King County man who shot at another driver following road rage collision convicted of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition

Seattle – A 41-year-old King County man was convicted today in U.S. District Court in Seattle of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Robby Lee Robinson was convicted following a four-day jury trial. Jurors deliberated for just over an hour before returning the verdict. U.S. District Judge Tana Lin scheduled sentencing for January 10, 2023.

“This case exemplifies why we restrict gun ownership when it comes to felons,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Gorman. “Mr. Robinson had a history of poor choices that resulted in prison sentences. On November 8, 2022, he chose poorly yet again, grabbing a gun and firing at another driver while traveling down a busy highway. He is fortunate no one was injured or killed. Such conduct cannot be tolerated.”

According to records filed in the case, just after 10:00 PM on November 8, 2022, a victim called 9-1-1 reporting that he had been involved in an accident and now the other driver was shooting at him. The incident occurred on the southbound lanes of Highway 18. The driver was able to get away from the car Robinson was driving and reported to police that it appeared the car had exited the highway.

King County Sheriff’s deputies were able to locate the car with the shooter and followed it to Maple Valley where the driver finally stopped the vehicle and surrendered. In the car police found two firearms, ammunition, and shell casings.

At trial Robinson and his wife claimed the guns belonged to her and that Robinson did not know the guns were in the car. Robinson was alone in the car at the time of the accident.  He testified that he felt threatened following the collision, and then described how he chased after the driver and repeatedly fired the gun he found on the floor of the car at the taillights of the other driver.  The bullets broke a window on the victim car, and law enforcement recovered bullet fragments in the vehicle.

Robinson faces up to 15 in prison.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives (ATF), the Washington State Patrol, and King County Sheriff’s Office.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Stephen Hobbs and Rachel Yemini.