On Sunday, September 1, the D.C. police released body-worn camera footage from an officer-involved shooting that resulted in the death of Justin Robinson, a 26-year-old violence interrupter. The shooting occurred at a McDonald’s located in the 2500 block of Marion Barry Avenue Southeast around 5:30 a.m.
Police responded to the scene after a vehicle crashed into the McDonald’s. Robinson, the driver, was found unresponsive inside the vehicle with a gun allegedly resting on his lap. According to MPD Chief Pamela Smith, Robinson remained unresponsive for approximately 10 minutes during which officers were securing the area and planning their response.
MPD Chief Pamela Smith shared an update. Watch below:
As Robinson began to regain consciousness, officers drew their weapons and instructed him to drop his gun. According to officials, Robinson reached for the officer’s service weapon through the driver’s side window, prompting two officers to fire a total of 11 shots. Robinson was pronounced dead at the scene, and a weapon was recovered.
Body camera footage showed Robinson holding his gun with his left hand while attempting to grab the officer’s gun with his right hand. Smith was asked if the MPD would consider revising their protocols due to the apparent risk to officers. She stated, “There will be a recommendation made to us either by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and/or by our Internal Affairs Office. We will also have our Use of Force Review Board to review the results of the investigations, and then we will take into consideration all of the recommendations that are made to us, with respect to the policy or training we may need to do with our agency.”
DC Police bodycam footage. Watch below:
Robinson was identified as a violence interrupter with the D.C. Attorney General’s Office and the Cure The Street program.
Following the incident, Robinson’s family and friends protested, demanding the release of the body camera footage. Initially, the family requested that the footage not be released, but later requested its release on September 7. Chief Smith noted, “I do not know. What I do know is the family was afforded the opportunity – the next of kin, pursuant to statute – was afforded the opportunity to review the body worn camera footage on Monday of last week.”
A family friend said “We didn’t want the community to see a redacted video because they wasn’t giving us the redacted video.”
The involved officers have been placed on administrative leave, and the incident is under independent review by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
