VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — A man accused of trying to kill a police officer in Virginia Beach will serve 40 years, according to the Office of the Virginia Beach Commonwealth’s Attorney.
The Commonwealth said 21-year-old Luis Vazquez and another man, Terrion Jones, were armed with handguns when they robbed two women who were walking to their car in a shopping center on Wesleyan Drive in May 2015.
The women ran inside a nearby store to call 911.
Prosecutors said police used the “Find my iPhone” app to located an iPhone that had been stolen from one of then women. An officer then responded to a Boost Mobile store in the area, where the phone was appearing.
As the officer entered the store, Vazquez pulled out a gun and held it to a customer’s head, according to prosecutors. Vazquez then dragged the customer outside, where more officers had responded to assist.
Vazquez ignored police commands to drop the gun — and even threatened to shoot the customer at one point. Officers drew their weapons, and Vazquez used the customer as a shield as he tried to get away.
As he ran off, Vazquez fired at an officer who was chasing him. The officer fired back, striking Vazquez.
Prosecutors said Vazquez told an inmate in jail he shot at a cop and “tried to take his head off” — and also reportedly said he was running to his mother’s house during the chase, because she had assault rifles.
Vazquez pleaded guilty in June 2017. He was sentenced Monday on several charges:
- Attempted capital murder of a law enforcement officer
- Robbery (two counts)
- Abduction
- Conspiracy (two counts)
- Use of a firearm (four counts)
- Possession of a firearm by convicted felon
- Assault and battery of a law enforcement officer
A judge sentenced Vazquez to 133 years and 6 months in prison, with all but 40 years of that time suspended.
His co-defendant, Terrion Jones, pleaded guilty to two counts each of counts each of robbery, use of a firearm and conspiracy. Jones is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 22.
