Sandy MaloneWashington, DC – Washington Commanders rookie running back Brian Robinson was shot multiple times in an attempted carjacking on Sunday night and police officials believe his attackers were teenagers.
The incident occurred at about 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 28 after Robinson left a restaurant in the 1000-block of H Street, NE and returned to his white Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat parked on the street, WRC reported.
DC Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Chief Robert Contee said two teens approached the National Football League (NFL) player and tried to rob him.
But the rookie running back wasn’t about to take it lying down and fought back, WRC reported.
“Our victim in this case began to struggle with one of the suspects, was able to actually wrestle a firearm away from one of the suspects, and he was shot twice by the second suspect,” Chief Contee explained.
The suspects fled the area on foot and then jumped into a waiting vehicle after the shooting, WRC reported.
Chief Contee said the getaway car had been stolen two days before the attempted carjacking of Robinson.
The stolen car was later found abandoned in nearby Prince George’s County, Maryland, WRC reported.
Police recovered a handgun believed to have been used in the attempted carjacking about a block away from the shooting scene.
Robinson was transported to the hospital with gunshot wounds to his knee and hip, according to police.
He underwent surgery for the wounds but was awake and doing well afterwards.
An update from Brian
🙏 @BrianR_4 pic.twitter.com/xhfYRXtSoO
— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) August 29, 2022
I just got done visiting w/Brian. He is in good spirits and wanted me to thank everyone for their kind words, prayers & support. He wants his teammates to know he appreciates them all for reaching out and he loves them all & will be back soon doing what he does best.
— Ron Rivera (@RiverboatRonHC) August 29, 2022
Chief Contee said investigators thought the suspects who shot the NFL player were juveniles, WRC reported.
“What has been reported to us is that they may be between 15 and 17 years of age,” the police chief told reporters.
DC police said the suspects both had shoulder-length dreadlocks and were wearing dark shirts with smiley faces on them, WRC reported.
MPD seeks assistance in locating suspects and a vehicle in an Assault with Intent to Rob while Armed (Gun) offense that occurred on Sunday, August 28, 2022, in the 1000 blk of H Street, NE.
Have info? Call (202) 727-9099/text 50411
Release: https://t.co/8C4KMpH1oZ pic.twitter.com/GDojfaESWb
— DC Police Department (@DCPoliceDept) August 30, 2022
Commanders Coach Ron Rivera said doctors were very positive about the outlook for Robinson’s recovery, ESPN reported.
“He’s very fortunate,” Rivera said. “He’s doing well. It will be a matter of time before he’s back out here. There’s no timeline, but everything was very positive.
“It’s just about the healing process, and once he’s well enough to get on the field, doctors have to clear him and we’ll go from there. Everything is positive so far,” the coach added.
MPD Director of Communications Dustin Sternbeck said on Monday night that police had identified two possible suspects in the shooting, ESPN reported.
A reward of $10,000 is being offered for anyone who can provide information leading to the arrest and conviction of Robinson’s attackers, FOX News reported.
Brian Robinson Jr. is a class act. A hard worker. A team player. A guy who waited his turn at Alabama & shined so brightly that he found his way to the NFL. He was making a difference. He WILL make a difference. This city needs to do better. Sending so many prayers to him tonight pic.twitter.com/FbAbUG7hOA
— Sharla McBride (@SharlaMcBride) August 29, 2022
Robinson played for University of Alabama before being selected by the Washington Commanders in the third round of the 2022 draft.
Holly Matkin
