Not to blame the victim, but if someone is pointing a gun at you and wants your phone, just give it to them. And don't be taking shortcuts through the back streets of Adams-Morgan at 2am unless you know what you're doing. 17th and Euclid has been sketch for as long as I can remember.
The story as I understand it is that the Blogger reacted to the kid with the gun, by saying you've got to be kidding me. The kid probably hadn't been expecting any resistance and freaked out. People wielding weapons usually aren't the smartest people out there, don't try to argue with them. A wounded ego is better than a body full of lead. If it makes you feel better, someone leading that kind of lifestyle is going to either be dead or in jail within the next year or two, guaranteed.