‘There’s an Epidemic,’ Judge Says About Gun Violence Passing Sentencing

By Vivien Williams - July 2, 2024
Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A shooting defendant was sentenced to 24 months of incarceration by DC Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro during a June 28 hearing.

Amante Concepcion, 24, was originally charged with carrying a pistol without a license outside a home or business, unlawful possession of ammunition, possession of an unregistered firearm, and possession of a prohibited weapon, for his involvement in a shooting that injured one individual on Oct. 22, 2023, on the 1300 block of Irving Street, NW. 

On March 22, Concepcion accepted an offer that required he plead guilty to carrying a pistol without a license in exchange for a dismissal of all other charges. 

During the hearing, Judge Di Toro noted the seriousness of the crime saying, “Gunfire in broad daylight, it’s not just illegal… so many could have been hurt.”

Furthermore, prosecutors argued, “The defendant’s consciousness of guilt was so high that he immediately threw his gun away.”

The prosecution requested a 12 month sentence with one year of supervised release.

However, the defense countered requesting nine months of incarceration with all suspended and a year of probation arguing Concepcion, “has shown that he can and will abide by the court.”

Furthermore, the defense argued the shooting was in self-defense saying, “Had he not had the gun, he may have been dead” because someone else had been firing at him.

In her response Di Toro said, “There’s an epidemic; it’s such a trite thing to say but there are so many guns.”

Judge Di Toro opted to sentence Concepcion under the Youth Rehabilitation Act (YRA), which seals a young defendant’s conviction once all sentencing requirements are met. She explained that the youth act “gives people a chance to get back to where they are,” adding, “if you’re asked if you’re convicted of a felony, you get to say no.”

After sentencing him, Di Toro told Concepcion, “My goal, and it should be yours too, is for us to never see each other again.”