Tacoma Teen Sentenced to 10 Years in Adult Prison for Valentine's Day Killing

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A 16-year-old Tacoma boy was sentenced to 10 years in adult prison, followed by 36 months of community custody, after pleading guilty to second-degree murder in the Valentine's Day killing of 18-year-old Kadony Robbins. Prosecutors had moved the case out of juvenile court, arguing the shooting qualified as a serious violent offense under state law, and the judge agreed to handle it in the adult system.

Why it matters

This case highlights the complex legal issues around trying juveniles as adults for serious violent crimes, as well as the ongoing grief and impact on the victim's family and community.

The details

According to court records, the 16-year-old pleaded guilty and received the agreed-upon 10-year sentence. Prosecutors say 17-year-old Jason Dale Lenahan Jr. was the one who actually fired the shot that killed Robbins, and he has been charged with first-degree murder and second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm. Lenahan has pleaded not guilty and is being held on $1 million bail.

• On February 14, Kadony Robbins was killed.
• On January 31, 2026, the 16-year-old was sentenced to 10 years in adult prison.
• Lenahan's pretrial hearing is scheduled for February 9.

What’s next

Lenahan's pretrial hearing is scheduled for February 9, and the case will continue to move through the adult court system.