Use Of Pepper Spray During Dispute Leads To Malicious Wounding Charge

ARLINGTON, VA — A 19-year-old Fairfax woman is facing a felony malicious wounding charge after she used pepper spray against another woman during a dispute Sunday night in the Virginia Square area, according to Arlington County Police.

Officers responded around 10:02 p.m for the report of a robbery by force in the 3500 block of Wilson Boulevard. Investigators said a group of people approached a woman who was walking in the area and began arguing with her, according to the incident report.

During the dispute, a member of the group used pepper spray, hitting the woman, according to police. The victim suffered minor injuries and was treated by emergency medical personnel at the scene.

Officers found the suspect nearby, who they identified as Katherine Johnson of Fairfax. She was arrested, charged with malicious wounding by caustic substance, and held without bond.

On Monday morning, Johnson was arraigned in Arlington General District Court. The case was continued and she is due back in court on Tuesday for a bond hearing, according to court records.

Johnson has a preliminary hearing scheduled for April 30 in connection to the malicious wounding by caustic substance charge, which is a Class 6 Felony.

“If any person maliciously causes any other person bodily injury by means of any acid, lye or other caustic substance or agent or use of any explosive or fire, he shall be guilty of a felony and shall be punished by confinement in a state correctional facility for a period of not less than five years nor more than thirty years,” according to the Code of Virginia. “If such act is done unlawfully but not maliciously, the offender shall be guilty of a Class 6 felony.”