<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3ZDUXR_0vkyqhvd00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3ZDUXR_0vkyqhvd00" width="1000" height="667" ><figcaption>Loudoun Now</figcaption></figure>Jacob McCormick, the 19-year-old man who pleaded guilty to attempted malicious wounding in April following a fatal shooting that resulted from a dispute over a pair of designer shoes, was sentenced today to six years in prison.The Sept. 1, 2023 incident resulted in the death of Alex Cartegena. According to the evidence in the case, Cartegena had loaned Jaylin O’Brien a pair of designer shoes and gun. When O’Brien refused to give them back, Cartegena and McCormick engaged in a social media exchange of insults and taunts. Eventually, Cartegena and McCormick went to the Stanford Square apartment complex in Serling where O’Brien lived with loaded guns. After following him to a car, they drew their guns and Cartegena fired three shots. O’Brien took cover behind the vehicle and returned fire, striking Cartegena who died at the scene. McCormick pleaded guilty April 11 to charges of receiving or concealing a stolen firearm and attempted malicious wounding. He has been in custody since Sept. 7, 2023. McCormick didn’t fire his weapon, according to his attorney.According to his attorney, McCormick declined to participate in the Youthful Offender Rehabilitation Program because he had heard there were a lot of fights that broke out and he didn’t want to be around kids his age whom he would likely fight with more. During his sentencing hearing, McCormick’s mother, Lisa, testified about his upbringing in Florida with his father until he was 15. She said her son had essentially been kidnapped by his father and forced to live in an abusive home. McCormick moved to live with her in Virginia but had a hard time making friends. She also said he was behind in school and needed extra attention in the form of a 504 plan. A 504 plan provides services and modifications for students with disabilities to allow them an equal learning environment. She asked the judge for leniency.McCormick’s attorney said he took responsibility for his part in the altercation that led to the death of Cartegena and said he was the only one of the participants on trial who didn’t fire a gun. She argued he was a kid with an undeveloped brain and also asked for leniency.Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Matthew B. Lowery said the evidence showed the act wasn’t spontaneous, with evidence showing that one of the guns was stolen and that the serial number had been filed off. McCormick buried the gun at the apartment complex after the shooting. He also said it concerned him that the letters and testimony today showed a young man who wanted to be rehabilitated yet didn’t want to participate in the rehabilitation program. “This was a serious result from a serious breach of the law,” he said. In addressing Circuit Court Judge James E. Plowman, McCormick tearfully said he was sorry and that he took full responsibility for his actions and said he wished he could trade places with Cartegena, whom he called his best friend. He promised he would work, get his GED and go to counseling to deal with his past. In handing down the sentence, Plowman said it bothered him that McCormick chose not to provide his version of how the events unfolded and that the case wasn’t only about a pair of shoes, but a pair of shoes and a gun, saying they were trafficking guns. “You had a stolen gun and you knew it was and you filed off the serial number,” Plowman said. He said McCormick took a meaningful role in coaxing Cartegena into the conflict to retrieve the shoes; that they filmed themselves at the Stanford Square apartment complex challenging O’Brien, and that they each brought a loaded gun. Plowman also said it concerned him that during McCormick’s interview with his probation officer he seemed to be either indifferent to what was going on or that he didn’t understand the severity of the situation. McCormick was sentenced to serve five years for receiving or concealing a stolen firearm, with three years suspended and 10 years for attempted malicious wounding with six years suspended for a total of six years in prison. O’Brien was arrested Sept. 2 and initially charged with second degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. The charges against him were later dropped. O’Brien appeared as a witness today in a General District Court preliminary hearing about another fatal shooting. </div></body>

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Man Sentenced to 6 Years in Fatal Shooting over Designer Shoes

Jacob McCormick, the 19-year-old man who pleaded guilty to attempted malicious wounding in April following a fatal shooting that resulted from a dispute over a pair of designer shoes, was sentenced today to six years in prison. The Sept. 1, 2023 incident resulted in the death of Alex Cartegena. According...