‘I Don’t Have Any Faith That You’ve Learned Your Lesson This Time,’ Says Judge Sentencing Shooting Defendant

By Adriana Marroquin - March 1, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On March 1, DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe sentenced a shooting defendant to nine years of incarceration. 

Tyrone Hawkins, 22, was originally charged with assault with intent to kill while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, possession of an unregistered firearm, among other charges, for his involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on Sept. 23, 2021, on the 400 block of Valley Avenue, SE. One individual sustained non-life-threatening injuries from the incident. 

On Sept. 22, 2023, Hawkins accepted a deal which required him to plead guilty to assault with intent to kill and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence in exchange for a dismissal of all other charges. The parties agreed to a five-to-nine-year sentence range. 

Clint Broadus, 25, was also charged in connection to the incident, and was sentenced on Feb. 16 to five years for assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. 

The prosecution alerted the court that the victim was unavailable to deliver an impact statement at this sentencing, but requested they adopt his statement from Broadus’ sentencing hearing. 

The victim told the court then that the incident still haunts him, and he continues to be nervous when he’s in public and approached by strangers. 

The prosecution requested Hawkins be sentenced to seven years for his involvement in the shooting, adding that they don’t believe he’s a good candidate for rehabilitation. 

Likewise, a Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA) Study recommended Hawkins not be given sentencing consideration under the YRA that can moderate penalties and effectively seal criminal records.

Todd Baldwin, Hawkins’ defense attorney, disagreed with the prosecution and the study, stating “he is not beyond rehabilitation.”

He requested Hawkins be sentenced to five years, stating that “he knows he reacted wrongly,” and adding that he should get the same sentence as his co-defendant. 

“He grew up in very tough circumstances, in some very tough streets,” claimed Baldwin, adding that he has seen a “great deal of sadness from [Hawkins] lately.” 

Hawkins apologized to the victim, their family, and his family for his actions. 

Judge O’Keefe stated that Hawkins has been getting in trouble since 2014, with multiple incidents stemming from actions that started this shooting. He mentioned six incidents that stemmed from robberies, with multiple ending in convictions. 

Judge O’Keefe also stated that Hawkins was released for the last robbery in August of 2021, and was arrested for this shooting in September of 2021. 

“I don’t have any faith that you’ve learned your lesson this time,” said Judge O’Keefe. “It’s a miracle that man wasn’t killed or seriously injured,” he stated. 

The judge said shooting in broad daylight is “dangerous behavior and can’t be tolerated.” 

Judge O’Keefe sentenced Hawkins to nine years of incarceration for the assault with intent to kill charge, and five years for the possession of  a firearm charge. They will be served concurrent. 

“You’re not deserving of a low end of the guidelines sentence,” he said, adding “you made those choices, so you have to pay the consequences.” 

He also required Hawkins to participate in cognitive therapy, anger management, register as a gun offender, and stay away from the victim. 

No further dates were set.