Three Arrested in Alleged Kidnapping and Stabbing Plot Targeting D.C. Women

Federal authorities have arrested three suspects in connection with the kidnapping, stabbing, and robbery of two women in Washington, D.C., an attack prosecutors say was carefully orchestrated and carried out in October.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, 18-year-old Robynn Danielle Bynum of Fort Washington, Maryland, 20-year-old Cierra Charity Lee, and 21-year-old Kayvon Edwards of Washington, D.C., were taken into custody on Nov. 5.

All three face federal charges of conspiracy to commit kidnapping and kidnapping, along with D.C. Code charges that include kidnapping while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, and armed robbery.

The incident occurred late on Oct. 20. Court documents say a U.S. Park Police officer responded to a report of a stabbing around 11:45 p.m. and found two women suffering from knife wounds — one with multiple stab injuries to her back, the other with cuts to her wrist.

Investigators say the victims had been hired for a babysitting job and were lured to a location where two attackers ambushed and stabbed them.The women were then restrained with duct tape, confined to a bathroom, and later transported in one of the victim’s own vehicles to a second location, where they were abandoned.

They managed to escape and seek help.Police later located the vehicle. Inside, officers found bloodstains, duct tape remnants on the back seat, and a flat front passenger tire.Investigators have not released the victims’ identities.

However, they determined that one of the women had previously accused Edwards of a crime in another jurisdiction, with a court appearance scheduled for the following day. Prosecutors allege the assault was a targeted retaliation.

Edwards, who was already in custody awaiting that court hearing, is accused of coordinating the attack from jail. Bynum is alleged to be the individual who carried out the stabbing.The case remains under investigation.