On Sunday, Washington Commander’s (formerly the Redskins) rookie running back Brian Robinson Jr. was shot at least twice in an attempted carjacking in Washington, D.C., the Metropolitan Police Department said.
According to a police spokesman, Robinson was shot twice in the lower leg, and the injuries are not life-threatening.
Robinson, a rookie who played college football at Alabama, was taken by the Commanders in the third round of this year’s NFL Draft. He immediately wowed coaches and teammates and was widely considered to be the team’s top running back entering the upcoming season.
According to police, the shooting occurred shortly before 6 p.m. on the 1000 block of H Street NE, home of a branch of iconic D.C. restaurant Ben’s Chili Bowl. The authorities are now looking for two juveniles with shoulder-length dreadlocks in connection with the incident. A firearm was recovered at the scene.
D.C. Police, “Alert: Shooting Investigation in the 1000 block of H Street NE. Lookout for two black juvenile males with shoulder length dreads, medium complexion, wearing a black or brown shirt with yellow smiley faces on it.”
#Breaking: Washington @Commanders rookie running back Brian Robinson Jr. was shot multiple times during an attempted carjacking of his vehicle on the 1000 block of H Street. Will have the latest on @nbcwashington tonight at 11 p.m. https://t.co/wNqXjIsY2K pic.twitter.com/e05jiCXoYI
— Mauricio Casillas (@MauricioNBC4) August 28, 2022
Crime scene photos posted by WJLA-TV’s Christian Flores:
We’re on the scene of a shooting on the 1000 block of H St NE. MPD looking for two suspects: https://t.co/JM9NfFQaHB pic.twitter.com/f9LkZ0v8jL
— Christian Flores (@CFloresNews) August 28, 2022
There were two guns involved in the crime, according to law enforcement. One was retrieved at the scene, and authorities are attempting to trace it.
Chief of Police Robert Contee emphasized that while high-profile crimes like this one make citizens feel unsafe, the overall crime rate in D.C. has not increased compared to last year.
Commanders head coach Ron Rivera said Sunday he visited Robinson in the hospital and that the rookie running back was in “good spirits” as he recovers.
“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,” Rivera tweeted.
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
Sources: TheGatewayPundit, WTOP-TV