Youth Shooter Given Maximum Sentence After Escaping Custody

By D.C. Witness Staff - May 15, 2023
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A teenager,who confessed to taking part in the shooting of a Washington Commanders’ football player, was sentenced to the maximum commitment for his crimes in a hearing before DC Superior Court Judge Robert Salerno on May 15. 

According to prosecutors, the youth had already pleaded guilty to assault with a deadly  weapon and carrying a pistol without a license in an attempted carjacking.  The carjacking resulted in the shooting of Washington Commanders’ running back Brian Robinson on Aug. 28, 2022.   

“You could have ended his life…and a promising career,” said the prosecutor,

During the 25-minute hearing before Judge Solerno the youth, who was present in court, quietly acknowledged that he would remain in the custody of District social services until age 21 and that he waived his right to a trial.

Judge Salerno said that the youth had committed a very serious offense and made his situation worse by absconding from custody and failing to show up for a sentencing hearing on April 5.  “You showed poor judgment,” said Judge Salerno.  When the youth was finally arrested on April 19, prosecutors said he had illegal drugs in his possession.

The prosecution had originally recommended the youth be committed until he reached age twenty.  However, Judge Salero tacked on the extra year with the proviso that the last year would be unrestricted with the option of returning  to “wrap around services” if warranted.

In the meantime, a representative from the DC Department of Youth and Corrective Services said she was “very disappointed” that the youth had failed to comply with his confinement terms.  

Going forward, he will have an initial 16 months of supervised care focusing on anger management at a psychiatric residential treatment facility.

“Make the most of your time,” said the Judge as the hearing concluded.