Man Pleads Guilty In 2016 Springfield Shooting, Robbery

SPRINGFIELD, VA—A Maryland man pleaded guilty Wednesday to a 2016 Springfield robbery that escalated into a shooting.

On May 21, 2016, police arrived around 12:30 p.m. after the suspect robbed Dubai Jewelers at Brookfield Plaza. The suspect fired at an officer, who returned fire. The suspect fled but struck a nearby driver.

The suspect continued to evade police, fleeing into a getaway car nearby, but was in a crash near Spring Village Drive. The suspect carjacked another vehicle and fled. He crashed again in the 7600 block of Hooes Road and fled on foot.

Police arrested William Franklin, 25, of Waldorf, Md. two days later. Another suspect involved, Jasminder Sethi, 26, of Waldorf Md., was arrested at Newark Liberty International Airport and charged with robbery.

The shooting victim went to the hospital initially with life-threatening injuries but has since recovered. No one else was injured in the incident.

Franklin pleaded guilty Wednesday to robbery, malicious wounding, attempted capital murder of a police officer, two counts of carjacking, hit and run, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, two counts and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony (second offense).

Image via Charles County, Md. Sheriff’s Office