Background: News footage of Anthawn Ragan in court on Jan. 29 (WPLG). Inset: Aaron Vu (Dignity Memorial).
Anthawn Ragan, aged 31, stood before the court on Thursday and admitted guilt to 14 charges related to a November 2013 armed robbery that resulted in the tragic death of 10-year-old Aaron Vu. Already imprisoned for participating in a crime spree over ten years ago, which included another murder, Ragan also shot Aaron’s father during the same incident and confessed to attempted murder.
Authorities revealed that Ragan, along with an accomplice, was seen on surveillance footage storming a nail salon on November 22, 2013. The duo demanded cash from the salon’s employees and patrons. Ragan then opened fire, injuring Aaron and his father, Hai Vu, before fleeing the scene with his partner.
Both Vu and his son were rushed to the hospital, where tragically, Aaron succumbed to his injuries.
According to reports from local NBC affiliate WTVJ, Ragan was supposed to face trial on Thursday but opted for a plea deal instead. He also relinquished his right to a jury decision for the penalty phase, entrusting that choice to the judge. In a previous trial for the murder of 21-year-old Luis Perez, a jury chose a life sentence over the death penalty.
Local NBC affiliate WTVJ reported that Ragan was expected to go to trial on Thursday and instead offered a plea. He also waived a jury for the penalty phase of his trial, leaving the decision to the judge. When he went on trial for the murder of 21-year-old Luis Perez, a jury decided on a life sentence, sparing him the death penalty.
The death penalty is still on the table for the first-degree murder conviction stemming from Aaron’s death. Ragan may also receive another life sentence without the possibility of parole, the same sentence he received in the case for Perez’s murder.
Ragan is scheduled to be back in court for sentencing on Feb. 4.
