Kenneth Goins, a 43-year-old Black male from Salisbury, Maryland, was remembered in his obituary as a helpful person, a basketball player, and a gifted leader. In the early morning hours of April 27, 2024, his life was cut short during a violent encounter inside a popular Washington, D.C. nightspot.
The altercation took place at Desperados Burgers & Bar in the 1300 block of U Street NW. At around 1:10 a.m., another patron, Robert Lowe, approached Mr. Goins from behind at the bar and struck him in the head. A fight broke out between the two men. According to evidence presented at trial, when Mr. Goins began to get the better of the fight, Lowe pulled out a gun and shot him multiple times. Lowe then fled the bar and escaped on a motorcycle.
Metropolitan Police Department officers were on patrol in the area and heard the gunshots. They responded immediately to the restaurant, where they found Mr. Goins suffering from his wounds.
First responders attempted life-saving aid, but his injuries were too severe, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The subsequent investigation led police to identify Robert Lowe, of Montgomery Village, Maryland, as the suspect. Less than a month later, on May 22, 2024, investigators arrested Lowe on a D.C. Superior Court warrant. He was charged with second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence, and unlawful possession of a firearm due to a prior felony conviction.
Lowe remained in custody and, in February 2025, pleaded not guilty and rejected a plea offer from prosecutors. The case proceeded to trial, and in May 2026, a Superior Court jury convicted Lowe on all charges. He was later sentenced to 21 years in prison, which will be followed by five years of supervised release. The case was officially closed with the sentencing in August 2026.
