DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe sentenced a non-fatal shooting defendant to seven years in prison for his latest crime during a hearing on Feb. 6.
Thurman Williams, 55, pleaded guilty on Nov. 3, 2025 to attempted assault with a dangerous weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior crime of violence for his involvement in a non-fatal shooting on Oct. 17, 2025, on the 1100 block of First Street, NW.
According to court documents, Williams was walking along the sidewalk when he pulled a silver handgun from his coat and fired in the vicinity of two people. No injuries were reported.
At sentencing, the prosecution read the victim impact statement to the court. The victim said they were shaken by the shooting and emphasized the proximity to a school where children and crossing guards are often present. The victim said they were walking to work, did not know why the shooting occurred, and hoped the sentence would allow Williams time to reflect but also allow him a chance to live his life.
The prosecution requested a stay-away order from the victim and the school. Judge Pipe declined, stating she lacked authority to impose the condition under terms of supervised release.
The prosecution summarized their case against Williams, stating they would have proven Williams randomly fired a silver pistol while walking on the sidewalk near two people. They asked Judge Pipe to sentence Williams to seven years in prison.
Williams’ attorney, Gemma Stevens, asked the court to consider Williams’ health issues and personal history, saying he was not a bad person and accepted responsibility for his actions through the plea deal. Stevens also asked for a sentence of seven years in prison.
Williams briefly addressed the court, apologized, and said he was done with guns.
Before imposing the sentence, Judge Pipe emphasized the victim’s statement asking the court to “consider if the prior time spent convinced him of the impermissibility of his actions.” The judge noted Williams previously served more than three decades in prison for a homicide offense and committed another offense during that sentence. Given Williams’ history and the random nature of the shooting, Judge Pipe said Williams posed a clear danger to the community.
Judge Pipe sentenced Williams to three years in prison for attempted assault with a dangerous weapon and seven years for unlawful possession of a firearm, to run concurrently, followed by three years of supervised release. Williams will be required to register as a gun offender in DC upon release.
No further dates were set.
