Defendant Sentenced to 96 Months for Shooting Teen Girlfriend

By Varshana Ramnarine - October 7, 2024
Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting |

DC Superior Court Judge Marisa Demeo sentenced a shooting defendant to 96 months in prison for his involvement in the shooting of a 16-year old girl during an Oct. 4 hearing.

On July 19, Deangelo Wooten, 27, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault knowingly while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for shooting his 16-year-old girlfriend on the 3400 block of 13th Street, SE, on Jan. 20. The victim sustained serious injuries. 

During the hearing, prosecutors presented graphic images of the victim’s wounds on her forearm and back, documenting her physical injuries after the incident. They sought a prison term of 120 months, pointing out the severity of the crime, citing that the close range shooting occurred in a residential neighborhood, in broad daylight, and amongst witnesses. 

The prosecution stated that, weeks later, the victim still did not regain feeling in her arm. 

Wooten’s brother appeared in court and extended apologies towards the victim. He alerted the court to Wooten’s troubled childhood and history of mental illness, stating that he was in need of medical assistance.

Wooten’s defense attorney, Todd Baldwin, requested a reduced sentence of 72 months. He argued that rehabilitation was what Wooten required, and that he has been “stable and calm” since receiving treatment. 

Baldwin pointed out Wooten didn’t aim at the victim’s face, but rather randomly into the car. He asserted this meant that he never intended to kill the victim. 

Expressing regret, Wooten stated to the court, “I take full responsibility for everything I did,” wishing he could take it all back, and that he needed to get his mental health under control. 

Judge Demeo alerted the court that she wished to fashion a sentence aimed at rehabilitation. While giving Wooten credit for taking responsibility for his actions and his lengthy criminal history, she imposed a sentence of 96 months for the aggravated assault while armed charge, and 72 months for the possession charge, which will run concurrently. The stay-away order from the victim will remain in effect.

No further dates were set.