Jason Lewis, 42, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced today to 12 ½ years in prison for the killing of 13-year-old Karon Blake in January 2023. The tragic incident occurred in the 1000 block of Quincy Street, NE, Washington, D.C., and has since garnered significant attention.
Lewis was found guilty on August 16, 2024, 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, all involving a minor. Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein handed down the substantial sentence after hearing evidence from the government.
According to the trial evidence, at approximately 4:00 a.m. on January 7, 2023, Lewis armed himself with a loaded handgun and went outside his home. He was seen on surveillance video targeting two young individuals who had been involved in breaking into cars.
After firing at them, Karon Blake ran in Lewis’s direction. Lewis then shot twice into Karon’s left side, killing him. Despite Lewis’s claim of self-defense, the jury rejected this defense, finding him guilty of assault with a dangerous weapon.
Lewis was initially arrested on January 31, 2023, and remained in custody until his release in March 2023, despite objections from the government. The sentence today reflects the seriousness of Lewis’s actions and the impact on the community.
In announcing the sentence, U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves and MPD Chief Pamela Smith commended the extensive investigation conducted by the Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. They also praised the work of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey Wojcik and Shauna Payyappilly, who successfully prosecuted the case.
This sentencing serves as a stark reminder of the severe consequences for acts of violence, particularly when they involve minors.
