NORTON, Va. — A Lynchburg, Va., man has been found guilty of attempted murder, for opening fire at a Norton home back in October.
After police were called to a reported shooting on Gardner Hollow Road, 27-year-old Manuel Sotillo Soto was standing outside the home with a rifle. Several bullet holes were found in the walls of the home.
Soto later admitted to police that he shot at the house, saying he was angry at the residents inside because they disrespected him.
No one was injured in the shooting.
Soto was found guilty of firing a gun at an occupied dwelling, destruction of property, and two counts of attempted murder. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison, with seven years suspended.
“It is a miracle that no one was injured during this incident,” Commonwealth’s Attorney Chuck Slemp said. “These crimes are outrageous and conduct like this has no place in our safe community. Virginia Sentencing Guidelines in this case called for a sentence of only seven months to a little more than a year. Today’s sentence is significantly higher in light of the serious nature of the offense. I want to thank the police investigators and prosecutors from my office for their professionalism and hard work in bringing the case to a successful conclusion.”
