VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - A man was sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to his involvement in a planned attack and attempted robbery that left one person with permanent physical impairment.
33-year-old Kyle Michael Harris was sentenced today for aggravated malicious wounding, attempted robbery, two counts of use of a firearm , wearing a mask, conspiracy, and possession of firearm by a non-violent felon.
Virginia Beach Circuit Court Judge Lilley sentenced Harris to 35 years in prison with twenty years suspended, leaving 15 years to serve.
According to officials, in 2017 Harris and Paul Tracy, went to the Premier Office and Storage on Virginia Beach Boulevard to rob the victim.
Police say Tracy contacted Harris to set up the robbery after a previous conflict with the victim. Harris and Tracy went to the storage unit wearing masks.
According to officials, Tracy gave Harris a firearm to bring and when they saw the victim leave the storage unit, Tracy struck him with a baseball bat. When the victim took off running, Harris pleaded guilty to shooting him in the back.
Surveillance cameras were able to capture the incident.
Officials say the victim survived the attack, but has required several surgeries and has permanent physical impairment.
Police obtained cell phone records that showed phone calls between Harris and Tracy, as well as their travel to the area of the crime and then away from the scene immediately after the shooting. Tracy admitted to police that he provided the firearm to Harris, that they went to the scene for the purpose of robbing the victim, and to striking the victim with the bat. Tracy said he did not know Harris would shoot the victim.
Officials say Harris has prior convictions for possession of schedule I/II drug, disorderly conduct, two counts of reckless driving, assault and battery of a family member, as well as multiple probation violations and traffic offenses.
