Suffolk judge sentences teen shooter to six years in prison
The Riverhead teen who pleaded guilty to shooting two people last November was sentenced to six years in prison Wednesday at Suffolk County Criminal Court.
Juan Soyos-Pixtun, a 19-year-old Guatemalan immigrant, pleaded guilty in May to two counts of first-degree attempted assault, four counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and two counts of second-degree assault.
The court also issued orders of protection to both of Mr. Soyos-Pixtun’s victims.
Mr. Soyos-Pixtun wore a white long sleeve shirt and green pants as he stood handcuffed in court. Before he was sentenced, the teenager asked through a Spanish translator if he could be released to visit his ailing mother.
The request was denied.
“I am sorry for your mother’s illness, but the court declines your request,” said Judge Mark Cohen.
Mr. Soyos-Pixtun also asked whether he would serve the full six years in prison, or only do five years because of previous time served. Judge Cohen said the time he serves will be up to the determination of the Department of Corrections.
No family members or friends attended the sentencing.
Mr. Soyos-Pixtun was living at 148 Phillips Street in Riverhead when he shot a man on West Main Street on Nov. 4 and another man in the leg on Nov. 10 in Polish Town.
The first victim, Oscar Alvarado, was shot about 10 p.m. during an argument outside the West Main Street shopping center that houses a laundromat, barber shop and Latino delicatessen near the Long Island Science Center parking lot.
Mr. Soyos-Pixtun fled the scene on foot, while Mr. Alvarado checked himself into Peconic Bay Medical Center for treatment after the incident.
Six days later, Mr. Soyos-Pixtun brandished a 9-mm semi-automatic handgun, allegedly yelled “I kill you!” before shooting a second man, Edgar Bautista, in the leg near Pulaski Street and Marcy Avenue about 10:30 p.m., court records show.
Riverhead Town police found Mr. Bautista lying on the ground, writhing in pain at the scene. A witness identified the shooter as Mr. Soyos-Pixtun, who was arrested soon after.
The teenager was arraigned on attempted murder charges in addition to the assault and weapons charges on Nov. 11, but a grand jury later dropped the attempted murder charges.
Mr. Soyos-Pixtun, who was granted permanent resident status in December 2010, will be deported after serving his prison term, prosecutors said.
