Karon Blake shooting: Former DC employee sentenced for killing teen
Jason Lewis, 41.
WASHINGTON - A former D.C. government employee was sentenced to 12 and a half years in prison for the shooting death of 13-year-old Karon Blake.
The incident took place on January 7, 2023, when Jason Lewis confronted Blake, believing he was involved in a car break-in.
Man convicted of manslaughter in fatal shooting of 13-year-old Karon Blake
A 42-year-old man who shot and killed a 13-year-old boy in Northeast D.C. in 2023 has been found guilty of manslaughter.
Despite claiming self-defense, Lewis was found guilty of multiple charges, including voluntary manslaughter, after a jury trial.
At the time of the shooting, Lewis, 41, worked for the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation. D.C. Superior Court sentenced him following the jury's verdict.
Lewis received a 90-month (7.5-year) sentence for voluntary manslaughter, plus five consecutive 60-month (5-year) sentences for additional charges, including assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.
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The court imposed a mandatory minimum five-year term for each firearm-related charge. Lewis's total sentence amounts to 150 months, or 12.5 years, with five years of supervised release after his prison term.
Court documents revealed that Lewis, who held a concealed carry permit, confronted Blake after hearing a noise in the early morning hours of January 7, 2023.
Lewis claimed he believed Blake was involved in a car break-in and fired two shots in the direction of the teen, killing him. However, security footage and further investigation showed that Blake had not entered Lewis's property and was not an immediate threat, raising questions about the validity of Lewis's account.
The case sparked public outrage, with community leaders and residents questioning the circumstances of Blake’s death and highlighting broader concerns about gun violence in the area.
Lewis was arrested on January 31, 2023, and placed on administrative leave from his job after the shooting.
The court also recommended that the Bureau of Prisons take special measures to ensure Lewis' safety while incarcerated.
Lewis will serve his sentence in federal custody and is scheduled for supervised release in January 2035.
The Source: The information in this article comes from DC Superior Court and previous FOX 5 reports.