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By
Adriana Marroquin
- December 13, 2024
Court
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Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Shooting
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Suspects
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Victims
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DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan sentenced a homicide defendant to nine years of imprisonment on Dec. 12.
On Aug. 28, Terrance Prue, 24, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter for his involvement in the fatal shooting of 39-year-old Bruce Gilmore on the 300 block of 22nd Street, SE on June 5, 2019. Another individual sustained injuries during the incident, but survived.
Through the deal, parties agreed to a sentence of eight-to-12 years of imprisonment.
During the hearing, Gilmore’s loved one deemed him a “valued, beloved member of the family and community,” stating that “the heinous occurrence that caused the death of my cousin remains painful.”
Gilmore’s loved one told Prue she forgave him, but won’t forget his involvement in his death, as she asked for the maximum sentence to be imposed, despite it not being enough.
According to the prosecution, on June 5, 2019, Gilmore became “another statistic, another victim of gun violence in the city,” at the hands of Prue and 22-year-old Miguel Gibson – who will be sentenced for obstructing justice next month.
Prosecutors requested Judge Raffinan sentence Prue to 12 years of incarceration, stating that he “had a gun he wasn’t supposed to have… he used that gun for its intended purpose, which is to kill.”
The prosecutor argued that Prue was “living a life of the streets, making money and selling drugs,” adding that one of the guns he owned and often “paraded” was “a weapon of war – an offensive weapon.”
“Prue made the choice to go with Gibson to confront Gilmore,” the prosecution insisted, explaining that Gilmore was Gibson’s mother’s ex-boyfriend and had become involved in stealing each other’s belongings back and forth.
The prosecutor insisted the plea is “not a reflection of the seriousness of the case,” and requested the higher sentence, citing Prue’s alleged involvement in eight fights at the DC Jail in the last year.
James King, Prue’s attorney, apologized to Gilmore’s family, stating he understands this was “senseless and stupid,” adding, “what happened to Mr. Gilmore is tragic, and it happens repeatedly in our community.”
“People who lose their family members to gun violence know they are not just a statistic,” King said, responding to the prosecution’s statements.
According to King, Prue had no idea that Gibson had stolen things from Gilmore, as Gibson had lied to him repeatedly about other issues.
“He did not go there with the intent to kill anyone,” King said, as a family member blurted out, “He shot him in the back.”
King insisted that Prue “has promise and a bright future… he’s someone who made a willful mistake,” adding “he would take it back if he could.” He requested an eight year sentence under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA), which allows the defendant’s conviction to be sealed if they successfully complete all sentencing requirements.
Prue also apologized to Gilmore’s family, thanking them for their forgiveness, and explaining that he too has lost loved ones while incarcerated.
Judge Raffinan stated she would sentence Prue to nine years, under the YRA, because he doesn’t have any criminal history. However, she stated, she “hopes he shifts his focus to get his education and vocational training.”
As part of his sentencing, Prue must participate in substance abuse assessments and treatments and get his GED and vocational training.
No further dates were set.