Defense Claims Mental Health Issues Behind Shooting Incident

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DC Superior Court Judge Judith Pipe sentenced a defendant to six months incarceration and one year of supervised release for shooting a gun into the air during a Nov. 22 hearing.  

Deonte Driver, 34, pleaded guilty to endangerment with a firearm for his involvement in the matter on Sept. 20. The incident occurred on July 27 at the 2200 block of Nicholas Street, SE.

According to court documents, police received a report for a man shooting a gun into the air from a rooftop and arrested Driver for his involvement in the incident.

The prosecution requested that Driver be sentenced to six months of incarceration because they do not believe he will comply with probation, citing that this offense occurred after a prior gun charge in Maryland. The prosecution argued Driver “did not learn” from this prior charge.

Driver’s defense attorney, Kyle McGonical, asked that any further incarceration be suspended, as Driver has already been incarcerated for four months, and that he be allowed to take advantage of mental health services while on probation.

McGonical stated that by Driver’s own admission, he was not in a “good place” and had been self-medicating with alcohol while struggling with anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). According to McGonical, Driver suffered from the loss of two brothers as part of a tumultuous upbringing.

McGonical said Driver was “crying out” for treatment and has participated in multiple self-improvement programs while incarcerated. He said that after four months of incarceration Driver, “looks, sounds, and feels much better.” He described Driver as “very intelligent and engaging” and someone who has the potential to take full advantage of opportunities and treatment.

Driver addressed the court and stated that although this is a “negative incident,” he plans on “bettering his life.”

Judge Pipe sentenced Driver to six months of incarceration with credit for time served and one year of supervised release. She stated that she did not believe probation was appropriate in this case because “he was released on a gun charge and immediately armed himself again,” in reference to Driver’s past charge in Maryland.

There are no further dates set.