One of the five girls, aged 12 to 15, involved in the beating death of 64-year-old Reggie Brown in Washington, D.C. will be behind bars until she is 21 years old. The 13-year-old was sentenced to approximately seven years in prison after apologizing in court prior to the sentencing. The victim’s sisters, Malda Brown and Nasia Israel, expressed relief that the judge sentenced the girls to serve time until they are 21, citing concerns that the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) often releases children back into the community without consequences.
The girls’ brutal attack on Brown was motivated by boredom, according to one of the teen suspects who testified after pleading guilty. The group of girls, including the 13-year-old who was sentenced, walked towards Georgia Avenue and Sheridan Street in the Brightwood neighborhood and came across Brown, who was already being attacked by an unknown man. The 15-year-old testified that she asked the man if they could help beat up Brown, and he agreed to let them. The girls then chased Brown, who attempted to flee, before he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The oldest suspect, a 15-year-old, was previously sentenced to three years in prison for assault with a dangerous weapon after pleading guilty. The sisters of the victim expressed sadness and outrage over the incident, with Nasia Israel stating that her brother “didn’t deserve that. Nobody deserves that.” The family is calling for the remaining suspects to be charged as adults.