Nyjell Outler, 22, of Washington, D.C., has been sentenced to 24 and a half years in prison for the shooting death of Demetris Johnson and the wounding of Daloni Williams at a gender-reveal party in March 2021. The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.
A Superior Court jury found Outler guilty in March 2025 on charges of voluntary manslaughter while armed and aggravated assault while armed. The Honorable Jason Park delivered the sentence on August 15, 2025.
According to evidence presented during the trial, Outler arrived at the party on Madison Street, Northeast, carrying an AK-style rifle concealed in a backpack. After spending about half an hour at the event and interacting with guests, he retrieved the weapon and approached three young men standing in the driveway—Demetris Johnson, Daloni Williams, and another individual—while dozens more were nearby.
When Williams moved toward Outler with his arm extended as if to signal him to put away the weapon, Outler raised the rifle and shot Williams twice from close range. He then fired two additional shots as Johnson and another man attempted to flee; one bullet struck Johnson in the back. Outler fled after the incident.
Williams required emergency surgery followed by nine days in hospital care and months of physical therapy due to his injuries. Johnson died at the scene.
During sentencing, prosecutors requested a term of 35 years for Outler. They cited not only “the egregious circumstances of the killing,” but also informed Judge Park about “multiple armed assaults and a misdemeanor sex offense” allegedly committed by Outler after being returned from Florida.
At the time of this shooting, Outler was under GPS monitoring following an earlier arrest for possession of another similar firearm in February 2021. He removed his monitor shortly after fleeing from this crime scene and remained at large for nearly a year before being arrested in Florida based on an anonymous tip.
Chief Pamela Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department joined U.S. Attorney Pirro in announcing the sentence. Both officials commended members of law enforcement who investigated the case as well as staff from both agencies involved with prosecution support services.
U.S. Attorney Pirro stated: “In announcing the sentence,” she recognized those who contributed to investigating and prosecuting this case: Paralegal Specialists Mabry Johnson and Sharon Newman; Victim/Witness Advocate Latrice Washington-Williams; Victim/Witness Service Coordinators Katina Adams-Washington and Shanika McCullough; Investigative Analyst Zach McMenamin; along with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dennis Clark, Kristian Hinson, and Yasmin Emrani.
