WASHINGTON – Jason Lewis, 42, of Washington, D.C., was convicted today in Superior Court for the fatal shooting of 13-year-old Karon Blake. The verdict, which includes multiple firearm-related offenses and a charge of voluntary manslaughter, was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith.
Lewis was found guilty of three counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, and one count of voluntary manslaughter while armed. The incident occurred on January 7, 2023, in the 1000 block of Quincy Street, NE, where Lewis, after arming himself and stepping outside his home around 4:00 a.m., engaged two youths allegedly involved in car break-ins.
Video evidence presented at trial showed Lewis firing at a car driven by one of the youths and subsequently shooting Karon Blake as he approached, resulting in Blake’s death from two gunshot wounds. Despite Lewis’s claims of acting in self-defense, the jury rejected this assertion, leading to his conviction.
Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein has scheduled sentencing for October 25, 2024. Lewis faces a maximum of 45 years in prison for the charge of voluntary manslaughter while armed against a minor. The case has underscored ongoing concerns regarding firearm violence and its impact on community safety.