DC Superior Court Judge Errol Arthur sentenced a shooting defendant to 18 months incarceration, time he already served, and three years of supervised release on April 14.
Keith Walker, 31, pleaded guilty on Dec. 8, 2025 to assault with a dangerous weapon and carrying a pistol without a license outside of a home or business for his involvement in a March 7, 2024 shooting. The incident occurred on the 3100 block of Buena Vista Terrace, SE, where one individual was shot in the ankle.
The victim was present for the hearing virtually and said that the shooting “significantly impacted” his life. Bring absent from his daughter’s life has affected her “health and well-being.” Before the shooting, the victim said he was an “active father” and was “making sacrifices” to be a part of his child’s life.
Now, the victim said that he spends “everyday in pain” and is “stuck like this” for the rest of his life. He has a rod in his leg, which affected his employment and impaired his ability to attend his citizenship appointments, the victim said.
The prosecution argued that although Walker had no prior adult convictions, the nature of the shooting was “very violent.” Walker knowingly brought a firearm to a location he knew children would be present, according to the prosecution. They argued Walker should be sentenced to 18 months imprisonment, with credit for time served, which is at the maximum of the sentencing guidelines.
Walker’s attorney, Tamara Jones, explained that her client is “sympathetic” and “apologetic” for his involvement in the shooting. Walker is in full compliance with his release conditions and participated in a plumbing class while he was in DC Jail, according to Jones.
This was not an isolated incident, Jones argued. There were “mitigating factors” and Walker was “never the aggressor,” she claimed. Jones said Walker was “previously attacked” by the victim.
Before the shooting, Walker worked a government job for an agency that “would like to rehire him” after he resolves this case, noted James.
Jones said Walker has already served over 18 months. She requested that Walker be released from GPS monitoring with no probation.
Walker said he would “like to apologize” and “take responsibility for [his] actions.”
Judge Arthur asserted that the victim “could have died.” He acknowledged that Walker had no record, was working, and had support from family members before the shooting. Even though he had “never been in trouble,” the shooting was “avoidable,” according to Judge Arthur.
Judge Arthur sentenced Walker to 18 months incarceration and three years of supervised release for assault with a dangerous weapon. Concurrently, Judge Arthur sentenced him to 12 months incarceration and one year of supervised release for carrying a pistol without a license outside of a home or business.
Walker will get credit for time he served in DC Jail and will not have to serve any additional time. He was on release pending sentencing and was taken into custody by the US Marshals once parties were dismissed. Walker will be transported to DC Jail where they will calculate the time he has served. Once they are done, he should be released, according to Judge Arthur.
There are no further dates scheduled at this time.
