The 17-year-old boy who was charged in connection with the shooting of Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr didn’t appear in court on Wednesday for his sentencing and his whereabouts are currently unknown.
Months after being selected with the 98th pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Robinson Jr. was shot multiple times during an attempted robbery against him. The shooting occurred on August 28, 2022, with the 6-foot-1 running back suffering gunshot wounds to his knee and glute.
The 23-year-old running back was released from the hospital days later and began rehabbing to get back onto the football field. Just a few weeks after he made his NFL debut on Oct. 9 against the Tennessee Titans, the Metropolitan Police Department announced it arrested two male teenagers and charged them in connection with the shooting.
- Brian Robinson Jr stats (2022): 797 rushing yards, 3.9 yards per carry in 12 games
A police investigation stated the two tweens attempted to rob Robinson Jr. as he departed a store on H Street NE in the evening on Aug. 28. When Robinson fled the attempted robbery, the 17-year-old chased him.
Police records state that the Commanders’ running back then grabbed the teenager and wrestled the gun from his hands, which is when the other teenager fired his weapon with two bullets striking Robinson.
The two teenagers, ages 15 and 17, pled guilty in January to attempted robbery, with the 15-year-old sentenced to serve up until he turns 21 years old. However, the 17-year-old didn’t appear for his sentencing.
Keith L. Alexander of The Washington Post reported on Wednesday that D.C. Superior Court Judge Robert A. Salerno said the 17-year-old absconded. At the time, he was ordered to stay at his parents’ home and wear a GPS monitor as he awaited his sentencing.
The teenager’s attorney and mother said they do not know where he is and officials for youth services are actively looking for him. Bryan W. Brown, an attorney for the teen, said the 17-year-old’s mother requested her son be placed in the Psychiatric Institute of Washington.
Before failing to appear for his sentencing, the 17-year-old was facing the possibility of serving three to four years in prison.