Judge Suspends Jail Time for Defendant Sentenced for Involuntarily Shooting Her Best Friend’s 17-Year-Old Brother

By Zakiyia Ortiz [former] - November 18, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Juveniles | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

During a Nov. 18 hearing, DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun suspended jail time for a defendant convicted of involuntary manslaughter of her best friend’s 17-year-old brother.

Shatiya Johnson, 27, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter on Aug. 18 for the accidental shooting of  Kyle Richardson on Jan. 27, 2022, on the 4400 block of E Street, SW.

Johnson, who is also known by her nickname Liberty, was offered a plea deal for involuntary manslaughter on Aug. 18, 2022. The condition of the plea was mandatory confinement of 48 months at the DC Jail, 150 community hours to be completed during the sentence term, five years of supervised probation, and registering as a gun offender within two days after her release. 

According to court documents, Johnson and Richardson were inside Johnson’s apartment viewing a Taurus 9-millimeter handgun that was registered in Maryland by Johnson before Richardson was accidentally shot. 

The firearm was never loaded or used by Johnson according to her testimony. She said she was unaware there was a bullet in the chamber when it was fired because the magazine cartridge was never inserted inside the weapon. 

Johnson was very compliant with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) as they ruled it to be a negligent action when handling a firearm.  

“It is a shame that I have to stand here today to give this statement for Kyle because if he was here today he would have forgiven Liberty and said it was an accident,” the victim’s mother said during her victim impact statement.  

“Liberty was and is part of our family, and I know she never meant for this to happen,” she continued. “I adopted five kids. Kyle was two and a half years old when I got him. A week later I adopted his biological sister when she was five and a half years old.”

The mother gave a testimony on behalf of herself, her daughter and her brother.

“We use to joke about kyle being my biological child because he was so much like me,” she said. “We are all grieving including liberty because she loved him like he was her own brother.”

Johnson, even though accepting responsibility for her actions said, “I never meant for all of this to happen. I only wanted him to grow up and live life. I wish I could go back in time and undo this accident.”

“This is a tragic accident, and I can see this has affected everyone,” Judge Okun said. “Johnson, I want you to find a way to forgive yourself somehow and move forward. I have no doubt in my mind you won’t help others learn about how deadly a firearm can be to anyone.”

Judge Okun suspended Johnson’s 48-month prison sentence, instead and sentenced her to 5 years of supervised probation and mental health treatment. Johnson is also required to finish 150 hours of community service.