Judge denies bail to defendant in alleged gang-related shooting

By Marissa Stambaugh, Ella Munnelly – October 18, 2024
Daily Stories | Shoot | Suspicious | Victim |

D.C. Superior Court Judge Maribeth Raffinan on Oct. 16 denied a motion to release a shooting defendant.

Daveon Robinson, 18, is charged with conspiracy, four counts of assault with armed intent to murder and four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence for his alleged involvement in a fatal shooting that resulted in the death of 16-year-old Justin Johnson. This incident occurred on May 26, 2022 in the 2000 block of Savannah Terrace, SE.

Robinson, who was 15 at the time of the incident, is being charged as an adult under Title 16.

Robinson’s defense attorney, Elizabeth Weller, acknowledged that although probable cause has been established, Robinson himself is only accused of direct involvement in that crime and not others allegedly committed by a gang that prosecutors say he belongs to. She also stated that since Robinson is innocent until proven guilty, he should be released on home confinement with an education exception.

Prosecutors opposed Robinson’s release, citing an alleged relationship between Robinson and the Henson Ridge neighborhood’s Get Back Gang (GBG), also known as Z.

According to prosecutors, phone records show Robinson participated in several group chats that discussed gun purchases and referenced an ongoing feud with a rival gang, the “Deuce Deuce Crew.”

Robinson’s social media also links him to that gang, prosecutors argued, as do several music videos posted on YouTube under the account “gbglilactive.”

Judge Raffinan noted that while Robinson’s criminal record does not support incarceration, other factors such as the brutality and evidence of the crime far outweigh the criminal history for incarceration. Evidence includes surveillance videos, eyewitness accounts and social media posts.

Judge Raffinan rejected the defense’s request for bail and Robinson remains detained.

The parties are expected to meet again on November 22nd.