3 Men Plead Guilty in Shooting Death of Girl, 12, Who Went to Party on the Way to Grandmother's House

Photo: Sophia Germer/AP/Shutterstock

Five months after a New Orleans shooting killed 12-year-old girl Todriana Peters, three young men have pleaded guilty to charges associated with her death.

According toThe Times-Picayune, Todriana’s parents were present in the courtroom Wednesday when Pernell Young Jr., Tyrese Riley and Marcus Venible admitted to playing roles in the fatal shooting.

While Todriana was outside the party charging her phone in a car, a group of men opened fire in her direction, striking her and two others. Todriana was transported to a hospital, where she died from her wounds. The other two teenage victims survived.

New Orleans District Attorney Jason Williams saidin a September press conferencethat investigators believe the graduation party shooting was an act of retaliation from an earlier incident.

Afterward, the men split up to get rid of evidence.

Tyrese Riley, Marcus Venible, Pernell Young Jr.New Orleans Police Department (3)

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According to the newspaper, Young pleaded guilty to manslaughter, conspiracy to commit second-degree murder, illegal discharge of a weapon during a crime of violence and obstruction of justice. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison on the last count alone, but has yet to receive sentencing on the other charges.

Riley and Venible, who prosecutors say did not fire any weapons themselves, were sentenced to eight years in prison for conspiring to commit second-degree murder and conspiring to commit the illegal discharge of a weapon during a crime of violence. They received an additional sentence of five years as accessories after the fact to second-degree murder, the outlet reports.

“The senseless violence in NOLA must come to an end,” Williamswrote on TwitterThursday. “Too many families are having to deal with the pain of losing children & loved ones. Our office is committed to securing justice for the family of Todriana Peters & holding those responsible for her murder accountable.”

source: people.com