On a Saturday afternoon in Philadelphia's Harrowgate neighborhood, 18-year-old Joshua Anthony Soto, a male, was at a friend's house on East Cornwall Street when violence erupted. It was November 6, 2021, and the talented national junior ice dancer with Olympic aspirations was simply watching Netflix. He was visiting his friend, Zbigniew Still, who was involved in selling marijuana from the residence.
Three men, Joseph Cuevas, Luis Castillo, and Anthony Sherman, arrived at the house with
the intention of committing a robbery. During the course of the robbery, which was initiated under the guise of a drug deal, Cuevas brandished a handgun and opened fire. Joshua was struck in the chest. Despite being mortally wounded, he managed to run out of the house before collapsing on the sidewalk, where he was pronounced dead. His friend, Zbigniew Still, was also shot multiple times in the abdomen and leg but survived his injuries.
The investigation into Joshua's murder led authorities to the three suspects. A significant break in the case came swiftly, as Anthony Sherman, who was wearing an ankle monitor at the time of the incident, was arrested just two days later. He chose to cooperate with prosecutors, providing valuable information that implicated Cuevas and Castillo. Further evidence was gathered when the getaway car, registered to Cuevas, was discovered burned in Northeast Philadelphia later that month. Following his recovery, the surviving victim, Zbigniew Still, was able to positively identify all three assailants, corroborating the information provided by Sherman.
The legal process concluded with the conviction and sentencing of all three men involved in the death of Joshua Anthony Soto. Joseph Cuevas, the shooter, was found guilty by a jury of second-degree murder, attempted murder, and related firearm charges. He received a mandatory life sentence in state prison without the possibility of parole. Luis Castillo pleaded guilty to third-degree murder, conspiracy, aggravated assault, and gun charges before his trial and was sentenced to 35 to 70 years in prison. The third defendant, Anthony Sherman, who cooperated with the investigation, also pleaded guilty to third-degree murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy, receiving a sentence of less than 10 years.
