No one is immune from crime in America’s cities these days, and this weekend residents of Washington D.C. were especially reminded of that when Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson, 23, was shot multiple times during an attempted robbery on Sunday.
Brian Robinson via Fox 5 Washington DC
According to the NFL’s Mike Garafolo, Robinson was rushed to the hospital by emergency responders after the violent attack, reporting that “#Commanders RB Brian Johnson is in stable condition after being shot as the victim in an attempted robbery, sources say.”
Mike Garafolo Twitter
As the news regarding the situation broke, the Washington Commanders followed up by issuing an immediate statement to alert fans that Robinson was alive and safe.
“We have been made aware that Brian Robinson, Jr. was the victim of unattempted armed robbery or carjacking in Washington D.C.,” said the Washington Commanders. “He sustained non-life threatening injuries and is currently being treated in the hospital, where Team officials are on-site with him. We ask that you respect Brian’s privacy at this time.”
Washington Commanders Twitter
Additional information regarding details from the shooting came later from NFL Network Insider, Tom Pelissero, who was one of the first people to share the information online after receiving a statement from a D.C. Police spokesperson.
“Police responded to a shooting in 1000 block of H Street NE,” posted Pelissero. “One victim (Robinson) with two gunshot wounds to extremities. 2 suspects fled. Police recovered firearm nearby.”
Source: TomPelissero Twitter
According to a report from NBC Washington, Robinson got into an altercation with several suspects shortly after midnight Sunday as they attempted to steal his Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat. It was that altercation which led to the shooting.
Late Sunday night, Commanders Head Coach Ron Rivera met with Robinson and later posted to Twitter that Robinson was in “good spirits” to ease everyone’s anxiety regarding his current health.
“I just got done visiting w/ Brian,” said Rivera. “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.”
Source: RiverBoatRonHC Twitter
Robinson is now but one of the many innocent D.C. bystanders who have been victims of violent crime this year alone. According to D.C. Police crime statistics, there have been 126 people killed via homicide just in 2022, which is a 12 percent increase from this time last year.
Violent crimes and cases regarding burglary have also risen five percent since 2021, with robberies up 20 percent, and car thefts up three percent.