DC Superior Court Judge Jason Park sentenced a domestic shooting defendant at the midpoint of the guidelines on Aug. 28.
Bruce Lee, 47, pleaded guilty on June 26 to assault with intent to kill for shooting his stepson, who sustained a gunshot wound to his back, on Oct. 16, 2025, on the 400 block of Douglas Street, NE.
In court, the prosecutor requested Lee serve seven years in prison, a sentence at the top of the guidelines.
The incident stemmed from a mutual fight between Lee and his stepson. However, the prosecutor emphasized that after the fight ended, the stepson attempted to leave the apartment when Lee retrieved a firearm from another room, returned, and shot his stepson in the back from across the room. Lee then left without rendering any aid to the victim, asserted the prosecutor.
Judge Park asked the prosecutor about the extent of the victim’s injuries. The prosecutor said the victim spent a short period of time in the hospital before he was released with no long term physical effects.
The prosecutor added that Lee’s actions endangered his wife, his stepson’s girlfriend, and her toddler, all of whom witnessed the offense.
Shawn Sukumar, Lee’s attorney, asked for a sentence at the bottom of the guidelines of three years in prison. Sukumar described a lengthy and complicated relationship between Lee and his stepson and Lee’s wife and his stepson. Both Lee and his wife experienced verbal abuse and physical violence from his stepson, Sukumar said.
According to Sukumar, Lee’s stepson suffers from mental health issues that are exacerbated by inconsistent medication and treatment. The family struggled with how to approach the victim when his mental health affected his behavior.
Sukumar acknowledged that in “unusual circumstances,” Lee “made a horrible decision.” As the “grown up,” Sukumar said Lee should have handled the situation better.
Lee’s family never knew him as a violent person, Sukumar emphasized, and Lee had no prior history of violence.
Sukumar highlighted that Lee is a hard worker who was gainfully employed for the last 20 years. A sentence at the bottom of the guidelines would allow Lee “a learning opportunity” and rehabilitation, Sukumar concluded.
Judge Park emphasized the violent nature of Lee’s conduct but acknowledged he did not plan the offense beforehand. In addition, the judge credited Lee for his early acceptance of responsibility and lack of violent history.
Judge Park sentenced Lee to five years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Lee must register as a gun offender in DC upon his release. The prosecution did not request the judge order Lee to stay away from the victim.
No further dates were set.
