DC Superior Court Judge Michael Ryan imposed a partially suspended sentence for a defendant on May 27, despite a victim succumbing to his injuries three years after the shooting.
On Nov. 3, 2025, Nataniel Arce-Washington, 31, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault knowingly and carrying a pistol without a license, for his involvement in the shooting of two individuals on Oct. 9, 2023 on the 1200 block of Queen Street, NE.
Malcolm Robinson died from injuries related to the shooting incident on Feb. 21. Arce-Washington was not further charged in relation to the death.
The prosecutor read a letter written by Robinson’s mom, in which she stated “nothing can fully encapsulate the struggle” their family endured. She recalled Robinson being paralyzed from the neck down, and having to be on a ventilator for a sometime after the shooting. She stated he experienced “two-and-a-half years of relentless suffering,” adding he was unable to carry his youngest child, who was born after the shooting.
“He lost his battle,” the letter read, stating it was a “direct result of the actions taken by the defendant.” The mother’s letter continued, “I’m sorry that a sequence of events shattered lives on both ends.”
“I hope you find the mercy my son was not granted that day,” Robinson’s mom wrote.
Prosecutors requested the maximum sentence, which was 60 months for aggravated assault and 24 months for carrying a pistol without a license. They highlighted Robinson’s injuries, and the other victim’s, who they claimed was shot twice in the gut.
They argued there is no way to know exactly what happened leading up to the shooting, despite both parties agreeing evidence showed the victims attempting to rob Arce-Washington, who the prosecution claims was a drug dealer, and pistol whipping him.
“As they’re pistol-whipping him, why wouldn’t he shoot them?” Judge Ryan asked, stating the victim’s actions did not excuse Arce-Washington firing at them 10 times.
“Drugs and guns are an inherently dangerous mix,” the prosecutor asserted, arguing that Arce-Washington put himself in a position that enabled violence.
David Benowitz, Arce-Washington’s attorney, asked for a sentence at the bottom of the guidelines, arguing Arce-Washington’s actions began as self-defense, but ended in an overreaction.
However, he highlighted the prosecution’s failure to question the surviving victim, who he claimed had outstanding warrants at the time of the shooting. According to Benowitz, the victims both had court orders that prohibited them from being in the neighborhood where the incident occurred.
“[Arce-Washington] overreacted. That’s why he accepted guilt. He feels bad about it,” Benowitz asserted.
“I don’t know who brought the gun. That’s what it comes down to,” Judge Ryan said, stating he had a difficult time determining a sentence.. He stated the court’s goal is “punishment, deterrence, and rehabilitation,” stating the former two are most important when an individual is significantly harmed.
He highlighted Arce-Washington needing to defend himself from two people who tried to rob him, but raised concern with his firing 10 rounds in a densely populated area. “He hit both of them, and one ultimately suffered quite grievously.”
“[Arce-Washington] did nothing to bring the robbery on himself, but reacted wrongly by going after them,” Judge Ryan stated.
Arce-Washington was issued a 24 month sentence for aggravated assault and 10 months for carrying a pistol without a license, both counts suspended for all but six months. He will be required to serve two years of supervised probation, get a full time job, and be evaluated for mental health and substance abuse issues.
“I truly don’t know what happened that day,” Judge Ryan asserted as Marshals took Arce-Washington into custody.
No further dates were set.
