District Man Sentenced to Seven-Year Prison Term For Armed Robbery and Shooting in Northwest Washington

Press Release

Defendant Shot the Victim in the Neck During Robbery

WASHINGTON - Lawrance Arnold, 33, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 84 months in prison for shooting a civilian in the Logan Circle Area of Northwest Washington DC, announced U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and Chief Pamela Smith, of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Mr. Arnold pleaded guilty to Armed Robbery in January 2024, in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia before the Honorable Michael Ryan.

According to the government's evidence, on the morning of November 25, 2023, Arnold broke into the victim's apartment in the 14th & U Street area of Northwest Washington DC. The victim woke at approximately 7:20 am and found Arnold in his apartment, taking his clothing. The victim confronted Arnold and tried to take back his property. During that altercation, which spilled into the hallway outside the apartment, Arnold pulled a gun, shot the victim in the neck, and ran.

Bleeding from the neck, the victim walked to the corner of 14^th an V Street Northwest, and flagged down a police officer. Arnold was able to provide a detailed description of his assailant, which police used to apprehend Arnold several blocks away. The victim subsequently identified Arnold as his assailant. Investigators also linked the firearm used in this case to another case, in which Arnold was captured by surveillance footage after discharging a firearm.

In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Graves and Chief Smith commended the work of those who investigated the case from the Metropolitan Police Department. They acknowledged the efforts of those who worked on the case from the U.S. Attorney's Office, including Paralegal Specialist Crystal Waddy.

Finally, they commended the work of Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmanuel Hampton, who investigated and prosecuted the case.

Updated May 3, 2024