Washington Commanders RB Brian Robinson Jr. shot twice in attempted carjacking, DC mayor condemns gun violence

Washington Commanders rookie running back Brian Robinson Jr. was shot at least twice in an attempted carjacking Sunday in Washington, D.C., the Metropolitan Police Department said.

Robinson, 23, was assaulted on H Street NE by two teenage gunmen who wanted to steal his car, a white Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat, according to Chief of Police Robert Contee.

“At some point during the course of this robbery attempt, our victim in this case began to struggle with one of the suspects, was able to actually wrestle that firearm away from one of the suspects. And he was shot twice by the second suspect,” Contee told reporters Monday.

Robinson, a University of Alabama alumnus who in April was drafted by the Commanders in the third round, was shot in the hip and the leg, WTOP-TV reported. His injuries were non-life threatening, and he is reportedly in stable condition now.

"Surgery went well! Thanks for the prayers! God is Great!" Robinson posted on Instagram Monday morning from Medstar Washington Hospital Center.

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.

Contee said authorities believe the two suspects left the scene in a vehicle that was stolen at about 4 p.m. Friday on Branch Avenue in Temple Hills in Prince George's County, Maryland. The vehicle was found Sunday at about 7:20 p.m. in Landover.

The shooting took place at around 5:30 p.m., after Robinson went to Crab Boss at 10th and H streets in Northeast D.C. for seafood, WTOP reported.

Police said both of the suspects are teenagers. One was wearing a dark colored shirt, the other, a shirt with yellow smiley faces.

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.

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.

Mayor Muriel Bowser condemned gun violence in a statement.

“If you know you have a young person that’s involved in crime, may have access to guns, may have a gun in your home, you need to reach out to us so that we can get them some help before they hurt themselves or get hurt,” Bowser said. “We also need young people to face consequences. MPD is going to locate who is responsible for this crime.”