A man in Washington, D.C., has been sentenced to 12½ years in prison for the shooting death of a 13-year-old boy outside his home last year. Jason Lewis, a 42-year-old former city employee with the Department of Parks and Recreation, was convicted in August of voluntary manslaughter, assault with a dangerous weapon, and firearm-related charges in the killing of Karon Blake.
The tragic incident happened early in the morning on January 7, 2023, in the 1000 block of Quincy Street, NE. It was just before dawn when police were called to the scene around 3:56 a.m. Karon was rushed to the hospital but, sadly, did not survive.
According to Lewis, he was in bed when he heard a noise outside. Grabbing his gun—a black Smith and Wesson M&P .40 caliber pistol—he went to investigate. When he saw Karon near a white Kia Soul parked on the street, Lewis claimed he shouted “Hey.” He said Karon then sprinted straight toward him, leading him to fire his weapon.
Lewis told investigators he only fired twice, but police later found three bullet casings at the scene. They determined two shots were fired at Karon and one at the vehicle. After being shot, Karon reportedly yelled, “I’m a kid. I’m a kid,” before collapsing.
During his trial, Lewis testified that he acted in self-defense. He said he believed he saw a gun inside the car and thought he was being shot at. He described feeling terrified as Karon ran toward him. “I feared for my safety. I feared for my life,” he said.
However, Karon’s death left his family and community devastated. His mother, Londen Blake, spoke out, saying, “He took my baby, my firstborn.”
Lewis, who has a young daughter, expressed regret in a letter to the judge before his sentencing. “Everything I’ve committed myself to in reference to giving young people opportunities to grow, learn, and progress has felt in vain,” he wrote. “I wrecked so much that night.”
The case highlights the tragic consequences of split-second decisions and the devastating impact on all involved.
