Douglas County District Court Judge Theresa Slade sentenced Abraham Paquet, 34, to 96 years in prison after a jury convicted him of shooting and injuring another motorist in a random act of road rage.
During the rush hour commute on the evening of May 22, 2018, officers with the Parker Police Department were dispatched to a shots fired call at Parker Road and E-470.
A witness informed officers that two trucks were at a traffic light. As the light turned green, the witness saw a man pull out a gun and shoot at the other driver. The driver was able to drive to Parker Adventist Hospital for treatment after being struck in the hand. Multiple bullets had also hit the victim’s vehicle.
The Parker Police department did an extensive investigation reviewing hours of video and surveillance footage that helped lead officers to identify the Defendant. With the assistance of the FBI, law enforcement was able to connect the Defendant to this crime despite his efforts to avoid detection and alter evidence.
“Thanks to the tireless efforts of our law enforcement team, justice has been served and the perpetrator of this senseless, random act of violence has been brought to account,” Deputy DA Joel Zink said. “Our community is now a safer place.”
In February, a jury convicted Paquet on the following charges:
Attempted 1st Degree Murder- Extreme Indifference
Assault 1- Serious Bodily Injury (SBI) with a Deadly Weapon
Assault 1- Extreme Indifference
Illegal Discharge of a Firearm
Weapon Possession by a Previous Offender
While the victim in this case survived, he did need hand surgery following the shooting.
“We’re fortunate the victim in this case did not sustain life-threatening injuries,” Deputy DA Corrie Caler said. “The defendant’s senseless actions put other innocent lives at risk and the community should feel safer knowing he’s off the streets.”
During the shooting, Paquet had a passenger in the vehicle. That co-defendant was charged and pleaded guilty to being an accessory to a crime—a class 5 felony.
“This felon endangered many lives and while we may never know the true motive for his violent actions, the fact is he should have never been in possession of a firearm,” District Attorney John Kellner said. “This lengthy prison sentence ensures the defendant won’t be able to victimize anyone else for the foreseeable future.”
