Co-Defendants in Shooting Incident Accept Plea Offer

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On Dec. 15, two non-fatal shooting co-defendants accepted plea offers extended by prosecutors in front of DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe.

Earl Robinson, 31, and Keith Robinson, 32, were originally charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, aggravated assault knowingly while armed, and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, among other charges, for their involvement in a non-fatal shooting incident, which left an individual suffering from life-threatening injuries and paralyzed. The incident occurred on Oct. 19, 2021, on the 3400 block of 13th Place, SE. 

Prosecutors alerted the court they had extended a plea offer which required both defendants plead guilty to aggravated assault while armed, in exchange for a dismissal of all other charges. Prosecutors stated they will request a sentence between 60 and 90 months for Keith, and 72 and 120 months for Earl. 

According to prosecutors, had the case gone to trial, they would have proved beyond a reasonable doubt that, on the day of the incident, the victim walked up to a group of individuals and after greeting everyone, Keith, Earl, and a third unnamed individual all shot at the victim in close range. 

The Robinsons ran from the location, got in a vehicle, and attempted to flee, with officers stopping them shortly after the incident. During the stop, officers recovered two firearms which were reportedly used to shoot the victim. Both defendants agreed they did not act in self-defense, and committed the offenses voluntarily and on purpose. 

According to the prosecutor, the victim is paralyzed from the waist down, and has endured extensive surgeries. 

Parties are returning for a sentencing hearing on Feb. 23, 2024.