Jury Finds Maryland Man Guilty of Murder After a Bar Fight

WASHINGTON - Robert Lowe, 42, of Montgomery Village, MD, was found guilty by a Superior Court jury today for April 2024 murder of 45-year-old Kenneth Goins at a D.C. bar in Northwest, announced U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.

Lowe was found guilty on one count each of second-degree murder while armed, possession of a firearm during a crime of violence and unlawful possession of a firearm (prior felony conviction). According to the expected sentencing guidelines range, Lowe faces a potential maximum sentence of 33 years in prison for these crimes. Sentencing is scheduled for July 17, 2026, before the Honorable Todd Edelman.

According to the government's evidence presented at trial, at approximately 1:10 a.m. on April 27, 2024, Lowe and the victim were inside of Desperados Burger and Bar, located at 1342 U Street, NW. The defendant went to the bar. Once there, he came up behind Mr. Goins and struck him in the head with a bottle. The two began to fight. In the ensuing fight, Mr. Goins started to get the best of the defendant and the defendant shot the victim multiple times, striking him once in the abdomen. The defendant then fled the bar, got on his motorcycle, and drove away. Members of MPD's Third District were in the area and heard the gunshots. Body camera footage shows a person getting onto a motorcycle in the alley and a person in front of the bar pointing towards the man on the motorcycle yelling "hey, him." The motorcycles took off and officers followed in their cruisers but lost them during pursuit. Officers attempted to render aid to the victim until EMS arrived on scene. Unfortunately, Mr. Goins died from his injuries.

Lowe was arrested on May 22, 2024, and has been in custody since.

Joining the announcement was Interim Chief Jeffery Carroll of the Metropolitan Police Department.

This case was investigated by the Metropolitan Police Department.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Stephanie Dinan and Tamara Rubb.

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