(RoyalPatriot.com )- The man who shot two people after a car attempted to push its way through “protesters” blocking a Colorado interstate during the 2020 riots was sentenced on Tuesday to a measly 120 days in jail and five years’ probation.
Samuel Young was convicted of seven felonies earlier this year for firing five shots at a Jeep that drove through a crowd of people blocking Interstate 225 in Aurora on July 25, 2020. A jury found Young guilty of two counts of second-degree assault, four counts of attempted manslaughter, and a single count of illegally discharging his weapon.
During sentencing on Tuesday, District Judge Ben Leutwyler described Young’s actions as “horrific” and said he considered sending him to prison, but decided instead that probation better served the interest of justice.
Judge Leutwyler cited Young’s “history of helping others,” his age, education, and lack of a criminal record, along with Young’s remorse as the reasons he let Young off easy.
Young shot and wounded two people when the crowd he was marching with blocked all lanes of Interstate 225. A driver in a Jeep approached the crowd from behind and pushed its way through them, causing a panic. Young drew his weapon and fired five shots at the Jeep. Two shots hit the back of the vehicle while another two shots hit Young’s fellow “protesters.”
One man was shot in the leg while a second suffered a graze wound to the head. Another protester, a woman, broke her leg when she leaped from the highway during the ensuing panic.
During Tuesday’s sentencing hearing, Young apologized to the two people in the Jeep and the two he wounded, saying he took responsibility for making the “wrong” decision to open fire in the middle of a crowd.
Joseph Sagrillo, the man who was shot in the leg, testified in the trial that the bullet hit his femoral artery. He had to be rushed to the hospital where he underwent a five-hour surgery to repair the damage.
At Monday’s hearing, Sargrillo asked the court for leniency, saying he would rather meet with Young as part of a “restorative justice” process than have him go to prison.
Assistant DA Tom Byrnes had asked for a six-year prison sentence, arguing that the judge should make an example of Young to deter future shootings at protests.
After the judge issued Young’s sentence, Byrnes told reporters that he respected the judge’s decision.
As part of his 5-year probation, Young is required to pay restitution, undergo mental health treatment, and enter substance abuse treatment. He will also participate in “restorative justice” if the victims request it.
