DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro sentenced a shooting defendant to 42 months of imprisonment on Aug. 28.
On June 27, Cameron McMillian, 35, pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm for his involvement in a non-fatal shooting on Jan. 24, on the 1100 block of 4th Street, SW. One individual sustained injuries during the incident.
During the hearing, the prosecution presented surveillance video said to show the defendant interacting with another individual when the victim interjected. The prosecutor claimed McMillian was the initial aggressor.
The prosecutor also brought up the defendant’s criminal history alleging that he has attacked others with firearms before. They also stated that there have been times when McMillan owned a firearm though he wasn’t permitted to do so.
The prosecution argued that the bullet discharged during the incident grazed the victim’s cheek and went through his shoulder. The victim was allegedly a friend of McMillian’s.
According to the defense, McMillian accidentally discharged the firearm.
Errin Scialpi, McMillian’s attorney, claimed that he approached a group of individuals with the intention of a confrontation. The verbal altercation then escalated and the victim began to take off his jacket. Scialpi argued that there was a mutual escalation.
Additionally, Scialpi stated that McMillian was unaware the victim had been shot as the victim did not react and stayed at the scene.
Scialpi stated that there are contradictory versions of what happened but that McMillian is remorseful and recognized the dangerousness of his conduct.
McMillian stated that he was talking to the victim and the other individuals, and was not trying to shoot his friend and did not know he had been shot.
Judge Di Toro agreed the shooting was unintentional but McMillan was not supposed to have a gun.
McMillian was sentenced to 42 months of imprisonment and three years of supervised release for assault with a dangerous weapon. He was also sentenced to 36 months of imprisonment, with a mandatory minimum of one year, and three years of supervised release for unlawful possession of a firearm. The sentences and supervised release will run concurrently.
McMillian will also be required to register as a gun offender. Additionally, Judge Di Toro ordered a mental health evaluation and anger management. She also ordered job assistance as needed upon release.
No further dates were set.
