50-Year Sentence Given To Man Who Fatally Shot Woodbridge Teen In 2021

WOODBRIDGE, VA — A man was sentenced to 50 years in prison last week after pleading guilty to fatally shooting a 17-year-old boy in Woodbridge in July 2021.

Judge James Willett sentenced the man, Adrian Kendall Bryant, to 50 years in prison with 11 years suspended. After his release, Bryant will be supervised for ten years, authorities said.

Bryant pleaded guilty to first degree murder in January.

"Our office takes these cases very seriously and is committed to prosecuting such acts and holding the offenders responsible," Commonwealth's Attorney Amy Ashworth said in a news release. "Our community’s safety is and always has been our number one concern."

The fatal shooting occurred on July 12, 2021 in the 4700 block of Still Place, near the Dale City Recreation Center. Investigators said Bryant met with the victim and two other people on Still Place. Video from residents in the area showed Bryant pull out a handgun during the interaction and fire three shots at the victim, the Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney said.

Police officers responded to the scene and provided CPR for the victim. The victim was taken to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

"There is no greater tragedy than the loss of a child to gun violence," Ashworth said after Bryant pleaded guilty in January. "The Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office vigorously prosecutes violent crime and offers its sincerest condolences to the victim’s family.”