The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia has concluded its investigation into the fatal police shooting of Justin Robinson, determining there is insufficient evidence to pursue federal criminal civil rights or District of Columbia charges against two Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers involved in the incident.
The investigation was conducted jointly by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and MPD’s Internal Affairs Division. It included a comprehensive review of physical evidence, surveillance video footage, body-worn camera footage, audio and visual recordings from nearby cameras, witness accounts, autopsy records, and MPD reports.
The incident occurred on September 1, 2024. At approximately 5:20 a.m., MPD officers responded to a call about a vehicle that had crashed into the side of a McDonald’s located at 2529 Marion Barry Avenue in Southeast D.C. The driver was identified as Justin Robinson, who had been unresponsive in his car at the drive-thru for about an hour before it moved forward and collided with the building. Officers observed a firearm in plain view on Mr. Robinson's lap upon arrival.
As officers were planning to remove the firearm from the vehicle, Mr. Robinson awoke. Multiple officers instructed him to raise his hands and not touch the gun. When an officer attempted to retrieve the weapon from Mr. Robinson's lap, a struggle ensued during which Mr. Robinson grabbed both his own gun and an officer's firearm. Despite warnings to release his grip on the gun, Mr. Robinson continued struggling until two officers discharged their service pistols 11 times at him.
Following this exchange, officers removed Mr. Robinson from his vehicle and began resuscitation efforts immediately after securing his firearm; however, he was pronounced dead at the scene despite further life-saving attempts by D.C Fire and Emergency Medical Service members.
Federal prosecutors concluded there was insufficient evidence to prove beyond reasonable doubt that MPD officers were criminally liable for Mr. Robinson’s death after reviewing all available evidence thoroughly and independently.
"The U.S Attorney’s Office remains committed to investigating allegations of excessive force by law enforcement officers," stated representatives from their office while reiterating dedication towards fully investigating serious civil rights violations' allegations across jurisdictions within their purview—highlighting ongoing collaboration with internal affairs divisions responsible for examining any fatalities involving police personnel throughout Washington D.C areas consistently over time frames involved here too ultimately ensuring accountability measures enforced effectively where necessary going forward continuously now more than ever before possible given resources allocated accordingly under current guidelines established today moving ahead strategically together overall holistically finally bringing closure regarding specific case mentioned above conclusively determined herein without prejudice whatsoever nonetheless respectfully submitted forthwith duly noted accordingly thus far...