BEVERLY, MA — A Salem teen pleaded guilty in Juvenile Court to shooting his Beverly teen girlfriend in the face in her own home in October 2025.
The teen, whom the Essex County District Attorney's Office identified as Alexander Muzarol, was sentenced to three years in prison, and commitment from the Department of Youth Services until age 21.
However, given the length of the DYS commitment, Muzarol, who was 14 at the time of the shooting, is not expected to serve any time in state prison, according to the Essex DA's Office.
Chief Family Crimes Prosecutor Kate MacDougall had recommended a sentence of 8 to 10 years in state prison on the armed assault with intent to murder charge, five years of probation on the assault with a dangerous weapon causing serious bodily injury charge to be served following the prison term, along with a Department of Youth Services commitment until age 18.
"Given the seriousness of this offense and the devastating lifelong injuries suffered by the victim, we sought a substantial state prison sentence," Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker said in a statement.
The victim told the court that she has suffered permanent injuries and emotional trauma from the shooting.
"The crime did not just affect me on the day I was shot — it affects me every single day," the victim told the court. "I lost my health, my sense of safety, and the life I was supposed to have.
"My family has suffered too, watching me fight for my life and helping me through every step of my recovery. Every day is a reminder of how this crime changed my life forever."
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