DC Superior Court Judge Micheal Ryan sentenced two non-fatal shooting defendants to five years in prison under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA) on July 16.
Saki Frost, 19, and Azhari Graves, 20, pleaded guilty on Dec. 19, 2025 to aggravated assault knowingly while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, and carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business. These charges stem from their involvement in a shooting on May 3, 2024, at Dunbar High School, at the 1200 block of Kirby Street, NW. The victim sustained a graze wound deep enough that her skull was visible on the right side of her forehead.
As part of the plea deal, parties agreed that the sentences for each charge will run concurrently.
At sentencing, Judge Ryan noted that Frost and Graves fired their guns at a vehicle, but bullets unintentionally hit Dunbar High School. A bullet grazed a student’s head after it entered a classroom window. Judge Ryan emphasized how the defendants’ actions caused serious bodily injury and were not justified by self-defense.
Judge Ryan then discussed both defendant’s pre-sentence reports. When Graves was 12-years-old, his brother was fatally shot. Graves himself was hospitalized in 2020 after sustaining a gunshot wound. Judge Ryan quoted Graves from the report, reading, “After I got shot I felt like I needed a gun.”
Frost had also lost friends to gun violence and was a victim of a robbery, Judge Ryan read from the report. Frost lived with his paternal grandmother, who died while he was incarcerated. He attended her funeral through Zoom, said the judge.
The prosecution presented video footage from a news report about the shooting, emphasizing that six bullet holes were discovered in the high school building.
“The victims in this case are the entire community,” the prosecution stated, emphasizing the seriousness of the crime and the injuries sustained by the young student. Due to these reasons, the prosecution argued that sentencing under the YRA would not be appropriate.
The YRA is a DC law which provides judges with greater flexibility to sentence individuals who commit a crime under the age of 25. The YRA, allows judges to sentence defendants below the mandatory minimums and for their convictions to be sealed upon successful completion of sentence requirements.
Frost’s attorney, John Iweanoge, discussed the hardships Frost experienced during his childhood and the struggles he faced. Iweanoge called Frost’s high school football coach to read a character letter.
The coach said he traveled from another state on his own accord to support Frost, explaining that Frost was the only person who made him feel included when he was new to DC. While holding back tears Frost’s coach read, “Saki is like my younger brother. We may not look alike but he taught me what family is.”
Graves’ attorney, Hannah Claudio, requested a sentence of 60 months in prison, with all but 40 months suspended, which would suspend all but the minimum guideline requirements. Claudio argued that many of the circumstances that led Graves to the offense were “absolutely out of his control.”
Claudio stated that Graves first witnessed a shooting when he was seven-years-old. At age 12, Graves’ brother was shot and killed. Claudio claimed Graves did not leave his home for nearly a year after his brother’s death. When he finally began leaving his house again, Claudio said Graves was shot in the knee and rushed to the hospital.
When addressing Graves possession of a firearm on the day of the incident, Claudio stated, “we may not agree with it, but it is not hard to understand.”
According to Claudio, Graves was horrified when he learned that a bullet had struck a student and later discovered that the victim was actually his friend. She added that the victim forgave Graves. Claudio said that multiple teachers and staff members from Dunbar High School spoke positively about Graves and stated they would gladly welcome him back.
Claudio also noted Graves’ recollection of the incident. She stated that Graves believed the vehicle he and Frost fired shots at contained four individuals wearing ski masks, gloves, and was driving recklessly on the wrong side of the road.
Judge Ryan emphasized that self-defense was not established in this case. Claudio clarified that she was attempting to point out that Graves’ reacted unjustifiably to a perceived threat, not in self-defense.
Claudio reiterated that she did not believe a lengthy sentence was appropriate for Graves. She argued that Graves had already faced significant consequences, including missing his prom, graduation, and losing the opportunity to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a firefighter.
In addition, Claudio described this case as a “unique opportunity” for the court to give the defendants a second chance. Claudio argued that sentencing under the YRA was necessary for “kids like this.”
Judge Ryan recognized that both defendants had no prior criminal history and have expressed remorse. The judge granted Claudio’s request for suspended time for both defendants.
For the aggravated assault while armed, Frost and Graves were each sentenced to seven years in prison, with all but five years suspended, followed by two years of supervised probation. For assault with a dangerous weapon, Frost and Graves were each sentenced to two-and-a-half years, with all but two years suspended. For carrying a pistol without a license, they were each sentenced to 14 months, all but one year suspended. All sentences will run concurrently.
The conditions of their probation include assistance with employment and education, mental health evaluations, payment of $300 from each defendant to the Victims of Violent Crime Compensation Fund, registration as gun offenders, and completion of 90 hours of community service.
Judge Ryan wished both defendants good luck and expressed hope that they would make better choices in the future.
No further dates were set.
