At Sentencing Victim Says His Life Was ‘Shattered’ by Shooting

By Shea Carlberg [former] - July 30, 2024
Court | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan sentenced a defendant to nine years’ imprisonment for his involvement in a shooting at a store at a July 26 hearing.

Eric Davis, 36, was initially charged with assault with intent to kill while armed for the incident that occurred on the 1400 block of H Street, NE on May 30, 2023. One individual sustained injuries.

“This conduct is some of the most serious I can see in this courtroom,” Judge Raffinan said.

According to court documents, a witness entered the store with Davis, a former employee of the establishment. The victim, who was working and seemed to recognize the defendant, threw an item at Davis and he threw it back at the victim. The defendant then drew his gun and shot the victim.

The prosecution read a victim impact statement as the victim attended via Webex with a Spanish interpreter for help. 

The victim described that it “not only shattered my life” but that he is no longer able to financially support his wife and 11 year-old daughter due to his physical and mental state. The victim detailed how the incident cost him his eye and now he must use a colostomy bag, a condition that may be permanent.

“I am not a bad person, and neither I nor my family deserved this suffering,” the victim wrote in his statement.

The prosecution showed footage of the altercation. According to court documents, Davis was already told that he wasn’t allowed back in the establishment after being fired from his job.

The judge slightly eased the defendant’s sentence charging him with aggravated assault knowingly instead of assault with intent to kill.

Two years of his nine-year sentence were suspended, leaving him with seven years to serve and two years of probation. The judge sentence sentence Davis under the District’s Youth Rehabilitation Act, which seals the conviction if the defendant successfully completes the term.

Davis must also register as a gun offender in DC and stay away from the victim and location of the incident.