A slice of justice!
A vicious gunman who shot down a mother and daughter working at a Philadelphia pizza shop has been slapped with a 13-year sentence.
Kaleb Bridges, 20, was sentenced on Wednesday after pleading guilty to charges of Hobbs Act robbery and carrying, using and discharging a firearm, according to the US Attorney’s Office Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Stacy (left) and her mother Asimina Karasavas (right) were shot down by Kaleb Bridges at Mayfair Pizza in Philadelphia March 8, 2023. Stacy Karasavas/Facebook
“Kaleb Bridges’ decision to rob this family business at gunpoint and shoot two members of that family was life-changing for the victims,” U.S. Attorney Romero said.
“While this crime occurred in a matter of minutes, it will long stay with the two women he shot and the witnesses who struggled to restrain him.
“It’s also changed the course of Bridges’ life, which, for the next decade-plus, will be lived locked away in prison.”
Stacy Karasavas, who co-owns the shop with her mother Asimina, had been closing up Mayfair Pizza just before 9 p.m. on March 8 2023 when Bridges, 19 at the time, barreled into the restaurant.
Bridges demanded Stacy empty the cash from the register into a bag he’d been touting before shooting her in the shoulder and lodging a bullet deep under her scapula.
Stacy’s father Vasilios hurled himself at Bridges as he attempted to flee the crime scene.
Stacy Karasavas, who co-owns the shop with her mother Asimina, had been closing up Mayfair Pizza just before 9pm on March 8 2023 when Bridges, 19 at the time, barreled into the restaurant. Mayfair Pizza/Facebook
Bridges was momentarily disarmed before retrieving his firearm and shooting Asimina in the stomach.
The then 19-year-old was finally tackled to the ground and subdued before being taken into custody by responding police.
Stacy was taken to hospital, treated and released within a few hours, but her mother spent several weeks recovering from her life-threatening injuries.
In the wake of the attack, Stacy told Fox 29 that she was just happy to be alive and delivered a stern warning to future criminals.
“You can’t beat us all down, we’re going to fight back, and we’re going to fight back for this neighborhood,” she said at the time.
Bridges was sentenced to 13 years behind bars and his actions were labeled “chilling” by local law enforcement who welcomed the sentencing. ABC6
“And to the young folks out there, you have a whole life ahead of you, you need help, there are places and resources out there. Don’t do petty theft, don’t do this stuff, you’re going to ruin peoples’ lives and your own.”
The Post has contacted the family for comment but did not immediately hear back.
Bridges’ actions were labeled “chilling” by local law enforcement who welcomed his sentence.
“This sentence sends a clear message that we will not tolerate this kind of violence in our neighborhoods, and that we will work tirelessly to bring those who commit such crimes to justice,” Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin J. Bethel said.
There have been 508 shooting incidents and 233 shooting victims year-to-date in Philadelphia, according to police data.
Source link: https://nypost.com/2024/04/03/us-news/vicious-philly-robber-who-shot-mother-and-daughter-in-pizza-shop-sentenced-13-years/