SYRACUSE, N.Y. (TCD) — Two teenagers will spend a minimum of 25 years in prison for fatally shooting an 11-year-old girl who got caught in crossfire while going to pick up milk for her mother.
WSYR-TV reports a judge handed 19-year-old Ra’sean Patterson and 16-year-old Deckyse Bridges the sentences on Dec. 19 and said they could face up to life in prison in connection with the shooting death of Brexialee Torres-Ortiz. WSTM-TV reports Patterson pleaded guilty Oct. 19 to second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder, and illegal possession of a weapon. Bridges initially pleaded not guilty, but then entered a plea for murder five days after Patterson.
A third suspect, 21-year-old Dahviere Griswold, will stand trial in February.
On Jan. 16, Syracuse Police Department officers were called to the 400 block of Oakwood Avenue regarding a shooting and found Torres-Ortiz suffering from “evident” gunshot wounds. Medics transported her to a hospital, where she later died from her injuries. Another victim, 19-year-old Isael Cruz, checked in to Upstate Hospital with gunshot wounds. He was treated and later released.
According to WSTM, on the night of the killing, Torres-Ortiz and her family had plans to watch a movie. She reportedly offered to pick up milk from a nearby store because they needed it was needed for their dinner recipe. As she was walking back home, she got struck by gunfire when the suspects were allegedly shooting at Cruz.
Bridges expressed remorse at the sentencing hearing, saying, “I would like to apologize to the victim’s family. I made a terrible mistake and I take responsibility for that mistake. I think about this event every night. I am truly sorry for the role I played in this situation.”
Patterson’s attorney reportedly said Patterson is “not a bad kid but got caught up in a terrible situation which he takes responsibility for.”
According to Torres-Ortiz’s obituary, she was an honor student at Blodgett Middle School, class president, and beloved friend who “loved math, dancing, and hugs.”
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