Colorado man sentenced to 96 years for shooting victim during road rage incident
03/30/2023 11:35 am PDT
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colo. (TCD) -- A 34-year-old repeat felon will spend just under 100 years in prison for shooting a victim in a "random act of road rage."
According to a news release from the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office, on May 22, 2018, during the "rush hour commute," Parker Police officers responded to a report of shots fired near Parker Road and E-470.
The Parker Police Department said Abraham Paquet "pulled up next to the victim's vehicle on the E-70 exit ramp at Parker Road and fired multiple shots at the car next to it." The driver was hit once.
According to the District Attorney's Office, officials reviewed hours of video and surveillance footage to identify the suspect.
Paquet was initially arrested on charges of attempted first-degree murder, first-degree assault with a deadly weapon, first-degree assault –– extreme indifference, illegal discharge of a firearm, and possession of a weapon by a previous offender.
In February of this year, the District Attorney's Office said Paquet was found guilty of attempted first-degree murder –– extreme indifference, assault –– serious bodily injury with a deadly weapon, assault –– extreme indifference, illegal discharge of a firearm, and weapon possession by a previous offender.
On March 29, the District Attorney's Office announced that he was sentenced to serve 96 years in prison.
Paquet reportedly had a passenger in his vehicle during the incident, and the co-defendant was charged and pleaded guilty to being an accessory to a crime.
As a result of the shooting, the victim was reportedly struck in the hand, and his vehicle was hit multiple times. The victim survived but had to undergo surgery.
In a statement, Deputy District Attorney Corrie Caler said, "We’re fortunate the victim in this case did not sustain life-threatening injuries."
Caler continued, "The defendant’s senseless actions put other innocent lives at risk and the community should feel safer knowing he’s off the streets."
District Attorney John Kellner added, "This felon endangered many lives and while we may never know the true motive for his violent actions, the fact is he should have never been in possession of a firearm."
He also said, "This lengthy prison sentence ensures the defendant won’t be able to victimize anyone else for the foreseeable future."
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