WASHINGTON — A former Washington, D.C., city employee was found guilty of manslaughter Friday in the fatal shooting of an unarmed 13-year-old boy. caused public outrage in the country’s capital.
The jury found Jason Lewis, 42, not guilty of second-degree murder, but convicted him of manslaughter and other charges after the trial in Washington, D.C., federal court. murder of seventh grade student Karon Blake.
Lewis, a longtime Parks and Recreation Department employee, turned himself in last year to stand trial for Blake’s murder. The killing occurred around 4 a.m. in January 2023, across the street from the high school Blake attended, authorities said.
Lewis was seen on surveillance video leaving his home and shooting at two youths who were breaking into cars, prosecutors said. After a car was hit with gunfire, Blake ran toward Lewis and Lewis fired two shots, killing him, prosecutors said.
According to media reports, prosecutors showed jurors a video in which Blake can be heard repeatedly saying, “I’m sorry,” and telling Lewis, “I’m just a kid.”
An attorney for Lewis did not immediately respond Friday to an email seeking comment from The Associated Press.
Lewis took the stand in the case, arguing that he acted in self-defense. He told the jury he believed he saw another person open fire on him and that he feared for his life, local media reported.
He is expected to be sentenced in October. The manslaughter charge carries a maximum prison sentence of 45 years.