A convict who fatally shot a female passenger during an argument on a Metro B (Red) Line train as it approached the Hollywood/Vine Station in 2021 was sentenced Monday to 61 years to life in state prison.
Superior Court Judge Mark S. Arnold rejected Andre Dunlap’s requests for a new trial or to reduce his conviction to manslaughter for the Oct. 10, 2021, early morning shooting of Danielle Harlemon, 28.
The judge agreed with Deputy District Attorney Michelle Lewis’ recommendation of the maximum sentence for Dunlap, whom the prosecutor said had a 2018 conviction for assaulting another passenger on a Metro train and a 2019 conviction for attempted robbery.
Dunlap, 26, was convicted of second-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a felon, along with an allegation that he personally used a firearm during the commission of the crime.
“You shot that woman in the neck when she stood up and took one step toward you,” Arnold said, addressing the defendant’s contention that he acted in self-defense.
The judge — who said he initially felt bad for Dunlap after the jury’s verdict but no longer does — cited a recorded jailhouse phone call by Dunlap after the verdict in which the defendant wished harm on the prosecutor and her family.
After his sentence was announced, Dunlap asked if there was “any way I can get the death penalty?”
“No,” the judge answered, with the defendant responding, “That’s unfortunate.”
Addressing the court again moments later, Dunlap said, “I feel like I defended myself. That’s why I would do it again.”
“You think I wanted to shoot her? No. She ran up on me,” the defendant said.
The victim’s mother said via Webex that her daughter “didn’t look for trouble” and that getting justice for her daughter is “what matters.”
“You ran. You’re a coward. You’re a punk,” the victim’s mother said, directly addressing the defendant.
Dunlap was arrested in South Bend, Indiana, as part of a joint operation between the Los Angeles Police Department, South Bend Police Department Strategic Force Unit and FBI just under a month after the shooting, authorities said.
Police said he was on parole in the attempted robbery case and was homeless at the time of the shooting.
Harlemon was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.