A Manhattan man convicted by a jury of his peers of shooting his pregnant ex-girlfriend dead in front of her daughter claimed Thursday his “constitutional rights” had been violated moments before a judge ordered him to serve 40 years in prison.
Justin Soriano was convicted last November of murdering 31-year-old Shanice Young in Harlem back on Sept. 12, 2021. Young was preparing to attend a baby shower on West 128th Street and Frederick Douglass Boulevard in celebration of her third child when she was gunned down.
According to the charges, Young was sitting inside her car as family and friends began unloading gifts for the event when Soriano arrived on his motorcycle wearing a mask and latex gloves. Brandishing a firearm, Soriano chased Young’s newest boyfriend inside and then out of the venue when Young attempted to confront her ex.
Moments later, prosecutors said, Soriano shot Young in the head as her six-year-old and 15-year-old daughters watched on in horror. Two out of the three fired bullets entered her, killing her. She was pronounced dead at the scene; her unborn child did not survive.
Angelina Rosado, the executive director of Sisters in Purple — a domestic violence support group— told amNewYork that she works with Young’a now 10-year-old daughter who suffers PTSD from the incident.
“She was an amazing person, a super hands-on mom,” Rosado said. “She took the steps that our society tells victims of domestic violence to take. You know, she did her orders of protection, she made sure she got away. And unfortunately, this was the outcome.”
‘Without an ounce of remorse’
Despite being unanimously found guilty by a jury and being pointed out by witnesses during trial, prosecutors said, Soriano refuses to take responsibility for his actions.
“This is an unfortunate case, and hopefully, they can find out who really did,” Soriano said, according to a probation report while also charging that one of Young’s daughters was coerced by the district attorney.
“He sits here without an ounce of remorse,” ADA Emily Ching said.
When given an opportunity to speak before sentencing was handed down, Soriano did not offer any apologies or concern for the family and friends of the victim, instead declaring that he wanted “parties to reflect that sentence enhancements declare a violation of my constitutional rights” before rattling off a series of previous court cases he had researched.
Judge Ann Scherzer remained unmoved and threw the book at Soriano, sentencing him on April 3 to 40 years to life behind bars. His legal team promised to appeal.
“Justin Soriano will serve state prison time for viciously murdering Shanice Young on what should have been a joyous and memorable occasion and celebration,” District Attorney Alvin Bragg said. “The trauma Ms. Young’s family and loved ones have experienced continues to be felt today, and my thoughts remain with them as they continue to heal. I hope the significant sentence imposed today serves as a measure of justice for this tragic and abhorrent act of violence.”
Rosado of Sisters in Purple agreed, believing it was a fitting sentence.
“The sentencing was very appropriate. The judge handed his case with understanding, and she left an impact on all of us,” Rosado said.
