Family of man killed in CHOP criticizes Seattle prosecutors, judge for lenient sentence of killer.

Man Sentenced to 14 Years for Fatal Shooting in Seattle’s CHOP Zone

A 21-year-old man convicted of shooting 19-year-old Horace Lorenzo Anderson inside Seattle’s Capitol Hill Organized Protest (CHOP) zone in 2020 has been sentenced to 14 years behind bars. Marcel Long, the perpetrator, received the prison sentence from King County Superior Court Judge Karen Donohue. In addition to his prison term, Long will also have to provide restitution to Anderson’s family, who expressed their dissatisfaction with the plea deal.

“I don’t even know why we’re sitting up here because they made a deal that we didn’t even agree on. They wanted this deal. He wanted this deal,” said Horace Anderson Sr. during the sentencing hearing, pointing to Long. “We didn’t want that deal. I said take it to trial and just let God figure it out. That’s what his mom said. But instead, we were force-fed this deal and we had to take it.”

FATHER’S FURY: Horace Anderson closed out the victim impact statements Friday afternoon in King County Superior Court. His lasted more than 30 minutes. This is a cut down version of some key moments. Like the others, Lorenzo’s dad shared the pain and grief of losing his son. But… pic.twitter.com/A0Xl1mfjRc

— Jonathan Choe Journalist (Seattle) (@choeshow) July 1, 2023

Court documents reveal that the killing, which took place during the protests in Seattle following the death of George Floyd, was downgraded from first to second-degree murder. Long was not apprehended until a year after the incident.

Long pursued Anderson and shot him following an argument. Due to the hesitation of city responders to enter the CHOP zone, Anderson did not receive immediate medical attention. It was reported that a hostile crowd prevented the police from entering the area to clear the way for medics. Civilians had to provide initial treatment, and Anderson was transported to Harborview Medical Center in the back of a pickup truck.

The city of Seattle previously reached a settlement of $500,000 with Anderson over the incident.

During the sentencing, Anderson’s sister expressed her hatred towards Long, causing a disruption in the courtroom.

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EMOTIONALLY CHARGED SENTENCING: Friday afternoon, court was temporarily halted during victim impact statements after an outburst by Donnitta Sinclair. She’s the grief-stricken mother of Lorenzo Anderson, who was murdered by Marcel Long in #Seattle‘s CHAZ/CHOP zone during the… pic.twitter.com/cWOiTvC501

— Jonathan Choe Journalist (Seattle) (@choeshow) July 1, 2023

At one point during the sentencing, Anderson’s mother attempted to approach Long, expressing her refusal to let them disrespect her son. Chaos erupted in the courtroom, with both sides yelling and screaming at each other. Police intervened to prevent any further escalation.

According to the Seattle Times, prosecutors argued that Long had developmental issues and was functioning at the level of an 11-14-year-old at the time of the shooting. His exposure to violence in his community during his upbringing was also taken into consideration.

“I would like to thank you for trying to understand the mistake of a kid in the streets, but most of all, I’m thankful for helping me understand the life I don’t want, but one I need, by simply just wanting me to change,” Long wrote in a letter to Anderson’s family.

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