DC Superior Court Judge Andrea Hertzfeld sentenced a domestic violence shooting defendant to prison time on June 8.
Willis Warren, 46, pleaded guilty on April 8 to assault with a dangerous weapon for a shooting that occurred on Jan. 14. After a disagreement with his girlfriend, Warren fired three shots at her friend’s car when she was picked up from the unit block of 35th Street, NE.
Judge Hertzfeld sentenced Warren to five years in prison, all but four years suspended, one year of probation and a restitution of $4,250 for damages to the victim’s car. Warren was also given a no-contact and stay-away order from the victim.
“I made a mistake, I have an alcohol problem, it caught up with me that night,” Warren said.
Judge Hertzfeld also required Warren to enroll in a substance abuse program as well as registering as a gun offender.
Bullet holes damaged the passenger side of the vehicle, which prosecutors showed in photos and video footage was also provided of Warren’s proximity to the car when he fired the shots.
When the shots hit the car, a bullet ricocheted and hit Warren’s girlfriend in the leg. The prosecution argued that Warren was lucky in the way the incident turned out as it could’ve resulted in a double homicide.
Warren’s attorney, Gregory Copeland, acknowledged that the incident could’ve been worse, but the fact that it wasn’t should’ve impacted Warren’s sentencing.
“I need help,” Warren said, acknowledging the mistakes made that night and is ready to move forward to a better life.
In determining Warren’s sentence, Judge Hertzfeld said she agreed with the prosecution because it was either “blind luck” or a “bad shot” as to why it wasn’t worse.
No further dates were set.
