On a tragic day in Virginia Beach, Virginia, an 18-year-old male, Bryant Austin Cueto, lost his life. On May 1, 2016, what was arranged as a drug transaction in the parking lot of an Applebee's on General Booth Boulevard quickly escalated into a fatal robbery. Cueto, a student at Grassfield High School, was seated in the passenger side of his friend's car, intending to sell Xanax to two individuals, Jacquan Wilson and Andarion McInnis.
The friend who drove Cueto was reportedly unaware of the planned drug deal.
The situation turned violent when Wilson entered the backseat of the vehicle, produced a revolver, and demanded the drugs from Cueto. When Cueto refused to hand over the pills, McInnis, who was leaning into the driver's side window, urged Wilson to shoot. Wilson then fired a single shot, striking Cueto in the back, before grabbing the Xanax. Both assailants fled the scene on foot to a getaway car driven by a female friend waiting nearby. Cueto's friend immediately called 911 and rushed towards the hospital. Despite these efforts and those of police who intervened to provide aid, Cueto succumbed to his injuries at the hospital shortly after.
The subsequent investigation led authorities to identify Jacquan Wilson and Andarion McInnis as the primary suspects. A key piece of physical evidence was McInnis's fingerprints, which were discovered on the driver's side door panel of the car. The case against Wilson was further solidified when he later posted on social media advertising Xanax for sale. During an interview with detectives, Wilson confessed to the murder. Both he and McInnis were arrested and faced serious charges for their involvement in the death of Bryant Cueto.
The legal process to bring justice for Cueto's death was lengthy and complex, spanning several years. Andarion McInnis was reportedly sentenced to 28 years in prison for his role in the robbery and murder. Jacquan Wilson's journey through the justice system included a mistrial in 2019. However, a retrial in March 2023 found him guilty of first-degree murder, armed robbery, and a firearm charge. The court sentenced Wilson to 73 years in prison, with 17 years suspended, resulting in a total of 56 years to serve. During the court proceedings, it was also noted that Wilson had attempted to escape the courtroom during a prior appearance, for which he received an additional conviction. The sentencing of both individuals finally brought a close to the long wait for justice for Cueto's family.
