Defendant Sentenced to 72 Months for ‘Senseless’ Shooting

By Rhiannon Little [former] , Ying He [former] - August 11, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Documents | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On Aug. 11, DC Superior Court Judge Michael O’Keefe sentenced a shooting defendant to 72 months imprisonment and said he is, “Lucky nobody got hurt.”

On June 2, Dwayne Dolberry, 41, pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon while armed and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior crime of violence for his involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred on March 2, 2022, on the 1600 block of Trinidad Avenue, NE. There were no reported injuries.

In their allocutions, both parties asked the court to impose a sentence of 72 months of imprisonment, suspending all but 40 months, for the assault charge and 14 months for the unlawful possession charge, which was outlined in the plea offer. Parties requested the sentences to run concurrently.

Dolberry’s defense attorney, Wole Falodun, noted that Dolberry took early responsibility and expressed remorse. He said his client plans to start a demolition and hauling business when he is released.

Dolberry addressed the court, reiterating that he accepts responsibility and feels remorseful for his actions.

Judge O’Keefe said that based on the facts of this case, he expected Dolberry to be young and immature but was surprised to find out he is actually 41 years old. He said, “You are old enough to know how serious this [case] is.” He described the crime as “senseless” and told Dolberry he is “lucky nobody got hurt.”

Although he said the plea offer is “very generous,” Judge O’Keefe accepted the agreement of a 72-month sentence, suspending all but 40 months, as well as 14 months to run concurrently.

Dolberry will be subject to three years probation and a suspended three years of supervised release. Among several other conditions, he will be required to register as a gun offender upon release and participate in anger management classes.

No further dates are set in this case.