A woman has been arrested after allegedly shooting her own husband, following allegations he had sexually abused children at her children’s daycare center.
James Weems Jr., 57, was shot at Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Washington, D.C., on Thursday night.
Police arrested his wife, 50-year-old Shanteari Weems from Randallstown, Maryland, in connection with the incident later that same day.
Weems has been charged with assault with intent to kill and on Monday appeared before a District courtroom for her preliminary hearing.
On Tuesday Baltimore County issued an arrest warrant for Weems Jr., who has been accused of sexually molesting at least three children while working at his wife’s daycare center.
Weems Jr. is currently under police custody in a Washington hospital pending extradition.
Police were called to the shooting at 1300 block of Maryland Avenue Southwest, just a couple of blocks down from the Washington Monument.
Police report the victim was shot at least once, after which the alleged shooter briefly barricaded herself within the hotel.
Court documents reveal police claim officers approached the room where gunfire had been reported, and asked if anyone had been shot.
Weems reportedly responded: “F*** him, he’s a child molester”.
The suspect told police she drove to D.C. from her home in Maryland on July 20 to meet her husband.
She alleges children at her daycare center recently informed her they had been abused by Weems Jr.
During the journey she claims she heard from teachers and parents who also raised alleged abuse.
Weems told police she confronted her husband about the claims, before the alleged shooting.
James and Shanteari Weems had been married for five years and lived together, according to court documents.
According to a press release, Baltimore County detectives had been investigating James Weems Jr. since they first received allegations against him, earlier this month.
In a statement they said: “I can tell you that Baltimore County detectives are currently monitoring the recent developments in Washington D.C. Due to the sensitive circumstances leading up to this incident, the Baltimore County Police Department continues to support the families impacted.
“As this investigation moves forward, the daycare facility located in Owings Mills remains closed.”
County officials added: “Baltimore County detectives continue to work closely with detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department as well as members of the Baltimore County State’s Attorney’s Office, the Maryland State Department of Education and the Maryland Department of Human Services, Child Protective Services.
“Families can contact Baltimore County detectives at 410-307-2020. Parents can also consult the following website for guidance in discussing potential abuse with their children.”
Washington has seen a surge in violent crime over the past year with 1,230 cases reported by April 19, a 28 percent increase on the 961 reports by the same time in 2021.
On 19 June a 15-year-old was killed and three adults injured after a shooting at a festival celebrating Juneteenth, by the 14th and U Streets NW.
One of the adults injured by gunfire was a police officer, with footage posted to social media showing people fleeing for their lives.
Three people, including a “juvenile female,” were shot and injured in a separate incident on April 22.
The gunfire shooting took place in the capital’s Van Ness area, with local residents advised to shelter in place.
Baltimore Police have been contacted for comment.