Judge Denies Release for Defendant in Shooting Said to Be Gang-Related

By Marissa Stambaugh , Ella Munnelly - October 18, 2024
Daily Stories | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan denied a motion of release for a shooting defendant on Oct. 16.

Daveon Robinson, 18, is charged with conspiracy, four counts of assault with intent to murder while armed and four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a fatal-shooting resulting in the death of 16-year-old Justin Johnson. This incident occurred at the 2000 block of Savannah Terrace, SE on May 26, 2022.

Robinson, who was 15 at the time of the incident, is charged as an adult under Title 16.

Robinson’s defense attorney, Elizabeth Weller, acknowledged that while probable cause has been established, Robinson himself is only accused of being directly involved in this crime, and not others that were allegedly committed by a gang to which the prosecution alleges he belongs. She also stated that since Robinson is innocent until proven guilty, he should be released on home confinement with education exception. 

Prosecution opposed Robinson’s release, establishing an alleged relationship between Robinson and the Get Back Gang (GBG) located in the Henson Ridge neighborhood, otherwise known as the Z. 

According to the prosecution, phone records place Robinson in several group chats in which people discussed purchasing guns and referencing an ongoing feud with a rival gang, the “Deuce Deuce Crew.” 

Robinson’s social media also affiliates him with this gang, the prosecution argued, as well as several music videos posted on YouTube under the account “gbglilactive.”

Judge Raffinan found that although Robinson’s criminal history does not weigh in favor of detention, other factors such as the brutal nature and evidence of the crime heavily outweigh criminal history in favor of detention. Evidence includes surveillance videos, eyewitness accounts and social media posts. 

Judge Raffinan denied the defense’s motion for release, Robinson will remain held. 

Parties are set to reconvene on Nov. 22.