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By
Joseph Wolf
- October 30, 2024
Daily Stories
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Shooting
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Suspects
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DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur sentenced a shooting defendant to 36 months on Oct. 28.
On Aug. 20, Kevin Snead, 41, pleaded guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon for his involvement in a non-fatal shooting that occurred at the intersection of 15th Street and Independence Avenue, SE, on April 3. No injuries were reported.
According to court documents, Snead, who was working at Safeway as a security guard, discharged his firearm at a group of four individuals who he claimed had stolen goods from the store hours before the shooting. Leading up to the incident, the same group of four individuals were there and allegedly threatened Snead before they shot at him.
At the hearing, the prosecution asked Judge Arthur to impose a sentence of 48 months of incarceration followed by three years of supervised release.
The prosecution acknowledged that Snead was a victim of a crime, however, he had a serious lapse in judgment, especially when innocent bystanders were close to being wounded.
According to the prosecutor, a bullet discharged by Snead struck a car’s windshield while the owner was inside. She saw someone standing in front of her car ducking for cover before she did the same. Seconds later, the prosecution told Judge Arthur, a bullet whizzed through her windshield and went over her head.
Snead’s defense attorney, Todd Baldwin, asked the Court to impose an 18 month sentence with probation to follow.He argued Snead, despite his lapse in judgment, is a stand-up citizen.
According to Baldwin, Snead is dedicated to his book club, is a gifted painter, a respectful, and gentle man. Furthermore, Baldwin told Judge Arthur Snead wants to reimburse the woman whose car he struck by paying for the loss of quality as well as mental health services.
In a statement to the Court, Snead told Judge Arthur that he was sorry for his actions and wished that he could take everything back. Furthermore, he told the Court he tries to be a good citizen, illustrating the fact that, when he catches people who steal from a store he is watching, he often pays for their goods.
Snead told Judge Arthur he acted in self-defense, stating he feared the group of kids would kill him or seriously injure him. He added he regrets becoming a man that everyone reads about on the news, and someone who furthers the stereotype that the District is dangerous.
“It all comes down to responsibility,” Judge Arthur told Snead after admonishing him for failing to do as he was trained and calling the police.
Judge Arthur sentenced Snead to 36 months of incarceration, with all but 18 suspended, two years of probation and two years of supervised release. Snead must register as a gun offender as a condition of probation.
There are no future events scheduled regarding the matter.