Teen Pleads Guilty in D.C. Zoo Shooting

ByABC News
October 25, 2000, 12:09 PM

Oct. 25 -- A teenager charged with opening fire at the National Zoo after an annual outing of black families in April has pleaded guilty in the attack that left seven people wounded.

Antoine Jones, 17, pleaded guilty today to three counts of assault with intent to commit murder while armed, one count of mayhem while armed and three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon.

Jones was set to go be tried as an adult next month on charges that could have resulted in a maximum sentence of life behind bars.

Wearing a prison-issue orange jumpsuit, Jones answered yes, maam and no, maam as a D.C. Superior Court judge asked him questions.

He stood silently as prosecutor Mike Ambrosino told the court that the most seriously injured victim, Harris Bates, suffered what he termed a permanent disabling injury.

Seven youngsters were shot during the Easter Monday violence.

Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 26. Seventeen other counts on the indictment may be dismissed when Jones is sentenced.

Lawyers on both sides agreed to ask the judge to impose a sentence of 25 years to life with all but 25 years suspended. There will also be five years of probation and $1,400 in court costs.