Man Sentenced For Shooting Security Guards In Burlington County

A Mercer County man has been sentenced to 20 years in state prison for shooting two security guards outside a Veterans of Foreign War hall in Burlington County two years ago, authorities announced.

Brandon Washington, 34, of Trenton, was previously convicted of two counts of second-degree passion provocation attempted manslaughter. He must serve 17 years of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole.

“We are very pleased that this defendant has been held accountable for his actions,” Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina said. “We cannot allow gun violence to go unpunished. The two victims in this case were simply doing their jobs protecting the guests at the VFW and, because of Washington’s homicidal behavior, it could have cost them their lives.”

The shooting happened after Washington became unruly at a party at the Levittown Memorial VFW Post 4914 in Willingboro on Feb. 16, 2017, according to authorities.

He was escorted from the hall by two security guards, whom he shot once they were outside, authorities said. One security guard was struck in the temple, and the other one was struck in the arm. One of the guards served in the Vietnam War, Coffina said.

“To think that he made it home safely and years later could have been killed by this defendant’s hot-headed actions should infuriate law-abiding members of the public,” Coffina said.