Shooter sentenced to 23 years in Seattle stray bullet killing
Oct 11, 2013, 10:34 AM | Updated: 2:28 pm
Authorities said Andrew Patterson, 21, was shooting at someone in May of 2012 as Justin Ferrari drove through an intersection in the Central District with family members. Ferrari, 42, a software engineer, was hit in the head and died in his father's arms in front of his children, ages 4 and 7.
A 21-year-old man, who pleaded guilty to shooting an innocent man caught in the line of fire, was sentenced to 23 years in prison Friday.
Prosecutors recommended a 19-year prison sentence for Andrew Patterson, whose stray bullet struck Justin Ferrari on a Seattle street in May of 2012.
Patterson was arrested after a two-month investigation and pleaded guilty in July to second-degree murder.
According to prosecutors, the standard sentencing range, including a firearm enhancement, is 15 to 23 years.
Patterson apologized before the court.
“This is the first felony I ever had,” said Patterson. “I take all responsibilities of the actions done on May 24, 2012. I never meant to kill no one.”
Ferrari’s mother, Geannie, reminded the court that her grandchildren will have to live with seeing their father’s violent murder.
“As crippled and torn apart as our family members are, it is for Justin that I weep.”
Detectives believe Patterson was shooting at someone else as Ferrari drove through an intersection in the Central District with family members. Ferrari, 42, a software engineer, was hit in the head and died in his father’s arms in front of his children, ages 4 and 7.
The judge called the killing misplaced gang honor and said he was “very troubled” that Patterson ignored a court order that he not have a gun, an order issued just days before the killing.
Ferrari’s widow, Maggie Hooks, requested and received an unusual meeting with Patterson in August. It was prompted by a Florida family’s meeting with a man who killed their daughter, according to The Seattle Times.
It was an emotional meeting in a Seattle courtroom, with Patterson and Hooks surrounded by lawyers, police, and jail guards.
Hooks explained how she and her children were coping. She spoke about their loss and how it had changed their lives. Patterson apologized and expressed remorse.
Senior deputy prosecutor Scott O’Toole complained in court Friday that Patterson has repeatedly declined to tell police what happened to the gun used in the killing.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
