DC Superior Court Judge Carmen McLean imposed a suspended sentence along with two years of probation in a shooting case under the accommodation of the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA) on July 18.
However, she administered an admonition to the young defendant.
“It’s your responsibility who you hang out with,” said the judge.
De’ Adrian Davis,19, pleaded guilty on May 7 to endangerment with a firearm and carrying a pistol without a license outside of his home or business for involvement in a shooting on the unit block of S Street, NE, on March 21.
Prosecutors said Davis was caught on surveillance camera footage firing a weapon multiple times. They said he was “extremely lucky” not to be facing homicide charges, as he aimed at an individual before firing.
The prosecution requested 12 months of incarceration for this gun case and another infraction, arguing that Davis’ actions posed an immediate and serious risk to others.
Defense attorney Sara Kopecki urged the court to consider probation, arguing that Davis did not intend to hurt anyone and only fired to break up an ongoing fight. She described his actions as immature but not malicious, noting that Davis had a firearm because he lives in a violent area and fears retaliation.
“Being in jail the last two months has changed my life,” Davis told Judge McLean, saying he has recognized the serious consequences of his actions. “Last week someone got stabbed in my unit,” Davis added.
Judge McLean received letters on Davis’ behalf from his family and school vice-principal.
“Be the person your vice-principal described,” she said, warning Davis that any future firearms offense would carry a mandatory 12-month prison term.
Judge Mclean imposed a 12-month sentence for each count but suspended the execution of both sentences under the Youth Rehabilitation Act, which is a DC law designed to give individuals under the age of 25 a chance at rehabilitation rather than incarceration. It allows judges to impose lighter sentences and seal records in certain cases, if the defendant fulfills the court’s conditions.
Davis received two years of supervised probation and a suspended sentence of three years supervised release for each count. The sentences are to run concurrently with each other and with the sentence from Davis’ other case.
No further dates have been set.
