Previously Convicted for Accidentally Killing a Friend While Shooting a Rap Video, DC Man Sentenced to 24 months for Illegal Possession of a Firearm

WASHINGTON - Robert Theodore Smith, 28, of Washington D.C., was sentenced today in U.S. District Court to 24 months in prison for unlawfully possessing a firearm in March 2024, less than a month after he had completed a sentence for a voluntary manslaughter that was committed during the shooting of a rap video.

The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, and Chief Pamela A. Smith of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

On June 7, 2024, Smith pleaded guilty to a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon. In addition to the 24-month prison term, U.S. District Judge John D. Bates today ordered Smith to serve 3 years of supervised release.

According to court documents, on March 14, 2024, MPD officers were patrolling on the 5300 block of East Capitol Street, SE., when they approached Smith. One of the officers approached Smith and asked him about the noticeable bulge protruding from the cross-body bag Smith was wearing. Smith stated there was nothing in the bag. An officer stepped toward Smith, who broke into a run. The officer immediately apprehended Smith. Inside the bag, the officer discovered a polymer 80 pistol with a Glock 23 slide that was loaded with one round in the chamber and nine rounds in the magazine.

In 2018, Smith had been making a rap music video when he accidentally fired the loaded gun he was using as a prop, killing his friend who was performing in the video with him. Smith was sentenced to 72 months and five years of supervised release. He was released on February 8, 2024. Soon after, he procured a handgun.

This case was investigated by the MPD and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia. The matter is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shehzad Akhtar.

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