HOPEWELL, Va. — The first of three men charged in a 2022 drive-by shooting that killed an 8-year-old girl in Hopewell was sentenced to 25-years in prison Friday.
Brandon Warner, 19, was sentenced to life in prison for the first-degree murder charge for the death of P'Aris Mi-Unique Angel Moore, 8, with all but 22 years suspended, plus another three years for the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony charge, for an active sentence of 25 years.
Warner pled guilty to those charges earlier this year. Two other charges from the Dec. 30, 2022, shooting were set aside.
Two other men, Rayquan Latrel Harvell, 18, and Jamari Antonio Taylor, 20, have also been charged in the case. Taylor has a jury trial set for October, while Harvell's trial date has not been set.
Family members of Moore's attended the sentencing wearing pink, her favorite color, and remembered a young girl who was just days away from her ninth birthday when she was shot and killed while riding her bike.
"Remember her for all the good times," said her aunt, Lesha Moore Barnes. "Her laughter, jokes."
"All she wanted to do was dance. She was all about a good time and get out of line," added another aunt, Chantel Moore.
"We going to miss all of that. We just going to miss them. But we do have -- we just going to carry her memory on forever," said a third aunt, Tasha Moore.
The family expressed disappointment with the 25-year sentence, feeling it was inadequate for the loss of their loved one.
"Twenty five years at 8 years old? P'Aris would have been 30-some years old. He'll be coming home and live a great life, and her life is gone. It's not right. It's not fair," Chantel Moore said.
Judge W. Edward Tomko acknowledged the difficulty of the case during sentencing, noting that while Moore would never have the opportunity to grow up and have a family, Warner was only 16 at the time of the shooting despite committing "a very adult thing."
The judge mentioned Warner's troubled childhood and expressed hope for his rehabilitation, stating that Hopewell and its residents deserve better.
When given the opportunity to address the court, Warner declined to speak.
"He don't have no remorse. There's no remorse. He has no remorse," Chantel Moore said. "A message he sent after he shot our baby was, 'Yes, I hit that little b.' No, you don't care."
Warner will have a life sentence hanging over him if he reoffends after serving his 25-year term.
Before leaving the courthouse, the family shared a statement written by one of Moore's cousins about the impact of losing someone she considered a baby sister, along with a prayer for healing.
"It's hard to find the right words. P'Aris Mi-Unique Angel Moore wasn't just my cousin. She was my baby sister in every way. At only eight-years-old, she lit up every room with her smile and laughter, riding her bike, loving church every Wednesday, making TikToks and just being the sweet, bright soul she was," said the statement written by her cousin Rashiah Moore-Cooper. "I'm making this post because I know how much my family is hurting right now. I love y'all so much, and it breaks me to know that this is our new reality. P'Aris was taken from us so senselessly, and it's hard to imagine life without her here."
"To my cousins, aunts and uncles, I can't take the pain away, but please know you're not alone in this. I'm here with you through it all. We'll carry P'Aris in our hearts forever," she added. "A prayer of comfort. Lord, I ask that you wrap your arms around my family right now, bring them peace that surpasses all understanding and strength to face each day without our sweet P'Aris, help us lean on each other and trust that P'Aris is in your care, that your love be felt deeply in every heart that's hurting. Amen."
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