DC Superior Court Judge Robert Okun sentenced a mass shooting defendant to 180 months, with all but 108 months suspended, during a hearing on March 14.
On Sept. 9, 2024, Daniel Mendoza, 24, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault knowingly while armed and assault with a dangerous weapon for his involvement in a shooting that seriously injured two individuals, and left two others suffering from graze wounds, on June 27, 2023 on the 3100 block of 16th Street, NW.
During the hearing, prosecutors requested Judge Okun sentence Mendoza to a consecutive sentence of 120 months for the aggravated assault and 60 months for the assault with a dangerous weapon charge. They stated the lengthy sentence was “warranted not only by the extremely serious and violent nature of the crimes, but also because of [Mendoza’s] not total acceptance of responsibility.”
According to the prosecution, Mendoza fired seven shots at two individuals, one who sustained five gunshot wounds. The prosecution added that two bystanders were grazed during the incident.
Prosecutors deemed the shooting an “unprovoked, serious, violent offense that could have killed four people.” They added Mendoza has had disciplinary problems while detained, and was deemed a high-recidivism risk.
“It’s not only how violent the offense is, but these victims will live with this for the rest of their lives,” the prosecution stated.
Marc Eisenstein, Mendoza’s attorney, requested Judge Okun sentence Mendoza to 60 months of incarceration, stating he was only 22 at the time of the incident and was still “maturing and growing.”
“The message is clear that the trajectory Mr. Mendoza was in would end up in jail or dead,” Eisenstein stated.
Eisenstein added that Mendoza’s mother fought hard to avoid violent influences, despite living in a bad neighborhood, but Mendoza still succumbed. “This was her worst nightmare,” Eisenstein said.
He told Judge Okun Mendoza’s moral compass went awry quickly, and he began using drugs to “numb the pain.”
“He should’ve went home,” Eisenstein said about the day of the incident, adding “pride got in the way, and he made a terrible decision.”
According to Eisenstein, there were false allegations that Mendoza had sexually assaulted one of the victim’s sisters, hurting his ego, and he wanted to stand his ground.
Eisenstein stated “this is a case of imperfect self-defense,” because the two victims arrived and made Mendoza fearful. “He believed what was gonna come next could cost him his life.”
“He feels terrible… this could have ended tragically,” Eisenstein said, adding Mendoza’s family, that was present at the hearing, is “very disappointed in him.” He requested Judge Okun sentence Mendoza under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA), which allows a young defendant’s conviction be sealed if they successfully complete all sentencing requirements.
Mendoza’s mom stated he’s her only son, and she’ll continue to wait for his release. During her statement, Mendoza’s mom asked God to help him change.
“I give my sincere deep apologies from the bottom of my heart,” Mendoza said, adding that he traumatized a lot of people.
“I understand that I messed up, but I’m not a lost cause,” Mendoza told Judge Okun, stating he wants to prove everyone wrong, especially the prosecution who stated he’s likely to reoffend once released.
“I don’t want to be that type of person anymore,” he said, adding “I just wanna make my mother proud.”
“These are really serious crimes. You caused a lot of serious damage and it could’ve been worse,” Judge Okun voiced. However, he sentenced Mendoza under the YRA to 120 months, with all but 72 suspended for the aggravated assault charge, and 60 months with all but 36 suspended for the assault with a dangerous weapon charge, which will run consecutively for a total of nine years.
Mendoza is also required to serve three years of probation, pay $200 to the Victims of Violent Crime Fund, participate in substance abuse assessments and treatments, anger management, mental health treatment, 90 hours of community service and get his GED.
“You are gonna have a number of years to serve,” Judge Okun said to Mendoza, adding “for your sake, your family’s sake, and community’s sake, I hope you can learn from your mistake and are never here again.”
No further dates were set.
