‘Every day I Think of The Gun Being in My Face,’ Writes Assault Victim in Sentencing Statement

By Bridget Smith [former] - August 12, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur sentenced a shooting defendant to two-and-a-half years of incarceration on Aug. 9.

David Walls, 38, was originally charged with kidnapping while armed and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon for his involvement in two incidents, one on April 10 and the other on April 13. Both took place on the 2700 block of 30th Street, SE.

According to court documents, Walls was outside of his ex-girlfriend’s home at night when she walked outside with her new partner on April 10. Then Walls allegedly grabbed her at gunpoint and forced her into his car. She jumped out of the moving vehicle to escape.

On April 13, according to court documents, Walls went back to her home and fired a single shot at the premises. No one was injured. 

On May 21, Walls accepted an agreement that required him to plead guilty to two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and carrying a dangerous weapon outside a home or business, in exchange for the prosecution’s not seeking an indictment. 

During the hearing, the prosecutor read a victim’s impact statement, in which Wall’s ex-girlfriend wrote that “safe[ty] is no longer something I feel,” and stated she is baffled by his actions considering he has daughters.

“Every day I think of the gun being in my face,” she wrote. The victim said she will be traumatized for life.

The prosecution requested a sentence of 78 months, with 39 months each for both assaults. Despite the defendant’s lack of criminal history, the prosecution emphasized the severity of the crime, and how Walls attempted to harm the victim on two occasions. As a domestic violence prosecutor, he said that “these are the cases that keep us up at night.”

Walls’ defense attorney, Marnitta King, argued that seven years was too much jail time, and that it would be a “disingenuous” outcome to the criminal justice system. 

According to King, Walls had a clean record and was a good father, brother, son, and boyfriend prior to the crime. King argued that despite the prosecution’s claim, Walls and his ex-girlfriend were still dating at the time of the attack and she had asked him to pick her up when she walked out the door with another man. 

King also claimed that at the time of the event, Walls and the victim were texting “I love you” to each other, and he believed they were in a committed relationship. 

“His life changed in an instant. He was faced with realizing there’s another person there,” King said, referring to the other man in the woman’s house. “The family he had been planning with her . . . all gone,” she added.

King maintained that she wasn’t excusing his actions, but pointing out that it was an emotionally distressing situation and not Walls’ normal conduct.

She requested a sentence within the voluntary sentencing guideline, with the time suspended, in order to give him a chance to prove himself.  

“I was blown away because this is not the David Walls that I know. . . He’s so calm,” said Walls’ employer to Judge Arthur. 

Walls’ mother and sister also offered tearful statements. They said that Walls is a dedicated father to his daughters, and has taken care of both his mother and grandmother.

“I look up to my brother a whole lot,” said his sister, adding that as the only man in the house he is “their protector.”

“You will never see his face in a courtroom again, I promise you,” his sister said to Judge Arthur as she finished her statement.

Finally, Walls gave a statement saying he was sorry and that he “isn’t a bad person.” He said this was the first time he had ever sat in a jail, and that it would leave a lasting impression on him.

“Everybody’s in here talking about what you mean to them, but you chose to take yourself away from them,” Judge Arthur told Walls. 

Judge Arthur said he would take into account that this was his first conviction, and the support from his family. However, the fact that there were was two incidents is significant. 

Judge Arthur imposed a sentence of 36 months with all but 18 months suspended for one of the assault with a dangerous weapon charges, 36 months with all but 12 months suspended for the other assault charge, which will run consecutive to each other. Judge Arthur also sentenced Wall to 12 months, all suspended, for the possession charge. 

As part of the sentence, Walls is required to register as a gun offender and pay $300 to the Victims of Violent Crime Fund (VVCF). He is also required to participate in anger management and domestic violence classes, and must stay away from the victim. 

No further dates were set.