Domestic Violence Defendant Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison

By Lauren Tepper [former] - June 21, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Domestic Violence | Shooting | Suspects |

A 26-year-old domestic violence defendant was sentenced to 18 years in prison for a 2019 shooting.

On April 27, 2019, officers from the Metropolitan Police Department were dispatched to the 200 block of Newcomb Street, SE, after Shot Spotter detected gunshots. Upon arrival, officers found the victim suffering from four gunshot wounds and the vehicle the victim was in contained seven bullet holes. After the crime, Shawn Mitchell fled to Connecticut. 

Mitchell pleaded guilty to aggravated assault knowingly while armed and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence. During the course of this case, Mitchell accepted a plea deal, however, he later told an officer from the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency in an interview that “I really haven’t had anything to do with it.” He said he was taking the fall for the crime.  

During the June 17 sentencing, Mitchell told DC Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan that he did commit the crimes he is charged with. 

Mitchell’s past criminal history includes two felony offenses, one of which was in 2015 for assault with a dangerous weapon and the other in 2013 for assault with significant bodily injury. 

The prosecutor told the court that Mitchell has not accepted responsibility for his actions and his past criminal offenses. 

The defense agreed with the sentencing recommendation of 108 months or 9 years for each charge. 

Mitchell chose to not make a statement during the hearing.  

Judge Raffinan sentenced Mitchell to two consecutive 108-month sentences for both of his charges. Mental health treatment and registering as a gun offender were both terms of the sentencing.