DC Superior Court Judge Deborah Israel sentenced a shooting defendant to nine years in prison on July 10 after one of the victims described the debilitating effects of his injury.
Kyre Robinson, 23, pleaded guilty on Aug. 22, 2025 to aggravated assault knowingly while armed, carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, and destruction of property worth more than $1,000. Robinson shot a man in the back of the head on Dec. 16, 2024 on the 1500 block of Benning Street, NE.
In a separate case, Robinson pleaded guilty on April 10 to aggravated assault knowingly and unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction for more than one year. Robinson shot two men in the back on June 9, 2025 on the 1500 block of Benning Street, NE.
A victim of the June 9 shooting testified remotely about the lasting effects of his injuries.
“This year has been the roughest in my life,” the victim said. “As soon as I wake up, I’m in pain.”
The victim already required a wheelchair for mobilityu when the incident occurred, but as a result of his gunshot wound he is now paralyzed from the waist down. Despite that, the victim offered a message of forgiveness.
“I hold no ill will toward Mr. Robinson,” the victim said.
The prosecution asked for six years for the June 9 shooting and three years for the Dec. 16 shooting for a total of nine years. They argued that because of the senseless nature of the crimes and Robinson’s history with firearm-related offenses, serious consequences were appropriate.
Julie Wilson, Robinson’s attorney, asked Judge Israel for eight total years of prison time, arguing that this incident was the result of “profound trauma and grief.” According to Wilson, Robinson had been a “bright, talented, smart” individual whose life changed when his friend died in his arms from a gunshot wound.
“If you look at his life as a whole, these are anomalies,” Wilson said.
Wilson asked Judge Israel to sentence Robinson under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA), which allows sentencing flexibility for defendants who commit offenses under the age of 25. The judge can sentence a defendant under the mandatory minimum and a defendant can have their convictions sealed upon successful completion of requirements.
However, Judge Israel denied the request because Robinson had already been sentenced twice under the YRA for two other firearm-related convictions.
When given the opportunity to speak, Robinson apologized to the three victims of the shooting.
“There are no words that can justify my actions,” Robinson said.
For the Dec. 16 shooting, Judge Israel sentenced Robinson to six years in prison for aggravated assault, 14 months for carrying a pistol, and 180 days for destruction of property, all to run concurrently.
For the June 9 shooting, Judge Israel sentenced Robinson to three years for aggravated assault, and 14 months for unlawful possession. The sentences will run concurrently with each other but consecutively with the charges from the Dec. 16 shooting.
Judge Israel also sentenced Robinson to three years of supervised release.
Judge Israel reminded Robinson that because of the seriousness of the two offenses, his sentence could have been significantly higher.
“These are at the bottom rungs,” Judge Israel said. “I could have gone way higher.”
No further hearings were set for either of Robinson’s cases.
