WASHINGTON PARISH, La. (WGNO) — An Angie man is facing a life sentence after a Washington Parish jury found him guilty of a “violent crime spree” that occurred in 2021.
The Office of District Attorney Collin Sims reported that 21-year-old Andrew Pernell was found guilty of second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, conspiracy to commit second-degree murder and assault by drive-by shooting on Friday, June 28.
Court documents state Pernell and two others fatally “gunned down” Aaron Brown, a Bogalusa High School senior who was walking home from school, on Aug. 23, 2021.
The Bogalusa Police Department reported officers responded to gunfire near Hickory Avenue and Dan Street, where they found Brown and pronounced him dead at the scene.
On Sept. 15, 2021, court documents state Pernell fired about 18 shots at an occupied home on Main Street in Bogalusa with an AK-47. No injuries were reported.
Additionally, on Sept. 20, 2021, court document state that Pernell shot a 13-year-old who was getting off a school bus on Main Street. The 13-year-old was airlifted for emergency treatment of multiple gunshot wounds.
The district attorney’s office reported Pernell fired nine shots before trying to leave the scene and crashing his vehicle.
Bogalusa police then took Pernell into custody and searched the area. During the search, Bogalusa officers said they found a gun in the woods.
According to the district attorney, an analysis of the gun found in the woods and DNA determined that it was the gun used to shoot the 13-year-old boy.
In a search of Pernell’s home, court documents state detectives recovered an AK-47 that was later determined to be the one used during the Sept. 15, 2021, drive-by shooting.
A search of Pernell’s phone reportedly revealed texts discussing how Pernell got the AK-47 used in the drive-by shooting and the AR-15 used to shoot Brown.
Court documents state Pernell was messaging a “strawman” to buy weapons, stating he needed them because “I kill ppl.”
The district attorney’s office reported a search of another person’s phone revealed messages with Pernell laying out “plans to engage in a shooting once students started walking home from Bogalusa High School after classes ended for the day.”
On Friday, a jury convicted Pernell after deliberating for 27 minutes. He is set to be sentenced on Sept. 5.
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