Roudi Shmaly (photo Credit Facebook)
A teenage offender has received a three-year prison sentence for the fatal shooting of Roudi Shmali, a 25-year-old Syrian man, during a 2023 daylight robbery.
That is the harshest penalty available under juvenile sentencing guidelines for someone who was 16 at the time of the crime.
The incident occurred on May 22, 2023, when the defendant shot and killed the victim during an attempted robbery.
The accused entered a guilty plea in May of this year and is now 18 years old.
This conviction represents his second firearms offense, with the killing taking place while he was released on bail for earlier charges.
The defendant’s sentence will be reduced by the 550 days he has already served while in custody awaiting trial. Following his eventual release, he must report to a nerby police station twice each week and adhere to a nighttime curfew from 7 pm to 7 am.
Police are required to submit quarterly progress reports to the court regarding his adherence to these supervision terms. Violations of these conditions could trigger a court review and potentially lead to modification of his sentence.
A second suspect in his twenties connected to the case remains awaiting arraignment proceedings.
The sentence seems extreamly lient, but if that is the max under the sentencing guidlines so be it. There is an argument for the law to be changed, but that must be balanced against the posibility of rehabilitation for youthhs. That said I appreciate the deceased family must be fuming! One can only hope he learns from his time inside, otherwise next time it will be life imprisonment
Excuse me but this is BS and this is coming from an old black woman. So because he’s a teenager he gets a slap on the wrist after taking someone ‘s life? This is absurd!
That’s not enough
I have to say to this penalization system in Antigua: very soon, those who follow behind this minor will be worse because when an adult can’t execute, they’ll send a minor, and we’re screwed. A death penalty is no small thing.
The three-year prison sentence for the teenage offender in the shooting of Roudi Shmali seems disproportionately lenient given the severity of the crime. Taking a life during a daylight robbery should carry much harsher consequences, especially considering the impact it has on the victim’s family and the community. A punishment that falls within juvenile sentencing guidelines may not adequately reflect the severity of the offense or deter future crimes. It raises concerns about accountability and justice for victims, suggesting that the system may prioritize rehabilitation over necessary consequences for such violent actions. A longer sentence could serve as a stronger message about the seriousness of gun violence and its implications.
You kill someone and get 3 years. It happened two years ago so it means you will be basically out in one year. I can’t!
What 3 years for killing a man in cold blood. Wow Antigua the world is watching
So once you under 16 you can play bad man and do what you want and get away with it. Thats why some of us all for vigilante justice cause the justice system not working for us. He will get his punishment don’t worry
Teen gunman, three-year sentence for killing. A life lost. A profound tragedy.
I can’t express the heartbreak I’m feeling right now. Losing Roudi in such a senseless act of violence is devastating. He was so full of life and potential, and now he’s gone due to a moment of poor judgment from a young offender. It’s painful to think about what could have been. I just wish things had turned out differently. No one should have to bury their child. My heart goes out to everyone affected by this tragedy, but the emptiness left in my heart will never heal. Now to that young boy…May you be forgiven