(KNSI) — A 20-year-old Minneapolis man was sentenced to 37 years in prison for the shooting death of a girl in May of 2021.
DPree Shareef Robinson is accused of shooting nine-year-old Trinity Ottoson-Smith as she jumped on a trampoline in the backyard of her friend’s home on the 2200 block of Ilion Avenue North in Minneapolis. She was rushed to the hospital and died 12 days later.
The intended target in the Ottoson-Smith case was a rival gang member who was Robinson’s ex-girlfriend’s brother.
Search warrants filed in June of 2021 show an alleged conversation between Robinson and a woman who referred to Robinson as a child killer and told him, “I hope you die for killin that lil girl.” A witness also reportedly told police Robinson admitted to being at the scene but didn’t know if bullets from his gun or another gang member hit Ottoson-Smith.
Robinson was arrested in February of 2022 and charged with second degree murder. He was indicted on first degree murder charges five months later and pleaded guilty in March.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty issued a statement after the sentencing:
“No family should be forced to endure all that Trinity’s family has these past two years. After losing Trinity in a devastating, senseless act of gun violence, they have faced multiple delays getting legal closure on the criminal case against the person responsible for this tragedy. I hope today’s sentencing helps them move forward focused on the positive memories they have of her too-short life.
“Trinity’s murder was no accident. Mr. Robinson was intent on killing that sunny, spring day and that is what he did. We cannot allow the killing to continue, we all must do more to end the violence. Our office will continue to prioritize the prosecution of violent crime but simply waiting for more victims and prosecuting criminal cases is not enough. We are also committed to working with the community and at all levels to help get guns off the street and protect those not yet harmed.”
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