Former MPD Sergeant Sentenced for Excessive Force in Gilmore Case
An’Twan Gilmore, 27: Deceased Shooting Victim
Published on: (Updated on: )
Enis Jevric, a former Sergeant with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), was sentenced to five years in federal prison on Thursday 29 Aug 2024 for the August 2021 shooting to death of An’Twan Gilmore, 27. The case, which has drawn significant media attention, underscores the ongoing concerns surrounding police use of excessive force.
Details of the Gilmore Shooting Incident
On February 23, 2024, Jevric pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to violating Gilmore's constitutional rights by employing excessive and deadly force, as well as to involuntary manslaughter under D.C. law. In addition to the prison sentence, Jevric is set to serve five years of supervised release.
The incident occurred in the early hours of August 25, 2021, when Jevric and 17 other MPD officers responded to reports of a man sleeping in a vehicle at the intersection of New York Avenue and Florida Avenue, N.E. Upon arrival, officers noticed Gilmore had a handgun in his waistband. After ensuring the area was clear of pedestrians and other vehicles, Jevric approached the car, instructing a fellow officer to rouse Gilmore.
When Gilmore awoke, the vehicle moved several feet forward before stopping and then moving again. In response, Jevric fired his service weapon four times into the car. The car continued rolling down New York Avenue, prompting Jevric to fire an additional six shots, three of which struck Gilmore. Remarkably, no other officers discharged their weapons during the encounter. After the shooting, Gilmore was found bleeding and unconscious with his handgun still tucked in his waistband beneath his seatbelt.
As part of his guilty plea, Jevric admitted that his conduct constituted unconstitutional and unreasonable force. He acknowledged acting willfully and in reckless disregard of Gilmore's Fourth Amendment rights, leading to extreme risk of death and gross deviation from acceptable standards of care.
This sentencing serves as a significant reminder of the legal and personal responsibilities police officers hold when engaging with civilians. The case is part of a broader conversation about police reform and accountability in the United States.