‘I Wish You The Best of Luck,’ Says Judge at Shooter’s Sentencing

By Lucy Orgolini , Ella Munnelly - September 25, 2024
Daily Stories | Robbery | Shooting |

A shooting defendant in a robbery-turned-shooting case was sentenced by DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur on Sept. 24. 

Kevin Bailey, 24, was initially charged with conspiracy while armed, robbery while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence while armed, assault with significant bodily injury while armed, assault with a dangerous weapon, and four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in an armed robbery and shooting involving two male victims inside a car on April 14, 2020, at the intersection of Gallaudet Street and Central Place, NE. One of the victims was treated at a hospital for gunshot wounds to his right shoulder. 

Bailey was sentenced under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA) on three charges, including carrying a pistol without a license, assault with a dangerous weapon, and robbery. The defendant received no immediate jail time, and all confinement periods were suspended. He was placed on YRA probation for two years for each charge and must serve 180 hours of community service. 

The Judge made a point to say this was a special case, and charges like these usually require time served.  Under the act, if Bailey successfully completes his sentence, the record of his conviction will be confidential.

He made a final warning to Bailey about the seriousness of his probation, saying, “If you want to test me, go for it and see what happens because I will give you ten years.” 

According to court documents, one victim stated he organized a transaction through Instagram to sell marijuana. He stated that when two men arrived to make the deal, one of them attempted to take the marijuana without paying, while the second man pulled a gun on him. He told police he tried to flee but heard two or three gunshots and realized he had been hit. 

At the hearing, the prosecution read a victim impact statement, asking for Bailey to receive jail time for the shooting. The prosecution asked for a short split, meaning Bailey would get a lesser sentence unless he violated the terms in which case he have to serve the total time. The defense said that the time since the crime shows his promise as an adult and that he’s changed for the better

In the past four years, Bailey said he has become a caregiver for his ill grandmother, takes his six-year-old sister to and from school, and has become the primary caregiver for his cousin, who was disabled and paralyzed in a drive-by shooting. He said he did all this while working full-time and supporting his family. 

“The person who stands before me is not the person who committed these acts.” Judge Arthur said before he began his sentencing. 

“I wish you the best of luck. You’ve raised the bar very high for yourself, but you can do it.”