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Man sentenced in fatal shooting of Justin Ferrari

SEATTLE — A man who killed a Zillow employee while shooting across a Central District street has been sentenced to spend decades in prison for second-degree murder.

 Zillow software development engineer, 43-year-old Justin Ferrari, was behind the wheel of a van at the intersection of East Cherry Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Way in May 2012 when he was caught in the crossfire.

His parents and two young children were in the van when he was shot in the head. He died at the scene.
 Andrew Patterson, 21, was the man who fired the lethal shots. Patterson was shooting at someone else, but shot Ferrari instead.
The sentence range, which includes a firearm enhancement, was 15-23 years in prison. Prosecutors recommended a sentence of about 19 years. The defense argued for a lower sentence of 13 years, saying Patterson was greatly remorseful for what happened and is a changed man since meeting face to face with the victim's wife and hearing the anguish he's caused the Ferrari family.
But Patterson was sentenced to 280 months, more than 23 years.
Ferrari's mother addressed the court and the man who killed her son.

"Our grandchildren will endure the greatest loss. Daily, they will not have their father to love and guide them. And they will live with the horror of having witnessed their father’s violent death,” said Paige Ferrari.

Justin Ferrari's sister also spoke in court, saying Patterson's careless actions launched a "chain reaction of pain" for her family that will stretch for decades.
Patterson yelled out in anger as he was escorted out of the courtoom after learning his fate.

"I get out when I'm 41!  That's (expletive) up," he said.

Patterson will be at least 44 when he's released.

Previous stories:

Man admits random killing of Seattle father, Justin Ferrari (July 2, 2013)

Murder charges filed in shooting death of innocent bystander in Central District (July 20, 2012)

Community remembers man fatally shot in Central District  (May 26, 2012)

Man killed in crossfire identified as Zillow employee (May 25, 2012)

Bystander killed during gunfight in Seattle’s Central District (May 24, 2012)

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