BRADENTON, FL — A jury convicted Erick Yoel Paz of manslaughter with a firearm in connection with a 2022 shooting that killed a teenager, the State Attorney Ed Brodksy's office said in a news release.
The conviction followed a trial held Aug. 17-21 at the Manatee County Courthouse.
The shooting happened July 29, 2022, and was investigated by the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.
Four juveniles met with Paz, who was 15 at the time, to purchase firearm accessories. During the transaction, which took place inside the victim's car, a dispute arose over payment.
Paz got out of the vehicle, and as the car drove away, he fired several shots at it, hitting the back of it twice, the state attorney's office said.
Two additional shots missed the car and struck a neighboring apartment building.
One of the shots that struck the vehicle killed a 16-year-old boy inside, MCSO said in a news release at the time of the shooting.
Assistant State Attorney Tyler Egbert, the lead prosecutor, said the case demonstrates the dangers of juveniles possessing firearms.
"After four long years, we are finally able to provide the victim's family a sense of closure, although they continue to process the impact of a young life tragically lost to violence," he said.
Manslaughter with a firearm carries a maximum possible sentence of 30 years in prison. Paz is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 1.
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