LONG BEACH, Calif. — A 34-year-old man has received a sentence of 358 years, amounting to life in prison, for the murder of a teenage girl and the attempted murder of four others, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office.
Troy Lamar Fox was convicted in March after a jury found him guilty of first-degree murder in connection with the death of 17-year-old Briana Soto. This decision came with a special finding that Fox personally used a firearm in the incident. In addition to the murder charge, he faced multiple counts of attempted murder.
Briana Soto, a high school senior who was looking forward to her prom, birthday, and graduation, was shot while walking home from her job at McDonald’s in March 2024. The incident occurred near the intersection of 11th Street and Lewis Avenue. She succumbed to her injuries three days later in a local hospital.
Fox’s crime spree did not end with Soto’s death. Prosecutors revealed that two weeks later, he fired at a vehicle containing four minors in the vicinity of Pine Avenue and 14th Street. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in that attack.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman expressed deep concern about the impact of the violence on the community and emphasized the tragic loss of life. “Today’s sentence ensures the person who stole her future will never be free to harm another innocent person,” Hochman said. “While this punishment cannot undo the pain he caused, it is a step toward justice for Briana, her loved ones, and our community.”
The court highlighted Fox’s extensive criminal history, which includes previous convictions for attempted robbery and making criminal threats. This background further underscored the severity of his actions and the subsequent sentence.
As the community mourns the loss of a promising young life, the case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of gun violence and the ongoing struggle for safety in neighborhoods. The impact of Briana Soto’s murder is felt deeply among her friends, family, and classmates, who continue to honor her memory in the wake of this tragedy.