Despite DC Superior Court Judge Neal Kravitz declaring that “this was a very dangerous and serious offense,” he felt a sentence moderated by the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA) was warranted in a shooting case.
In a Feb. 27 hearing, Judge Kravitz told Antwon Lake, 24, that he must serve 48 months in jail for assault with a dangerous weapon as well as a concurrent sentence of 48 months for possession of a firearm in a crime of violence. The jail term would be accompanied by three years of supervised release on each charge as well as paying more than $2,000 in property damages to the victim.
According to the police report, officers responded to an Exxon station on the unit block of Florida Avenue, NW on Aug. 2 following reports of gunfire. Recovered surveillance footage of the incident shows the victim walking by Lake’s car and the two appear to have a brief conversation. As the victim was walking back to his vehicle, Lake “drew a handgun and fired multiple rounds in the victim’s direction.” The bullets missed their target and the victim fled the station in his car.
Surveillance footage as well as identifying information of his vehicle led police to Lake as the suspected shooter.
When he was arrested on Sept. 18, court documents say he “admitted to being at the Exxon gas station. The defendant identified himself in the CCTV video as the shooter.”
Lake said that while he didn’t think the victim had a gun, nor did he know him, he feared he would retrieve a weapon from his car.
Defense attorney Elizabeth Weller said she would not minimize what happened in that Lake felt terrified, reacted very badly and “tried to kill somebody” by firing dozens of shots in a public area.
However, she said Lake’s action was very much out of character and she requested sentencing under the YRA. The statute allows a defendant’s record to be sealed upon successful completion of his term and gives judges flexibility in sentencing for those under 25 at the time of the offense.
Weller emphasized that Lake is a high school graduate and that he has extensive family support. His grandparents, sister and brother were in the courtroom.
“He won’t get the benefit unless he succeeds,” said Weller.
In terms of the sentence, there was a question as to whether the minimum had to be five years based on the charges. “This is a classic example of what happens when too many guns are around,” said the judge.
However, he felt that sentencing under the YRA was appropriate. He pointed out that Lake was younger than 25 at the time, had a limited criminal record and had done well in jail. Thus, Judge Kravitz labeled Lake’s actions “unusual behavior.”
Four years is enough punishment and deterrent and “will take a big chunk out of his 20s,” said Judge Kravitz.
The prosecution did not challenge the sentence. No further dates were set.
