapons charges.
They are being held without bond pending their trials.
Want breaking news in the DMV as it happens, or want to contribute? Join the DMV All Incidents Facebook group.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Ashburn and receive free news updates.