An Arlington Circuit Court judge has delayed the sentencing of a man who admitted to shooting at police officers during a 2022 car chase through Arlington and Fairfax counties.
Ricardo Singleton must first undergo an evaluation through the state’s mental health assistance program, Judge Daniel S. Fiore II ruled Friday, before being sentenced on Aug. 16.
Known as a “MHAP” evaluation, participation in the program is intended to provide those in the justice system with resources to improve their mental well-being, as well as a support system and a sense of accountability.
Singleton, 29, admitted earlier this year to firing gunshots while fleeing from law enforcement — an incident that the defense has tied to Singleton’s “precarious” mental state at the time.
On the evening of Oct. 6, 2022, Arlington County police began to pursue Singleton following an incident earlier in the day where he brandished a gun at sheriff’s deputies in Courthouse. The chase went through Arlington, where Singleton — by his own admission — fired multiple shots from his driver’s side window.
After crossing into Fairfax County and striking an assortment of vehicles, Singleton ran from the vehicle at the intersection of Route 50 and Graham Road, near West Falls Church. One bystander video showed Singleton aiming the gun in the direction of police cruisers while running through the roadway before muzzle flashes are seen and gunshots are heard.
Singleton was ultimately taken into custody behind the Bestway Supermarket at 3109 Graham Road after his gun reportedly jammed.
In Arlington, Singleton currently faces felony charges for eluding police and shooting a firearm from a vehicle. His sentence would be capped at 15 years, with 13 of those years suspended, under the terms of a March plea agreement.
Singleton would also receive credit for time served since his arrest — approximately 21 months.
In Fairfax County, Singleton faces two counts of malicious bodily injury to law enforcement, one count of attempted malicious bodily injury to law enforcement and one count for the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
He is scheduled to enter a plea in Fairfax County Circuit Court on August 20, according to online court records.
