In Henrico, Virginia, a young man's life was cut short on a Saturday afternoon, June 15, 2013. Paul Gower, a 19-year-old Black male from Richmond, was fatally shot in an apartment complex along the 5700 block of Pony Farm Drive. The incident, which occurred shortly before 5 p.m., stemmed from a personal conflict that escalated to a tragic conclusion.
The man responsible for Gower's death was 22-year-old Andrew Arthur Pratt. Earlier on the day of the shooting, Gower and Pratt's then-girlfriend were reportedly involved in a theft at a Target store. Later, when Gower unexpectedly appeared at Pratt's apartment, a confrontation ensued. Pratt, who suspected Gower of having a romantic relationship with his future wife, became overwhelmed with anger and fear. As Gower attempted to leave the apartment and was moving down a hallway, Pratt fired two shots from a. 40-caliber handgun, one of which struck Gower in the buttocks and proved to be fatal.
Following the shooting, Andrew Arthur Pratt himself called 911 to report the incident. He was subsequently arrested and faced charges of second-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. In court, Pratt expressed that he had panicked and that his actions were not premeditated. Ultimately, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the shooting death of Paul Gower.
