41°
District residents Delonte Stevenson, 28, and Vorreze Thomas, Jr., 26, were found guilty of first-degree murder by armed and other offenses for the fatal January 2021 shooting of 32-year-old Terrance Allen.
On Thursday, officials announced that Stevenson was sentenced to 85 years in prison of conspiracy to commit a crime of violence, first-degree murder while armed, two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, and related firearms offenses.
Thomas was sentenced to 53 years for conspiracy to commit a crime of violence, first-degree murder while armed, two counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, and related firearms offenses.
Prosecutors said that on Jan. 18, 2021, Stevenson and Thomas’ vehicle intercepted a vehicle driven by Allen as it was leaving the Stanton Glen Apartments.
Stevenson fired 34 shots with a rifle, while sitting in the front passenger’s seat, into the back of Allen’s vehicle, killing Allen and injuring two others - including their actual target.
"Allen was not the intended target; rather, Stevenson and Thomas were attempting to kill one of the other men in the car with Allen with whom they had a dispute," according to officials.
Following the shooting, the two attempted to flee, but a nearby officer from the Metropolitan Police Department heard the shooting and a pursuit was launched that ended when they crashed at the intersection of 29th and Erie Street SE.
The pair was able to successfully flee on foot; however officers later located the murder weapon and Thomas' cell phone in the crashed vehicle.
Both Stevenson and Thomas were arrested a month later on Feb. 17, 2021 and have been in custody since.
In addition to murder, Stevenson and Thomas were also found guilty following a 13-day trial of two counts of assault with intent to kill, and various firearms related charges. The jury deliberated for less than a day before convicting them.
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 Fairfax and receive free news updates.
