A 20-year-old D.C. man has been sentenced to 16 years behind bars for shooting and critically injuring an 8-year-old girl.
Karie Brown and another man were attempting to rob a person they believed sold marijuana in a Southeast apartment complex on the night of Feb. 14, 2014.
Eight-year-old Makayla Darden held the door open for them as she headed out to play in the snow, police said.
When Brown's intended target ran outside, he fired multiple shots, one of which hit Makayla in the chest. Initially in critical condition, Makayla eventually made a full recovery.
Brown and Patten fled the scene and were quickly apprehended.
As part of a plea deal, Brown pleaded guilty to aggravated assault while armed, assault with intent to rob while armed and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Brown accomplice, Nathaniel Patten, pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.
