Washington D.C. Teen Receives Probation Despite Government’s Request for Prison in Recreation Center Shooting Case

WASHINGTON — On August 10, 2026, Darius Drew, 19, of Washington, D.C., pleaded guilty in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to one count of aggravated assault and one count of carrying a pistol without a license. The charges stem from a May 11, 2026, shooting incident in Northwest D.C. where a juvenile playing basketball at a recreation center was struck by gunfire.

The government sought a five-year prison sentence, the maximum under the defendant’s sentencing guidelines, citing Drew’s reckless conduct. Evidence showed Drew fired over twenty rounds from two separate locations, endangering the community. However, Superior Court Judge Jennifer Di Toro sentenced Drew to 24 months in prison but suspended the execution of that sentence. Instead, Drew was placed on 18 months of supervised probation under the Youth Rehabilitation Act, a decision made over the government’s objection.

According to the government’s evidence, on May 11, 2026, Drew was observed riding a Lime bike into an alley in the 700 block of Taylor Street Northwest. Shortly thereafter, ShotSpotter technology detected ten gunshots. Surveillance footage captured Drew firing at a parked car in the alley. Moments later, at the 4100 block of 9th Street Northwest, Drew fired toward a house near the alley, striking a boy playing basketball at a nearby recreation center. The victim sustained leg injuries.

In total, Drew discharged more than 20 rounds into the community during the incident.

Following the shooting, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Drew’s residence, recovering two firearms, ammunition, and significant quantities of suspected narcotics and marijuana.

Drew was arrested on May 22, 2026, and remained in custody until his release on the day of sentencing, despite government opposition.

U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro and Metropolitan Police Department Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll jointly announced the sentence. Both officials commended the investigative efforts of the Metropolitan Police Department and acknowledged Assistant U.S. Attorney Natalie Anderson for prosecuting the case.

This case highlights ongoing concerns regarding gun violence in Washington, D.C., and the judicial system’s balancing of rehabilitation and public safety in sentencing young offenders.

Additional recent cases announced by U.S. Attorney Pirro include charges against Cole Tomas Allen in a terrorism-related indictment and lengthy prison sentences for Irv Duff and Jordan Grice for violent offenses in the District of Columbia.

Official reference: View the original document.