Bloods gang member sentenced in Triangle machine-gun shooting
A judge on Thursday sentenced a Bloods gang member to nearly three decades in prison for opening fire with a machine gun on a home in Triangle last year, wounding a woman inside and narrowly missing a police detective and bystander outside.
Prince William County Circuit Court Judge Carroll Weimer sentenced Sean Hughes, 20, of Temple Hills, Md., to 28 years in prison in connection with the April 19, 2023 shooting. Earlier this year, a jury found Hughes guilty of shooting into an occupied dwelling, shooting from a vehicle, attempted malicious wounding, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, gang participation, gang recruitment and use of a machine gun for an aggressive purpose, according to Prince William County Commonwealth’s Attorney Amy Ashworth.
Ashworth’s office said Hughes and a juvenile suspect opened fire at the home in the 3500 block of Wharf Lane, striking a 58-year-old woman inside.
Earlier that day, a 19-year-old woman who lived in the home had received threatening messages from one of the suspects, police said at the time.
Later that day, a Prince William County police detective responded to speak to the victim. While speaking outside, a vehicle passed, and multiple rounds were fired towards the home. The rounds struck the house, the woman inside and four parked vehicles, police said.
The detective and another bystander were almost struck as they stood in front of the house, the release said.
Hughes and the juvenile fled the scene and were eventually apprehended in Maryland, where they were found in possession of one of the firearms used in the shooting, prosecutors said.
Hughes is a member of the criminal street gang commonly known as the Bloods, Ashworth’s office said.