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D.C. man charged in armed robbery spree, including one shooting in Alexandria

A clerk was shot in the leg during a robbery at the 7-Eleven at 3023 Duke Street on April 17, 2023 (staff photo by James Cullum)

D.C. resident Shamell Joyner, 35, has been charged with a series of armed robberies, including one in Alexandria last month in which a clerk was shot, Patch first reported.

In April, a clerk at the 7-Eleven at 3023 Duke Street was reportedly shot in the leg after a bullet fired at the floor ricocheted. The Alexandria Police Department (APD) said the injuries were serious but non-life threatening.

Joyner has been charged with a series of armed robberies at convenience stores and gas stations across D.C., Alexandria and Hanover, Maryland between April 12 and May 2.

According to the release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in D.C.:

As alleged in the complaint, Joyner brandished a firearm during all of the robberies. He discharged a firearm during the April 12 armed robbery of a Northwest Washington gas station and the April 17 armed robbery of an Alexandria, Virginia convenience store. A store employee working at the time of the Alexandria robbery sustained a non–life threatening gunshot wound to his leg.

The release said Joyner’s alleged spree came to an end after he stole a Maryland gas station employee’s vehicle on May 2. The release said D.C. police found Joyner in the vehicle’s driver’s seat later that day and Joyner was still in possession of the gun used in several robberies, as well as similar clothing and other evidence.

Joyner is charged with six counts of Interference with Interstate Commerce by Robbery — aka Hobbs Act robbery — which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years. Joyner also faces a litany of other charges, from using a firearm during a crime — which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison — to armed carjacking — which carries a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum sentence of 40 years.

About the Author

  • Vernon Miles is the ALXnow cofounder and editor. He's covered Alexandria since 2014 and has been with Local News Now since 2018. When he's not reporting, he can usually be found playing video games or Dungeons and Dragons with friends.